Russell & Hill, PLLC

Service Areas

  • Spokane Valley
  • Coeur d’Alene

Spokane Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Spokane Valley is a busy city, which unfortunately means that pedestrians are constantly exposed to motor vehicles. We aim to help Spokane area residents by seeking full compensation for all financial damages.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Inability to work
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses
  • Property damage
  • Other losses related to the accident

It’s normal for pedestrians who have just been injured in an accident to be confused. From insurance companies right down to finding the right medical treatment options, being involved in an accident can be overwhelming. Not only this, trying to fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve can be taxing, especially when managing other accident-related issues.

By working with a team of attorneys, you can focus on making a full recovery while knowing that you’re getting the legal assistance to seek the necessary compensation.

Defining a Pedestrian

Despite the fact that it’s obvious in most cases, it’s worth going over the definition of a pedestrian. A pedestrian is any person that is walking, using a wheelchair, power wheelchair, or moving by means of a human-propelled vehicle, rather than a motorized vessel.

All pedestrians who are not at fault of the accident have the right to file personal injury claims when involved in an auto collision. If you or a loved one are involved in a collision, contact our Spokane Valley pedestrian accident attorneys today.

Protecting the Rights of Pedestrian Accident Victims

Unlike motorists, pedestrians have no protection when they are involved in an auto accident. For this reason, they usually suffer severe injuries that can cause immediate and long-term effects. At the same time, this can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical expenses and require ongoing treatment.

At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our pedestrian accident attorneys will carry out a full-scale investigation to guarantee you get the medical attention you deserve. We work with doctors and other medical professionals to fully show the extent of the injuries caused in order to paint an accurate picture of the potential expenses.

Pedestrian Accidents in Spokane

In many cases, the driver’s insurance policy will include personal injury protection, also known as PIP. This covers injuries to pedestrians or bicyclists involved in auto collisions. Our team of seasoned attorneys has vast experience managing PIP claims as well as bifurcated claims, so we can guide you through the entire process.

One of our goals is to always keep you in the loop, and we work restlessly to make sure you get compensation from the responsible driver’s insurance. Plus, we’ll also explore any additional coverage possibilities whenever they’re available.

What’s more, our team can provide legal advice if any insurance claim disputes were to arise. This includes bad faith insurance claim denials and other scenarios that may merit legal intervention.

Common Injuries Caused by Pedestrian-Auto Collisions

Auto collisions usually result in severe injuries for pedestrians. While these may vary in severity, even relatively slow collisions may still result in extensive damage and downtime for those outsides of the vehicle. And, accidents that occur at higher speeds tend to cause extensive injuries that take months or years to fully heal.

Some of the most common injuries that come from pedestrian accidents include fractured extremities, lacerations, torn ligaments, internal bleeding, and swollen organs. That said, there are also injuries that may not manifest immediately but still produce negative effects.

Brain Injuries and Hormonal Imbalances

Although most people associate the term traumatic brain injury with a cracked skull or a sports injury, their effects may not be immediately noticeable. Auto collisions can cause the brain to shift inside the skull and potentially produce neurological damage.

Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to swelling and bleeding inside the skull. They can also damage the pituitary gland, which is partially responsible for regulating hormones. This, in turn, can cause hormonal imbalances that produce mood disorders and other symptoms.

Contact Russell & Hill Today

Pedestrian accidents in Spokane Valley can result in a series of injuries and cost thousands of dollars. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our team of pedestrian accident attorneys can help you seek full compensation for the injuries and financial damages sustained as a result of a collision.

Get in touch with us by giving us a call or filling out our online contact form today!

Each year, there are about 2,500 pedestrian accidents in Washington state, while pedestrian fatalities account for up to 15 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths annually, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

There’s no denying the fact that walking is an excellent form of exercise. But crossing the street is definitely not the safest part of “walking.” Pedestrians in Spokane and other cities in Washington state are at risk of getting injured by motor vehicles when crossing at a crosswalk or even simply walking down the street.

If you have been hurt by a passenger car, truck, motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle, you should speak with a Spokane pedestrian accident attorney from Russell & Hill, PLLC, to find out about your options for seeking compensation for your damages and losses.

What Are Pedestrian Rights and Traffic Rules in Washington State?

Since the vast majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by the driver of a motor vehicle involved in the crash, determining liability is not that difficult. However, in cases where a pedestrian failed to look both ways, crossed outside of a marked crosswalk, or entered a crosswalk at a red light, determining liability becomes much more complicated.

Most of the time, establishing fault in a pedestrian accident boils down to determining which party violated traffic laws. There are many cases in which both a pedestrian and a motorist violate traffic laws and can share liability for the accident, which is made possible by Washington state’s comparative negligence rule.

Who Has the Right of Way at Intersections in Washington State?

Our Spokane pedestrian accident lawyer from Russell & Hill, PLLC, often gets asked about the right of way at intersections in Washington state. Do pedestrians always have the right of way when crossing at an intersection?

Whenever there is a crosswalk, motorists must always yield the right of way to pedestrians unless a pedestrian suddenly darts out into the crosswalk and runs out in front of a car. “In that case, even the most reasonable and cautious driver exercising due care cannot be expected to react in time to avoid the collision,” explains our experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Spokane.

In Washington state, the fines for violating a traffic law are doubled in the event of violations within:

  • A school zone
  • A playground
  • A zone with reduced speed

Can a Pedestrian Cross Where There is No Crosswalk?

A pedestrian might be partially or fully to blame for his or her pedestrian accident injuries if he or she violated a traffic rule. Simply because the light is green does not mean a pedestrian can cross the street in a reckless or careless manner.

But what if a pedestrian accident occurred where there was no crosswalk? Our Spokane pedestrian accident attorney says that a pedestrian must yield the right of way to traffic in areas of the road where there is no crosswalk.

In Washington state, it is prohibited by law for pedestrians to cross the road diagonally unless the traffic control device or the intersection’s design leaves no other option.

What Types of Damages Can a Pedestrian Recover After a Crash?

Depending on the circumstances in your particular pedestrian accident, the following types of damages can be recoverable as part of your personal injury settlement:

  • Lost wages
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish, emotional distress, and other damages

It is advised to speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Spokane or elsewhere in Washington state to help you determine the types of damages available in your case as well as evaluate how much your settlement is worth. Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys at Russell & Hill, PLLC, by calling at 800-529-0842 or 509-204-9701 today.

There are thousands of pedestrians who suffer fatal injuries due to auto collisions every year. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our team of experienced pedestrian accident attorneys is committed to delivering reliable legal representation for Spokane Valley residents.

Our goal is to get the compensation you rightfully deserve, so schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys by phone or through our online contact form.

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Date published: 2018-08-08
5 out of 5

After an accident, the insurance company was refusing to pay even common payments for our accident. I turned the matter over to Russell and Hill and they tripled the amount the insurance company was offering. The attorneys handled all the negotiations and made it an excellent situation for my wife and I.

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