ARTICLE: Ways to Improve Settlement in a Pedestrian Accident Claim

Author: Manuel Salvacion

Pedestrian accidents happen mainly for two reasons. First, the accident may be caused by the pedestrian himself, due to carelessness and lack of safety precaution; second, it can be attributed to motorist’s negligence of road safety, traffic violation, or as a result of a vehicle accident. 

At any rate, statistics show that more than 100, 000 road accidents involving pedestrians occur every year in the country. Fifty percent of these accidents result in serious injuries or death. Children and elderly are the high-risk victims in most pedestrian accidents. 

Some accidents involving motorists may be caused by the following factors: 
• An inattentive or pre-occupied driver 
• Over-speeding and not adhering to the limits set on that particular road 
• Failure to stop at pedestrian crossings and in other pedestrian right of way areas 
• A driver busy with another task while driving the vehicle, ex., using the phone, etc. 
• A driver that is over the legal alcohol limit or has been taking drugs 

Other factors, which could affect a driver or motorist, may also come into play in most road accidents: 

• Weather conditions
• Road conditions
• Other motorists 

A pedestrian accident can result in a range of injuries, from minor to serious ones. These are some of the common injuries that one may suffer in a pedestrian accident:  

• Broken or fractured bones
• Permanent disability
• Temporary incapacitation
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries and damage
• Disfigurement
• Mental distress and damage
• Death

Injuries and harm sustained in pedestrian accidents can be recovered. Under the law, injured victims of these accidents are can sue for injuries and damages from negligent parties.  

However, not all accident victims get what is due them. Sometimes, victims or their relatives abandon their claims, especially when a relative-victim dies under tragic circumstances.  

Pursuing a claim in a pedestrian accident is a complicated task. It often involves other people, like police help in evidence gathering, or witnesses for their accounts. You may also need the professional services of doctors, experts and attorneys to support your claim.

Nevertheless, there are ways how to improve your settlement in such claim: 
1. Hire an investigator who will gather and preserve evidence in the accident. 
2. Get a comprehensive medical report of your injuries from the attending doctor. 
3. Obtain all possible accounts of the incident from witnesses. 
4. Ask for an official copy of the police incident report. 
5. Hire a skilled and experienced pedestrian accident attorney.  

It is important to seek legal assistance from an experienced legal counsel as soon as possible to be able to file the case within the statute of limitations. The attorney will need time to get witness statements and any other details that can help your case.   

Therefore, the earlier you contact an attorney, the sooner that you can likely recover. Given adequate time, the plane accident attorney can put together a solid case in order to get you the compensation you deserve, and will gather all the relevant facts and information in order to increase your chances of filing a successful claim against the person at fault.

Davis Law Group
2101 Fourth Avenue
Suite 630
Seattle, WA 98121

Toll Free: (800) 883-0265
Phone: (206) 727-4000