Puyallup Pedestrian Injury Lawyers Holding Drivers Accountable Today

Every day in Puyallup, walkers are hit crossing the road, stepping onto a shoulder, or leaving a parking lot. Cars blow through intersections like Meridian Street and 7th Avenue SW. Drivers ignore crosswalk laws or look down at phones. When that carelessness hurts, attorneys at Bernard Law Group move immediately.

We don’t wait for the insurance company to dictate terms. We don’t do that. We gather camera footage, interview witnesses, and use Washington pedestrian laws that protect people who are walking near traffic. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove fault. We move swiftly to get medical records, crosswalk signal timing, and traffic volume that builds a strong case for full compensation. In fact, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission says that pedestrian injuries throughout Pierce County are increasing dramatically, and Puyallup is no different.

No matter if you were struck near South Hill Mall or just a few blocks from the Puyallup Station, we know how life changes in an instant following a crash. That’s why we do everything: paperwork, negotiations, and more. There is no charge unless we succeed.

Call Bernard Law Group today at (206) 752-2233 to speak with a Puyallup pedestrian accident attorney about your case.

Legal Consequences When a Driver Fails to Yield to a Pedestrian in Puyallup

When a vehicle fails to stop for a person walking in Puyallup, the result is often catastrophic. These crashes are not just traffic violations. They are civil liability claims. Washington pedestrian law places legal responsibility on drivers to yield, and when they do not, our legal team moves fast to secure damages for the injured. At Bernard Law Group, we represent pedestrians who were hit while lawfully crossing busy intersections in downtown Puyallup, near the fairgrounds, and on the arterial roads of South Hill.

Insurance companies often blame the pedestrian or downplay the severity of the injuries. We don’t let that happen. Instead, we collect traffic signal records, witness statements, and crosswalk diagrams. We then file legal claims that reflect not only your pain but the full financial impact of the crash. According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen at non-interchange locations, often because drivers fail to yield.

Understanding How Washington Law Protects Pedestrians at Crosswalks

Under RCW 46.61.235, drivers in Washington must stop for pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. This protection applies even if no traffic light exists. The pedestrian does not have to run, wave, or signal to cross. The law assumes the driver will see them and stop.

Unfortunately, drivers in Puyallup often ignore these legal duties. At intersections like South Meridian and 7th Avenue SW, we see collisions where the pedestrian had the walk signal, yet the driver turned through the crosswalk anyway. These are not gray areas. They are violations. Our legal team builds claims based on witness testimony, signal timing data, and road layout to show that fault lies squarely with the driver. To better understand how legal rights apply, visit the National Safety Council’s pedestrian resource.

Marked and Unmarked Crosswalks Both Carry Full Legal Weight

Even if there is no paint on the road, a crosswalk still exists at most intersections. Pedestrians walking from one corner to another still have the right of way. That’s true in Puyallup neighborhoods and on connector streets near parks, schools, and bus stops.

Drivers often argue there was no visible crosswalk and try to avoid responsibility. But the law says otherwise. Our legal claims use Google satellite views, roadway blueprints, and RCW enforcement language to establish pedestrian location and force accountability. These cases are time sensitive because local video systems often overwrite footage within days.

Crosswalk Violations Happen Most Often During Left-Hand Turns

In downtown Puyallup and around South Hill, a large number of pedestrian crashes happen while drivers make left-hand turns. These drivers often focus on clearing oncoming traffic and fail to scan for foot traffic in the crosswalk.

Our team inspects the exact intersection layout, including visibility conditions, traffic light phases, and corner angles. By comparing driver paths with walk signal data, we show that the pedestrian had the legal right to be there. These details increase the settlement value of the claim. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, left-turn crashes are a leading factor in fatal pedestrian collisions at intersections.

Why Insurance Companies Downplay Failure to Yield Cases in Puyallup

After a pedestrian crash, the insurance company rarely accepts full fault. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They often claim the walker stepped out too quickly or was not visible. In failure to yield claims, these arguments are common, especially if there is no crosswalk paint or signage.

That is where we step in. At Bernard Law Group, we immediately send legal preservation letters to secure surveillance footage and witness contact information. These early steps prevent insurance companies from shaping the narrative. We then use medical records, crosswalk location data, and driver admissions to increase leverage.

Early Evidence Collection Forces Insurance Adjusters to Acknowledge Fault

Within days of a crash, evidence can disappear. Camera footage gets erased. Tire marks fade. Witnesses forget what they saw. We act fast to prevent that loss. Our firm contacts nearby businesses, files public records requests, and documents the scene from every angle.

In many failure to yield cases, this early action determines whether the claim is successful. For example, video that shows the driver turning through a walk signal becomes the strongest proof in your case. Without it, the insurer will try to argue the pedestrian entered the road unexpectedly.

Our Firm Builds Legal Claims That Cover Medical Bills and Lost Income

Getting hit by a vehicle while walking can cause spine trauma, brain injury, or broken bones that require months of care. We collect ER records, surgical reports, and therapy logs to prove how the injury disrupted your life. Our legal demand includes coverage for every medical bill, transportation cost, and therapy session.

We also recover money for income loss. If you missed work or can no longer perform your job due to the injury, we calculate wage loss using employer records, pay stubs, and vocational assessments. These details make your claim stronger and show why full compensation is justified.

We Sue Drivers, Employers, and Commercial Entities in Puyallup Pedestrian Crashes

Pedestrian accidents in Puyallup often involve more than one liable party. While many cases begin with a distracted or reckless driver, further investigation reveals deeper responsibility. Employers, commercial property owners, and delivery companies may also play a role. At Bernard Law Group, we pursue every responsible entity to ensure your recovery covers all financial losses. If the crash involved a rideshare vehicle, delivery van, or company truck, we act quickly to investigate employment status and commercial insurance coverage.

Failing to identify all liable parties means leaving money on the table. We don’t accept the limits of a single auto policy when larger corporate policies are available. By holding companies accountable, we increase claim value and force faster, more complete settlements. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, corporate vehicles continue to pose a serious threat to walkers in urban and suburban areas like Puyallup.

Company-Owned Vehicles Often Hit Pedestrians in South Hill and Downtown Puyallup

Delivery services, contractors, and utility providers operate throughout Puyallup every day. These vehicles enter driveways, back out of lots, and turn into residential streets with limited visibility. When drivers hit a pedestrian while performing job duties, the employer may be legally responsible.

We investigate these incidents by collecting time logs, dispatch records, and GPS tracking data. Many of our pedestrian clients were struck near shopping centers, housing complexes, or city service zones. These drivers are often in a rush to meet quotas or deadlines. If they caused the crash while on duty, we pursue a claim against the company that hired them. These cases frequently involve larger commercial insurance limits, which allows us to recover more for medical bills, lost income, and long-term care needs.

We Pursue Amazon, Rideshare, and Contracted Delivery Vehicles in Pedestrian Collisions

Companies like Amazon, UPS, Lyft, and DoorDash have hundreds of drivers operating throughout the Puyallup area. When one of these vehicles hits a pedestrian, responsibility does not stop with the driver. Commercial policies may apply, especially if the driver was logged in to an app, using a company vehicle, or responding to a delivery request.

Our legal team sends evidence hold letters, secures app usage data, and reviews employer agreements to determine if the driver was acting within the scope of employment. If so, we can bypass personal policy limits and pursue full damages from the commercial carrier. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries outlines how work-related transportation impacts public safety. We use these principles to strengthen every claim involving work-related pedestrian crashes.

Employers Are Liable When On-Duty Drivers Hit Pedestrians in Puyallup

Under Washington law, employers must answer for the harm caused by their drivers when the crash happens during work activities. This rule applies to construction firms, real estate businesses, public utilities, and delivery contractors across Pierce County. If the driver was operating a fleet vehicle or completing a route, their employer may share responsibility.

We build legal claims that trace the relationship between the driver and the company. That includes examining employment status, contract terms, and trip assignments. These cases often result in higher settlements because commercial insurers want to avoid courtroom exposure. When businesses cut corners on driver training or pressure employees to rush, we highlight those failures in every claim.

Commercial Property Owners Can Be Sued When Poor Design Contributes to Pedestrian Injury

Not all Puyallup pedestrian crashes happen on public roadways. Many injuries occur in commercial driveways, apartment exits, and shopping center lots. In these situations, the design or maintenance of the property may contribute to the crash. For example, if the exit lane is too narrow, if sightlines are blocked by signage, or if walkways are poorly marked, then the property owner may share legal fault.

We inspect site plans, lease agreements, and past incident reports. Our legal team often uncovers hidden hazards that contributed to the crash. That evidence allows us to file third-party claims against property managers, real estate owners, and maintenance contractors. For more information on safe design guidelines for walkable areas, see the American Planning Association’s street design standards. These standards help us show how the property failed to protect pedestrians.

We Use Site Layout Diagrams and Visibility Studies to Prove Property Owner Negligence

Our investigators use mapping software and traffic reconstruction tools to document how the property layout increased the risk of injury. Many pedestrian crashes near commercial locations involve blocked sightlines, narrow walkways, or poor lighting. In these cases, we work with engineers and safety professionals to prepare diagrams that show the collision was not just a driver mistake, it was a foreseeable hazard.

This evidence shifts liability to property owners and opens up new pathways for financial recovery. These cases may involve claims against both the driver and the landowner, which significantly raises the available compensation. When we present this evidence to insurers, it often leads to faster, larger settlements.

Liability Does Not End With the Vehicle Driver When Design or Ownership Adds to the Danger

In some of our Puyallup pedestrian cases, liability extended to contractors, developers, or adjacent businesses. For example, if a sidewalk was blocked by construction fencing or if a commercial dumpster forced pedestrians into the road, that hazard contributed to the crash.

We do not stop with a single insurance policy. We review every party connected to the location, the vehicle, and the crash itself. Then we file layered claims that reflect each party’s role in the injury. This strategy increases the value of your claim and forces corporate defendants to take accountability.

Pedestrian Injuries on River Road and SR 512 Require Fast Legal Action

River Road and SR 512 are two of the busiest and most dangerous corridors for pedestrians in Puyallup. Heavy vehicle volume, high speeds, and limited crossing infrastructure create a deadly mix. Pedestrians hit along these routes often suffer catastrophic injuries, and drivers rarely stay at the scene or admit fault. At Bernard Law Group, we act immediately to investigate the crash, collect digital evidence, and identify every liable party.

Most injuries in these areas happen at night or during peak traffic hours. Poor lighting, faded paint, and driver distraction make safe crossing nearly impossible. Our firm investigates whether traffic signal timing, lack of signage, or poor roadway design played a role. According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, cities that fail to maintain pedestrian safety features open themselves up to legal liability. We use these principles to hold city contractors, commercial drivers, and negligent motorists accountable.

River Road in Puyallup Puts Pedestrians at Risk During Every Hour of the Day

River Road connects downtown Puyallup to neighboring cities and industrial zones. Tractor-trailers, local delivery vans, and commuters crowd the lanes from early morning through night. Crosswalks along this route are scarce, and vehicle speeds often exceed posted limits. When a pedestrian attempts to cross near 11th Street NW or 66th Avenue East, the margin for error disappears.

Our team documents where the crash happened, how fast the vehicle was going, and whether city traffic engineers maintained the area correctly. We build legal claims that point to specific failures: unmarked crossings, missing speed warnings, or outdated signals. When the city or a private business neglects pedestrian infrastructure, we include them in the claim. This layered strategy increases the likelihood of a full payout for our injured clients.

We Investigate Intersection Control, Roadway Conditions, and Traffic Flow on River Road

Pedestrian crashes on River Road often happen mid-block or at intersections with missing signal control. In these locations, drivers focus on merging lanes and fail to scan for foot traffic. We subpoena signal records, review city repair logs, and consult municipal street design maps to determine what warning systems were in place.

Many of these cases involve a combination of driver error and city neglect. We pursue both. If a commercial vehicle failed to yield and the city failed to maintain a safe crossing, we build claims against both. This approach forces faster action from insurers and improves overall case value. Learn more about the traffic safety challenges along suburban arterials from the Transportation Research Board, which outlines why corridors like River Road continue to see high crash rates.

Pedestrian Collisions on SR 512 Often Involve Severe or Fatal Injuries

State Route 512 is a limited-access highway that runs directly through Puyallup, separating neighborhoods, businesses, and medical centers. While the route was designed for vehicles, pedestrians are often forced to navigate the shoulders, on-ramps, and adjacent frontage roads. These areas lack continuous sidewalks, and crossing points are spaced miles apart.

When a pedestrian is struck near an interchange or shoulder on SR 512, the result is often life-threatening. Drivers rarely expect to see foot traffic. But that does not excuse the collision. Under Washington law, drivers still have a duty to avoid hitting pedestrians, even in areas without crosswalks. Our firm builds claims based on that duty, then pushes for maximum compensation using crash reconstruction reports, state highway plans, and client medical records.

We File Claims Against Commercial Drivers and Government Entities When Crashes Happen on SR 512

Large portions of SR 512 are maintained by the Washington State Department of Transportation and patrolled by the Washington State Patrol. When roadway defects, missing barriers, or blocked pedestrian routes contribute to a crash, we investigate the state’s role. These cases involve short deadlines and complex notice rules, but our team knows how to file government claims correctly and quickly.

At the same time, we identify any private vehicles involved. Whether a rideshare driver failed to yield or a trucking company placed a trailer too close to the shoulder, we hold those parties accountable. Many crashes along SR 512 involve more than one contributing factor. Our strategy reflects that complexity, targeting all negligent actors to increase claim value. To understand how government-maintained highways affect liability, see the Federal Highway Administration pedestrian safety framework.

We Preserve Evidence Quickly Before WSDOT or Tow Crews Remove It From SR 512

After a crash on SR 512, tow companies and road crews clear the scene fast. Within hours, debris is gone, and tire marks fade. That’s why we send investigators immediately. We collect photos, secure dashcam footage, and use drone imaging to capture the layout before conditions change. This evidence gives our clients the upper hand in insurance negotiations and civil court.

We also obtain 911 records, bodycam footage from troopers, and incident response logs from WSDOT. These materials often contain key statements and diagrams that support your version of events. Our firm builds your case the same day you call so that the evidence is not lost.

Call Bernard Law Group for a Free Consultation With No Risk to You

After a pedestrian crash in Puyallup, every hour matters. Injuries worsen, evidence fades, and the insurance company starts building its defense. That’s why Bernard Law Group answers your call the same day and begins investigating immediately. We know the traffic patterns, surveillance locations, and city departments involved in crashes from River Road to the South Hill retail zone.

Our Puyallup pedestrian injury team offers free consultations, with no fees unless we win your case. We take on negligent drivers, employers, delivery companies, and commercial property owners. Whether you were struck in a marked crosswalk, hit in a parking lot, or forced off the road due to poor design, we have handled that case before.

Let us step in and build your claim now. We file insurance demands, secure medical records, and pursue full compensation without delay. Your recovery starts with a phone call. Call Bernard Law Group at (206) 752-2233 or contact us online today and speak with a pedestrian accident attorney serving Puyallup. The consultation is free. The results speak for themselves.