Practice Areas
Pedestrian Accidents
The personal injury lawyers at Brett & Coats, PLLC are proponents of pedestrian rights. We help the victims of pedestrian-car accidents obtain prompt, fair and just compensation for the personal injuries caused by the negligence of others.
According to the latest data available from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System Encyclopedia, almost 4,800 pedestrians were killed in 2006 by motor vehicles. These statistics show that 66 pedestrians were killed in the state of Washington alone – 21 of them in accidents that occurred at intersections. Even a low-speed collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian carries a high potential for serious injury or death because pedestrians have little or no protection.
Both pedestrians and motorists alike can be at fault for causing an accident. Generally, pedestrians who exercise due caution before entering a roadway have a great amount of control in avoiding a collision with a motor vehicle. Like motorists, pedestrians bear responsibility for exercising care and following all traffic laws.
Pedestrians may be injured or killed by motorists who are driving negligently. Motorists that fail to follow traffic laws may be held liable for a pedestrian’s injuries, even if the pedestrian was improperly in the roadway. Motorists can cause accidents by:
- Driving above the speed limit
- Driving carelessly or while distracted
- Disregarding traffic lights or stop signs
- Ignoring pedestrians in crosswalks
- Failing to yield right of way to pedestrians already crossing a roadway
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Carelessly passing a stopped school bus
Even where pedestrians are partly responsible for their injuries, they still may be able to recover compensation under the legal doctrine of “comparative negligence.” That means the total damages recoverable by the pedestrian are reduced by the same percentage that the pedestrian is found to be at fault.
Liability may also be placed on a third party. Municipalities can be held responsible if a poorly designed intersection or a malfunctioning traffic signal contributed to an accident. Owners of private property such as parking lots may also share responsibility if their failure to maintain the property in a safe condition played a role in the accident.
When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, the injuries sustained can be severe and life-altering. Common injuries include broken bones, neck injuries, brain injuries, nerve damage, loss of limb and disfigurement. The effects of such injuries can be extensive and the associated costs can range from medical bills to lost wages. Of course, a pedestrian injured in a motor vehicle crash can suffer psychological and emotional trauma even greater than any physical injury. In the case of a fatal accident, the loss can be overwhelming.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or if you are the survivor of a pedestrian who was killed in a motor vehicle accident, contact the Washington pedestrian accident lawyers of Brett & Coats, PLLC to schedule a free consultation. We understand the distress that comes with pedestrian accidents and we will work quickly to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our law firm has successfully handled numerous pedestrian accident cases and we can help you with yours. Please call us at 1-800-925-1875 or fill out this online form.
