Coeur d’Alene can offer some of the most beautiful strolls in the world and people arrive from all over to enjoy a walk down Sherman and Front Avenues.
Drivers across Kootenai County should always be on the lookout for pedestrians. There’s no excuse for drivers who don’t. Yet, careless motorists are always a threat to miss spotting a defenseless person on foot, proceed onward, and end up causing a collision resulting in serious injuries.
Support for Injured Pedestrians in Coeur d’Alene
A pedestrian struck by a distracted motorist can feel helpless at the accident scene and overwhelmed when they consider their recovery and the accumulating medical bills.
At CCD Law, we never want a victim to face the aftermath of an accident alone. Our attorneys serve injured victims in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and the surrounding area and can talk over your case with you to determine the best way to get compensation for all of the physical, emotional, and financial hardships you’ve endured.
Pedestrian Dangers in Coeur d’Alene
The scary collisions involving a large, heavy vehicle and a defenseless person on foot are not a rare occurrence. They happen almost every day in Idaho. The Idaho Transporation Department found that in recent years, a pedestrian is injured at a rate of one every 37 hours. In 2017, a tragic 17 pedestrians lost their lives statewide.
The victims who survive these impacts can endure severe damage to their muscle and skeletal systems. Trauma to the head, legs, and pelvis are the most common injuries seen in the emergency room.
Here is a partial list of some of the other most common injuries suffered by victims.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries (Involving muscles, nerves, tendons. Broken bones and dislocated joints are also part of these musculoskeletal injuries)
- Head and Neck Injuries (including traumatic brain injuries)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal Bleeding (can include a brain hemorrhage)
- Knee Damage
- Upper Tibia or Shin Bone Fractures
- Pelvis Fracture (a break of the ring of bones that connect your spine to the hips)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coeur d’Alene safe for pedestrians?
Coeur d’Alene, surprisingly, gets a failing grade when it comes to walkability. WalkScore gives the city a score of 36 out of 100.
The low score means that a car is generally needed to get around town. The outlook may be better along the lake where the streets are set up for shoppers and tourists, but overall Coeur d’Alene can be an unfriendly place for those on foot. Extra caution is always advised when you are walking anywhere in the city or county.
If I cross a street outside of a crosswalk and get hit, can I still sue the driver?
Traffic laws require a person to make a safe crossing using a crosswalk or at an intersection with the light, but victims who don’t use crosswalks can still often receive compensation if they are hit.
Drivers are still required to practice caution around pedestrians due to the dangerous consequences that result when an unprotected person gets hit by a vehicle. A jury may decide that a motorist didn’t take proper care and may rule that he or she is liable for any injuries.
Do pedestrians always have the right-of-way in Idaho?
In Idaho, pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections whether they are marked or unmarked. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way at any other spot on the street.
Even though you have the right-of-way at an intersection you should always monitor cars and drivers coming towards you. You might have the legal right to cross, but that won’t be of much comfort if you get hit and injured.
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims in Couer d’Alene
A pedestrian injured in an accident in Idaho is granted up to two years to file a claim for damages against the at-fault driver. This civil lawsuit would seek to recover damages from the driver’s insurance to help pay for things like ambulance fees, hospital expenses, rehabilitation, and medical equipment. A successful claim can also provide money to reimburse victims for their lost time at work currently and any expected lost hours in the future.
An accident can affect someone’s outlook and enjoyment of life when mobility and health are taken from the victim. In some cases, an attorney can prove that emotional and physical pain was extreme and deserve compensation as well.
Contact a Coeur d’Alene Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is licensed and practices in both Washington and Idaho. We are committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation. If our Coeur d’Alene Pedestrian Accident Lawyers represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.
