PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

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Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

When You Need Legal Counsel, Call Us First

At Carpenter & Zuckerman, we proudly offer our reputable legal counsel to Bellevue locals who were injured in a pedestrian accident. If you were hit by a reckless, negligent, or drunk driver while walking down the street or across a parking lot, we want to hear from you. Our dedicated attorneys have extensive experience advocating for injured pedestrians in our city, fighting to get the justice and compensation they deserve.

Our Bellevue pedestrian accident lawyers are standing by. Call (425) 585-4009 to schedule a free case review at your earliest opportunity.

Risks in Bellevue’s Busy Areas for Pedestrians

While Bellevue is a pedestrian-friendly city in many ways, some areas see heightened risks for those on foot due to heavy traffic and other hazards.

Specific high-risk areas for pedestrians in Bellevue include:

  • Busy Intersections: Areas with significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic are often hotbeds for accidents, especially where drivers fail to yield appropriately. Intersections in Downtown Bellevue, like 108th Avenue NE and NE 8th Street near the Bellevue Transit Center, can be particularly busy and risky for pedestrians.
  • Streets with Speeding Concerns: Thoroughfares and long, winding roads, like the Lake Hills Connector, may see speeding drivers more often than other types of streets. Wherever there are drivers who break the speed limit, there are risks for pedestrians who just want to walk to where they are going.
  • Parking Lots: Pedestrians in parking lots are particularly vulnerable to distracted drivers, vehicles reversing without looking, and drivers who fail to yield. For example, Bellevue Square has massive parking lots that can present hazards to pedestrians, especially on popular national holidays that encourage locals to go shopping at the mall for deals.

Compensation in Pedestrian Accident Claims

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for a variety of damages and losses. Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractured bones, and amputations, often justify larger compensation awards due to their long-term impact on your life and finances. Our attorneys fight for your full compensation, consider both the challenges you face now and those in the future.

The most common damages pursued in a pedestrian accident claim include:

  • Medical Expenses: Costs for immediate emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future medical needs.
  • Lost Income: Compensation for time missed at work, as well as reduced earning capacity if injuries predictably limit your career opportunities.
  • Pain and Suffering: Acknowledgement of the physical pain, emotional trauma, and lasting hardships caused by the accident.

Proof That Can Help Prepare a Strong Claim

You might know that you did nothing wrong when the pedestrian accident occurred. However, you might not know that the driver is very likely to say the same thing. If you want compensation for your losses, you will need to prepare a strong claim that pits your word and evidence against theirs. Of course, rather than trying to handle this complicated process on your own, you can instead leave everything up to our legal team.

We can look for various forms of evidence that can support your claims, such as:

  • Police Report: This official record documents the details of the accident, including any citations issued to the driver at fault.
  • Witness Testimonies: Bystanders who saw what happened can provide statements about the driver’s actions and the events leading to the collision.
  • Surveillance Footage: Video from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or security systems can reveal exactly what occurred.
  • Medical Records: Documentation of your injuries and required treatments helps demonstrate the severity of the harm caused.
  • Photographic Evidence: Images of the crash scene, your injuries, and contributing environmental factors (e.g., malfunctioning crosswalk signals or obstructed traffic signs) can provide visual proof of negligence.
$131 Million Dram Shop Liability
Our client was injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was over-served at a restaurant/bar.
  • $1.2 Million Spinal Injury
  • $3.7 Million Medical Malpractice
  • $2.5 Million Slip & Fall

Talk to Our Bellevue Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Bellevue, contact our firm for a free consultation. We can review your case, explain your options, and let you know what to do next if we think you have the grounds to pursue damages against the driver who hit you. Your recovery is our priority. Let us show you just how much your recovery means to us by reaching out today.

Want to talk to a Bellevue pedestrian accident attorney? Call (425) 585-4009

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents

What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident?

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, follow these steps to protect your health and legal rights:

  • Call 911: Report the accident and request medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
  • Gather Information: Obtain the driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information. If possible, collect witness contacts and take photos of the scene.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Get evaluated by a doctor to document your injuries and begin treatment.
  • Contact an Attorney: Reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to guide you through the claims process.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Washington?

Under Washington State law, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including pedestrian accident cases, is three years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, Washington follows the pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the pedestrian accident. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your total award will be reduced by 20%.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Will Uber or Lyft use an insurance policy to cover my losses?

    Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in place that can cover losses after a rideshare accident. In some situations, up to $1,000,000 in coverage could be available to pay for the damages of a rideshare accident. However, you aren’t guaranteed anything from these policies, and rideshare companies often try to minimize what coverage is provided after a crash.

  • How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit?
    You have either three years from the date that the injury was sustained or one year after you discovered your injury was caused by negligence, whichever is later.
  • What forms of damages can I recover in my Erb's palsy case?
    You may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more. Once we know more about your case, we can provide a more specific answer.
  • Can I seek property damages in my car accident case?
    Yes.
  • Does Washington have a cap on the compensation you can recover in a medical malpractice case?
    No, damages are uncapped.
  • How much does a surgical error attorney cost?
    We charge on a contingency basis, meaning we will not charge you unless we recover compensation. If we are successful, our fee will be deducted from the compensation that you are awarded.
  • How much is my case worth?
    We cannot give you an estimate without knowing more about your case. In a consultation, we can break down the damages that you may be able to recover.
  • How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
    The statute of limitations in cases of wrongful death is three years.
  • How can liability be split in a rideshare accident claim?
    Liability in a rideshare accident can be split in several ways, depending on the circumstances of the incident. The rideshare driver, the rideshare company, another motorist, or an automaker—or any combination of these parties—can be liable for the accident and the resulting damages.
  • Will my truck accident injury be completely covered?

    Whether your truck accident injury will be completely covered in Washington State depends on several factors, including the specifics of your insurance coverage, the liability of the parties involved, and the extent of your injuries.

    1. Insurance Coverage:

      • Your Own Insurance: In Washington State, auto insurance policies often include personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP can help cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault in the accident. However, the coverage limits and terms can vary depending on your policy.
      • Liability Insurance: The truck driver's liability insurance should cover your injuries if the truck driver was at fault. Commercial trucking companies are typically required to carry substantial liability insurance coverage. However, insurance limits can vary, and it's possible that the policy may not fully cover your damages if they are extensive.
    2. Liability Determination:

      • If the truck driver was at fault for the accident, their liability insurance should cover your injuries up to their policy limits.
      • If you were partially at fault for the accident, Washington follows a comparative negligence system. Your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your level of fault. If you were 50% or more at fault, you might not be able to recover damages from the other party.
    3. Injury Severity:

      • The extent and severity of your injuries will play a significant role in determining whether your medical expenses and other damages will be fully covered. Minor injuries may be fully covered, while severe injuries may exhaust insurance policy limits.
    4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:

      • If the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured, you may rely on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you have it. UM/UIM coverage can provide compensation when the responsible party lacks adequate insurance.
    5. Legal Action:

      • If insurance coverage is insufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries and damages, you may consider pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. This can help you seek additional compensation through the legal system.
  • How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit?
    You have either three years from when the injury was sustained or one year from when you discovered that the injury could be attributed to medical negligence.
  • How much does a birth injury attorney cost?
    We work on a contingency basis, meaning that we collect a percentage of the compensation that you are awarded. If we cannot recover damages, we will not charge you for our services.
  • How much can I expect to recover in my case?
    We cannot give you a figure until we know more about your case. Catastrophic injuries often require long-term care. Further, they usually involve several forms of non-economic damages, which are difficult to forecast.
  • What is the statute of limitations on assault?
    Cases of assault have varying statutes of limitations. The standard statute of limitations for assault is three years. In cases of sexual assault and rape, the statute of limitations is more complicated and varies from case to case. In some cases, there is no statute of limitations.
  • How often does misdiagnosis happen?
    An estimated 12 million Americans are misdiagnosed every year.
  • How much does an Erb's palsy attorney cost?
    We work on a contingency basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation. We will collect a percentage of the compensation awarded to you.
  • How long do motorcycle accident cases take to resolve?
    The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as whether we need to file a lawsuit, the extent of your injuries, whether or not we need to call in experts, and more.
  • Can I pursue punitive damages in my trucking accident case?
    No, Washington does not allow plaintiffs to seek punitive damages
  • What is the statute of limitations on cases like these?
    You have either three years from the date of the injury or one year from when the injury was attributed to negligence to file a claim or lawsuit.
  • What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?
    Immediately after a car accident, your first priority should be ensuring the safety of everyone involved. If there are no severe injuries, move vehicles out of traffic if possible. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. While waiting for emergency services, document the accident scene by taking photos and notes and gathering contact details from witnesses. Avoid admitting fault or making statements to the other driver. Contact your insurance company to report the accident but refrain from giving recorded statements without legal guidance from your attorney.

The Opinions That Matter Most

    “Lance took all those fears and concerns away and allowed me to focus on getting better.” - Benjamin W.
    “Lance showed great compassion toward my health and well-being.” - Scott C.