The last thing you want to worry about when you are walking around Seattle is that you may be injured in an accident. While we regularly help clients who have been injured due to the negligence of other drivers, it could also be the case that a pedestrian’s own actions contribute to the incident and their injuries. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our pedestrian accident attorneys in Seattle want to discuss various ways that pedestrians could be negligent in an accident.
How can a pedestrian be at fault?
While it may be the case that a vehicle driver is usually at fault for a pedestrian crash, that does not mean that they are always entirely to blame for the incident. Pedestrians can also contribute to an accident in various ways. Some of the most common scenarios in which a pedestrian could be found to be fully or partially at fault include if they were:
- Jaywalking at the time of the accident. This often means that they were crossing in the middle of the street or outside of a marked crosswalk.
- Entering the roadway while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.
- Walking along highways, causeways, or bridges that are off-limits to pedestrian traffic.
- Crossing the street against a cross signal. For example, if a pedestrian is using a crosswalk but is walking when the “Do Not Walk” sign is illuminated, they could share fault for the incident.
According to data available from the Washington Department of Transportation, we know that 2,277 total pedestrians were involved in accidents during the latest year of data available across the state. Out of these incidents, we know that there were 102 fatalities and more than 2,000 total injuries.
You may still be able to recover compensation
Even if a pedestrian contributes to their own injuries in some way, they may still be able to recover compensation. Washington operates under a contributory fault system. In fact, Washington is one of a few states that has a “pure comparative negligence” system, which means that a person can recover compensation even if they are up to 99% at fault for the accident. However, any compensation amount will be reduced based on the percentage of fault a person had for the incident.
Let our Seattle pedestrian accident lawyers help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian crash, contact the team at Russell & Hill, PLLC for help today. We pledge to investigate every aspect of your case in order to secure maximum compensation for your injuries. This includes payments for your medical bills, lost income if you cannot work, pain and suffering damages, and more. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Seattle will work to prove liability in this case, and we are not afraid to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.