Thanks in part to Seattle’s Pedestrian Program and Sidewalk Development Program, we live in one of the most pedestrian and walking friendly cities in the United States. As such, Seattle residents enjoy healthy amounts of fresh air and exercise. However, even with Vision Zero goals, serious pedestrian accidents and injuries still occur.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

COMMON CAUSES OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN SEATTLE

Pedestrians in Seattle are vulnerable and exposed to severe injuries if they’re hit by a motor vehicle, even at low speeds. When a pedestrian accident takes place, victims are likely to suffer two impacts. The first impact is with the front of the vehicle, and the second is with the hard pavement below. Each of these impacts can cause serious, traumatic injuries.

After a pedestrian is struck by a negligent driver, a long course of hospitalization, surgery, rehab and physical therapy will often be required. These treatment plans can be incredibly expensive, and victims should not shoulder financial damages caused by someone else’s negligence.

If you or a family member was injured in a pedestrian accident, you’ll want to consult with our team of Seattle pedestrian accident lawyers at Hagens Berman as soon as you can. We have worked diligently to protect the rights of pedestrians across Washington.

Some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents that we’ve seen over the years include:

  • Distracted or Inattentive Driving: This might include texting or talking on a mobile phone, multitasking, or simply daydreaming while somebody is driving.
  • Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way: A failure to yield occurs when a driver fails to stop while a pedestrian is in a crosswalk or on a sidewalk, resulting in serious injury.
  • Left Turns: When a driver has a green light, they often assume that they unconditionally have the right of way. However, in Washington state, when a pedestrian shares that green light, a left turning driver must yield to the pedestrian.
  • Driving Under the Influence: A person who is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two will have impaired depth perception, coordination and judgment of speed and distance. The driver could easily fail to see a pedestrian or not notice the person until it is too late.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT FATALITY ODDS

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) documented the correlation between motor vehicle speed and pedestrian fatality rates when involved in a collision. The NHTSA estimated as follows:

  • At an impact speed of 20 mph, the fatality rate would be about 5%.
  • At 30 mph, the fatality rate would be about 40%.
  • At 40 mph, the pedestrian fatality rate would be at about 80%.
  • Nearly 100% of all pedestrians would be killed if hit by a car traveling at 50 mph.

COMMON PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INJURIES

The NHTSA also found that younger pedestrian accident victims were less likely to suffer serious injuries and death compared to victims who were 65 years of age or older. Regardless of age, here are some common, non-fatal pedestrian accident injuries:

  • Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries with permanent brain dysfunction.
  • Spinal cord injuries that result in paraplegia or quadriplegia.
  • Injuries to the spinal vertebrae, spinal discs and nerves.
  • Multiple lower extremity fractures, including hip, leg and ankle fractures.
  • Rib fractures and damage to internal organs.
  • Joint dislocations and tears.
  • Cuts and abrasions with dangerous infections.

HIT-AND-RUN PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

Washington drivers who are in an accident are required to stop at the scene. Sadly, many drivers who hit pedestrians don’t stop, especially at night. Some of those drivers might have been under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both and fled to avoid arrest. Others may have been at such a high level of intoxication that they didn’t even know that they hit somebody. There are also those who knew that they hit somebody and fled because of outstanding warrants, no license or insurance or fear of the legal consequences.

Even if the driver fled the scene, our team of Seattle pedestrian accident lawyers at Hagens Berman might still be able to help you or your family obtain compensation for the injuries and damages that were suffered. You’ll want to contact us as soon as possible after the incident so that we can quickly start documenting evidence and building your case.

WHAT TO DO AFTER BEING INJURED IN A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

After being hit by a vehicle and injured as a pedestrian, it is important to follow these steps:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention. Your top priority is your physical recovery.
  2. If safe to do so, also collect evidence from the accident scene. This can include photos of the scene, contact information from witnesses, and ultimately the police report.
  3. Washington law doesn’t require you to provide a statement to the opposing insurance company, and it is usually in your best interest to avoid doing so. The opposing insurance adjuster’s job is to minimize settlement amounts, and they may use your words against you in an effort to do so.
  4. After you have received medical attention, contacting a Seattle pedestrian accident attorney to help bring your claim, is your next step.

CONTACT A SEATTLE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY

After a pedestrian accident, contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation and case review. Once we have a complete understanding of your case’s circumstances, we will provide you with an overview of your legal options. We are also happy to answer any questions that you have about the legal process. If you retain Hagens Berman as your legal team, we will fiercely advocate for you to obtain your maximum settlement amount.