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Vancouver Pedestrian Accident Attorney

As a pedestrian, there is the expectation that you can safely walk down the street. Unfortunately, accidents happen and we are there to help you recover.

Pedestrians have little to no protection when walking, so when a pedestrian is involved in an accident, severe injuries are almost always the result. Especially in a walkable city like Vancouver, pedestrians must be extra careful while taking a stroll.

Each experienced Vancouver pedestrian accident lawyer at NW Injury Law Center has helped represent numerous clients who have been injured. Call our Vancouver personal injury attorneys for a free consultation at (360) 695-1624.

person walking in a crosswalk

Why Choose NW Injury Law Center?

  • We are committed to helping pedestrian accident victims in Vancouver and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Your lawyer will always put you first and address your individual needs.
  • Our attorneys have more than 35 years of experience. In that time, we have recovered millions of dollars in case results, including a $2.2 million settlement for a pedestrian collision.
  • Our law firm takes pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will only be charged legal fees if we win. We will deduct our fees directly from the settlement or verdict won.

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Top Causes of Pedestrian Collisions in Vancouver

Pedestrian accidents are often traced back to dangerous and reckless drivers in Vancouver. Careless mistakes behind the wheel, such as broken traffic laws, put vulnerable pedestrians at risk. Environmental factors, such as bad weather, poor visibility and dangerous sidewalks can also contribute to pedestrian-vehicle collisions.

The most common causes include:

  • Driver distraction or inattention
  • Cell phone use while driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Ignoring pedestrian rights-of-way at crosswalks and intersections
  • Speeding, especially in school zones or residential areas
  • Unsafe passing or passing school buses
  • Making unsafe left-hand turns

Some of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Vancouver are Mill Plain Blvd. and Chkalov Rd., Mill Plain Blvd. and SE 117th Ave., and NE Fourth Plain Blvd. and NE 117th Ave. Statistically, these intersections have the highest number of fatal pedestrian collisions annually.

What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Vancouver, WA

If you have been struck by a car in Vancouver, you may well be in no condition to take useful actions to protect yourself following an accident. In any case, you should call the police and remain at the scene until they arrive.

Seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Even if you do not believe you are injured, many times an injury will not become apparent until hours after the accident. Seeking medical attention promptly not only helps protect you from claims that you were not injured in the accident, but may help you catch any hidden injuries quickly while treatment options are better.

If possible, document the scene and your injuries with photographs immediately. If you are not able to take pictures yourself, a friend or family member with you could take the photos, or even witnesses nearby could be asked to take the pictures on your behalf. Documenting the scene of the accident is invaluable in helping bring out the facts in your case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Facts About Pedestrian Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 7,314 pedestrian fatalities in 2023. While no precautions can make you perfectly safe from an accident, by taking care to observe all road laws for pedestrians, and being very careful to watch for cars when crossing a road, you can minimize your risks of being involved in an accident.

If your love one suffered a fatality in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim in Washington. Contact our Vancouver wrongful death attorney to set up a free consultation.

Who Pays for a Pedestrian Accident in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, the person responsible for paying for pedestrian accidents depends on who is at fault, since Washington is a fault-based car insurance state. If an investigation finds that a motor vehicle driver is at fault for breaking a traffic law or violating a pedestrian’s right-of-way, the driver will be held responsible for paying through his or her automobile insurance policy.

However, it is up to the injured pedestrian to prove fault. This can be difficult, as the driver’s insurance company will not want to issue a payout and may deny liability. Proof of fault to support a claim may include a police report, eyewitness statements, crash reconstruction, and photographs and video footage.

If the motor vehicle driver was driving for work at the time of the collision, such as a delivery driver or government agent, the driver’s employer could be held vicariously liable. Another possible liable party is the government for hazards such as dangerous construction zones, sidewalk defects, a lack of crosswalks or poorly designed intersections.

Compensation Available After a Vancouver Pedestrian Accident

Successfully holding one or more parties accountable for your pedestrian collision could lead to a financial payout that helps you and your family move forward with less stress about the future. In Washington, the civil justice system allows for the recovery of economic and noneconomic damages (or financial compensation) in a pedestrian accident claim.

You may qualify for the following types:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost wages and earnings
  • Lost future capacity to earn
  • Personal property repairs or replacement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional harm or distress
  • Punitive damages

An attorney from NW Injury Law Center can help you seek the financial recovery you deserve with aggressive and proven legal strategies. It is especially important to come to us for legal representation if you or a loved one sustained a catastrophic injury after getting hit by a car in Vancouver. We can fight for a fair outcome for future foreseeable expenses.

What If I Was Partly to Blame for the Pedestrian Accident?

Washington has comparative negligence laws in place for personal injuries after an accident. Even if you partially contributed to your accident, you may still be eligible to receive compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Under comparative negligence, the compensation you receive is reduced by the percentage that you were found to be responsible for your accident. If you were found to have been 10% responsible for the accident and your damages were determined to be $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by the $10,000 that you were found to be responsible.

Do I Need a Vancouver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Insurance companies may often appear sympathetic and cooperative in your case, leaving you with the impression that you do not need an attorney to conclude the affair. However, there are strict legal limitations on how long you have to file a claim after an injury. Insurance companies must protect their bottom line, and they are skilled in offering just enough compensation to get your agreement to a settlement.

Often times, it can be difficult to estimate the total medical costs or the amount of money you may lose due to time missed at work, and a quick settlement may leave you with expenses after the settlement money has run out.

Consulting our Vancouver pedestrian accident attorney is free of charge and we can help you understand the merits of your case and explain honestly whether your case calls for an attorney.

Contact Our Vancouver Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

Please call our pedestrian accident attorneys in Vancouver at NW Injury Law Center at (360) 695-1624 if you have any questions or would like to speak with us regarding a pedestrian accident or injury. We offer free case reviews and can discuss what your legal options are.