The state of Washington, like much of the west coast, is proud of its walkable cities and beautiful locals for runners and cyclists. However, many pedestrians suffer serious injuries when they are struck by a motor vehicle in car accidents every month.

Almost a quarter of all car accident fatalities result from walkers being hit by a car. And usually, these pedestrian crashes are the result of a negligent driver.

Serious injuries and sometimes wrongful death claims result from drivers striking pedestrians. These injuries could result in a long-term mental or physical impairment, not to mention lost wages if the injury forced the victim to miss work.

If you’ve been injured, the at-fault driver and their insurance company should be the ones paying for your medical bills, not you. As a victim, you should be allowed time to heal and recover with dedicated medical care, while your pedestrian accident attorney advocates on your behalf for the expenses that need to be covered.

South Sound Law Group has experience in handling costly and complicated pedestrian accident cases, and we would be proud to represent you in the matters of personal injury law as you seek compensation from those who were at-fault. Contact an attorney at our Tacoma, WA office to schedule a free case evaluation where you may speak confidentially about your pedestrian accident case.

Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are unfortunately common for pedestrians who are struck by vehicles. If the vehicle is larger or moving at faster speeds, then the damage could be even worse still.

Types of personal injury that commonly result from pedestrians being hit by a vehicle include:

• Broken bones and fractures.
• Burns.
• Cuts and lacerations.
• Disfigurement.
• Emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues.
• Internal organ damage, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage.
• Loss of limb.
• Prolonged physical anguish and loss of quality of life.
• Spinal cord damage.
• Temporary or permanent paralysis.
• Traumatic brain injuries and death.

While not every crash is the fault of the drivers behind the wheel of automobiles, the most common cause for pedestrian accidents is a negligent driver.

Common causes for pedestrian crashes include:

• Breaking speed limits.
• Drivers swerving onto sidewalks.
• Driving recklessly through parking lots, where pedestrians are common.
• Drunk drivers or driving under the influence of narcotics.
• Failure to stop at an intersection.
• Improperly using traffic signals, leading to a crash.
• Motorists not giving walkers or cyclists the right of way in a crosswalk.
• Poor weather conditions.
• Poorly maintained traffic signs.
• Unsafe road conditions.
• Unsafe sidewalks.
• Vehicle or bicycle equipment failure.

With these types of automobile and motorcycle accident claims, it is necessary to determine fault. Washington is a comparative negligence state, which means that pedestrians may share some part of the blame for the crash, even if they were more severely injured. Pedestrians who share fault for their accidents — such as walking blindly into oncoming traffic, playing in the roads, or those who cross streets not at a designated crosswalk — typically collect less in terms of a financial settlement.

If you’ve been in an accident, even if your injury is minor, it is highly recommended that you speak to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.

As your legal representative, the pedestrian accident lawyers of South Sound Law Group will take over your case and attempt to build an accident and injury claim that rewards you a fair settlement. Your attorney will review the police report, witness statements, and speak with the lawyers representing the drivers in an attempt to come to a satisfactory conclusion in the legal process.

There can be a desire to want to trust in the goodwill of the insurance companies or the drivers involved in the accident. However, doing so can be risky to your legal standing, and could prove costly if you have outstanding medical bills and have lost wages while you were out of work with your injury. Injured victims of accidents deserve to have their rights fairly represented in a court of law.

The personal injury attorneys of South Sound Law Group in Tacoma, WA will represent you in settlement negotiations with the at-fault drivers and their insurance companies in hopes of obtaining you the maximum compensation for your pain and suffering.

The first thing you should do following an accident is determine how badly you are injured. If you’re hurt seek medical care immediately. Call for medical aid and call the police, too. While waiting for them to arrive, try to get any friends or witnesses to gather statements about what they saw. Do not speak to insurance adjusters and do not apologize or admit blame to anything.

And then, call us.

The legal team of South Sound Law Group serves clients all over western Washington and has its law office located in the city of Tacoma. Our lawyers have years of experience representing all types of accident and injury claims with a strong track record of collecting satisfying settlements for those we represent.

South Sound Law Group offers a free case evaluation to all new clients, and you are under no obligation to retain our services if you do not feel that we are the proper fit for you and your needs. With our help, though, we believe we can assist you as you seek compensation for your pain and suffering, so that you may be better able to recover and continue on in life.

Schedule your free consultation today by calling our law firm at: 253-383-3328