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Collisions between pedestrians and motor vehicles are more common than we would like to think. Any person on foot near a roadway, parking lot, or any place where others are driving is vulnerable to accidents that result from violations of traffic laws or simple carelessness. These events can cause serious injuries that affect not just your physical health but also your ability to earn an income and enjoy life.
Even though these types of wrecks occur regularly, the law never presumes that a driver is to blame for a collision with a pedestrian. In fact, drivers and their insurance companies may argue that you did not do all that you could to avoid being hit. A Tacoma pedestrian accident lawyer could help you prove that another driver’s actions were the sole reason for the crash and that you deserve full compensation for your losses. The skilled personal injury attorneys at our firm have experience in achieving successful results in these types of cases.
State Laws Provide Protection for Pedestrians
A collection of state laws provides significant protection for people traveling on foot who may encounter a motor vehicle in Washington. Perhaps the most significant is the Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.230, the state’s crosswalk law. This statute requires all drivers to yield to pedestrians who are already in the roadway. Significantly, this applies regardless of whether or not there is a marked crosswalk on the pavement. A violation of this statute that results in a collision is a strong indicator that a driver is to blame for an accident.
In addition to the state laws that explicitly describe the obligations of drivers to protect pedestrians, all motorists also assume a general duty to care for the well-being of people on foot. This concept requires drivers to keep their attention on the road as well as operate their vehicles with a general sense of caution. Failures here are just as legitimate of a reason to seek damages as those that result from clear moving violations. A driven Tacoma pedestrian accident attorney could collect evidence that points towards a driver’s fault for a crash and use that information to build a powerful demand package for an injured individual.
Collisions Affecting Pedestrians Can Have an Immense Impact on their Lives
Proving responsibility for a crash between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle is only one part of achieving a positive case result. It is just as vital to successfully demonstrate how that event has changed an injured person’s life and place a dollar amount on all the losses suffered.
Most cases of this nature will concentrate on the physical injuries that result from the incident. These may include broken bones, concussions, separated joints, and brain injuries. A driver who is to blame for an accident must provide full compensation to all victims, no matter the extent of the damage.
This same concept applies to losses that stretch beyond simple physical injuries. Many pedestrians find that they experience significant drops in their quality of life due to pain, suffering, or emotional trauma. They may also learn that they will be unable to return to work for some time or will need to make significant lifestyle adjustments due to permanent disability. In these situations, a knowledgeable Tacoma bike crash lawyer could work to place an accurate value on a case and demand that drivers and their insurance companies provide proper payments.
Schedule a Consultation with a Tacoma Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Accidents involving pedestrians are serious matters that have the potential to affect every aspect of a victim’s life. They may result in severe physical injuries that require extensive medical attention. These collisions could also inflict extensive emotional harm or financial losses that necessitate major life adjustments. If you were involved in this kind of wreck due to another person’s negligence, you have the right to demand that they provide fair compensation for your losses.
Reaching out to a proactive Tacoma pedestrian accident lawyer now allows them to immediately get to work on your case. They are prepared to explain your rights under the law, perform a full investigation into the incident, and pursue a comprehensive financial award package to help you move forward with your life. Call now to get started.
