For such a small community, Renton, Washington certainly sees its fair share of car accidents. Anyone traveling down Interstate 405 or Route 167 may notice vehicles off to the side of the road any day of the week. Being involved in a car accident is stressful, and hiring an experienced Renton car accident lawyer is key.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Renton, Premier Law Group is here to help you. Our skilled car accident attorneys have over 55 years of combined legal experience obtaining fair compensation on behalf of our clients. Let a Renton personal injury lawyer from our team evaluate your case.
What to Do After a Car Crash
It is easy for drivers to panic in the moments after a car crash. If you are involved in an auto collision, try to remain calm, cool, and collected. Here are things you can do to protect yourself and others at this time:
- Call 911. Have police officers and medical personnel come to the accident scene to assist you and anyone else who may be hurt.
- Receive medical care. Allow medical professionals to examine your injuries and, if warranted, take you to a hospital.
- Speak to the police. Tell police officers what happened leading up to your collision, and they will use the information you provide in their accident report.
- Get the other driver’s information. Ask the other motorist for their contact, driver’s license, and insurance information so you can file a claim.
- Gather visual proof. Capture photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries, as these give you evidence to use in your case against a liable party.
- Notify your insurance provider. Discuss your accident with your insurance company, and the business will open a claim and investigate.
- Along with these things, connect with a car accident lawyer in Renton within days of your crash. Premier Law Group provides free Washington law guide books and other legal resources to auto accident victims. Schedule a consultation with our lawyers.
Type of Injuries a Person Can Suffer in a Car Accident
Car accident injuries range from bruises and scrapes to spinal cord and brain injuries. The recovery time can last weeks or months, or injuries can permanently impact a person’s life. Here are common injuries that victims report in auto crashes:
- Cuts or abrasions
- Strains or sprains
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
If you are dealing with these or other serious injuries following your crash, consult with a Renton car accident attorney. Your lawyer will learn about your collision and determine who is at fault. They will work diligently to help you get your desired case results.
Who Is at Fault for Your Crash?
In many cases, a negligent driver is liable for an auto collision. For instance, a motorist ignores the rules of the road and drives faster than the posted speed limit. The driver cannot stop quickly enough to prevent an accident, and when the crash happens, they can be held accountable.
A mechanic, government entity, and other third parties can be liable for a car collision. To determine who is responsible for your crash, meet with a car accident attorney in Renton. They can identify any liable parties and help you seek compensation from them.
If you want to know who is liable for a car accident on private property in Washington State or have other legal questions, your lawyer has you covered. Your lawyer can address your legal concerns. They will help you make informed legal decisions.
How a Renton Car Accident Claim Works
Washington is an “at fault” state for auto insurance. This means that the driver who causes a collision may have to pay compensation to an injured victim. You can request compensation from an at-fault driver via an insurance claim.
When you file a claim with an insurance company, an adjuster will work to determine who is at fault for the accident. However, the insurance adjuster is likely focused on contesting your claim. As such, you should not admit fault or take responsibility for a crash when talking to an insurance company or any of their representatives.
A Renton auto accident lawyer understands rollover accidents and other types of collisions. They will gather evidence to support your argument and prove to an insurance company that you deserve 100% of the damages you are requesting. They can also provide insights into how to prove brake checking in a car accident and other aspects of your case.
How to File Your Lawsuit
Your lawyer can share a step-by-step guide for accident victims in Washington. They can walk you through the legal process of a lawsuit. Your attorney can determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit and, if so, submit your damages request promptly.
Filing a lawsuit does not guarantee you will receive compensation for your crash-related losses. It is your responsibility to prove negligence. You must show a liable party is responsible for your collision to compel a judge or jury to award full damages.
To prove negligence, you must verify that a liable party had a duty of care, which is a legal obligation to avoid careless and reckless acts. Also, you must illustrate that this party violated their duty of care, leading to your accident. In addition, you must show that you are dealing with damages due to the party’s actions.
Compensatory Damages You Can Request in Your Lawsuit
If a motorist breaks Washington State’s right of way laws or other legal requirements, hold them accountable. Have a Renton auto accident attorney protect your legal rights and seek economic and non–economic damages on your behalf. Here are the common types of damages you can recover in an auto crash lawsuit.
Car Repairs
Your car is damaged in your collision. To get your vehicle back up and running, you spend a lot of money on repairs. Your lawyer examines the costs of your vehicle repairs, ensuring you request fair compensation for these and similar losses.
Medical Treatments
Immediately following your accident, you receive medical attention. Yet, the costs of treating your catastrophic injuries, psychological trauma, and other harm can be substantial. Thankfully, your lawyer can use your medical records and other forms of proof to show how badly you were hurt and why you should get damages for your medical care.
Loss of Income
If you cannot work due to your accident-related injuries, you could suffer significant financial losses. In a personal injury lawsuit, you can ask for damages relating to your lost income. Your attorney will account for your current and future lost earnings as they determine how much your personal injury claim is worth.
Pain and Suffering
Head-on collisions, sideswipe accidents, and other types of crashes can cause psychological and physical pain and suffering. These problems can stay with you long after your crash. Your lawyer considers your pain and suffering and looks for witnesses who can provide details about your collision and how it has affected your quality of life.
A judge or jury determines what dollars in compensation for serious personal injuries in Washington are awarded. During your litigation, the court will learn how your accident and injuries will impact your life moving forward. It will consider the extent of damage you have suffered and other factors.
Evidence You Can Use in Your Case
A legal team can examine evidence in combination with other factors relating to your case. You may need a wealth of proof to show you are in no way liable for your collision. Proof you can use in your case can include:
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Surveillance and traffic camera footage
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and toxicology test results
Get help from a Renton car accident law firm that has received many positive client testimonials. The firm’s lawyers can review the facts of your accident, build a body of proof, and prepare a list of witnesses who can testify on your behalf. Next, they can file your lawsuit in alignment with Washington State’s statute of limitations.
How Much Time do You Have to File Your Lawsuit?
Per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080, the statute of limitations is three years for suing for damages based on an auto collision. This applies to rear-end accidents, T-bone accidents, and many other types of auto accidents. If you wait too long from the date of your collision to submit your lawsuit, you could be solely responsible for your crash-related losses.
With fatal accidents, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit is three years. If a family member dies in an auto collision due to no fault of their own, you may be eligible to sue. To find out, discuss your case with a Renton wrongful death lawyer.
A wrongful death attorney is empathetic and caring. They will help you seek justice from anyone who contributed to this incident. At the same time, they will examine the financial losses you and your family members face following the death of your loved one in an auto crash.
Tips to Help You with Your Case
Rear-end collisions and similar incidents are reported every day. If you are involved in one of these incidents, get legal help. Partner with a lawyer who will give your case the attention it deserves, and they will provide tips to help you at each stage of your litigation, including:
Focus on Your Recovery
Go to a doctor and follow their instructions so you can treat your injuries. At this point, gather detailed records relating to your injuries. These can show the medical issues you face and could put you in a great position to secure the damages you want.
Look for Evidence and Expert Witnesses
Work with your lawyer to collect evidence and find witnesses who can speak about your collision. Your body of proof can make or break your case. Meanwhile, witnesses add credibility to your argument, and they can help you make it clear to a judge or jury that the defendant in your case should be held responsible for their actions.
Explore All of Your Legal Options
Be open to settlement negotiations with an at-fault party and their insurance company. Your lawyer can negotiate a settlement and keep you updated about offers. If you get a proposal, you can review it with your attorney and determine if it is in your best interests to accept, reject, or counter it.
Avoid Publishing Content on Social Media
Update family and friends about your collision via emails, text messages, and phone and video calls. If you publish content about your crash on social networks, a liable party and their insurance can access it. Either party may try to use this content in their case against you.
Do Not Speak to an At-Fault Party or Their Insurer About Your Crash
Allow your lawyer to handle your communications with a liable party or their insurance company. By speaking to either party about your collision, you risk saying something that could compromise your case. Alternatively, your attorney can discuss your case and provide updates as your litigation progresses.
In cases involving fatal accidents and others, plaintiffs are not alone. Your lawyer understands the challenges you will face throughout your litigation. They provide recommendations and suggestions to address these problems.
How Comparative Negligence Applies to Your Case
In auto accidents on highways and other roads, an at-fault motorist could claim that other drivers are liable. If the liable driver is successful, they may only have to pay a portion of the damages that were initially requested. This is due to Washington‘s pure comparative negligence statute.
Multiple parties can share responsibility in an accident injury claim, which can impact the damages you recover. For example, a car crash victim files a lawsuit and is found to be 20% liable for their losses. This means the defendant will have to pay 80% of the damages that were originally requested.
You can still recover damages in a case where you are 99% at fault for your auto collision. Fortunately, your attorney is focused on maximizing compensation for victims. They consider the case against you and how to dispute claims from any parties claiming you are at fault.
Our Renton Car Accident Lawyers Are Committed to Providing the Highest Level of Service
Choosing to deal with the aftermath of an auto collision by yourself can be problematic. Ultimately, an at-fault party or their insurance company could blame you for the crash and do everything within their power to contest your claim. With experienced legal representation at your side, you could avoid this issue altogether.
The Premier Law Group team prioritizes our clients’ best interests. We have secured over $100 million in damages and will commit the time and resources to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for more information.