Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Negligent motorists or other careless parties deserve to be held accountable for injuring you or a loved one in a pedestrian accident. By working with a Seattle pedestrian accident attorney, you can seek compensation while holding them responsible for their actions. Contact us today 1-844-355-9378 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case evaluation.
Why Choose Elk & Elk To Help You
When looking for a law firm to help you with your case, the plethora of legal options can feel overwhelming. Hundreds of firms claim to be able to secure you compensation following your accident, but few have the history and experience to back it up.
- The Seattle personal injury attorneys at Elk & Elk have secured numerous multi-million dollar suits on behalf of injury victims in Seattle and throughout Washington.
- With over $1 billion in combined compensation secured for clients, you will be able to have peace of mind knowing our firm is ready to handle a case like yours.
- Our firm has decades of experience across the United States of America and Washington state pushing for the rights of personal and automobile injury victims.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Washington State
Unfortunately, aggressive and negligent drivers exist everywhere – even in our community. The state of pedestrian accidents in Washington State is unfortunately quite dire as shown by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
- In 2023, there were 2,131 pedestrian accidents in Washington. Of these, 153 resulted in fatal accidents.
- Only around 45.5% of pedestrians on average walked away from an incident unharmed.
- The largest share of pedestrians involved in an accident was the 40-49 age range at 286 victims in 2023.
If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident and want to pursue a wrongful death claim, reach out to our Seattle wrongful death attorney to discuss your options.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Pedestrian Accident?
After a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation that addresses both the financial and personal impact of the incident. Damages are typically categorized into two main types: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Each category reflects different aspects of your losses and is designed to help you recover financially, physically, and emotionally.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the tangible, out-of-pocket costs directly related to the accident. Examples include hospital stays, ongoing medical treatment, and lost wages due to time away from work. These expenses are often documented with bills, receipts, and employment records, making them relatively straightforward to calculate. In cases of severe injury, economic damages may also account for reduced earning capacity if your ability to work has been permanently affected. Essentially, these damages aim to restore your financial stability by covering all measurable losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intended to address the more personal and intangible effects of the accident, often called “pain and suffering.” This category includes physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and the reduced quality of life resulting from injuries. Since these damages are not tied to direct financial costs, they are more subjective and vary based on factors like the severity of your injuries, your recovery outlook, and the impact on your daily life. For example, pain and suffering falls into this category and compensates for both the physical and emotional toll of the accident.
By working with an pedestrian accident attorney in Seattle, you can better assess the full scope of both economic and non-economic damages, which will ultimately influence the total value of your case. This approach ensures that all aspects of your recovery are taken into account, helping you move forward after a life-changing accident.
How a Seattle Lawyer Benefits You Following Your Pedestrian Accident
Having a Seattle pedestrian accident attorney advocating for your success following a pedestrian accident is critical. There are numerous tricks that insurance companies and opposing parties may try to pull on you to avoid paying their fair share of an accident. They may try to claim that you caused your own injuries, countersue, or even throw false accusations your way. Employing someone experienced with these common pitfalls will increase your chances of securing the maximum amount of compensation available
- Your pedestrian accident attorneys will investigate the incident to establish liability and gather evidence to support your case.
- They will also file all the complex paperwork required in Washington state for a pedestrian accident claim. Elk & Elk knows the ins-and-outs of how to analyze a police report and negotiate with the insurance company.
- A Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer will fight for your rights in a court of law so that you are able to find the financial justice you deserve. We want to hold the driver accountable for their negligence and award you or a loved one with the highest settlement possible.
Washington State Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friends
After an injury, your first instinct is probably to contact your insurance provider and discuss the accident. This is a major mistake. Insurance companies do not want to pay the full amount that you deserve for your damages. Their motivation is to protect their own profits. Before you contact an insurer, always contact a law firm like Elk & Elk. We offer the best legal representation in the Seattle area and have been serving clients for over five decades.
To recover the maximum compensation available to you, you need an experienced Seattle attorney advocating for your rights against big insurance companies. Our personal injury attorneys are well-versed in Washington law and handling the insurance company. As an injured pedestrian, your main focus should be on recovering from any injuries.
Your Injuries May Not Appear Right Away
Because automobiles are so large and heavy, the injuries they inflict can be catastrophic. However, your injuries may not manifest immediately after the accident. Severe injuries can take weeks — or months — to appear. Even if your pedestrian accident was several months ago, you may still be entitled to receive compensation for the damages caused by your injuries.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection pedestrians have compared to drivers. The types of injuries sustained in these accidents can range from minor to life-threatening, often leading to significant medical expenses, rehabilitation, and emotional trauma. Here are some of the most common injuries that pedestrians face and how each can impact a person’s life:
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Including partial or complete paralysis, herniated discs, and chronic back pain.
- Broken Bones: Fractures in the legs, arms, ribs, collarbone, pelvis, and hands, with compound fractures often requiring surgery.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, or spleen, which may lead to life-threatening complications.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Ranging from concussions to severe brain trauma, potentially causing long-term cognitive and emotional effects.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often resulting in pain and restricted movement.
- Facial and Dental Injuries: Fractures to the jaw, nose, cheekbones, and teeth, sometimes requiring reconstructive surgery or dental implants.
- Pelvic and Hip Injuries: Fractures in the hip or pelvis, leading to limited mobility and a long recovery process.
- Lacerations and Abrasions: Deep cuts and “road rash” that can result in scarring and potential infection.
- Psychological Trauma: Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression related to the accident.
- Amputations: In severe cases, limbs may need to be amputated due to crush injuries, drastically affecting a person’s mobility and lifestyle.
Each of these injuries presents unique challenges and impacts the injured person’s quality of life in different ways. Understanding the types of injuries and their implications can help injured pedestrians better grasp their right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Our Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t settle for less than you deserve if you or a loved one was injured in an accident. Contact a Seattle pedestrian accident attorney at Elk & Elk so we can discuss your case in a free consultation. To schedule your initial consultation, call us at 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378) or fill out our online form.