Many Washington residents spend a lot of time outdoors. They enjoy walking to the store, hiking in the mountains or by the ocean, and just enjoying time with friends and family. Unfortunately, too many pedestrians are getting seriously injured and killed on Washington roads.
Leading causes for pedestrian accidents
All personal injury accidents are unique but there are some common causes of pedestrian accidents:
- Distracted drivers. More and more frequently distracted drivers are causing serious and fatal accidents. Whether a driver is distracted with his cell phone, navigation system, or other passengers in the car, distracted driving is dangerous.
- Weather conditions. When it’s raining or snowing a driver can be traveling too fast and not be able to stop for a pedestrian. Many drivers continue to drive unsafely in these conditions.
- Drunk driving. Alcohol impairment is a leading cause of pedestrian accidents. It is important for drivers to not drive if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Poorly designed intersections. Sometimes there are road features such as columns or pillars that can make seeing a pedestrian or vehicle difficult.
Hiring a personal injury attorney
Regardless of the reason a pedestrian accident is often serious. If a family believes their loved one was seriously injured or killed in a pedestrian accident due to no fault of their own, they may want to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury. An attorney can visit the accident scene, talk with witnesses, and review the police report to get answers for their client as to what happened. They understand that a family may not be facing many unexpected bills along with the emotional trauma of a serious accident. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, future medical expenses, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.