Since 1948, the team of Spokane pedestrian accident lawyers at CCD Law has helped injury victims through the legal process. As a pedestrian, you have many different hazards to watch out for in Spokane. People driving their car, other pedestrians, malfunctioning street lights, even potholes in the road. All of these can cause an accident that leaves you injured. If this has happened to you or a loved one, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Have the Same Legal Rights as a Runner?
When you’re out for a run in Spokane, you may be wondering if you still have the same rights as other pedestrians. Thankfully, the answer is yes. Even if you’re running, you still have the right of way and other legal protections as regular pedestrians.
So, when you’re hurt in an accident, you can file an injury claim. However, an important step in the process is figuring out who is responsible. In a typical runner accident, this could be any of the following negligent parties:
- Drivers
- Other pedestrians or runners
- Government agencies
- Car or part manufacturers
- Construction workers or companies
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Whether you need our lawyers after an accident depends on how bad it was. If it was a small accident or you only experienced minor injuries, you might not need us, but we’re still happy to help if you want. If you experienced more serious injuries, which can happen in these accidents, you’ll likely need a lot of help. Our team is experienced in:
- Finding out what happened in your accident
- Explaining your rights and the best choices for you
- Figuring out who’s responsible and finding witnesses
- Collecting and showing evidence
- Talking and negotiating with insurance companies
Spokane has many potential dangers that can cause serious injuries. So, the process of making claims is crucial for your recovery. The first important step is knowing how to properly respond right after the accident happens.
What Should You Do After One of These Accidents?
Even with the same legal protections as other pedestrians, the things you do right after an accident can greatly impact your potential claim. This is especially true considering that insurance companies, which will be part of your claim, may try to downplay its value. So, the actions you take–or don’t take–in the immediate aftermath of the accident are very important. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Get to safety and check your injuries – First and foremost, prioritize your safety. Move to a safe spot away from the road, like the sidewalk. Check yourself for injuries, and if you’re seriously hurt, seek help from a bystander or call 911.
- Get on-site medical care – Getting prompt medical help is vital for addressing your injuries. This can be done at the scene with emergency responders or by going to an emergency room or urgent care for less severe injuries. Immediate medical attention is key for documenting the accident and your medical needs.
- Begin gathering evidence – If possible, talk to witnesses and get their version of the accident. Take pictures of the scene with your phone if it’s still functional. If your phone isn’t working, contact the police to create an accident report and assist in gathering important evidence.
- Stay calm – It’s normal to feel stressed in such situations. If these steps feel challenging, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of lawyers for guidance. We understand the difficulties involved and can offer the support you need during this tough time.
Injuries in Running Accidents
Remember, your well-being is the top priority, and taking these steps can contribute to both your immediate recovery and the safeguarding of your legal rights. What makes these accidents difficult is that they’re likely to leave you with serious injuries. Typically, the following injuries in running accidents are common:
- Head injuries – Aside from broken bones, one of the most common categories of injury in these accidents are head injuries. Particularly, victims can expect concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) not just from the collision, but from your head contacting the ground with great force.
- Broken bones – Your extremities and skull are at great risk in these accidents. Whether it be your arms, legs, hips, or any other bones, fractures can be incredibly painful and require extensive treatment and surgery to fix.
- Spinal and back injuries – Your back and spinal cord are also vulnerable in these accidents. These types of injuries can leave you with temporary or even permanent paralysis and other similar complications.
- Internal injuries – Because of the limited protection, these accidents can damage your internal organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
- Cuts and bruises – At the very least, these accidents usually result in cuts, bruises, and scrapes upon impact, increasing the chance of infection.
- Emotional and mental damage – Beyond physical injuries, these accidents can induce emotional distress, giving rise to feelings of anxiety, sadness, or persistent stress for those affected. Emotional injuries are equally important as physical ones and can leave a lasting impact.
Obviously, what injuries you experience is going to depend on the circumstances of your accident. That said, any accident brings uncertainty. More to the point, if you’re hurt while running, you can probably expect multiple of the above injuries to deal with. That’s what makes the damages you can recover all the more important.
Damages in an Injury Claim
Because an accident brings such uncertainty, the purpose of the law giving you the ability to file an injury claim is so you can recover some measure of your losses. While much of this revolves around your financial losses, “damages” also entail the emotional and psychological losses you suffer because of an accident. So, when you file an injury claim in Spokane, here’s what you could potentially recover:
- Medical expenses and ongoing care – This covers the economic recovery related to your medical costs resulting from the accident, addressing treatment, therapy needs, and any ongoing care or necessary medical devices.
- Lost income – These damages attempt to make up for the loss of income if the accident renders you unable to work or leads to significant work absences.
- Pain and suffering – These damages are designed to cope with the physical pain and mental suffering you endure due to the accident.
- Emotional distress – Similar to pain and suffering, this category covers the emotional trauma and anxiety caused by the accident.
- Loss of quality of life or companionship – If the accident affects your quality of life and ability to contribute to personal relationships, these damages are designed for that. They’re based on the severity of injuries and life changes because of the accident.
It’s crucial to remember that to be eligible for these damages, you must file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Currently in Spokane and throughout Washington, this deadline is:
- Three years from the date of your accident.
Missing this deadline means you cannot recover these damages, no matter how strong your claim is.
Contact CCD Law For a Free Consultation
When you get hurt in a Spokane accident, you can count on our experience at CCD Law. Since 1948, we’ve helped Spokane accident victims through the legal process. As a runner, it’s important to know that you have options when you’re hurt in an accident. To learn more about these options and how we can help, contact us today for a free consultation.
