Bellingham Personal Injury Attorneys
Car Accident Lawyer Washington
Car accidents are a major source of injury in Washington State, with motor vehicle collisions reported as the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 44. Many of these accidents are preventable. Abiding by legal speed limits, avoiding impaired driving, and maintaining attention on the road may help to prevent potentially devastating accidents.
Unfortunately, even with the utmost precautions, there is no guarantee of safety on the road. If you have been injured in a car accident in Washington, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact our Washington car accident lawyers today for a free initial consultation, and learn what may be possible in your case.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Washington
A car is a powerful vehicle, capable of dealing tremendous damage. Good judgment is essential to maintaining safety for everyone on the road. Unfortunately, the most common causes of car accidents involve some form of human negligence. These may include:
- Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol;
- Distracted driving (eg. texting);
- Speeding;
- Disobeying traffic signals (eg. traffic lights, stop signs, yield signs, etc.);
- Disregarding right of way;
- Driver fatigue;
- Tailgating;
- And more.
Weather conditions are another factor often seen in car accidents. While not all inclement conditions are foreseeable, it can help to take additional precautions when getting behind the wheel in the rain or snow.
Common Injuries Stemming from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause devastating injuries, which may be fatal. Common injuries stemming from car accidents include:
- Broken bones;
- Cuts or lacerations;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Burns;
- Back injuries;
- Internal bleeding;
- Loss of limb;
- Whiplash;
- Ankle sprains;
- Knee injuries;
- Shoulder injuries;
- And more.
Depending on the severity of the injuries, recovery can take months or even years. The injuries may lead to long-term disability. An injured accident survivor may need to take time away from work, or their injuries may render them unable to work altogether. This, combined with the costs of medical bills and other needs arising from the injury, may add up to substantial financial strain.
Steps to Take Following a Collision
The moments immediately following a car accident may be frightening and confusing. You may be in a state of shock. The first and most important thing to keep in mind is to take care of your safety. Get yourself out of harm’s way, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If the accident appears to have caused significant damage, you should call the police. If the police are not required, but the accident has caused over $1000 in damage, you will need to submit a collision report with Washington State Patrol.
If your injuries allow, try to gather as much information as possible while you are at the scene of the accident. Take pictures from a variety of angles, and gather the contact information of any other people involved.
Write down the contact information of the other driver, as well as the names and addresses of any passengers or witnesses present. Collect the other driver’s insurance company information, and record their driver’s license number, and their vehicle’s details (license plate, make, model, etc.)
How Does a Car Accident Claim Work?
Washington is a “fault” state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the driver who was at fault for the accident is financially responsible for losses caused by the accident. This may include the costs of medical bills associated with injuries, damage to the vehicle, lost income, and more.
Most drivers in Washington have some form of insurance coverage. It is mandatory by state law to carry liability insurance, a certificate of deposit, or a liability bond for a minimum of $60,000. This coverage contributes to paying for another person’s losses in a car accident you cause.
Following a car accident in Washington, an injured accident survivor usually has several options available:
- Filing a claim with their own insurance carrier;
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company;
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Under Washington’s pure comparative negligence laws, you may still collect damages in a lawsuit associated with a car accident in which you shared blame. However, the amount you recover may be reduced in accordance with your share of that blame.
Contact a Washington car accident attorney to discuss the nuances of your particular case.
Things to Keep in Mind Following a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car collision, make sure you have the medical attention you need. Even if you aren’t certain of your injuries, or think you may be able to “walk it off,” it may be wise to see a doctor. Some injuries may not have immediate symptoms, and you may accidentally make them worse by neglecting to take action. Additionally, having a medical record regarding your injuries may help you recover the compensation you deserve should you pursue a car accident claim.
Remember that there is a statute of limitations for car accidents in Washington. Generally you have three years after the accident to commence action on your claim.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Every case is unique, and there may be many factors involved in your receiving the compensation to which you are entitled. A car accident lawyer may help you navigate your claim from start to finish. We may negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, including helping you appeal a denied claim. We may also help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, and, if needed, take the case to court.
Areas we serve include:
- Seattle
- Tacoma
- Bellevue
- Spokane
- Bellingham
- Everett
- And more
Wherever you are in Washington State, we would be happy to consult with you and see what may be possible in your case.
Contact Border Solutions Law Group for a Free Initial Consultation
Whatever the circumstances of your accident, contact us today to see how our car accident lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group might be able to help. Call us at 604-684-4211 or fill out our online form to book your free initial consultation today.
TOLL FREE:
604-684-4211
CANADA OFFICE:
Suite 408 – 837 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 3N6
US OFFICE:
Suite 301 – 2219 Rimland Dr.
Bellingham, WA 98226
FAX:
604-305-0338
Frequently Asked Questions
At Border Solutions Law Group, we aim to provide clear, straightforward answers to help you understand your rights.
Here are some common questions we receive related to Car Accident Lawyer Washington:
Are cross-border injury claims worth more in the U.S.?
The popular perception is that personal injury cases are worth far more in the U.S. than in Canada. This is not always the case. Rushing into a lawsuit in BC or Washington without knowing how the law and insurers work in both jurisdictions is risky. Without the benefit of experience, it can lead to disappointingly unanticipated financial results.
We Help You Avoid The Perils And Pitfalls
At Border Solutions Law Group, our exclusive focus in personal injury is on cross-border cases. Our lawyers are dual-licensed. We regularly fight injury claims in both Vancouver and Seattle.
Over the years, we have analyzed thousands of claims. Our experience is the reason why we have so consistently gained financially favourable outcomes for our clients. We know how to balance the potential awards against the costs. Before launching into a suit, we make sure you’ll end up with a financial win, not a loss.
Why Some U.S. Claims Are Worth More
Unlike British Columbia, Washington state places no cap on certain damages. One of these is for pain and suffering. But maximizing compensation depends on the type of injury. For catastrophic, life-altering injuries, the difference can mean millions of dollars in compensation. But in reality, the vast majority of claims are for soft tissue injuries, which are worth far less.
Legal Costs Are A Key Consideration
The cost of court and legal fees is another important consideration. In BC, your legal costs will likely be covered by the insurer. In Washington, each party is responsible for their own costs. If you hastily initiate a lawsuit and it drags on, you could easily see your compensation reduced down to very little after paying for litigation costs. The key is to know when an award will actually be worth the cost of litigation.
At Border Solutions, we know when you should push forward and when you should settle. We will analyze all the factors, do the number crunching and ensure that you end up financially on top.
Call Us For A Free Case Evaluation
An initial consultation is free. Discuss your case with our lawyer by calling 877-341-0315 or by filing out our online form.
What challenges are there living with spinal cord injuries related to a car accident?
British Columbia residents who took to the roads over the holidays and crossed the paths of other negligent drivers may have entered the new year with mountains of medical bills, lost wages and more. Life after a car accident could be challenging, especially if victims suffer spinal cord injuries. The severity of such injuries depends on the injury’s proximity to the brain.
Types of spinal injuries
Paraplegia could result from injuries to the spinal cord in the mid-back area. However, if the damage is closer to the brain, quadriplegia or loss of sensation and function in all four limbs, neck and chest could follow. Paralysis will bring permanent lifestyle challenges.
Living with the physical changes brought about by spinal cord injuries is challenging for victims and their loved ones or other caregivers. Grieving for the loss of abilities could cause anger, sadness or other emotional difficulties. While the physical harm is there for all to see, emotional harm is less obvious, preventing others from understanding the full plight of the spinal cord injury victim.
Seeking justice
Regardless of all the available treatment, therapy and support groups to ease the consequences of spinal cord injuries, none of these can reduce the past and future financial difficulties. The British Columbia civil justice system provides a platform for pursuing damage recovery in many instances. However, suppose such injuries occurred in a car accident while the victim was on a trip to Seattle. In that case, cross border personal injury claims will involve the laws of both British Columbia and Washington State. Similarly, insurance adjusters from both sides of the border may come into play.
Still have questions? Contact Border Solutions Law Group today to schedule a consultation.