Walking for 30 minutes a day can improve nearly every aspect of a person’s health. You could enjoy a nice walk through the Bellevue Botanical Gardens or take an easy stroll around your neighborhood. To promote health and safety, Seattle has been incorporating more and more walking paths, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Despite the city’s efforts, pedestrians still face certain risks, especially in Bellevue.

In an accident with a vehicle, a pedestrian is not well-protected. While Seattle and SeaTac’s surrounding areas are trying to make the roads a safer place for pedestrians by adding more crosswalks and sidewalks, accidents involving pedestrians still happen every day. Although there were less automobile accidents last year, fatalities involving pedestrians still managed to increase in 2020. It is important to seek legal counsel following a pedestrian-car accident in Bellevue if you have been injured. By working with a team of  Bellevue pedestrian accident lawyers, you can protect your right to compensation and pursue justice.

How Do Pedestrian Accident Cases Work in Bellevue?

Both drivers and pedestrians owe a duty of care to each other to prevent accidents. Because Washington is a comparative negligence state, a driver’s attorney will try to limit the driver’s liability. The driver’s attorney will do this by trying to place as much blame as possible on the pedestrian. A pedestrian could be found negligent if:

  • The pedestrian is jaywalking
  • The pedestrian failed to use the dedicated crosswalk or sidewalk
  • The pedestrian walked out in front of traffic
  • The pedestrian failed to use pedestrian signals
  • The pedestrian failed to pay attention to their surroundings

This is not to say that drivers are never liable for pedestrian accident cases in Renton. A driver could be at fault if:

  • The driver violates traffic laws, especially the speed limit
  • The driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • The driver did not obey traffic signals
  • The driver was distracted while driving
  • The driver failed to use a turn signal
  • The driver failed to yield at a crosswalk

If you were involved in a pedestrian accident in Bellevue, you should contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney right away. If a negligent driver hit you while you were walking, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries.

Common Pedestrian Injuries in Bellevue

The weight disparity between a pedestrian and a vehicle is stark. The average person weighs less than one tenth of a passenger vehicle. With trucks weighing more than 8,000 pounds, potential injuries to pedestrians could be catastrophic. Some common pedestrian accident injuries include:

  • Whiplash
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Loss of a limb
  • Traumatic head or brain injury
  • Scars or disfigurements to the face
  • Internal organ damage
  • Broken bones
  • Loss of hearing/sight

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Bellevue, you should seek medical attention. After receiving the necessary medical attention, you should contact a Bellevue pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will work with you and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Do Pedestrians Have the Right-Of-Way in Bellevue?

Pedestrians do have the right-of-way. However, there are limited exceptions to this rule, such as when someone darts out into a crosswalk when a car is coming. When there are no sidewalks, pedestrians must walk facing traffic on the left side of the road. When pedestrians try to cross the street anywhere that is not an intersection, the pedestrian must yield the right of way to vehicles. If a person is struck while violating Washington State’s pedestrian laws, that person could be liable for negligence.

Washington State is a comparative negligence state. This means that if a person’s negligence contributed to the accident at all, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to the amount of their negligence. Pedestrians should walk on a sidewalk when possible, and they should always use a crosswalk. All motorists must yield to pedestrians that are using sidewalks and crosswalks.

The Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyers At Premier Law Group Are Ready to Help You

Seattle is becoming a more pedestrian-friendly city, yet statistics show that hazards remain for those who like to walk. Premier Law Group is a Seattle-based law firm that reliably and confidently provides legal representation to pedestrian accident victims. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Bellevue, WA have been nationally recognized for their expertise. We have offices in Bellevue, Federal Way, and Renton, and we represent plaintiffs throughout the entire region. To schedule a free consultation, please contact our law firm today. You can reach us by visiting our website or by calling (206) 880-7518.