Hit By A Car in Tacoma?
Contact Us For Compassionate Guidance: Tacoma Pedestrian Accident Attorney Blake Kremer
Few things can be more frightening than to be walking across a sidewalk when a truck accelerates towards you and rolls over your body. Our client had no broken bones but was deeply traumatized. The Law Office of Blake Kremer recently filed suit when this happened, ultimately obtaining a judgment before the trial of $950,000 for our client. Blake Kremer, an experienced Tacoma Pedestrian Accident Attorney, worked frequently with the client, staying in close communication for several years. In this way, he was best able to understand and present the non-fatal injuries in a way that resulted in an important recovery for the client.
According to the National Safety Council, it is estimated that 7,668 pedestrians died in traffic incidents or non-traffic incidents in 2019. (non-traffic incidents occur in driveways, parking lots, or other personal property). Most of these pedestrian deaths occurred in urban settings rather than intersections, during dark, evening hours, with the largest number of deaths occurring on Saturdays. The CDC found that about one pedestrian fatality due to a traffic accident occurs every 88 minutes.
Overall, per trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than the occupants of a passenger vehicle to be killed in a car crash. Because pedestrians involved in auto accidents tend to have severe, even catastrophic injuries or die from the accident, it is extremely important that survivors of a pedestrian accident speak to an experienced Tacoma pedestrian accident attorney like Blake Kremer.
The Law Office of Blake Kremer is unique in many ways. Blake Kremer is a third-generation attorney; both his father and grandfather were also attorneys. Blake opened his law firm in 1992, and has been advocating for those injured through the negligence of another for three decades. The history of the Law Office of Blake Kremer shows a clear pattern of service to his community. Blake has consistently represented causes and people who might otherwise have gone unrepresented, never receiving justice. Attorney Blake Kremer has seen considerable success in activist cases, often winning against immense odds.
Blake’s activist cases have made him an even stronger advocate for those injured in an accident that was not their fault. While many injury attorneys are not comfortable with litigation, Blake sees litigation as a tool used to obtain justice for his clients. It is a fact in injury cases that many insurance companies will not make a serious offer until a lawsuit is filed. If you need a lawyer who will stand up for you and be the much-needed advocate in your corner, you need Blake Kremer.
Blake Kremer is one of the few attorneys who dedicated his practice to representing those seeking social justice. Blake believes this is extremely important, knowing he has the skills to protect and advocate for those who might not otherwise have quality representation.
More About Our Social Justice Practice Here
How Common are Pedestrian Accidents in Tacoma?
According to Target Zero, between 2015 and 2017, one-fifth of all traffic fatalities, and one-fifth of all serious injuries from traffic collisions occurred among those walking or biking. These figures continued climbing in 2018, where pedestrian deaths reached their highest number in more than 30 years at 109. While walking and bicycling are distinct modes of travel with differences in infrastructure and trip characteristics, both bikers and pedestrians are likely to suffer severe injuries during an auto accident. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission estimates that for about 25-30 percent of the state’s population who do not drive, walking is a necessary means of transportation, rather than simply recreation.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Usually Occur?
Although pedestrian accidents do occur in intersections—and intersections can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians—according to the NHTSA, most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas. Pedestrian accidents also occur in parking lanes, driveways, medians, sidewalks, and roadsides, with the majority of pedestrian accidents occurring at night when visibility is particularly low. Because urban areas have a higher concentration of pedestrians and motorists on busy streets, more than three-quarters of all pedestrian accidents occur in urban regions rather than in rural areas.
When a pedestrian accident does occur in an intersection, it could be due to a traffic violation, distracted driving, a driver who incorrectly assumes what the pedestrian will do, a driver who fails to accurately assess a situation, limited visibility, a fatigued driver, or other forms of negligence, usually on the part of the driver. When pedestrians walk-in areas not specifically designated for pedestrians, such as busy streets or highways, a driver may not expect to see a pedestrian.
What to Do If You are Hit by a Car or if You See a Pedestrian Hit by a Car
As with any auto accident, it is important that you seek medical assistance immediately. Call 911 for police and ambulance assistance. If you are physically able, take a few photos of the scene of the accident, including the car that hit you, focusing on the license plate. Exchange information with the driver, making sure to get the driver’s insurance information. The police officer will prepare a report—you will be able to obtain a copy of the report within a few days. After you have been checked out at the hospital (if you are not admitted), once you are home contact your own insurance company and jot down every detail you remember about the accident.
Finally, contact experienced Tacoma pedestrian accident attorney Blake Kremer from the Law Office of Blake Kremer. Blake will contact the at-fault party’s insurance company, determine how much medical expense you are likely to incur in the future, as well as how long you may be off work due to your injuries. In short, Blake will handle all the details of your pedestrian accident while you are able to concentrate on healing from your injuries and getting your life back on track. If you happen to be a witness to a pedestrian hit and run, do your best to get a license plate number, take careful note of the make, model, and color of the car, then immediately contact the police—after ensuring the pedestrian receives medical attention.
What Compensation Can You Expect After Being Hit by a Car?
The state of Washington operates under pure comparative negligence laws. This means as an injured pedestrian, you can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver, even if you were partially responsible for the accident. In other words, if a car came speeding down the road, hitting you as you crossed a marked crosswalk, the driver is obviously at fault. If, however, you were reading a text as you walked across the crosswalk, it might be determined that you were 5 percent at fault for the accident which would reduce your settlement amount by 5 percent.
Every single accident is unique in some way, making it impossible to determine the exact settlement you can expect. Your attorney will take into account all your current and future medical expenses, your current and future lost wages, your pain, and suffering, and any other applicable damages. To prove liability, your attorney will obtain a copy of the police report and witness statements, along with any other evidence that shows the driver was at fault. A successful pedestrian accident personal injury claim requires clear documentation of all the damages and proof of liability. If you suffered any of the following, your settlement amount could increase significantly:
- Long-term disability
- Any level of paralysis
- A traumatic brain injury
- Amputation of a limb
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma
- Long-term pain and suffering
Attorney Blake Kremer secured a $950,000 settlement for a pedestrian who was run over in a crosswalk. Blake is equally dedicated to every single client, working zealously for a fair settlement.
How Tacoma Pedestrian Accident Attorney Blake Kremer Can Help
Having a highly-skilled Tacoma and King County pedestrian accident attorney like Blake Kremer on your side following your pedestrian accident can be an invaluable resource. Attorney Blake Kremer believes every client has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, as well as to be heard and to have all their questions thoroughly answered. Blake will listen carefully to you because he has a solid dedication to social and individual justice.
At the Law Office of Blake Kremer, your needs are always put first as Blake gets you the settlement you need and deserve. To name only a few of his notable settlements, Blake obtained a $39,869 settlement for the victim of a dog attack, a $775,000 settlement for a client injured in a semi-truck accident, and a $2,000,000 wrongful death settlement for the family of a drowning victim. Contact the Law Office of Blake Kremer today! Call (253) 830-5844 today to speak with Attorney Blake Kremer, or (253) 368-4382 to speak with Kate, Blake’s paralegal.
