Walking to local destinations in Washington communities is a health-conscious and eco-friendly choice that’s popular in Snohomish. Sadly, pedestrians are vulnerable to serious and even deadly accidents. In a collision with an average 4,000-pound vehicle, an unprotected pedestrian faces an alarming disadvantage. Despite the goals of state lawmakers to reduce traffic accidents and pedestrian deaths through Washington’s Target Zero plan, each year sees an increase in vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents.
If you or a close family member was recently injured in a pedestrian accident in Snohomish or the surrounding region, call a Snohomish personal injury lawyer from Wells Trumbull today to speak to an experienced trial lawyer. We’re ready to begin a strategy to recover compensation for your losses with prompt action in your pedestrian accident claim.
Why Choose Us?
At Wells Trumbull, our legal team is dedicated to recovering compensation and a sense of justice for our injured clients. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Snohomish have deep compassion for pedestrians injured due to a driver’s careless or reckless actions. We offer many advantages to pedestrian accident victims in Snohomish including the following:
- Decades of experience navigating personal injury claims in Washington, including pedestrian accidents with grave injuries
- A commitment to dedicated client service that includes a free consultation and no upfront fees. Instead, we only take our fee after we secure your settlement or win your case in court
- A collaborative effort to find creative solutions for the best possible outcomes, while our clients also enjoy the focused attention of the Snohomish pedestrian accident attorney dedicated to their case
- Our local connections and resources in Snohomish combined with technical expertise bring the best tools to your unique case
Our track record of success includes securing millions of dollars in compensation for victims of traffic accidents in the Snohomish area. Wells Trumbull puts a strong voice behind your claim.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Snohomish
Washington’s traffic laws define pedestrians in RCW 46.04.400 in the following way:
“Pedestrian” means any person who is afoot or who is using a wheelchair, a power wheelchair, or a means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle.”
Driver error is by far the most common cause of pedestrian accidents. When a driver fails to take reasonable measures, like adhering to traffic laws and remaining alert to the presence of pedestrians, their negligent actions can cause serious harm to a vulnerable pedestrian. Common causes of injuries to pedestrians include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Driver intoxication
- Failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Negligent drivers making left turns at intersections
Pedestrians are more likely to be struck by vehicles after dark or during twilight hours due to reduced visibility. Sadly, children are common victims of pedestrian accidents in Washington, often due to drivers who fail to practice reasonable vigilance when driving in school zones, near school bus stops, and in residential areas.
Liability in Snohomish Pedestrian Accidents
When a driver’s error or recklessness causes a serious injury to a pedestrian, they are liable for the consequences to the pedestrian, like medical expenses and pain and suffering. These are the victim’s “damages” in an injury claim. Compensation for damages typically comes from the driver’s insurance policy. In fault-based insurance states like Washington, the injury victim in an accident must provide evidence of the negligent party’s liability. It often takes a skilled pedestrian accident attorney in Snohomish to document evidence of liability by investigating all aspects of the pedestrian accident to show the following legal points of liability:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of care to take reasonable measures while driving, including preventing injuries to pedestrians
- They breached their duty of care by a negligent action
- The breach of duty directly caused injury
- The injury victim suffered economic and non-economic damages from their injuries
It takes a “preponderance of the evidence” to prove negligence in a pedestrian accident claim. This means showing that it’s more likely than not that the driver’s actions caused the injury. This may seem like an easy task, but insurance companies often resist writing out large checks and may attempt to blame the pedestrian for an undue percentage of fault or use other tactics to minimize a payout. An experienced Snohomish pedestrian accident lawyer from Wells Trumbull can anticipate and counteract these actions to maximize your financial recovery.
The amount of your settlement or court award after a pedestrian accident depends on many factors like the severity of your injury, the level of medical treatment your injuries require, your medical costs and related expenses, and whether or not you’ll fully recover or be left with partial or total disability. Successful pedestrian accident claims commonly bring compensation for damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost pay and future income loss
- Lowered earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering
- Any other non-economic damages that apply in an individual case such as loss of enjoyment of life, PTSD, disfigurement, or traumatic limb loss
If a loved one died in a pedestrian accident in Snohomish, close family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation and a voice for justice for their loved one.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Vulnerable pedestrians may make direct contact with the moving vehicle, the roadway, and sometimes the tires during a collision. Common injuries range in severity from catastrophic to mild. Injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries/internal organ damage
- Fractures
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Abrasions (road rash)
- Sprains, torn ligaments, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Facial injuries
Even mild injuries deserve compensation if they’ve caused costly medical bills and as much as a single missed paycheck. Catastrophic injury victims shouldn’t bear responsibility for the expense of their injury as well as suffering the life-altering physical consequences. Having an experienced personal injury attorney in Snohomish in your corner throughout the process maximizes your chance of recovering financially while you work on recovering physically.
Call the Snohomish Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Wells Trumbull Today
Let the experienced, dedicated client advocates at Wells Trumbull take on reluctant insurers with a resolution-based approach to maximize the amount of compensation you obtain through a settlement. We’re also strong litigators in court if your case requires a lawsuit to fully recover your losses. It’s important to file a claim as soon as the extent of your financial and physical damages becomes clear. Don’t accept an early settlement offer, which is almost always far less than you can recover with legal representation.
Call Wells Trumbull today to schedule a free consultation so we can hear about what happened to you or your loved one and begin a strategy to help make things right.