Fremont is an unconventional neighborhood where creative locals and tech professionals can congregate in the area’s unique cafes. While interesting, being in such a prominent area comes with a greater likelihood of encountering negligence. Fremont residents should know that there is only so much they can do to avoid careless drivers, poor property maintenance, and other situations that can result in dangerous accidents. However, they are empowered to take legal action when an accident occurs.
The extent and impact of accident injuries frequently catch accident victims off guard, so they struggle to adjust to the resulting life changes and financial difficulties. When making your personal injury claim, think about speaking with a Fremont personal injury lawyer with the skills necessary to secure a settlement that fairly accounts for your damages. Premier Law Group handles various personal injury cases and may prove to be a valuable resource to you.
Damages You Can Recover From a Fremont Personal Injury Claim
It can be disheartening to see mounting monthly bills and astronomical medical expenses, but if you were injured through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden.
If the negligent person’s activities cause you to suffer damages, you have the right to compensation from them. There are several types of damages for which you might pursue compensation:
Compensatory Damages
Accident victims may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, which fall under the umbrella of compensatory damages. To return the injured party to their pre-injury state, compensatory damages attempt to restore their financial, physical, and emotional well-being. They place a monetary value on the accident’s effects on the victim.
Economic damages are those that have a demonstrable monetary value. Typical economic damages include the following:
- Medical bills
- Cost of prescriptions
- Lost income
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Transportation expenses
Non-economic damages account for losses that lack an exact monetary value. These losses include the following examples:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of lifestyle
- Loss of consortium
While these losses do not have a price tag, they can still be evaluated monetarily. With the help of a skillful personal injury lawyer, you may be able to justify the amount of compensation you are seeking to cover these damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not commonly granted, but accident victims may be able to receive them in certain cases. Punitive damages are only awarded when the liable party was shown to have acted with excessive negligence.
These monetary fines are intended to deter repeats of the same behavior in addition to holding the negligent party accountable. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases when someone’s acts were flagrantly irresponsible and caused the severe injury or death of another person, such as in drunk driving accidents and medical malpractice.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I’m Partially Responsible for My Accident?
If you somehow contributed to your personal injury accident, Washington’s pure comparative negligence law may apply to your personal injury claim. Under Washington’s pure comparative negligence law, also known as contributory fault under RCW Chapter 4.22, plaintiffs may still be awarded damages even if they share some blame for their accident.
However, when the plaintiff is found to have contributed to the damages, the amount of compensatory damages awarded will be proportionately reduced. The “pure” aspect refers to the plaintiff’s ability to recover damages even if they are primarily responsible for the accident. Theoretically, a person could be 99 percent liable for a personal injury accident but still recover one percent of damages.
Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fremont?
Filing a personal injury claim will surely leave you with many questions and concerns. Without prior knowledge of the Washington legal system, pursuing compensation for your personal injury accident can be challenging and confusing. A personal injury case can take a lot of time and money to handle, not to mention extensive experience in a specialized area of law. In addition, the opposing side most likely has a lawyer advocating for them against you.
By hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer, you may be able to protect your rights effectively. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to handle every aspect of your case in the most effective way. They may be able to skillfully negotiate with all parties involved and thoroughly analyze the accident’s cause to ensure crucial information is gathered and documented accurately. In general, people with legal representation can reach larger settlements that more appropriately account for their losses and damages.
Consult an Experienced Fremont Personal Injury Attorney for Legal Counsel
No matter what kind of accident you are in, getting hurt can be difficult. Stress levels skyrocket while dealing with insurance companies, medical expenses, and losing income due to missing work. Additionally, it can be challenging to secure the total damages to which you are legally entitled. To defend your rights, you might need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Premier Law Group will diligently fight the insurance company or responsible parties on your behalf to recover your damages. Top-notch Washington personal injury lawyers are part of our firm. We are a client-focused, experienced, and committed firm that may be able to advise you on how to handle situations that are important to the outcome of your claim. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t owe us anything unless we win. Send us a message using our contact form to learn more, or give us a call at (206) 880-7518 to arrange for a free case evaluation.