The nature of pedestrian traffic collisions equates to a disproportionate amount of severe, catastrophic and fatal injuries for pedestrians each year in America. Pedestrians account for a whopping 14 percent of the traffic accident fatalities each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In fact, every two hours, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic collision, and every seven minutes a pedestrian is injured. It’s both disturbing and alarming.
It’s a national and global crisis. In a research article published in The California Journal of Emergency Medicine, the authors noted: “The global economic burden of motor vehicle collisions and pedestrian injuries totals $500 billion…Pedestrian injuries are a growing concern for public health care professionals and the health care industry in the U.S. and worldwide…The burden of injury upon the individual, families and society is frequently overwhelming.”
The Gravity of Pedestrian Injuries
What’s even more unfortunate is the severity of the injuries that pedestrians who do happen to survive sustain. Those most affected include men, children the elderly and those of a lower socioeconomic status, according to the study above.
Our firm has been assisting pedestrian accident victims and their families for more than 20 years. We have helped severely injured people through some of the devastating times in their lives, acting as their legal counselors and representatives when they need it the most. Below are examples of some of the injuries that that have been listed in the claims we’ve filed.
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe road rash
- Facial injuries including eye trauma from debris
- Injuries to the internal organs
When Negligence Causes Injury
Serious pedestrian injuries may require a lifetime of care and completely change the scope of the victim’s (and his or her family’s) life. When a pedestrian is killed or injured in a traffic accident that was caused by a driver’s negligence or carelessness, the victim or his/her family can file a claim or lawsuit to recover damages.
Obtaining Compensation
In order to obtain fair compensation for a pedestrian accident claim, you and your attorney will need to be able to demonstrate the following elements.
- The driver acted negligently. Texting while driving, speeding and driving under the influence are all examples of negligence.
- It was the driver’s actions that caused the accident. This can be proven with evidence such as eyewitness reports, traffic cam footage, and accident re-constructionist testimony. (Note: Even if the pedestrian was partly at fault, he or she might still be able to file a claim. Talk to your attorney about the details.)
- You also will need to provide sufficient proof of the extent of your damages, both current and future. This can be accomplished with receipts, doctors’ prognoses, proof of prior income, testimonies from medical and mental health experts, and help from forensic economists.
In Washington, pedestrians also qualify for personal injury protection (PIP) coverage through the driver’s insurance even if they don’t drive or carry insurance of their own. In addition, cyclists are classified as pedestrians under Washington law. Personal injury protection provides a stated amount of medical, wage loss and funeral benefits to collision victims without reference to fault. On top of the driver’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, pedestrians in Washington are entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) coverage available through their own insurance policy or the policy of a relative with whom they reside.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Who Care
If you or your loved one were injured in an accident in Washington or Oregon, consider Willis & Toews, PLLC, as your choice firm. We walk or ride our bikes to work, as well as for recreation, and have a passion for helping injured pedestrians seek the justice they deserve after someone causes them injury. It’s our goal to obtain settlement awards that satisfy our client’s need future needs. We sympathize with our clients’ situations and do our best to accommodate them throughout each step of the legal process.
Our attorneys deal exclusively with personal injury law. We have garnered a wealth of knowledge and legal strategies through our decades of service that can benefit your case. If you’d like to discuss you personal injury or wrongful death suit after a pedestrian accident, please contact us today. Call 509-529-0908 to schedule a free consultation.
