Being hit by a car while walking is a traumatic experience that can leave you injured, confused, and unsure of your next steps. If you’ve been in a pedestrian accident in Bellevue WA, knowing what to do immediately after the incident can protect your health, preserve evidence, and support any potential claim. This guide walks you through the critical actions to take right after an accident and how Tamaki Law can help you after an accident.
Why Choose Tamaki Law for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
When you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, you need an attorney who understands both the medical issues related to your injuries and the legal strategies used to pursue compensation. Tamaki Law has handled pedestrian accident cases throughout Washington State for over 30 years, with a history of recovering compensation for injured clients.
Our founding partner, Blaine L. Tamaki, brings decades of trial experience to every case. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics magazine and was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Washington State Association for Justice. Our team includes multiple attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, all focused on advocating for clients under Washington’s comparative negligence laws.
Tamaki Law reports recovering over $167 million for clients across all practice areas, including settlements in pedestrian accident and motor vehicle cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered for you. Our Bellevue office is located at 2200 112th Avenue NE, Suite 200-A, and our team is available to assist during this difficult time.
Protect Your Safety and Get Medical Help
Your immediate priority after a pedestrian accident is getting to safety and assessing injuries. If you’re able to move and it’s safe to do so, step away from traffic and moving vehicles. Check yourself and anyone else involved for visible injuries.
Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured or if the accident caused significant damage. Even if your injuries seem minor, emergency responders can assess you for injuries that may not be immediately apparent. Some injuries like internal bleeding, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries do not always show symptoms right away.
Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Document your visit with the medical provider and keep all records, as these may become important evidence for your claim. Tell the medical provider exactly what happened and describe all pain or discomfort you’re experiencing, no matter how minor it seems. Medical documentation is critical for supporting your personal injury claim.
Document the Accident Scene
While at the scene, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos and videos of the accident scene from multiple angles, including the vehicle that hit you, the surrounding area, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Collect the driver’s information: their full name, phone number, home address, driver’s license number, vehicle make and model, license plate number, and insurance company details. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. Ask witnesses to describe what they saw while their memory is fresh.
Write down the date, time, and exact location of the accident. Note weather conditions, traffic patterns, and whether you were in a crosswalk or intersection. This information helps establish the circumstances of the accident and can support your claim. For more guidance on gathering evidence for a personal injury lawsuit, consult with an experienced Bellevue personal injury attorney.
Report the Accident to Police
An official police report is important for your claim. For accidents in Bellevue with injuries, call 911. For minor accidents without injuries, you can call the Bellevue Police non-emergency line at 425-577-5656.
When police arrive, provide them with accurate information about what happened. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault or speculating about what caused the accident. The police report will document the officer’s observations and create an official record of the incident.
Obtain the police report number from the responding officer. You’ll need this number to request a copy of the full report later, which may serve as evidence for your claim. Understanding what happens after your lawyer sends a demand letter can help you prepare for the next steps in your case. A personal injury lawyer in Bellevue can guide you through this process.
Preserve Evidence and Communicate Carefully
After leaving the accident scene, preserve all evidence related to the accident. Keep medical records, receipts for medical treatment, documentation of lost wages, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
Avoid posting about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor social media and may use your posts against you. Don’t discuss the accident with the driver, their insurance company, or anyone else except your attorney and medical providers.
Don’t accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company without consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize claims and may offer less than your case may be worth. Learn about how to avoid common mistakes in your personal injury claim to protect your rights. Document any ongoing symptoms, pain, or limitations you experience as a result of the accident. Understanding personal injury claim or insurance offer decisions is essential before accepting any settlement.
Understand Your Rights Under Washington Law
Washington follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. This means you may recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as you were not 100% responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks and at intersections when the signal permits. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in these situations. If a driver violated traffic laws or failed to yield, this may strengthen your claim. Understanding Washington’s comparative negligence laws is crucial for evaluating your case.
You may be able to recover compensation for economic damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. You may also seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Washington’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, contacting an attorney sooner may help preserve evidence and allow for a timely investigation of your claim. Understanding how long after a car accident you can claim injury is crucial for protecting your legal rights. Learn about how to file a personal injury lawsuit to understand your options.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Hiring an attorney after a pedestrian accident helps protect your rights and may improve your ability to pursue compensation. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Bellevue can investigate the accident, gathering evidence that insurance companies may overlook.
Your attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and help you evaluate settlement offers. An attorney also handles communication with insurance companies and the other party’s legal team, allowing you to focus on your recovery. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may file a lawsuit and represent you in court. Learn about the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer to understand how legal representation can strengthen your case. Discover how mediation works as an alternative dispute resolution option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in Bellevue
What should I do if the driver leaves the scene?
If the driver leaves the scene without providing information, this is a hit-and-run. Call 911 immediately and provide police with any information about the vehicle, such as the license plate, make, model, or color. Try to get descriptions from witnesses. Report the hit-and-run to your insurance company. Even without identifying the driver, you may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist coverage. A Bellevue pedestrian accident attorney can help you navigate hit-and-run claims.
How long do I have to file a claim after a pedestrian accident?
Washington law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, waiting too long can affect your case because evidence may be lost, witnesses’ memories may fade, and surveillance footage may be deleted. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. For more information, see our guide on how long personal injury cases take to settle.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Washington’s pure comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you may recover $80,000. Learn more about Washington’s comparative negligence system and how it affects your case.
What damages can I recover in a pedestrian accident case?
You may recover economic damages including medical expenses, surgical costs, rehabilitation, lost wages, and future medical care. You may also seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. Understanding what damages you can recover helps you evaluate your claim’s value.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?
Insurance companies often make low initial offers hoping you’ll accept without consulting an attorney. A pedestrian accident attorney can help evaluate whether the offer reasonably reflects your injuries and losses. In some cases, settlements may increase after legal representation is involved. Understanding how personal injury settlements are paid out can help you make informed decisions.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, the amount of lost wages, the degree of permanent disability, and the strength of liability evidence. An attorney can review your circumstances and provide an estimate of potential value. Review case results from similar pedestrian accidents to understand potential settlement ranges.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
You can still pursue a claim. Many attorneys work with medical providers who may treat you and defer payment until your case resolves. Your attorney may also help arrange a medical lien, where providers agree to be paid from settlement proceeds.
How long does a pedestrian accident claim take?
Some cases may resolve within a few months. More involved cases with serious injuries or disputed liability can take one to two years or longer. Your attorney can work to resolve your case efficiently while pursuing fair compensation. Learn about the discovery phase in a lawsuit to understand the litigation timeline.
Take Action Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Bellevue or anywhere in Washington State, contact Tamaki Law for a free consultation. Our attorneys are available to evaluate your case and discuss your options. Call us at (800) 801-9564 or visit our Bellevue office at 2200 112th Avenue NE, Suite 200-A. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered for you.
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