Like many major cities, Seattle hopes to increase its walkability to encourage more residents and visitors to explore the city by foot. This goal is behind the city’s mission to help “people to walk safely and with pleasure in ever-increasing numbers through a variety of city-led programs as well as ways for communities to advance their mobility and place keeping goals.” In other words, pedestrian safety remains a priority for Seattle, as transportation by foot can be risky—particularly in high-traffic areas. Unfortunately, even cautious pedestrians can find themselves injured by cars, trucks, motorcyclists, or bicyclists at some point. Pedestrian accident injuries can be severe, requiring extensive medical interventions, treatments, and recoveries. Moreover, victims of pedestrian accidents can become anxious about the financial toll of this unanticipated event. Suddenly, medical bills are piling up, and you may lose out on your regular paycheck as you focus on your physical recovery.
In Washington state, pedestrian accident victims may be entitled to recover compensation to assist with the considerable costs stemming from the injuries. Whether you have been hit by a car as a pedestrian or suffered another type of pedestrian accident injury in the greater Seattle area, it’s worth discussing your legal rights and options with a highly experienced and skilled Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents, the legal rights of pedestrian accident victims, and some steps you can take after a pedestrian accident to maximize your chances of securing the compensation you need to start putting your life back together after the accident.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Seattle
There are many ways that pedestrians can become injured in an urban center like Seattle. These types of accidents tend to be more common in highly congested areas where multiple types of vehicles (i.e., cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, e-scooters, etc.) share spaces. Distracted driving remains one of the most prominent factors in pedestrian collisions. Drivers of cars or trucks may be texting while driving or engaging in other distracted activities behind the wheel, preventing them from looking out for pedestrians crossing the road and leading to serious accidents. Speeding is also a common factor in pedestrian collisions, as is a driver’s failure to yield at designated crosswalks to allow the pedestrians to cross safely. Drivers who are intoxicated or impaired may not be able to spot pedestrians, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Some accidents are due to poor road conditions, insufficient lighting, or inadequate pedestrian signals. In some cases, a driver may hit a pedestrian and then take off because they are afraid of the consequences. If this is the case, it’s worth contacting an experienced pedestrian hit and run lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Legal Rights of Pedestrian Accident Victims in Washington State
Washington allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering they endured as a result of the accident. Essentially, a pedestrian injury claim allows you to establish that the other party’s negligent or reckless actions (i.e., distracted driving, failing to stop at a crosswalk, etc.) resulted in your injuries, which entitles you to recover compensation from the at-fault party. However, it’s important to recognize that Washington’s at-fault insurance system also allows injured parties who were somewhat at-fault for the accident to still obtain compensation that’s proportional to their role in causing the incident. For example, if an investigation finds that the driver is 80 percent at-fault for the accident and the pedestrian is 20 percent responsible, the pedestrian can still recover 80 percent of the total compensation awarded. You can learn more about fault determinations in pedestrian accident settlement cases and how to pursue a pedestrian accident insurance claim by contacting a highly qualified and caring crosswalk accident lawyer today.
Who Can Be Held Liabile in a Pedestrian Accident?
Determining who is at fault for a pedestrian accident can be a challenging and complex endeavor. It’s possible for more than one party to be held liable for the pedestrian accident, so it’s important to recognize how such determinations are made. Negligent drivers and their insurance providers are often identified as defendants in pedestrian injury claims. However, pedestrians can also be shown to have played some role in causing the accident, which can affect the amount of the pedestrian accident compensation that’s able to be recovered. In some cases, a third party may be named as a defendant, such as a construction company that failed to keep a sidewalk safe or the city itself for failing to maintain the infrastructure. It’s also worth noting that Washington’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage may apply to your pedestrian accident. If you are injured by a driver, you may be able to recover some of their PIP coverage. You may also use your own PIP benefits after the other driver’s coverage is exhausted or if the driver is uninsured. Your experienced Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer can help you review the specifics of your situation and determine the most strategic approach to establishing fault.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in King County
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident is often overwhelming and chaotic. The first thing you should do is assess yourself and others for any injuries that require immediate medical attention. As you wait for the ambulance to arrive, it’s worth contacting local law enforcement to report the accident. The responding officer will arrive and compile a police report, and this document can be useful later on when you move forward with a pedestrian accident insurance claim. It’s also important to gather any evidence you can (i.e., photos, witness statements, police reports, contact information for the other parties involved, etc.) that can be used to support your claim. Even if you do not think that your injuries are serious enough to justify a trip to the hospital, it’s essential to visit a medical professional within the next day or two for a comprehensive evaluation. The medical records created by this visit can illustrate the nature and extent of your injuries so that you can use this information to support your compensation claim. Finally, enlisting the guidance of an experienced and dedicated Seattle personal injury attorney is encouraged to provide you with the reassurance you need during this challenging time.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in the greater Seattle area, you may be entitled to recover compensation to assist with the costs of your recovery. Reach out to Scott & Scott, PLLC, today at (206) 622-2200 to discuss your options with a highly experienced and trusted personal injury attorney.