Kent Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Request Free ConsultationMore often than not, pedestrian accidents occur because drivers fail to see them crossing the street and are unable to stop in time. This can cause serious injuries to the pedestrian or your loved one. Injured pedestrians can file a lawsuit and may receive financial compensation with the assistance of our experienced Kent pedestrian accident lawyers.
The proficient Kent pedestrian accident attorneys can help protect yourself and your future. If you need help, contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers right away to discuss your options at (206) 312-0954, or fill out our online contact form.
Kent Pedestrian Accident Resources
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A Quick Glance At Pedestrian Accidents
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
What Does The Claim Process Entail?
Why Choose Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers?
If you have been affected by a pedestrian accident or another personal injury, the team at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help. For more than ten years, lead attorney Jeffrey Caffee and his team have successfully fought against insurance companies, the state of Washington, and negligent individuals.
Client Testimonial: “Mr. Caffee did an excellent job of representing me in my case. I was in a car crash and just kept having problems dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. Mr. Caffee dealt with the insurance company directly. It saved me a lot of hassle and got me a good resolution to my case.” – Timothy S.
Case Result: Our office secured a settlement for $2.17 million for a motorcyclist in an accident who suffered spine injuries, rib fractures, and head trauma.
A Quick Glance at Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can leave you or your loved one writhing in pain. According to our personal injury lawyer in Kent, Common personal injuries sustained can include the following:
- Broken Bones
- Head Trauma
- Internal Injuries
- Lacerations
- Pelvic Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Drivers often hit pedestrians out of recklessness, negligence, or carelessness. Even if you’re on a crosswalk, a vehicle turning a corner too fast may hit you. In addition, a driver backing up without looking behind them may injure a pedestrian. Connecting with an experienced Kent pedestrian accident lawyer is an excellent way to get compensation for a driver’s negligence.
Pedestrian Safety Tips In Kent
Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility between both pedestrians and drivers. By following some basic safety guidelines, you can reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your well-being while walking on the road in Kent.
- Use Designated Crosswalks: Whenever possible, use marked crosswalks to cross streets. These designated areas are where drivers are more likely to expect pedestrians, increasing your visibility and safety.
- Obey Traffic Signals: Adhere to traffic signals and pedestrian crossing signs. Wait for the walk signal before crossing, and be cautious even if you have the right of way.
- Make Eye Contact: Whenever you’re about to cross a street, try to establish eye contact with drivers. This can help ensure they see you and are aware of your intention to cross.
- Stay Visible: Especially during low-light conditions or at night, wear reflective clothing or accessories that make you more visible to drivers. Carrying a flashlight is also a good idea.
- Avoid Distractions: Just like drivers, pedestrians should avoid distractions while walking. Keep your focus on the road, not your phone or other devices. Distractions can prevent you from noticing potential hazards.
- Walk on Sidewalks: Whenever sidewalks are available, use them instead of walking on the road. If sidewalks are unavailable, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic.
- Look Both Ways: Before crossing a street, look left, right, and left again to ensure no vehicles are approaching from either direction.
- Avoid Jaywalking: Jaywalking, or crossing streets outside of designated crosswalks, can be dangerous. Drivers may not expect pedestrians to cross at unexpected points, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Watch for Turning Vehicles: Be especially cautious when crossing streets at intersections. Look for turning vehicles that may not notice you crossing or may misjudge your speed.
- Accompany Children and Elders: If you’re accompanying children or elderly individuals, take extra precautions. Children can be unpredictable, and elderly individuals may need more time to cross safely.
What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
According to our Kent car accident lawyers, the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:
Distracted Drivers
By texting or talking on the phone, drivers put the life of pedestrians and other drivers at risk. When car accidents involve pedestrians, the injuries sustained can be catastrophic in nature.
Impaired Drivers
Driving under the influence puts the lives of everyone at risk. Impaired drivers rarely look left and right before driving into traffic, resulting in pedestrian accidents.
Bad Weather
A slippery, icy road makes it impossible for a driver to stop their vehicle in time. This can cause serious injuries to pedestrians crossing the street. It could even make a pedestrian fall to the ground into the path of an unsuspecting driver.
Choosing Dark Clothes at Night
Nighttime is notorious for being the cause of increased pedestrian accidents, so pedestrians must be careful to wear light-colored clothing during the darker hours. In addition, pedestrians should keep a pocket flashlight to alert oncoming traffic.
Road Construction
Roads under construction force pedestrians to walk along routes they typically don’t take. As a result, drivers that don’t expect pedestrians on the route fail to stop their cars in time.
What Does The Pedestrian Accident Claim Process Include?
Here’s what the pedestrian accident claim process can entail:
Investigating the Accident
First and foremost, your pedestrian accident attorney will investigate your accident. During this process, your attorney will determine who is liable for your injuries and how much and what kind of compensation you are owed.
Pedestrian accident lawyers will access a police report, examine the scene, speak with witnesses, look for video footage, and more.
Building a Powerful Claim
After determining liability, your attorney will start compiling the evidence necessary to build a solid legal claim. Building a successful pedestrian accident takes time as your attorney has to gather comprehensive medical record files and determine how best to present the evidence they have collected.
Negotiating an Appropriate Settlement
After gathering your medical records, your attorney sends the defendant a demand package. The demand package includes evidence required to win compensation. In case an attorney cannot negotiate an offer, they may litigate your case in court.
Litigating Your Case
Filing a lawsuit is a time-consuming process, and having to take the case to trial can extend the life of your claim significantly. While most cases do settle before they get to trial, not all do. If the defense isn’t willing to present a reasonable offer, you may have no choice but to take your case to trial in order to get the compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitations on Pedestrian Accident Claims in Kent
The timing of your pedestrian accident claim in Kent is critical to its success. In many cases, the insurance company of the at-fault driver quickly offers the accident victim a settlement. Often, this offer comes before the victim knows the full extent of their damages, such as the ultimate cost of their medical treatments and the amount of time they’ll lose from work. When insurers offer a fast settlement, it’s usually a lowball offer and requires the injury victim to sign away their right to file a lawsuit.
Instead of accepting a low settlement offer, it’s best to speak to an accident attorney in Kent about your rights. In Washington, pedestrians have up to three years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit. Your Washington pedestrian accident lawyer will use that time to investigate your accident, prove liability, and negotiate with the at-fault party for an ample settlement for damages. If the insurance company fails to offer an acceptable settlement amount, your attorney from Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers must file a lawsuit within the three-year statute of limitations to take the defendant to court.
Some exceptions to the state’s three-year time limit on pedestrian accident claims include the following:
- If a victim is under the age of 18 at the time the accident occurs, they have up to three years from their 18th birthday to file a claim
- If the victim doesn’t discover the injury until some time after the accident, they have up to three years from the date of the discovery to file a claim. For example, if a person is hit by a car and believes they are not hurt, but a month later their nagging backache is diagnosed as a bust disc fracture, they have three years from the date of their delayed discovery to file their claim
- If the victim of the pedestrian accident is unconscious, comatose, or otherwise incapacitated after their injury, they have up to three years from the date they regain consciousness or cognitive ability
Speak to your pedestrian accident attorney in Kent about the implications of the statute limitations on your unique pedestrian accident claim.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Kent
Being hit by a car is terrifying and traumatic, especially when it results in severe injuries. If you are too seriously injured to move safely, you may be able to do little other than wait in place for help to arrive; however, if you can use your phone—or hand it to an uninjured companion or bystander to use for you—you can document critical evidence to help your financial recovery later as well as your physical recovery. Use your smartphone to do the following:
- First, call 911 to report the accident and request emergency services
- Then, take photos of the accident scene
- Take photos of the vehicle that hit you
- Take photos of any visible injuries
- Add the contact information of the driver or anyone else involved
- Add the contact information of eyewitnesses
- Record a statement of what you remember about the accident (trauma often fades memories later)
You should always accept emergency transportation to a hospital or arrange transportation immediately after the accident. Then, ask your doctor for a complete evaluation and tell them about every symptom, even if it appears minor. Some injuries have delayed impacts or worsen during the days after an impact. Obtain a detailed copy of the medical report, collect a copy of the police report, and call the Washington pedestrian accident lawyers at Kent for a free confidential consultation to get started on your claim.
Contact a Kent Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Talk to a lawyer if you’ve suffered a pedestrian accident injury in Kent, Washington. With a skilled and experienced pedestrian accident attorney, you can gain compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical costs, mental anguish, grief, and more.
Every year, Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers recovers millions of dollars for our clients. We work tirelessly to give you the representation and respect that you deserve throughout the process. If you need help, contact the Kent pedestrian accident lawyers at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers right away to discuss your options by calling (206) 312-0954 or by filling out our online contact form for a free consultation.
Locations We Serve
Our law firm serves multiple locations in Kent, including:
East Hill | Scenic Hill | Midway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents
How Much Money Can I Get From A Pedestrian Accident?
The potential compensation you can receive from a pedestrian accident case varies greatly and is influenced by several factors. These factors typically include the extent of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and even the specific circumstances of the accident itself. Severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as those causing long-term or permanent disabilities, tend to result in higher compensation. However, it’s important to note that every case is unique, and the exact amount of compensation you may receive will depend on the specific details of your situation and the strength of your legal representation.
Can I File A Lawsuit If I Was Hit On Private Property?
Yes, you can still file a lawsuit if you were hit by a vehicle on private property. While accidents on private property may introduce additional complexities compared to accidents on public roads, you still have the right to seek compensation if the driver’s negligence caused the accident. The property owner’s liability might also come into play if inadequate safety measures were in place. Consulting with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney is crucial in these cases, as they can help you navigate the legal intricacies and determine the potential parties at fault.
Do I Need To Be Injured To File A Lawsuit From A Pedestrian Accident?
While injuries are a common reason for filing a lawsuit in a pedestrian accident case, you don’t necessarily need to have visible injuries to file a claim. In some situations, emotional distress, psychological trauma, or even property damage alone can justify pursuing legal action. Regardless of the extent of your injuries, consulting with a Kent pedestrian accident attorney can help you understand the legal options available to you and how to proceed.
Do Insurance Companies Play A Role If I Was In A Pedestrian Accident?
Insurance companies often play a crucial role in pedestrian accident cases. Typically, the driver’s auto insurance coverage is the primary source of compensation for injured pedestrians. However, insurance companies are often motivated to minimize payouts to protect their bottom line. It’s common for insurance adjusters to offer quick settlements that may not accurately reflect the full extent of your damages. This is where having an experienced pedestrian accident attorney is vital. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation that covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
What If I Was Partially At Fault For The Accident?
Washington State follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that if you were partially at fault for the accident, your compensation might be reduced proportionally. For example, if you were found 20% at fault, your potential compensation could be reduced by 20%. However, being partially at fault doesn’t necessarily bar you from seeking compensation.