A stroll through Riverfront Park or a walk across a busy street near North Central High School turns into a physical crisis when a driver ignores the roadway. Pedestrians possess no protection against several thousand pounds of moving steel.

These impacts often cause life-altering trauma and create sudden financial strain. A Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer from our firm provides the steady assistance you need while you prioritize your health. We represent the rights of injured people throughout Eastern Washington, using a legacy of advocacy that began in 1893.

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Why Choose Jacobs and Jacobs for a Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group attorneys

Our family firm provides a legacy of advocacy that spans more than 130 years of Washington history.

  • We maintain deep roots in the Puget Sound and Eastern Washington, a tradition that began with B.F. Jacobs in the late 1800s.
  • Our team of more than 50 members works together to support your pursuit of fair treatment and a successful outcome.
  • Tom Jacobs currently handles a high volume of injury claims, reflecting the trust our neighbors place in our work.
  • Our attorneys bring the experience of representing tens of thousands of people to even the most complex pedestrian accident cases.
  • Our staff manages the adjusters, the paperwork, and the legal deadlines under our philosophy that we take it from here.
  • Our firm offers home visits or Zoom meetings to meet your specific needs in Spokane if you cannot travel to an office.
    This client-focused support lowers stress through consistent communication and personalized legal strategies for every person we represent.

Legal Standards for Pedestrians in Washington

Washington law establishes clear rules that protect people walking on or near the roadway. Grasping these statutes helps you identify how the driver violated their duty of care.

Our team uses a thorough knowledge of these codes to advocate for people who suffered harm due to motorist negligence. We apply these legal standards to build a factual foundation for your pursuit of a recovery.

Pure comparative fault principles

Washington uses a pure comparative fault system according to RCW 4.22.005. This law allows you to pursue damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. The court reduces your total financial award by the percentage of fault a jury assigns to your actions.

A pedestrian who shares 20 percent of the fault sees their total recovery reduced by that same 20 percent. This system allows you to seek a recovery even when the fault involves multiple parties. Our team works to show the full extent of the driver’s errors to protect your right to a fair recovery.

Crosswalk statutes and driver duties

State law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. RCW 46.61.235 explains that every intersection constitutes a crosswalk, even if no painted lines exist on the pavement. Drivers must remain stopped until the pedestrian clears the lane in which the vehicle is traveling.

Motorists who fail to observe this duty often cause catastrophic injuries at city intersections. We gather evidence to show the driver violated these specific traffic laws at the moment of the crash.

The three-year statute of limitations

State law sets a strict time limit for starting a personal injury lawsuit after a pedestrian collision. RCW 4.16.080 generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file your case in court. Missing this date results in the loss of your right to seek any compensation, regardless of your injuries.

Our team starts our investigation immediately to meet all legal deadlines while evidence remains available and witness memories stay clear. Acting quickly allows us to preserve traffic camera footage and digital data that might disappear over time.

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Common Hazards Identified by a Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Distraction and roadway hazards contribute to thousands of pedestrian injuries in Spokane every year. Identifying the exact cause of your crash helps our firm hold the negligent parties accountable for your losses. We investigate every detail of the scene to build a clear picture of the driver’s mistakes.

Drivers encounter pedestrians daily but often ignore the safety protocols that prevent collisions:

  • Motorists failing to check crosswalks before making a right turn on red lights.
  • Vehicles speeding through residential neighborhoods near Manito Park.
  • Drivers following other vehicles too closely, which blocks their view of people crossing.
  • Negligent property owners failing to maintain clear sidewalks free of ice or debris.
  • Government agencies ignoring hazardous road designs or poorly timed walk signals.
  • Reckless drivers using mobile devices while moving through downtown Spokane intersections.
  • Intoxicated motorists failing to maintain their lane and veering onto shoulders or sidewalks.
    These situations frequently cause catastrophic trauma that leaves pedestrians with permanent physical changes. Our firm identifies the specific negligence that led to your impact to ensure the insurance company sees the truth. We focus on the facts of the roadway to build your case and secure the resources you need.

Strengthening Your Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Claim

The actions you take in the days following a collision help preserve your right to seek a recovery. Our team helps you manage the administrative details, so you can focus on your health and your family.

Specific steps help our team build a more robust argument for your financial recovery. Developing a detailed record of the collision’s impact strengthens your legal position throughout the claim process.

  • Keeping every medical bill, pharmacy receipt, and invoice for medical equipment in an organized file.
  • Maintaining a daily log of your pain levels and physical tasks you can no longer perform.
  • Saving all damaged clothing and shoes as physical evidence of the collision’s force.
  • Avoiding any discussion of the accident or your injuries on social media platforms.
  • Referring all calls from the driver’s insurance adjusters directly to our office.
  • Documenting all lost wages and missed work opportunities through payroll records.
  • Taking photos of any visible bruising, lacerations, or other physical marks of the crash.
  • Writing down your own account of the accident while the memory remains clear.
    Following these steps protects the integrity of your claim and prevents insurance companies from twisting your words. We use this information to calculate the financial and personal impact of the accident. Your diligence in saving these records helps our team pursue the most suitable outcome for your case.

Why Software Logic Lacks the Advocacy You Need

Software programs provide general data, but they do not grasp the specific details of your situation or current state laws. Computer programs cannot appreciate the emotional weight of your recovery or provide the personalized strategy your case requires. Always consult a qualified attorney from Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group for guidance that fits your unique needs.

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FAQ for Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

What if I was crossing outside of a crosswalk?

Washington law allows you to seek a recovery even if you were not in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Drivers still maintain a duty to exercise due care and avoid hitting pedestrians whenever possible. The pure comparative fault rules simply decrease your total award by the percentage of fault a jury assigns to you. We work to show the driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the collision to protect your recovery.

How do I handle a hit and run pedestrian accident?

Hit and run incidents are frustrating, but your own auto insurance policy often provides a path for recovery. Uninsured motorist coverage usually applies to pedestrians who are struck by a driver who flees the scene.

We review your insurance policies to identify every available benefit that helps cover your medical costs. If the police identify the driver later, we pursue a claim against their insurance carrier directly.

Can I seek damages if a bicycle hit me?

Bicyclists must follow many of the same traffic laws as motor vehicles and must exercise care near pedestrians. If a cyclist struck you on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, you may have a claim against their homeowners or renters insurance policy.

We help you identify the responsible party and determine which insurance coverage applies to your injuries. These cases involve specific local rules regarding where bicycles can legally operate.

What if my child was injured in a pedestrian accident?

Pedestrian accidents involving children often result in catastrophic injuries with lifelong consequences. The law often holds drivers to a higher standard of care when they operate vehicles near schools, parks, or residential areas. We help families manage the complex legal requirements for settling a claim on behalf of a minor. These settlements often require court approval to ensure the funds remain protected for the child’s future needs.

How long will my pedestrian accident case take to resolve?

The length of a case depends on the severity of your injuries and the clarity of the evidence against the driver. We avoid settling claims until our clients reach a stable point in their medical recovery. Settling too early may leave you without the funds needed for future surgeries or long-term therapy. Our team provides regular updates on the status of your case and work to resolve the matter as efficiently as possible.

Moving Forward on Your Terms

The weeks following a pedestrian collision involve physical pain, insurance calls, and significant uncertainty about your financial future. Managing these burdens while trying to recover from an injury adds unnecessary stress to a time when you should focus on your family.

Photo of Tom Jacobs
Tom Jacobs – Spokane
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Our firm has provided a pillar of strength for the residents of Washington for over 130 years, and we extend that same commitment to the Spokane community. We believe that no one should have to face the legal system alone, especially when they are dealing with an injury that was not their fault.

Our family-led team at Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group brings a legacy of trial experience and compassionate support to your case. We provide the direct assistance needed to manage the paperwork and the aggressive tactics of insurance adjusters. Our Kent and Puyallup offices serve as hubs for our advocacy, and we offer the flexibility of home visits or Zoom meetings for our Spokane clients.

We handle the legal complexities so you can devote your energy to your family and your physical rehabilitation. If you suffered an injury as a pedestrian and need a way forward, call us to discuss your case and learn how we can take it from here.

Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group – Spokane Office

Address: 12709 E Mirabeau Pkwy,

Spokane Valley, WA 99216

Ph: (509) 316-2456