Benefits of Hiring an Attorney After a Pedestrian Accident in Seattle
Posted in Pedestrian Accident on January 1, 2023
According to data from the Washington Department of Transportation, we can see that there were 342 total pedestrian accident incidents across Seattle during the latest full year of information available. Out of these incidents, there were 23 fatalities, 63 suspected serious injuries, and 154 suspected minor injuries. After a pedestrian sustains an injury caused by the negligence of another party, it is crucial that they have an attorney by their side to help them recover compensation. Here, we want to discuss what benefits a pedestrian accident lawyer will bring in these situations.
Investigating the Pedestrian Crash
One of the most important aspects of a pedestrian accident claim is the investigation into the incident. These cases can become incredibly complicated, and it is not uncommon for other parties involved to try and blame some or all of the incident on the pedestrian.
An attorney will get involved very soon after the incident occurs and begin an investigation. This often includes gathering any evidence that was taken away from the same, including photographs of injuries or causes of the crash, surveillance from nearby video cameras, as well as statements from eyewitnesses to the incident.
In addition to evidence gathered right after the incident occurs, an attorney will also work to gather additional types of evidence. This includes the police report related to the pedestrian crash as well as any citations issued at the scene of the incident. It may be necessary to obtain vehicle data recorder information as well as mobile data information.
Negotiating With Other Parties
An attorney will get to work handling all communication with other parties involved. This includes not only the insurance carriers but also the at-fault party and any potential legal teams involved in the claim. These other parties will have one goal in mind – to limit how much money they pay out and compensation to the pedestrian crash victim.
An attorney will craft a demand letter based on the information available to them and send it to the insurance carriers or at-fault party. They will handle all negotiations involving the other parties, with the goal of recovering as much compensation as possible for their client.
Preparing the Claim for Trial
In the event the other party refuses to offer a fair settlement, or if the claim is denied altogether, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in civil court. This could ultimately lead to a jury trial, but that is not always the case. In fact, most cases are resolved before they reach the jury trial point.
An attorney will handle the discovery period, where both sides exchange information, and they will also handle any depositions required. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Washington will fully prepare their client for a jury trial in the event the case does go that far.
Contingency Fee Arrangements
An attorney will take a pedestrian accident claim on a contingency fee basis. This means the pedestrian crash victim does not have to pay any upfront costs related to the case. They will only pay legal fees after the attorney successfully recovers the compensation they are entitled to. They will be responsible for paying legal fees based on an agreed-upon percentage of the final settlement or jury verdict. Under this type of fee arrangement, if the attorney does not win the case, the client pays no legal fees.