Legal Question in Personal Injury in Washington
Pedestrian/Car Hit by Drunk Driver
Here is the situation: I parked the car on the street, got out of the car, and opened the back drivers-side door of the car to get something out of the back seat. As I was doing that, a car driving on the street hit my left leg and the car door. The other car hit the door of our car so hard it bend it all the way back so that it was up against the driver side door. I was diagnosed with a contusion to the left ankle and given crutches. My ankle is bruised and swollen, but there will be no permanent damage (nothing broken). The driver was an elderly man that had been drinking. He drove about 3 blocks past me before a witness who'd been following him told him that he had to turn around and go back to the scene. After he failed a field sobriety test, police arrested the man. When searching his car, the officer found a 1/2 full pint of alcohol (looked like vodka) in a brown paper bag. Obviously I will get the medical bills and car damage paid for through his insurance (luckily he was insured). However, I am wondering what else I could get, if anything? Is there some kind of compensation for nearly being killed?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Pedestrian/Car Hit by Drunk Driver
There are several other categories of recovery that you may be entitled to receive. However, the adjuster will not offer those voluntarily and further, because you as a lay person don't know the system, the adjuster will offer you as little as it takes for you to sign the release. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING UNTIL YOU SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY! There is no proper way to educate you on the business of personal injury recovery. You should rely on the experience of an experienced attorney.
Re: Pedestrian/Car Hit by Drunk Driver
Your medical bills and any other incidental costs would be covered. That is about all the insurance company will offer. However, you may also be entitled to lost wages and your pain and suffering. These the insurance adjuster will NOT voluntarily offer to cover. It doesn't sound like a big recovery but you'd get (and deserve) something. I would suggest that you meet with an attorney to discuss your case. You will find that most attorneys will offer a free initial consultation and most will also represent you on a contingency basis -- no recovery, no fees. Don't sign anything until you meet with an attorney.
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