
Car accidents are dangerous for anyone, but they are particularly treacherous for the pedestrian. Under Washington law, a pedestrian is anyone who is on foot or in a wheel chair or other conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle. Persons using rollerblades or skateboards are considered pedestrians under this definition.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, 94 percent of pedestrians involved in accidents with vehicles suffered injuries in 2006 and accounted for 12 percent of all car accident related fatalities. Like bicyclists, pedestrians are most often injured when drivers fail to yield the right of way. More than 50 percent of pedestrians involved in accidents were using crosswalks, the very portion of the road designed to ensure their safety.
Pedestrians have a general duty to exercise reasonable care for their own safety, including:
- Crossing roads at designated crosswalks
- Crossing roads only when the traffic light is in their favor
- Paying attention to traffic conditions
- Using sidewalks when available
- Using the left side shoulder of the roadway facing traffic if no sidewalk
- Duty not to suddenly leave a place of safety and enter traffic
These duties are important not only for your safety, but also from a legal standpoint. Automobile insurance companies are very well aware of these laws and they work hard to avoid paying maximum benefits. As a result, obtaining strong legal representation is vital when a pedestrian suffers injuries after a car crash. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, know how to conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to determine the cause of the accident. Our attorneys understand how to prepare a legal strategy that protects your best interests.
When a pedestrian accident causes serious injury, it is essential that you act quickly to preserve key evidence – and to ensure your right to file a claim. There are statutes of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, so legal action must be taken promptly.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a pedestrian accident, call the trial lawyers of Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, now at (253) 383-5388 or click here to submit a FREE case review. Let our experience work for you. Our initial consultation is free of charge and if we accept your case, we only get paid for our services if you receive monetary compensation.
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At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC we have the skill and experience to take on a wide range of personal injury cases throughout Washington state. From motor vehicle accidents to workplace injuries – our reputation and success rates keep opposing counsel on edge.

Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most common Washington personal injury questions. These are resources for injury victims.
Do I need a lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit?
It is not necessary to retain a lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit. You should base your decision to involve an attorney on a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC is a highly reputable personal injury law firm that has served Washington since 1959. We deliver value to our clients that far outweighs the fees we collect. But before you retain any attorney, you have to be satisfied that the benefits exceed the costs. We offer these points for your consideration.
What is the statute of limitations in Washington for personal injury?
A statute of limitations is state law; throughout the country, different states set different time limits for identical causes of action. Within each state, different causes of action have different time limits. In Washington, for personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is three years.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
The great advantage of filing a personal injury lawsuit is that most attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. That means that rather than charging upfront legal fees or an hourly rate, the attorney works without compensation until the case resolves through a jury verdict or settlement. At that time, the attorney takes a percentage of the award. The contingency fee arrangement helps plaintiffs who could not otherwise afford the costs of civil litigation to pursue just compensation without worrying about expenses. It also means that your ability to retain an excellent lawyer does not depend on your ability to pay, but rather on the attorney’s assessment of the strength of your case, or the importance of delivering justice to someone in your particular circumstances.
How do I file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington state?
At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we want our clients to have an accurate picture of what a personal injury lawsuit entails. The process is rarely quick and easy; defense counsel and insurance companies often employ delay tactics to wear a plaintiff down. We offer this page as a primer for anyone who has a cause of action and is considering a personal injury lawsuit.
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