Olympia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Every year, hundreds of pedestrians are hurt in collisions with vehicles in Washington. These accidents can cause serious injuries and even death for victims.

If you or a loved one has been in this situation, an Olympia pedestrian accident lawyer can assist with your claim. A settlement can help you recover losses such as medical bills and provide a sense of justice. Rest assured, our knowledgeable attorneys offer free case evaluations and work on a contingency basis, so there is no upfront costs for you to worry about.

Understanding why Pedestrian Accidents Happen

While every case is unique, here are some common causes of pedestrian-vehicle accidents:

• Distracted driving. It should come as no surprise that distracted driving is a primary cause of accidents each year. While texting is a concern, anything that takes your eyes off the road puts others at danger.
• Drunk driving. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction times. Driving under the influence is not only dangerous, it’s illegal.
• Speeding. The greater the speed, the longer it takes a driver to come to a stop. In addition, speeding is more likely to result in catastrophic injuries when a pedestrian is involved.
• Unmarked crosswalks. Walkers should always use care when crossing the road and make sure to use intersections or crosswalks. If they don’t, they take a big risk that a car won’t see them or be able to stop in time.
• Visibility issues. There are many situations when drivers may not be mindful of pedestrians. An example might be when a driver is focusing on traffic to make a left-hand turn but doesn’t take the time to look for walkers crossing the intersection. Another common instance is a driver backing up, such as out of a driveway, and misses the pedestrian about to cross their path.

In the some of the examples above, the pedestrian is at least partly at fault. Washington is a contributory fault state. In other words, you may still be eligible to receive partial compensation. Your settlement will be reduced by the percentage you’re determined to be at fault. Our local attorneys can help determine if contributory fault will apply in your pedestrian accident case.

Steps to Take Following a Pedestrian Accident

Following a pedestrian accident, we recommend you take the following steps.

• Seek medical care and complete all doctor follow up visits
• Obtain a copy of the police report (if there was one)
• Reach out to one of our pedestrian accident attorneys for assistance
• Don’t post about your accident on social media while the claim is active (read more of our thoughts on social media and personal injury claims)

By involving one of our attorneys early in the process, we can ensure you don’t say or do something that diminishes the value of your claim. Also, we handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance agents and other parties, taking these stressful responsibilities off your plate.

How an Olympia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer can Help

The first step is easy. Give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation with an Olympia pedestrian accident lawyer. If you’re not able to make it into the office, let us know. One of our attorneys will be happy to meet you at your home, hospital, or other preferred location.