Kirkland Car Accident Lawyer

 

Car Accident Attorneys in Kirkland, WA

As a Kirkland resident, you have likely encountered at least one negligent driver on the road. It may have happened while you were commuting to Seattle for work or in town running errands. Wherever it occurred, it made you realize firsthand that car accidents can occur anywhere. Knowing that the collision could have been avoided if the other motorist had exercised more caution likely makes an already stressful situation more frustrating.

Car accident victims often experience long-term life changes due to auto accidents, including financial difficulties, physical suffering, and psychological stress. While these changes can be overwhelming, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Consider reaching out to an accomplished Kirkland car accident lawyer who can use their skills to help you secure total compensation so you can recover from your injuries in peace.

Types of Damages You Can Recover in Kirkland Car Accident Claims

Damages are the losses that you have experienced because of your car accident. You may recover both economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit or an auto insurance claim. 

Economic Damages

The tangible financial losses you experienced due to the collision are included in your economic damages as they have a precise monetary value.

Examples of economic damages that victims of auto accidents often receive compensation for include the following:

• Wages lost because of time off work to recover or go to appointments
• Prescription medication, medical procedures, and physical therapy costs
• The price of replacing damaged vehicles, additional property damage, and travel alternatives

The best-case scenario is to have the economic damages you are awarded cover every financial loss you have experienced because of the accident. An experienced Kirkland auto accident lawyer has the tools and knowledge to accurately determine your projected settlement amount.

Non-Economic Damages

The physical and mental anguish you endured from the accident and your injuries are included in non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are harder to evaluate financially.

The following are a few examples of non-economic damages for which auto accident victims frequently receive compensation:

• Mental anguish brought on by the life changes resulting from the accident
• Accident-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Scars and disfigurement brought on by the accident

Before you file your car accident claim, it is crucial to have an accurate understanding of your damages. Without an attorney on your side, it would be challenging to estimate these losses, especially non-economic damages.

Who May Be Held Liable for a Car Accident?

As a fault insurance state, Washington requires drivers who cause car accidents to pay for the losses suffered by their victims. You may file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver to recover damages for your losses. However, a car accident’s causes can extend beyond the drivers themselves. 

Poor road conditions, manufacturing defects, and more could have played a role in your accident. You should have access to competent legal resources to effectively investigate the cause of your accident and hold the proper parties accountable.

Recovering Compensation When You’re Partially At-Fault

When you experience a severe injury in a personal injury accident, you typically have to deal with insurance providers, local laws, proving your claim, and defending against the opposing party. The opposing party will likely take advantage of Washington’s comparative negligence rule to protect themselves. Washington is a state with a comparative negligence rule in the form of contributory fault law RCW 4.22.005. 

Washington employs pure comparative negligence, meaning the plaintiff could be ascribed a portion of liability if they are partially at fault for the accident. However, they can still recover damages even if they are primarily responsible for the accident. A person could be more than 50 percent liable for a personal injury accident but still, recover a percentage of damages.

Comparative negligence causes the plaintiff’s contribution to the accident to diminish the compensation granted to them. Their compensation is reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. Insurance companies or any other opposing party may use comparative negligence to avoid bearing full liability for your accident. 

What Services Can a Kirkland Car Accident Lawyer Provide for You?

An experienced Kirkland car accident lawyer will get to work arming themselves with the best information available once they have taken on your case. Your attorney will be well-prepared before presenting your case because they have utilized the valuable resources at their disposal and applied their extensive knowledge and experience to build a solid claim.

Experienced lawyers can be beneficial to you by providing various services such as the following:

• Looking at the responsible parties and the extent of their contribution to the accident
• Examining your wounds and their long-term effects on your life
• Establishing the insurance policy limitations for each party
• Representing you in negotiations with insurance providers
• Examining the accident site to make sure no information is missed

When deciding who will represent you in your vehicle accident lawsuit, you have many options. However, Premier Law Group’s legal team likely surpasses other firms in terms of skills, knowledge, and professionalism.

The Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Kirkland

After an auto accident, you only have a limited time to file a claim, so you must move as quickly as possible. The deadline for filing a personal injury claim is three years following the incident date. Car accidents are subject to the same three-year statute of limitations that applies to any other personal injury claim. The court can decide not to consider your case if you miss this deadline, preventing you from getting compensated for your losses.

While three years sounds like a long time, it’s best to get started on your claim earlier rather than later. Important evidence can be lost with time, which can devalue your claim.

Get Legal Advice From a Reputable Kirkland Car Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a car accident can be really upsetting. Your stress will surely increase from dealing with insurance companies, receiving bills from healthcare providers, and watching your income decrease because you cannot work. On top of that, getting the full amount of damages to which you are legally entitled can be challenging.

Premier Law Firm will adamantly go after the insurance provider or at-fault driver on your behalf to get you compensation. Our firm can advise you on how to handle situations that are important to the outcome of your claim because we are client-oriented, knowledgeable, and committed. Additionally, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay unless we win. Call (206) 880-7518 or fill out our contact form to arrange your free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.