Vancouver, WA Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for Washington State pedestrians and families
Vancouver, WA is not a pedestrian-friendly city. Even with crosswalks, pedestrians don’t always have enough time to make it across traffic before the lights change green for the cars. At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver, WA pedestrian accident lawyers understand the risks pedestrians face, and the tragedy of the loss when a loved one is killed. Contact us today to find out how we can help you seek justice.
Just how dangerous is Vancouver, WA to pedestrians?
Vancouver, WA is a great city – if you’re in a car. In 2018, Vancouver’s fatality rates for pedestrians were significantly higher than the state’s overall average. Our roadways are large, and our crossing signals are short – about 25 seconds to cross 9 lanes of traffic in some places. Based on assessments by the city, some of the most dangerous and deadly intersections include:
- Mill Plain Boulevard and Chkalov Road
- Mill Plain and 164th Street
- Fourth Plain and Andreson Road
Because of how unsafe the city can be for pedestrians, the Vancouver Police Department made it an area of their focus for the Clark County Target Zero Task Force.
The duty of a driver to exercise due care
Drivers of cars, trucks, and all vehicles must exercise care to avoid a pedestrian accident on any roadway. They should use their horn to give a warning when necessary. They should stop at corners instead of rolling through turns. They must stop at an intersection to allow a pedestrian to cross within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Keeping their eyes on the road and their lead feet off the gas would go a long way in helping to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths.
Pedestrians need to use caution too. Crossing in the middle of the street, walking around looking at a phone, putting earbuds in instead of listening – all of these actions can contribute to an accident.
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What are the common causes of pedestrian accidents?
One of the primary causes of pedestrian accidents is driver negligence. The more common causes include:
- Driver distraction. Drivers whose minds aren’t focused on the road are likely to strike a pedestrian. Common causes of driver distraction include texting while driving, using a smartphone while driving, eating, drinking, and looking at a GPS system. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA), 400 pedestrians were killed due to distracted driving in 2018.
- Driving while intoxicated. Drivers who drive while drunk or under the influence of drugs (prescription and illegal) are a danger to everyone on the road including pedestrians.
- Speeding. Many pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers going over the speed limit. Fast drivers simply can’t stop in time when a pedestrian is in front of them.
- Driver fatigue. A tired driver isn’t paying intention, can’t react quickly, and often uses poor judgement when an emergency occurs.
- Not yielding the right of way. Drivers must understand when a pedestrian has the right cross at intersection or where there’s a crosswalk.
- Not signaling before a turn. Drivers who fail to signal when they turn can cause a pedestrian to make an incorrect assumption about how the driver will proceed, which can lead to a collision with a pedestrian.
- Not coming to a complete stop or encroaching into a crosswalk. Drivers who enter the crosswalk while the pedestrian has a green light or the right to cross can kill or injure the pedestrian.
- Not watching out for children. Near schools and in local communities, drivers need to be on the lookout for children.
Drivers can also cause a pedestrian accident if they:
- Fail to properly back out into traffic
- Disobey traffic signs
- Fail to obey school crossing signs and regulations
Who is responsible for a Vancouver, WA pedestrian accident?
Every case is different, but there could be more than one liable party in a pedestrian crash:
- The driver
- The pedestrian
- A trucking company, broker, or shipper
- A vendor of alcohol who sold alcohol to the driver when he/she was visibly drunk
- A manufacturer of a defective car or vehicle part
In some cases, the government may be liable for your injuries, too. For example, if the pedestrian signal is broken, or if the person is hit by a city vehicle, the government in charge of the road (local, state, or federal) may be liable for your injuries. Government claims often have a shorter statute of limitations, so it is important to contact a personal injury attorney as quicky as possible.
Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injuries
A pedestrian who is hit by a vehicle is likely to sustain severe injuries, and has a higher risk of fatal injuries. There is simply no protection for pedestrians when they struck by cars, trucks, or other vehicles. Some of the most serious injuries include:
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Other types of injuries which may heal but which could lead to chronic pain or life-long disability include:
- Broken bones
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Muscle, ligament, tissue, and nerve damage
Representing injured pedestrians in Washington and Oregon
At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver, WA pedestrian accident lawyers have the experience and resources to help you get justice. We work with investigators, your physicians, and other professionals to prepare your case and confirm all your damages. We demand compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damage. Often, we can settle a pedestrian accident case. We’ve helped over 2,000 clients obtain strong just recoveries.
To schedule a free consultation at one of our Washington offices in Vancouver or Battle Ground, please call 360-614-2067 or fill out our contact form. These claims are handled on a contingency fee basis. We proudly represent clients in Portland and throughout Oregon, too.