Getting hit by a car changes everything in a second, and the medical bills, insurance calls, and driver excuses start piling up before you can even stand up. Our Yakima pedestrian accident lawyers at Kapuza Lighty hold negligent drivers accountable across the Yakima Valley and Eastern Washington, and we work on a strict No Win, No Fee basis.
Pedestrian crashes are almost never a fair fight. A driver walks away with dented metal. You walk away with broken bones, brain injuries, or worse. We have recovered multi-million dollar results in high-severity injury cases, and we know how to prove the full impact of what a car did to you.
Get a free consultation or call +1 (509) 866-4166 today.
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Do I Need a Lawyer After Being Hit by a Car in Yakima?
Yes. Pedestrian cases move fast, and the driver's insurance company usually contacts injured people within days. Their goal is to lock in a low statement and a low payout before you know what your injuries actually cost.
A Yakima pedestrian accident lawyer changes that. We handle the driver's insurer, pull the police report, secure any traffic camera footage, and start building the medical record you will need for the real value of your case.
Talk to us before you sign anything. Free case review, no obligation.
Who Is at Fault When a Pedestrian Is Hit by a Car in Washington?
In most Washington pedestrian crashes, the driver is at fault. Drivers owe a legal duty to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, drive at safe speeds, and stay alert for people crossing the street. When a driver breaks that duty, they are usually liable for the harm they cause.
That said, insurance companies almost always try to shift some blame to the pedestrian. Common tactics include:
- Claiming you "came out of nowhere"
- Saying you crossed outside a crosswalk
- Blaming your clothing for being hard to see
- Arguing you were on your phone
None of that automatically defeats your case. Washington's comparative fault rule lets you recover even if you share some of the blame. Our job is to push back on those tactics with real evidence.
Washington Pedestrian Right-of-Way Law: What It Means for Your Case
Washington law gives pedestrians strong right-of-way protection at crosswalks and intersections. Under RCW 46.61.235, drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is in the driver's half of the road, or approaching close enough to be in danger.
This applies to marked crosswalks and to unmarked crosswalks at most intersections. Many drivers do not know this, and many insurance adjusters count on you not knowing it either.
Here is a quick look at how right-of-way usually plays out:
| Where the crash happened | Who usually has right-of-way |
|---|---|
| Marked crosswalk at an intersection | Pedestrian |
| Unmarked crosswalk at an intersection | Pedestrian |
| Mid-block crossing (no crosswalk) | Driver, but pedestrian may still recover under comparative fault |
| Parking lot | Depends on signage and lane markings |
| Sidewalk (driver hit sidewalk) | Pedestrian, almost always |
| Turning car hitting pedestrian in crosswalk | Pedestrian |
Right-of-way is not always the whole story. Even when a pedestrian is technically outside a crosswalk, a driver who was speeding, distracted, or impaired can still be held responsible.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes research on pedestrian crash risk factors, including speed, alcohol, and low-light conditions, all of which point back to driver responsibility.
Call +1 (509) 866-4166 for a free case review, or request one online.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONWhat Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Yakima?
Six things, in this order, if you are able to do them:
- Get to a safe spot and call 911. A police report protects you later.
- Accept medical evaluation at the scene, even if you feel okay.
- Get the driver's name, plate number, and insurance information.
- Take photos of the scene, the car, and your injuries.
- Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurance before talking to a lawyer.
If you were too hurt to do any of this, do not worry. That is normal in serious pedestrian cases. We can rebuild the evidence from police reports, 911 calls, hospital records, and nearby video.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries We Handle
Pedestrian crashes cause some of the most severe injuries we see, because there is nothing between the pedestrian's body and the vehicle. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken legs, hips, and pelvis
- Internal organ damage
- Severe road rash and scarring
- Multiple fractures requiring surgery
- Amputations
- Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims
Many pedestrian clients also come to us with injuries that appeared or worsened days later. Delayed symptoms are common, and they do not weaken your case as long as you get medical care and document what you are feeling.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONWhat If the Driver Left the Scene? Hit and Run Pedestrian Cases in Yakima
A hit and run does not end your case. Washington drivers are required to stop and exchange information after a crash, and leaving the scene of an injury crash is a felony. Even when the driver is never found, you may still have paths to recover.
The most common source of recovery in a hit and run is your own auto insurance policy, specifically Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Washington auto policies must offer UM coverage, and it can pay pedestrian medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when you or a family member on your policy is struck by an unknown driver.
If you do not own a car but live with a family member who does, their UM coverage may still apply to you. Do not assume you have nothing to recover. Call us and we will check.
How Much Is a Pedestrian Accident Case Worth in Washington?
The value of a pedestrian accident case depends on the full picture of your losses, not just the ER bill. In Washington, a pedestrian claim can include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and lost future income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- In-home care and rehab costs
- Property damage (phone, glasses, clothing destroyed in the crash)
Cases involving pedestrian accidents caused by negligent drivers in Yakima often carry higher value than typical car crashes because the injuries are more severe. Our multi-million dollar recoveries include a $1,950,000 car accident traumatic brain injury settlement and other high-severity results.
Every case is different, and past results do not promise future outcomes.
Washington's Deadline for Filing a Pedestrian Injury Claim
Most pedestrian injury claims in Washington must be filed within three years of the date of the crash under RCW 4.16.080. Missing that deadline can eliminate your right to file a claim at all.
Cases involving a city, county, or state entity (for example, a city vehicle or a road design claim) have shorter notice rules. Those deadlines can be as short as a few months. If your crash may involve a public entity, call us right away so we can protect your rights.
Deadlines should always be confirmed with counsel based on the facts of your case.
Why Choose Kapuza Lighty for Your Yakima Pedestrian Case
We take pedestrian cases seriously because they almost always involve serious injury, and because most of them are winnable when built well. Our Yakima personal injury attorneys have handled high-severity injury work in Eastern Washington for decades.
What sets us apart on a pedestrian case:
- 60+ years of combined trial experience in Yakima Valley courts
- Multi-million dollar results in serious injury cases, including TBI and motorcycle crashes
- The Better Offer Pledge: if we cannot beat the insurance company's offer, you owe zero attorney fees
- No Win, No Fee representation on a strict contingency basis
- Bilingual staff in English and Spanish, with intake team members Jasmine and Rosa
- Local roots, including our Free Sober Rides Program in Yakima County
We meet clients where they are: in our office on Tieton Drive, at the hospital, at home, or online.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONFAQs
What if I was hit in a parking lot instead of on the street?
You may still have a strong case. Parking lots are private property, but drivers still owe a duty to look out for pedestrians. Cases can involve the driver, the property owner, or both, especially when poor design, low lighting, or blocked sightlines played a role.
Do I have a case if I was on my bike, not walking?
Bicycle crashes are different from pedestrian crashes, but many of the same rules apply. Cyclists have their own right-of-way protections in Washington. Call us and we will tell you whether the case fits our practice.
What if the driver only bumped me but I now have back or neck pain?
Low-speed impacts can still cause real injuries, including whiplash, disc damage, and mild TBI. Insurance companies love to point at a low-damage vehicle and claim you cannot be hurt. Medical records tell the real story, and we know how to present them.
How long will my Yakima pedestrian accident case take?
Simple cases can resolve in a few months. Serious injury cases usually take longer because full documentation of long-term treatment matters more than speed. Rushing a serious pedestrian case almost always leaves money on the table.
Can my family file a claim if a pedestrian died from a Yakima crash?
Yes. When a pedestrian accident in Yakima causes death, close family members can bring a wrongful death claim to recover for medical bills, funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. Time limits are strict, so call as soon as you are able.
How much does a pedestrian accident lawyer cost in Yakima?
A: Nothing upfront. We handle pedestrian cases on contingency, which means our fees only come out of what we recover for you. If we do not win, you do not pay attorney fees. Under our Better Offer Pledge, if we cannot beat the insurance company's offer, you owe zero attorney fees either way.
What should I do right after being hit by a car in Yakima?
A: Call 911, accept medical care at the scene, and get the driver's information if you can. Take photos of the scene and your injuries, and get witness contact info. Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurer before you talk to a lawyer. If you were too hurt to do any of this, we can rebuild the case from police records and nearby video.
Can I still recover if the driver says I was jaywalking?
A: Yes, usually. Washington is a comparative fault state, which means you can still recover money even if you share some of the blame. Your share of fault reduces your recovery but does not wipe it out. Insurance companies use "jaywalking" as a scare tactic. A pedestrian accident lawyer can push back with the real facts.
Who pays my medical bills if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
A: In many cases, your own auto policy pays through Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Washington auto policies must offer UM, and it applies even when you are hit as a pedestrian. If you live with a family member who has auto insurance, their UM coverage may also apply to you. Call us and we will check every source of coverage.
Talk to a Yakima Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
You did not choose to get hit by a car. You do not have to fight the insurance company alone either. Call +1 (509) 866-4166 or request a free consultation online. We meet with you in person, at the hospital, or online. There is never a fee unless we win.
Kapuza Lighty Accident Injury Lawyers, PLLC3806 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98902
+1 (509) 866-4166
Disclaimer: The personal injury lawyers at Kapuza Lighty serve those who have been injured due to others' negligence. The information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. Statutory deadlines and legal standards should be confirmed with counsel based on the specific facts of your case.