As 20-year-old University of Washington student was struck by a car while running near Green Lake on Sept. 16. She sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and recently spoke to the media about her recovery. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, our Seattle crosswalk accident lawyers understand that pedestrian incidents that are caused by another person’s negligence can lead to catastrophic injuries. We are here to help victims recover the compensation they deserve.
What happened in this accident?
Bergen Fuglestad was running on the upper path around Green Lake on Sept. 16 at around 5 p.m. when she was struck by a car going north. The vehicle had hopped the curb and struck Fuglestad while she was on the running path.
“I would never have imagined someone would actually drive off the road or that I was in any danger,” said Fuglestad. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center and treated for serious injuries.
The driver was evaluated for signs of impairment, but police found no indication of alcohol or drugs. No arrests were made, but the investigation is ongoing.
Pedestrian crashes can be devastating
Unfortunately, these incidents are not uncommon. Even though Fuglestad was away from the road and on a designated running/walking path, she was still in danger. While we do not know what caused the driver to veer over the curb, we do know that more than 6,000 pedestrians killed in this country in pedestrian crashes during the latest reporting year. In Washington State, there was a total of 2,514 pedestrian crashes reported during the latest reporting year. Out of those, there were:
- 109 fatalities
- 403 suspected serious injuries
- 784 suspected minor injuries
- 1,121 possible injuries
Nearly all pedestrian crashes result in an injury or a fatality. The human body has little protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into it. It is not uncommon for our Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer to see the following after a pedestrian incident:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries/head injuries
- Internal organ damage/internal bleeding
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or amputations
It is vital that negligent drivers be held accountable for their actions when they caused injuries and damages.
Let us get to work on your behalf
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a pedestrian crash that was caused by the negligent actions of someone else, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The team at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys has the knowledge and experience you need to fully investigate what happened. Our goal is to secure the compensation you need to get through this, including:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to the pedestrian crash
- Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Coverage of physical therapy costs
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
When you need a Seattle pedestrian accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
