As a pedestrian, you are at a disadvantage when it comes to traveling near roadways. When people hear the term “pedestrian accidents,” they often think of pedestrian-vehicle accidents, but they don’t have to involve a vehicle at all. Improper sidewalk maintenance, construction, or other debris on walkways can all end up hurting you and the people you love when you least expect it. If you know someone who has been injured as a pedestrian, or if you yourself have been injured as such, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and other damages.
Who is a pedestrian?
First, we should define this term. Typically, a person who is walking along a road or in a developed area is considered a pedestrian. This is helpful to know when determining whether or not you were considered a pedestrian at the time of your accident and therefore whether Washington pedestrian law applies to you.
What is a crosswalk?
Many people do not know the true definition of a crosswalk. They may think that if it is unmarked, it is not a crosswalk. It would be a mistake to think this. A crosswalk is the extension of a sidewalk across a street at an intersection and can be marked or unmarked. A crosswalk can exist at other non-intersection points along a roadway as long as they are marked as such with signs, lines, or other markings.
As a pedestrian, it is important that you know what is and what is not considered a crosswalk so that you can identify if and when your rights have been violated by a vehicle. All vehicles and pedestrians have the same rights and responsibilities when it comes to a pedestrian crossing the street at a crosswalk, regardless of whether or not it is marked.
We Know Washington Pedestrian Law
It is important to know your rights and obligations when you are either walking or biking along, near, or across a roadway. You and/or the vehicle involved in the accident may or may not have broken Washington law. If you have failed to abide by our state’s laws, this could impede your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. However, if we can prove that the other party failed to abide by any Washington pedestrian law, this could increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
As an attorney who has devoted his entire practice to personal injury law, Bill Pickett, of The Pickett Law Firm, has handled cases like yours and has the experience upon which you can depend. He is dedicated to helping people like you heal and restore your life after traumatic and unexpected events such as this.
Bill and his team know Washington pedestrian law and will use it to protect you and your family. Here are some of the laws by which Washington drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are expected to abide:
- Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and control devices unless otherwise directed by a traffic/police officer.
- Drivers and bicyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks.
- Drivers must stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross a roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk when the pedestrian or bicyclist is in the same lane as the vehicle or in a lane that is approaching the lane on which the vehicle is traveling or turning onto.
- Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles when crossing a roadway outside of a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
How We Can Help You
If you are suffering from injuries and/or emotional trauma after an accident that involved you as a pedestrian, you probably have several questions and concerns about your future.
How will this affect me and my family financially?
How do I file a claim?
Who should I talk to? Who should I not talk to?
What legal options do I have, if any?
What if I was partially at fault for the accident? Can I still recover compensation?
At The Pickett Law Firm, our mission is to guide you through trying times like these, and we start by listening to your concerns and answering your questions as clearly as possible. The more you know and understand, the better. We are here to walk with you, hand in hand, in the pursuit of justice. You need someone who will advocate for you when it comes to insurance companies and medical providers. We will be your advocate. We will do everything we can to make sure you are treated fairly and to make sure you can receive the medical attention you need. We can investigate into your situation and build the strongest possible case. In short, we work for you.
Personal Injury Lawyers with Faith
Bill Pickett is not your average personal injury attorney. Before college, Bill worked as a Commercial Fisherman and Deep Sea Diver in Alaska—a risky occupation that instilled in him a strong work ethic. Now, he fights for the underdog, whether that’s his clients or people in need around the world. He has spent much of his time outside of the office volunteering for Youth with a Mission to bring hope and a future to the people of Cambodia—particularly Cambodian children. Faith is an integral part of Bill’s practice, and no matter his clients’ beliefs, he sees his faith as a powerful part of obtaining favorable outcomes for each person who walks through his doors.
Read more about Bill Pickett and his team’s unique approach to personal injury law.
What types of compensation are you entitled to?
One of the most common questions we are asked day in and day out at our firm is this: “How much is my case worth?” Without speaking with you about the details of your situation, it is impossible to say exactly how much you are entitled to receive for the injuries and other damages you have suffered. Each case is different, but generally speaking, you may be entitled to compensation for any number of the following things:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Modifications required for your home and/or vehicle
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium in the case of death
Depending on the details of your accident and injuries, you could be entitled to a significant amount of money. This money can aid you tremendously in healing and moving forward with your life. You will never know just how much you could receive until you talk with a personal injury attorney. Do not leave money on the table while you suffer for someone else’s negligence. You need and deserve whatever help you can get; let us help you to get it.
Contact our office today.