You were just walking. That’s it. Crossing at the light downtown, heading to a trail near Capitol Lake, the most basic human activity imaginable. Then a driver glanced at their phone for three seconds, and suddenly you’re in an ambulance with injuries that will take months to heal.
The driver gets a ticket. You get a shattered leg, surgical hardware, and months of learning to walk again. And somehow, when you call the insurance company, they act like you’re the problem. Like you should have moved faster. Like you shouldn’t have been in the crosswalk at all.
You had the right of way. You did nothing wrong. And you shouldn’t have to beg for what you’re owed.
An Olympia pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm stops the gaslighting and starts the accountability. Since 1893, we’ve represented people in Thurston County who were injured by drivers who weren’t paying attention, and we’ve spent over a century learning exactly how insurance companies try to lowball pedestrians, delay claims, and blame victims who had no way to protect themselves.
While you’re relearning to walk, managing chronic pain, and wondering how you’ll pay bills when you can’t work, our experienced personal injury lawyer handles every piece of the legal battle. The paperwork. The phone calls with adjusters who exhaust you on purpose. The negotiations designed to make you accept pennies out of desperation.
You’ve already survived the impact, the surgery, the financial terror. We take it from here.
Our 130 years serving the Puget Sound area mean we know which tactics local insurers will deploy and exactly how to counter them. We’re ready when you are.
Call us now.
Why Choose Jacobs & Jacobs for an Olympia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Residents of Olympia seek a legal team that possesses deep roots and a history of results. Our firm began serving the Puget Sound region in 1893, and we continue that mission today through the leadership of Tom Jacobs. He uses his 40 years of experience to guide our advocacy and protect your rights.
We employ more than 50 members who work together to seek a fair resolution for your claim. Our firm maintains the resources of a large team while keeping the compassionate approach of a family business. We lift the legal burden from your shoulders so you can spend your time with your family.
Our history in the local legal community allows us to provide the steady guidance you need after a crash. We have lived and worked in this region since 1893, which gives us a unique knowledge of the local landscape and courts.
- Our satellite office in Olympia serves the residents of Thurston County with personal attention.
- We possess a 130 year legacy of service that gives us the strength to confront insurance companies.
- Our staff speaks English and Spanish, making our help accessible to every neighbor.
- We only receive payment if we successfully recover money for your claim.
We provide the steady hand necessary to manage every detail of your claim. Call our office today to talk about your situation and learn how we help.
Proving Accountability for Pedestrian Collisions
Drivers must yield to pedestrians at intersections and marked crosswalks, as specified in RCW 46.61.235. This failure constitutes negligence when a driver strikes a person.
Negligence happens when a person fails to use the care that a reasonable person would use in the same situation. We investigate the facts of the crash to prove who carries the legal responsibility for your injuries. Our team gathers police reports, witness statements, and photos of the scene to build a strong argument for accountability.
Establishing liability serves as the foundation of your recovery. We look for evidence that the other driver was distracted, speeding, or failing to yield as they approached the intersection. This work allows us to show the insurance company exactly how the incident occurred.
- Negligence: We show that the other party failed to follow traffic safety rules or yield the right of way.
- Evidence: We secure photos and statements while they remain fresh and available.
- Accountability: We hold the responsible driver and their insurance provider responsible for the harm they caused.
Our firm handles the paperwork and the investigations while you focus on your medical treatment. We possess the experience needed to manage every detail of your claim from the start. Call our office today to talk about your case.
How Pure Comparative Fault Protects Your Recovery
Washington pedestrian right-of-way laws establish a system called pure comparative fault to determine the money a person receives after an accident. This law allows for a recovery even if the pedestrian shared some of the blame for the crash.
The court or insurance company assigns a percentage of fault to everyone involved, then the law reduces your recovery by that percentage. RCW 4.22.005 outlines this system for personal injury cases across our state.
Insurance companies often attempt to shift an unfair share of blame onto pedestrians to protect their profits. They might claim you stepped off the curb too quickly or that you wore dark clothing at night. We fight these tactics with facts and documentation.
- Fault Assessment: Courts assign a specific percentage of responsibility to each party.
- Recovery Reduction: Your final amount reflects the share of blame assigned to the other driver.
- Legal Protection: We use evidence to protect you from unfair claims of fault.
Our firm makes sure the facts remain clear during negotiations. We have managed these challenges for families across the Puget Sound for over 130 years. Accountability remains our primary focus throughout the entire legal process. Call our office today to talk about your case.
Documenting Serious Injuries to Build Claim Value
Pedestrian accidents often cause serious physical harm because people have zero protection when a vehicle strikes them. We discuss injuries like a traumatic brain injury only to explain how they change the value of your claim. A traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden jolt to the head disrupts brain function. Documentation of these injuries provides the proof necessary to show the insurance company why you need a fair settlement.
Catastrophic injuries like broken pelvises, internal damage, or spinal harm also require careful records. We use hospital reports and specialist notes to show the extent of the harm. These records allow us to calculate the full cost of your medical treatment, including both economic and non-economic damages.
- Medical Records: These files show the surgeries and treatments you received.
- Specialist Reports: Documentation from doctors explains the care you will need in the future.
- Claim Value: Detailed records help us seek a settlement that covers every part of your recovery.
We handle the process of requesting and organizing these medical files. This work allows you to stay focused on your physical therapy without worrying about hospital paperwork.
Our firm focuses on how these injuries change the legal value of your case. Contact our office today to discuss your situation.
Keeping Track of the Washington Statute of Limitations
Washington laws set a strict time limit for filing a pedestrian accident claim. RCW 4.16.080 generally gives you three years from the date of the crash to take legal action. Missing this three-year limit means the court will likely dismiss your case.
Building a strong case requires us to act quickly while the evidence still exists. Video footage from nearby businesses or fresh witness memories disappear over time. We begin work early to ensure that we preserve every detail for your claim.
- The Three-Year Limit: Laws require you to file your case within three years of the incident.
- Evidence Preservation: We secure photos and statements before they are lost or destroyed.
- Legal Deadlines: Our team manages all the filings to keep your case moving forward.
Our firm tracks all these important dates for you. We manage the timelines so you do not have to worry about legal calendars. Call us as soon as you can so we can begin the investigation and protect your rights.
Actions You Can Take From Home
Simple actions at home help our team as we build your claim. You can keep a folder for all the paperwork you receive after the crash. This includes medical bills, discharge summaries, and letters from insurance companies.
We suggest you avoid speaking with insurance adjusters from the other party before you talk to us.
- Keep all bills related to the medical care you receive.
- Save a record of any communication from the police or witnesses.
- Call our office if you receive a letter or a phone call from an insurance company.
We offer mobile appointments where our team comes to your home if traveling to our offices feels difficult. We provide the support you need in a way that respects your situation.
Our goal is to make this process easier for you. We are ready to help whenever you feel prepared to talk. Call our office today to talk about your case.
Injured? Get the Compensation You Deserve!
Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Our experienced injury attorneys fight for your maximum compensation—so you can focus on healing. No fees unless we win!
Schedule A Free ConsultationA Legacy of Service Since 1893
Jacobs & Jacobs has remained a steady presence in the Puget Sound area since 1893. We serve families in Olympia, Kent, and Puyallup with compassion and strength.
Our history of serving Washington since 1893 shows our dedication to treating our neighbors with respect. We are members of the local community who care about the people here.
- Our satellite office in Olympia provides a local base for Thurston County families.
- A team of over 50 members makes sure we have the resources to manage your claim.
- Primary offices in Kent and Puyallup support our work across the region.
We provide honest and hopeful guidance throughout the legal process. Our team is ready to listen to your story and help you find a path forward. We possess the experience needed to hold major companies and insurance providers accountable. Call our office today to talk about your situation.
FAQs
Can I still seek a recovery if I was not in a marked crosswalk?
Washington laws establish that every intersection acts as a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked. Drivers must still exercise due care to avoid striking a person in the roadway. We gather evidence to show that the driver failed to maintain a proper lookout. Call our office today to talk about your case.
What happens if the driver fled the scene of the accident?
Hit and run accidents frequently occur, but you may still possess options for a recovery. We look at your own insurance policy to see if you have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage often applies even when you are on foot. Call our office today to talk about your situation.
Does the law protect me if a driver hit me while I was on the sidewalk?
Drivers who jump the curb and strike a person on the sidewalk carry clear liability for the resulting injuries. These accidents often involve distracted driving or medical emergencies. We investigate the cause to ensure the insurance company pays for your treatment. Call our office today to talk about your case.
What if a government vehicle like a bus or police car hit me?
Claims against government entities involve shorter timelines and specific notice requirements. You must act quickly to preserve your right to seek a recovery from a city or county. We manage these specialized filings to ensure your claim meets all legal standards. Call our office today to talk about your situation.
Will the insurance company pay for my damaged property like a phone or watch?
Personal injury claims include the value of any property destroyed in the collision. We document the cost of your broken glasses, phone, or clothing as part of your total damages. Keeping receipts for these items helps us prove your loss to the insurance adjuster. Call our office today to talk about your claim.
Call Jacobs & Jacobs Today
Your recovery requires a legal team that provides strength and capable assistance. We manage the legal details and the investigations so you can focus on your health.
Call our office today to talk about your case and learn how we provide the advocacy you need. We have the history and the resources to help you seek accountability. We will take it from here.