Pedestrian Accident Attorney Serving Injured Clients from the Tacoma, Federal Way & Bellevue Areas
The pedestrian accident attorney of The Ye Law Firm is committed to helping accident victims in the greater Seattle area obtain justice and the needed and deserved compensation to recover from injuries.
Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney
It can happen in a flash. One minute you’re walking on the sidewalk or crossing the street, and suddenly your world is turned upside down. If you or someone you love has been injured or worse while walking, compensation could cover:
- Medical bills & future medical costs
- Lost wages & future lost wages
- Pain & suffering/emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Loss of quality of life/loss of consortium
Pedestrian Accidents Happen Frequently
While there are countless ways pedestrian accidents happen in the greater Seattle area, some are much more common than others. Here are five case types regularly addressed by our pedestrian accident attorney:
- Distracted driving / Distracted walking. In these modern times, more and more drivers and pedestrians allow their eyes and minds to be distracted from focusing on getting from here to there safely. A pedestrian may be looking at a phone or listening to music, while a driver could be texting, toying with the radio or talking with passengers. The consequences of not paying proper attention can be very serious.
- Driving (and walking) under the influence. About one in three traffic accidents involve alcohol in some way, and both drivers and pedestrians can cause accidents when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Disobeying the rules of the road. A large number of pedestrian accidents are the result of drivers running a stop sign, not using their turn signals, or a pedestrian jaywalking. These accident types often have a clear at-fault party.
- Speeding. Speeding cars have less time to brake for a pedestrian in the roadway, even if the pedestrian is in a legal crosswalk. A speeding car and pedestrian accident is usually very serious.
- Dangerous intersections. The greater Seattle area contains many highly congested intersections and busy traffic areas, and some have terrible histories of pedestrian accidents. In limited cases, road design can be the underlying cause of accidents.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?
Pedestrians sometimes seem to have the mistaken impression they can dart into the street at any time under any circumstances and have the legal right of way on roadways. Conversely, many motorists are under the mistaken impression that pedestrians crossing the street outside a crosswalk constitutes jaywalking. Both are incorrect.
- Drivers and bicyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks.
- Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and control devices unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer.
- No pedestrian or bicyclist shall suddenly leave a curb and move into traffic where a driver cannot stop.
- Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.
- Vehicles shall stop at intersections to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the road within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
- Every pedestrian crossing a roadway anywhere other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When two vehicles collide, most drivers are protected by the steel cage of their car, a seat belt, and at least one airbag. But a car colliding with a pedestrian is more likely to result in catastrophic injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Shattered bones and bone fractures
- Neck, back, and spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Internal injuries
- Coma
- Death
These injuries can result in ambulance transport to the hospital, surgeries, extended hospital stays and months of rehabilitation. It can also mean lifelong consequences and disabilities that result in more bills and difficulty supporting yourself or your family. While a pedestrian accident attorney can never undo what happened to you, he/she can work to get you a settlement that will pay your bills and help you return to as much of a normal life as possible.
Wrongful Death
In the case of a pedestrian death, family members can seek justice and compensation from the at-fault driver. Wrongful death damages can include medical and funeral costs, lost future wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. Punitive damages can also help make the at-fault party feel their responsibility, hopefully preventing future accidents from taking place.
Our Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
A pedestrian accident can shatter your life and your family. It’s vital to seek the counsel of a pedestrian accident attorney right away to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation owed you under the law. The Ye Law Firm is expert in this area, also providing legal assistance with car, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, and Underinsured Motorists. We offer free, private consultations either in our office or by phone.
Pedestrian Accident Attorney Serving Injured Clients from the Tacoma, Federal Way & Bellevue Areas
Serving King & Pierce Counties including Federal Way, Bellevue, Seattle, Renton, Kent, Auburn, Bonney Lake, Burien, Des Moines, University Place, Puyallup & Tacoma