Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking around Kennewick is a great way to enjoy the views. It’s good for the heart (and for the wallet) and gives us an opportunity to spend time with neighbors. Walking is also dangerous – especially when you walk across an intersection or any part of the road. Even with red lights, stop signs, and crosswalks, many cars and trucks fail to stop before they enter the intersection. Even a car going a few miles per hour can cause a deadly accident or a catastrophic injury to a pedestrian. Drivers who speed or drive while distracted are especially dangerous.

At Telaré Law, our Kennewick pedestrian accident lawyers understand how devastating it is to be healthy one minute and then lying on a hospital bed with head trauma, multiple fractures, or other injuries that are clearly going to change your life – forever. We understand the heartbreak of learning a parent, child, or spouse was killed by an irresponsible driver. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have the experience and resources to hold drivers accountable for the harm they cause. We prepare your personal injury case for trial and only recommend settlement when a settlement is in your best interests. We understand how to prove the full value of your claim.

How Can We Help?

  • What should you know about pedestrian accidents?
  • What injuries do Kennewick pedestrian accident victims suffer?
  • What types of pedestrian accident cases do you handle?
  • Why do pedestrian accidents happen in Kennewick?
  • Safety tips for walkers in Kennewick
  • Who is liable for a pedestrian accident in Kennewick?
  • What’s the value of my pedestrian accident claim?
  • Do you have a pedestrian accident lawyer near me?

What Should You Know About Pedestrian Accidents?

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, about a quarter of the state’s residents don’t drive; they walk instead. Walkers include young children on their way to and from school as well as adults out for a stroll or running errands. Tragically, between 2013 and 2017, pedestrian and bicycle riders accounted for 18.6% of the state’s traffic fatalities and 22.5% of the state’s serious injuries due to traffic accidents.

What Injuries Do Pedestrian Accident Victims Suffer?

Since pedestrians have no physical protection other than the clothes they are wearing, those who are struck by a car, motorcycle, or even another bicycle rider are likely to suffer painful injuries that could affect them for the rest of their lives. If the collision involves a truck of any size, the outcome will likely be catastrophic. Our Kennewick pedestrian accident lawyers fight for walkers who suffer any type of the following injuries:

  • Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
  • Spinal cord injuries and/or paralysis
  • Traumatic amputation of an arm, leg, hand, or foot
  • Compound fractures and multiple fractures
  • Burn injuries if the car ignites
  • Hearing or vision loss
  • Damage to internal organs
  • Abdominal injuries
  • Heart attacks
  • Psychological trauma
  • Any type of disability
  • Other serious injuries

Telaré Law represents Tri-Cities pedestrian accident victims who suffer catastrophic injuries, including those left with scars or disfiguring injuries.

What Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases Do We Handle?

Pedestrians can be struck in many different locations. At Telaré Law, we handle pedestrian traffic accidents such as:

  • Intersection accidents. Most pedestrian accidents happen at intersections. Drivers are required to obey the traffic signals. They must stop at marked lines in crosswalks that define where walkers are allowed to cross. Many intersection accidents happen when cars try to run a yellow light, the driver isn’t paying attention, or when the driver turns.
  • Non-intersection roadway accidents. Some walkers cross a road in the middle of the street. There may be times when walking away from the intersection is actually wiser because of the number of lanes and constant motion at the intersection.
  • Backing-up accidents. Drivers who back out of parking spaces, whether the car is parked on the street or in a parking lot, need to be on the lookout for pedestrians.
  • Parking lot accidents. Drivers who ride through shopping areas, restaurant parking lots, office buildings, or other locations where there are likely to be walkers need to be on the lookout for these walkers. Finding a great parking space can never take priority over the safety of pedestrians.

We represent every type of pedestrian in every type of injury claim. A Kennewick lawyer could represent pedestrians who are injured in an accident while on the shoulder of the road or any off-road location, as well as those who are victims of violent attacks.

Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Pedestrian accidents are almost always due to driver negligence. Some of the many reasons drivers cause pedestrian accidents include:

  • Driving while intoxicated. Drunk drivers don’t have control of their vehicles. Driver intoxication is a leading cause of pedestrian accidents.
  • Driver distraction. Drivers who are texting while driving, talking on their cell phone, looking at a GPS system, or adjusting an entertainment system are likely to strike a pedestrian.
  • Driver fatigue. Tired drivers aren’t focusing on pedestrians and can’t react in time when they do see a pedestrian.
  • Speeding. Many drivers who are going above the speed limit try to run through the light before the colors on the traffic signal change. Speeding drivers often enter the crosswalk even if they slam on their breaks.
  • Bad weather. Wet roads, foggy weather, extremely sunny conditions, and other weather conditions can make travel and visibility dangerous for drivers.

A few other reasons drivers may strike a pedestrian include reckless driving and road construction.

Safety Tips for Walkers in Kennewick

Pedestrians can take a few steps to ensure that drivers see them. Some of these steps include:

  • Wearing light or reflective clothing when walking at night
  • Using the crosswalk
  • Looking both ways before crossing, even if the traffic signal says it’s OK to walk
  • Avoiding walking in the road
  • Not using your cell phone when walking across an intersection or in a parking lot

Who is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Kennewick?

The primary defendant in most pedestrian traffic accident cases is the driver. Additional defendants may include:

  • The owners of the vehicle, if different than the driver
  • A tavern or business that sold alcohol to the driver, knowing that the buyer was visibly drunk or a minor
  • The Washington Department of Transportation or another state agency, if the accident happened because of poor road design or maintenance
  • A trucking company if a truck driver struck you

What Is the Value of My Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Survivors of pedestrian accidents often have catastrophic injuries which change their lives forever. Even in the most optimistic cases, survivors usually live with chronic pain and a disability that prevents them from earning a living. At Telaré Law, our Kennewick personal injury lawyers demand compensation for all your:

  • Medical expenses – current and future
  • Lost income – current and future
  • Pain and suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Loss of consortium

If a loved one tragically dies, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family. Wrongful death damages in Washington include:

  • The funeral and burial expenses
  • The financial support the deceased would have provided the family members
  • The value of the deceased’s care, affection, love, companionship, education, and services – for all family members

In both personal injury and wrongful death cases, we may also file a claim for punitive damages since drivers need to be extra careful when pedestrians are nearby.

Generally, personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the date of the accident. The best course of action is to contact us immediately.

Is There a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me?

Telaré Law maintains an office in Kennewick at 819 South Auburn St. Our lawyers also have an office in Richland. We see clients at their homes or the hospital if they are immobile or too ill.

Speak With an Experienced Kennewick Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

When catastrophes happen, you need strong, respected trial lawyers on your side. At Telaré Law, our  lawyers are respected by the legal community, insurance companies, and former clients throughout the area for our record of success trying cases in court. We’ll answer all your questions, guide you through the claims process, thoroughly prepare your case, and persuasively argue your case in court and with the insurance adjusters.

To discuss your case, contact our Kennewick pedestrian accident lawyers to schedule an appointment. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis.