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Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law - Tacoma, Olympia, Port Orchard, Washington and Oregon

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Olympia, Port Orchard, Tacoma, Washington, & surrounding communities

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In Washington state, statistics show that bicyclists and pedestrians sustain over ten percent of the road accident deaths. No group has less protection against injury.

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents can happen under a variety of circumstances, such as:

  • Vehicle drivers not observing speed limits
  • Drivers turning a corner and not seeing you on the crosswalk
  • Cars driving at dusk or dawn without their headlights on
  • Drivers opening a door suddenly in front of a bicyclist
  • Drivers in a hurry trying to get past the crosswalk before you reach their path
  • Drivers distracted by cell phones, children or the radio and therefore not paying close enough attention to the road

Pedestrian responsibilities

Pedestrians have obligations just as vehicle drivers do. They should:
  • Cross roads using the crosswalk, not jaywalking
  • Cross roads only with a green light
  • Reasonably watch traffic conditions
  • If the car driver can show that you contributed to your own injuries by disregarding any of these obligations, your compensation may be reduced accordingly. If your comparative negligence is found to be 20%, for instance, your compensation amount will be reduced by 20%.

What to do first

  • Write an account of the accident - include comments from witnesses and other people involved in the accident, and all contact information obtained from them
  • Write down your injuries - include your lost wages and any other type of injury
  • Have someone take photos of your injuries before they're treated, if possible
  • Note down property damage - perhaps something you were carrying at the time, such as a laptop or camera
  • Keep copies of all your medical bills
  • Obtain a copy of the police report

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits

In Washington state, if you're a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a car, you can claim PIP benefits under the insurance policy of that car that hit you(if the at fault driver or car owner carried that type of coverage). The minimum PIP amount is $10,000 per person.
  • If that driver's PIP limits are too low to cover all your medical costs, you can then claim under your own insurance policy for more PIP coverage(if you carried this coverage).
PIP coverage pays for all necessary and reasonable medical costs and income loss, up to the value of the PIP insurance. Liability for the accident isn't an issue.

You could be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages, past and future
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Household help while you're incapacitated
  • And potentially other items of damages.

If you were hurt as a pedestrian or bicycle rider in Washington, please contact our office today for a free case evaluation.