Washington, and Oregon State
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian laws in the Pacific Northwest clearly state that vehicles should always yield to pedestrians when they cross a roadway within a marked crosswalk. The Advocates has practiced pedestrian accident lawyers who are ready to take your fight all the way to the courts if necessary. Our firm will help you receive compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation you may need after an accident. We will be your best ally in restoring your life to how it was before your accident. Insurance companies will try to force you into a lower settlement or even deny coverage altogether. With a pedestrian accident lawyer from the Advocates on your side, you will never be required to pay out-of-pocket for an accident.
A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Injuries
Drivers have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians walking in crosswalks, on sidewalks, in parking lots, or any other place occupied with both cars and pedestrians. When yielding, vehicles should come to a complete stop while they allow any and all pedestrians to safely cross the road. Drivers must be diligent in keeping an eye out for pedestrians. Unfortunately, pedestrian automobile accidents often cause serious injury or even death. Some of the more common injuries are:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Cuts – bruises – and scrapes
- Hemorrhages and hematomas
- Torn and sprained ligaments
Pedestrian Accident FAQ
How large of a settlement should I expect?
The total amount you receive for you pedestrian accident depends on the severity of your injuries and recovery time. Pedestrian accidents are both rare and rather serious. Pedestrians are far more vulnerable since they don’t have the benefit of seat belts and air bags to protect them like car accident victims do. Due to these factors, pedestrian accident victims can expect settlements anywhere in the range of 4 to 7 figures. Settlements are based on medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How long will my pedestrian accident case take to resolve?
The short answer is anywhere between 4 months to several years. If your case is clear cut and there are no questions about liability, the at-fault party’s insurance may just settle out of court since they know they lose if a judge or jury gets involved. If your case does go to trial proceedings could be dragged out for years thanks to various legal maneuverings. This is why hiring an attorney is essential for making sure you receive fair compensation for your losses and injuries. Contact The Advocates Law today for a free case evaluation.
How will I pay my medical expenses if the driver who hit me is uninsured?
Unfortunately, you may be out of luck if you’re a pedestrian who was hit by an uninsured motorist. You do have the option of filing a civil lawsuit against the uninsured driver. But oftentimes the reason drivers do not have insurance is because they can not afford it, so they might not have assets to sue over. One option you have to prevent such a nightmare scenario is to get Uninsured Motorist insurance added to your own automobile insurance. This will help you pay your medical bills and cover your lost wages if you are one day struck by an uninsured motorist.
Why should I hire an Advocate to represent me instead of an ordinary pedestrian accident lawyer?
An attorney with the Advocates is not your average pedestrian accident lawyer. What separates the Advocates from other personal injury law firms is our dedication and determination to help our clients make the best recovery possible after they’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident. We take pride in being a voice for our clients in a legal system that too often favors insurance providers over regular people. Our attorneys are experts in Washington State pedestrian accident law and know how to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and losses at the hands of another. Unlike other pedestrian accident attorneys, the Advocates will fight for your case until all other legal options have run out. Where other law firms call it a day if they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim, the Advocates refuse to give up. We will take your case all the way to a jury to get you the compensation you deserve. Why settle for second best? Call our office today at (206) 452-4200 or chat online right now with a live attorney from our homepage. Your pedestrian accident case deserves an Advocate!
How long does it take to settle a car accident claim?
Just as no two accidents are the same, neither are two car accident cases. If you are no longer treating your injures and your case settles out of court then you can expect everything to be concluded within a 4-to-12-month range. But if your case ends up requiring a lawsuit to be filed, then your claim may not settle for years. The discovery phase alone can go on for 6 to 12 months. Luckily, most personal injury cases do not go to trial.
What are the benefits of hiring an injury lawyer to represent my car accident claim?
Multiple studies have shown that hiring a car accident lawyer to represent your car accident claim can have a profound impact on the potential settlement you receive. Our car accident attorneys have decades of experience negotiating fair settlements with insurance adjusters and will argue your case before a judge and jury if required. The staff of The Advocates Law are experts at obtaining comprehensive medical records, ensuring your medical bills are paid and do not fall into collections, and we can even help you get into a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. To be honest, hiring an attorney is one of the best decisions you can make for your case and can potentially increase the settlement you receive exponentially.
How large of a settlement should I expect?
No two accidents are exactly the same and therefore, we don’t treat them as such. Our mission at the Advocates is to use our knowledge, resources, and tenacity to get your life back on track again. To accomplish this, we will demand full compensation for any and all losses, expenses, and injuries you have been burdened with as a result of your accident. This may include but is not limited to:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Hospital bills
- Emergency room visit
- Physical therapy bills
- Chiropractic treatments
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Childcare costs
We know better than most how quickly medical bills can pile up and leave you buried beneath a mountain of debt. If you hire a car accident lawyer with the Advocates Law, we will fight every day to restore your life to what it was before your accident. Our car accident lawyers will help get you on the road to recovery.
Why should I hire an Advocate to represent my car accident claim?
An Advocate attorney is not your run-of-the-mill car accident lawyer. What separates the Advocates from other personal injury law firms is our dedication and determination to help our clients make the best recovery possible after they’ve been injured in a car accident. We take pride in being a voice for our clients in the legal system. Our attorneys are experts in Washington State law and know how to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Unlike other car accident attorneys, the Advocates will fight for your case until all of your legal options are exhausted.
Where other law firms wave the white flag if they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim, the Advocates refuse to give up and will take your case before a jury to get you the compensation you deserve. Don’t settle for second best! Call our office today at (206) 452-4200 or chat online right now with a live attorney from our homepage. Your case deserves an Advocate!
Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!
No one plans to be in a car crash, but when an unexpected collision occurs, it can be difficult to remember exactly what to do after an accident.
With statistics showing that the average driver will be involved in an accident once every 17 years, the reality is it’s often a matter of time before you’re forced to navigate the high-stress aftermath of an auto accident.
Fortunately, there are a number ways to be prepared if you find yourself injured in an auto accident. Below is a list of frequently asked questions all drivers should know:
What Do I Do Immediately After an Accident?
For starters, take a deep breath and try to calm down. It’s always best to be thinking clearly when dealing with any sort of emergency. This is especially true if you or someone else requires immediate medical care.
Next, call the police. You should consider calling the police even if the accident was little more than a minor fender-bender and the other driver has admitted fault. An official police report is the best way to establish who is to blame for the crash. If you don’t file a police report there’s nothing stopping the other driver from simply blaming you.
One last thing to keep in mind is to remain vigilant as you walk around assessing the damage to your vehicle. Other drivers may not see you and some might be rubbernecking instead of paying attention to the road. This all adds up to a dangerous and unsafe situation. Stories of drivers being hit by an un-involved driver are far too common, so be sure to pay as much attention as possible.
How Should I Gather Evidence of a Crash?
One benefit of smartphones is that most everyone has a high-definition camera in their back pocket. Take as many photos of the accident as possible. It’s always better to have too much evidence than not enough. You should also feel free to take a photo of the other driver’s license, license plate, and insurance policy. If they refuse to show either to you just take a photo of them and make sure you write down their name.
Another way to gather evidence is to write down a brief journal entry of everything that happened. Describe the events of the accident as closely as possible and maybe even show it to the at-scene police officer. You should also jot down the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
In the days following the crash, be sure to keep track of any and all medical procedures you undergo. Pay special attention to the providers you see as well as the dates of your appointments. Nobody wants a long forgotten bill popping up in collections months after a settlement has already been agreed upon.
Should I Admit Fault If I Think I Caused the Crash?
In short, no. Even if you believe the crash was entirely your fault you should never say so. Leave that determination for the police officer to make in their report. Prematurely admitting guilt could tank any chance you have of making a personal injury claim in the future.
You should also avoid commenting on your physical state. Try not to say, “I feel alright,” or “I am not injured.” Some injuries such as whiplash might not fully manifest for days or even weeks following a crash. It’s best to instead say, “I do not need medical attention at the moment.”
Never doubt that insurance adjusters will do anything possible to deny a personal injury claim. They will not hesitate to bend your words out of context in order to save their company a few dollars.
What Type of Insurance Coverage Should I Have?
First and foremost, you should add Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to your insurance plan. Some states require insurers to include PIP with all auto insurance policies they offer. Others simply require them to offer it to those they insure. This means you could very well have PIP and not even know it.
PIP is a great addition to your insurance policy because it will allow you to cover medical expenses after a crash and it can even replace lost income in some instances. If you don’t have PIP, or don’t know if you do, call your insurance representative and make sure it’s part of your policy.
Another item it would be wise to have is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM). This helps protect you in the event you’re injured by a driver without insurance or by someone lacking adequate coverage to compensate for your medical bills or losses.
Should I Accept the Settlement Offered by the Insurance Company?
Frequently, the first settlement offer an insurance company makes is lower than they’re willing to go. Remember that despite their wholesome and friendly commercials, insurance companies are in business to make money. One way they do this is by minimizing the amount of money they pay in settlements.
It may be tempting to accept a settlement from an insurance company simply to be done with your claim, but you should probably turn it down. Once you accept a settlement you forfeit your right to pursue further damages from your accident. Settling an accident claim prematurely can have serious repercussions later if injuries flare up again and you’re stuck paying medical bills out-of-pocket for the required treatment.
If an insurance company tries to wave some money in your direction, it would be wise to once again take a deep breath and think through the consequences of accepting such an offer. Or, if in doubt, get a second opinion prior to accepting a settlement.
Should I Hire an Attorney?
Not everyone will benefit from hiring an attorney. However, anyone that has been in an accident involving injuries of any kind would be wise to at least obtain a free consultation before moving forward with their claim.
Personal injury attorneys, like the ones at The Advocates, have decades of experience settling claims and helping victims get back on the road to recovery. In most instances, one initial conversation is enough to determine whether you’d be able to increase your total settlement by enlisting a lawyer to fight on your behalf. Since all reputable personal injury firms operate on a contingency model (no fees until you win) there’s no downside to enlisting an experienced PI lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.
For straightforward claims where our attorneys are unable to add value, we’ll encourage people to either accept the insurance company’s offer or pursue the claim on their own. However, for more complex claims involving injuries, ongoing medical treatment, or contested liability, studies have shown that people who hire a personal injury lawyer typically receive settlements that are 3.5 times higher than those who handle the claim on their own.
Although not everyone will benefit from hiring a lawyer, as long as you speak with an experienced attorney prior to moving forward with your claim you’ll be able to make the best decision for your specific circumstances.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call now to get a free consultation.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The WTSC’s annual accident report said contributing factors to pedestrian accidents were:
In 2012, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) reported the following statistics:
- Pedestrian deaths account for 14% of all accident fatalities
- A pedestrian or cyclist was involved in a crash once every 3 hours
- A pedestrian or bicyclist was killed in a crash once every 4 days
- There were 2038 people killed or seriously injured in pedestrian accidents involving a car
- There were 3104 total vehicle and pedestrian accidents
- Intersections
- Pedestrians were unaware of the most dangerous places sharing the road with automobiles (crosswalks and intersections)
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to a motor vehicle
- Drug or alcohol use
- Distracted driving (including cell phones, loud music, and other passengers)
- Disregard of traffic signals
- Walking on the wrong side of the road
The best thing to do if you were hit by a car is to contact a pedestrian accident attorney with the Advocates Law for a free case evaluation. Our pedestrian accident lawyers know best how to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today!
Studies have shown that pedestrian accident lawyers often get more money from insurance companies than if a victim pursues their claim without legal representation. It is standard protocol for insurance companies to train their employees to keep case settlement costs as low as possible. Since filing a pedestrian accident claim is rare, insurance companies will often make lower offers, assuming the accident victims will not know any better. Don’t worry. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have seen thousands of accident cases and know just what a fair settlement offer looks like. So if you are unsure if a case settlement offer will be enough to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and other unforeseen costs, you should contact a pedestrian accident lawyer with the Advocates right away. Our pedestrian accident attorneys will help provide a clearer understanding about your situation and options. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you can contact The Advocates today at 866-642-7927. We will help you get back on your feet. You deserve an Advocate!
FREE CASE EVALUATION
Call (866) 642-7927, fill out the form below, or chat with us for a free consultation today.