You were walking through Moses Lake when a vehicle hit you, and now you are hurt, out of work, and unsure what comes next. The pain is real, the bills are starting, and the questions are stacking up faster than the answers.
The driver’s insurance company may already be hinting that you share the blame, especially if you were crossing somewhere other than a marked crosswalk. Evidence from the scene fades fast. A quick recorded statement, given before you know your rights, can quietly shrink your claim.
We handle pedestrian injury cases across eastern Washington, and we know how these claims play out when fault is in dispute. Our pedestrian accident team helps Moses Lake families work through those decisions with a clear plan and a single point of contact. From our offices in Moses Lake and Spokane, we take these cases on contingency, with a free consultation and no fee unless we recover for you.
Why Injured Pedestrians in Moses Lake Choose McPartland Law Offices
When a car hits someone on foot, the insurer often starts shifting blame before the injuries are even diagnosed. If that is happening to you, you want a firm that has handled disputed-fault pedestrian claims and knows how to answer that move.
That is the work we do across eastern Washington. From our Moses Lake office, we represent people hurt on local streets, along the I-90 corridor, and on the rural roads around Grant County. We have recovered more than $75 million for injured clients, hold 350+ five-star reviews, and take pedestrian cases on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover for you.
Client Testimonials
“When all others wouldn’t take or wanted nothing to do with my case, he took it and stuck with it and saw it through til the end. Bryce also was determined to get me what I deserved. He always was honest and held nothing back. He also kept my husband and I very informed and was very professional. My family and I are thankful for his hard work and determination on my case and believed in my case. I would recommend him to all anybody who needs legal help. Thank you again Bryce.” — Joey J.
“McPartland Law Office was attentive, compassionate, and truly went the extra mile for our family after our horrific accident. They protected our rights every step of the way and made a difficult time much easier to navigate. We are incredibly grateful and highly recommend them to anyone needing strong, caring representation.” — Paul M.
Can You Still Recover If the Driver Says You Were at Fault?
In most cases, yes. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system under RCW 4.22.005, which means being partly at fault reduces what you recover but does not erase your claim unless you are 100% at fault. If you are 20% responsible, you can still recover the other 80%.
Being outside a crosswalk does not end your claim either. Drivers in Washington owe pedestrians a duty of care under RCW 46.61.245, including the duty to watch for people on the road and avoid a collision when someone is in the way.
The insurer may point to where you were walking to lower its offer. That affects the percentages, not your right to bring a claim.
How a Pedestrian Claim in Moses Lake Differs from a Regular Car Accident Claim
Pedestrian claims tend to draw harder scrutiny from insurers than a typical car accident. With two vehicles, the damage tells part of the story. When a person on foot is involved, there is more dispute about what each side was doing, which gives the insurer room to argue.
The injuries are different too. A pedestrian has no frame, no airbag, and no seatbelt, so the same impact that dents a bumper can break bones or cause a head injury. Near the I-90 corridor and the stretches by farms and warehouses, those impacts happen at speeds that cause lasting harm.
When an adjuster downplays your injuries or leans on a fault theory, a denied or bad-faith insurance claim can become its own problem. We document the scene, the medical record, and the coverage so the claim rests on facts.
What Drives the Value of a Moses Lake Pedestrian Accident Claim
No two pedestrian claims are worth the same, and anyone who quotes you an average is guessing. A few factors carry the most weight:
- How severe and lasting the injuries are, including any permanent disability or disfigurement
- The full cost of medical care, both what you have paid and what you will still need
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity, which hits hardest when an injury keeps you from work
- The insurance coverage available, including the at-fault driver’s policy and your own
- How much the fault is disputed, since a contested share can move the final number
Washington does not cap non-economic damages like pain and suffering in these cases, but the amount still depends on the evidence. If the driver who hit you carried too little insurance, underinsured motorist coverage may help cover the gap if that coverage applies and you purchased it or did not reject it.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Moses Lake
What you do in the first days after a crash can shape the whole claim. The same steps apply if you are helping someone you love who was hurt.
- Get medical care right away, and follow up on every referral. Gaps in treatment let the insurer argue your injuries were minor.
- Report the crash and ask for the police report, which puts an official record on file.
- Document the scene and your injuries while they are fresh, including photos and witness names.
- Keep everything, from medical bills and pay stubs to letters from the insurer.
- Hold off on a recorded statement until you have talked to a lawyer. Early statements are easy to take out of context.
TIP: If you can, capture the scene before anything moves. Use your phone. Take a picture of the road, the vehicle, and your injuries.
If you are not sure what comes next, tell us what happened through our contact form.
How to Know If You Have a Moses Lake Pedestrian Accident Case
If a driver’s carelessness played a part in the crash and you were injured, you most likely have a claim worth reviewing, even if you share some fault.
A few signs point that way. The driver was distracted, speeding, or failed to yield. Your injuries show up in a clear medical record, and there is insurance coverage to recover against.
You have a limited window to act. Washington generally gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a pedestrian injury lawsuit under RCW 4.16.080. Miss that window and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it was.
Limited exceptions can apply for minors or someone who was incapacitated, so checking the deadline early is the safer move.
A free consultation is the simplest way to learn where your claim stands before the deadline closes.
How to Choose a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Moses Lake
A few things separate a lawyer who can handle a Moses Lake pedestrian case from one who cannot. Start with local experience. A firm that works in eastern Washington knows the roads, the courts, and the insurers involved.
Look for a real record with disputed-fault pedestrian and injury claims, because those are the cases insurers fight hardest. Ask how the fee works and get it in plain terms. We handle these cases on contingency, which means no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover for you.
Ask who you will actually talk to, since a single point of contact who knows your file beats starting over every call.
When you are hurt and behind on income, a firm that returns your calls and explains each step is worth more than a polished ad.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in Moses Lake
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Washington?
Generally three years from the date of the crash. Washington sets that deadline for most personal injury claims, and missing it usually ends the case. Limited exceptions can apply for minors or someone who was incapacitated.
What If I Was Hit While Crossing Outside a Crosswalk in Moses Lake?
You may still recover. Washington’s pure comparative fault rule reduces your recovery by your share of fault but does not bar it unless you are found 100% at fault. Where you were crossing affects the percentages, not your right to bring a claim.
Does It Cost Anything to Talk to a Moses Lake Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
No. McPartland Law Offices offers a free consultation and handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Did Not Have Enough Insurance?
You may have another option. Underinsured motorist coverage may help cover the gap if that coverage applies and you purchased it or did not reject it. A review of every policy involved can show what is available.
Get Help Filing a Moses Lake Pedestrian Accident Claim
A pedestrian crash leaves you with injuries, lost time at work, and an insurer already building its case. We handle these claims for people in Moses Lake, Spokane, and across eastern Washington, and we know how to answer a fault argument before it lowers your recovery. The consultation is free, with no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover for you.
Call McPartland Law Offices at 509-495-1247 or fill out our contact form to tell us what happened.
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Moses Lake, Washington 98837
Written By Bryce McPartland
Mr. McPartland, a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and Washington State University, has a proven track record in personal injury law. Recognized as a Rising Star by Washington’s SuperLawyers Magazine, he has secured multimillion-dollar settlements for clients. Bryce’s commitment to continuous legal education and community service underscores his expertise in the field of personal injury law.
