Spokane drivers are held to a high standard when they come to someone on foot crossing a crosswalk. Unfortunately, careless motorists can go too fast or allow themselves to become distracted and end up striking a defenseless pedestrian.
CCD Law can help injured pedestrians after a collision with a vehicle. We demand full support from car insurance companies for the victim’s medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Contact a Spokane Crosswalk Accident Lawyer for a free case consultation that comes with no obligation to you. Find out what your case is worth and how to hold drivers fully liable.
When You Could Probably Earn More with a Lawyer
When you injuries are serious after being hit by a car, it’s a good sign you’ll want a lawyer’s help to get the most for your recovery costs. Serious injuries are common after a pedestrian strike. They can include broken bones, neck and back injuries, and head injuries. If you suffer a knee or hip injury, it’s also a good idea to speak with a lawyer.
You’ll be referred to a car insurance company, and their insurance adjusters are well-trained in downplaying your injuries or casting blame on you. A Spokane pedestrian accident lawyer can fully investigate, gather evidence, and then demand the most in a settlement possible for you. This is often much more than you could earn by taking on a giant insurance company yourself.
Who Is Liable in a Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident?
In Washington, drivers are usually found at fault when they hit pedestrians. They can even be found liable or partially liable when a pedestrian is crossing the street outside of a crosswalk. The extra responsibility drivers carry is due to the vulnerability of those on foot when they must cross in front of heavy, fast-moving cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles.
Much of the burden is on the person at the wheel to slow down when around a defenseless pedestrian and prevent any chance of an collision. According to RCW 46.61.245, drivers must “exercise due care” around pedestrians and crosswalks. That would mean they should always keep their eyes on the road and slow down upon seeing someone near the roadway.
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) goes into how drivers must make a full stop when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk and on their half of the street. What’s considered a driver’s “half-of-the-street” is visually explained on the Washington State University’s website.
“(1) The operator of an approaching vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, bicycle, or personal delivery device to cross the roadway within an unmarked or marked crosswalk when the pedestrian, bicycle, or personal delivery device is upon or within one lane of the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning. For purposes of this section “half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes carrying traffic in one direction of travel, and includes the entire width of a one-way roadway.”
- The code also explains that drivers should never pass another vehicle stopped at an intersection for pedestrians.
- Not all crosswalks are marked at intersections, but they still exist, and driver’s must show caution for any pedestrian crossing the street.’
- When drivers ignore crosswalk laws in a school zone or near a playground, the fines are automatically doubled.
When Spokane Pedestrians Are Held Responsible for Collisions
Pedestrians are held accountable in some instances. They also must observe some safety precautions when crossing roads.
- Those on foot must follow traffic control devices. They must not cross on a “Do Not Walk” sign. See: RCW 46.61.050 Walk Signs
- Pedestrians might also be held partially to blame if they step out in front of moving traffic, leaving a driver no time or room or stop. RCW 46.61.235 goes over this responsibility too.
- Washington codes also state that pedestrians crossing the road outside of a crosswalk must yield the right of way to pedestrians.
- Pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk must not cross diagonally.
Can I Ask for Support If I’m Struck and Found Partially to Blame?
Yes. Pedestrians struck by a vehicle may be found partially at-fault, but can still demand support for recovery.
Under Washington’s comparative negligence laws, pedestrians and drivers can share blame in an accident. That blame would be divided into percentages and victims could seek injury compensation even if they were 99% to blame for what happened. The pedestrian could still receive an award, only it would be reduced by the percentage of blame they were assigned.
Example: The driver might receive 75% of the blame for speeding. The pedestrian might bear 25% of the blame for crossing on a “don’t walk” sign. The pedestrian could still earn money to help with medical costs, but their award would be reduced by their 25% of blame.
Support Available to Spokane Pedestrian Accident Victims
A CCD Law attorney would make sure every hardship the pedestrian went through in recovery was documented and presented to the car insurance company.
These damages and others should be covered by the auto insurer:
- Totals on all medical bills.
- Totals on rehabilitation and physical therapy sessions.
- Estimates on lifetime support if a victim suffers a permanent disability.
- Support for the physical pain victims go through.
- Support for the emotional trauma victims suffer after being struck and during a difficult recovery.
- Travel costs getting to and from doctors’ appointments and going out of the city to see specialists.
- Lost income and benefits while patients must miss time at work.
Contact a Spokane Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Speak with a Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at CCD Law about your case as soon as possible. We would like to handle the frustrating negotiations with unhelpful auto insurance providers, while giving your family as much to grieve in peace as possible.
Contact us to set up a free case consultation for your family. It’s an easy way to find out how to hold drivers and car insurance companies fully accountable after a pedestrian accident.
If you do require our help to secure what’s fair, you don’t have to bring any money with you. You don’t pay anything upfront to hire CCD Law. We aren’t paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check you get from a car insurance company.