Washington residents don’t always drive everywhere. Often people enjoy walking from place to place, particularly in the city of Seattle. When people walk, they avoid the costs associated with driving, help the environment and get exercise. As a result, roadways are often designed to safely accommodate both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
However, no matter how safe the roadways are designed, pedestrian accidents still occur. Often, these accidents are the result of negligent drivers that fail to notice pedestrians who are also using local streets and roads. Washington drivers have a legal duty to watch for pedestrians and respond appropriately when people are in crosswalks, sidewalks and roadways. Without proper attention, serious accidents can occur which result in devastating injuries for pedestrians.
Recently, a Washington woman was taken to a local hospital in critical condition following an auto-pedestrian accident. In this case, the 52-year-old woman was trying to cross Highway 99 when she was hit by a car at around 12:45 a.m. The car’s driver — a 45-year-old man — stopped following the accident and police are investigating.
Pedestrian accidents often lead to critical and serious injuries for the people involved. Pedestrians have virtually no protection from the weight and speed of a moving vehicle. Injuries can easily include burns, broken bones, internal injuries, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. These serious injuries have the potential to alter an auto-pedestrian accident victim’s life for years to come.
When a negligent driver is responsible for causing the injuries, victims should know that they may be entitled to compensation. This compensation can help cover medical expenses, lost wages and other costs caused by the accident.
Source: Herald Net, “Driver hits pedestrian trying to cross highway, then is hit himself,” Chris Winters, May 17, 2014