What should you know about pedestrian accidents in Washington?
Seattle neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, South Lake Union and the University District see heavy foot traffic, and dark, rainy winter evenings reduce visibility for drivers. Wide suburban roads like Aurora Avenue (SR-99) and Pacific Highway have long gaps between crossings.
Washington tip: Ask businesses and transit agencies about camera footage quickly, before it is recorded over.
Who may be responsible for a pedestrian accident in Washington?
The driver is usually the main responsible party, but property owners and agencies can share responsibility. In Washington, that can include the driver, the driver's employer, a property owner — depending on who caused the crash.
Under Washington's pure comparative fault rule, a share of blame for the pedestrian accident lowers what you can recover but never bars the claim outright. Read Washington car accident laws for the full rule.
How long do you have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Washington?
Generally three years for a lawsuit, counted from the date of the pedestrian accident. Claims involving Washington cities, counties or transit agencies can require written notice much sooner.