A car crash is a stressful and sometimes life-altering experience, especially when it wasn’t even your fault. You could be forced to endure serious injuries and be away from work for months. Without an income, your bills can pile up fast, meaning hardships for you and your family.
One negligent driver should not be able to bring so much turmoil into your life. Our Renton car accident lawyers may be able to hold them accountable and seek financial compensation for your damages.
Our team at Premier Law Group has over 55 years of combined legal experience fighting for fair compensation on behalf of our clients. Call today for a free consultation and learn how our Renton personal injury lawyers can help with your case.
What to Do After a Car Crash
It is easy to panic after a car crash. If you are involved in an auto collision, try to remain calm. Some things you can do in the hours and days after your collision to protect yourself and others include:
- Receive medical care. See a doctor if you didn’t get medical care immediately after the crash and comply with their directions.
- 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.
- 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.
- Connect with a Renton car accident attorney within days of your crash to protect your rights and understand your best next steps.
Types of Injuries in an Auto Accident
Car crash injuries can be severe, and your recovery time can last weeks or months. Common injuries we often see in auto accident cases include:
- 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 our legal team today.
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. When a crash happens, they can be held accountable.
A mechanic, government entity, and other third parties can be liable for a car collision as well. Our legal team will work to identify all liable parties and help you seek compensation.
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. We can help you make informed legal decisions.
How a 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. Do not admit fault or take responsibility for a crash when talking to an insurance company or any of its representatives.
Our Renton car accident lawyer understands rollover accidents and other types of collisions. We will gather evidence to support your argument and prove to an insurance company that you deserve 100% of the damages you are requesting.
Compensatory Damages You Can Request in Your Lawsuit
If a motorist breaks Washington State’s right-of-way laws or other legal requirements, you may be able to hold them accountable for economic and non–economic damages. While each case is unique, these may include:
Car Repairs
Your car is damaged in a 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 property damages and similar losses.
Medical Treatments
Immediately following your accident, you receive medical attention. Yet, the costs of medical bills can be substantial. 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 may look for witnesses who can provide details about your collision and how it has affected your quality of life.
A judge or jury determines what compensation for serious personal injuries in Washington is 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.
For a FREE legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Renton, call (206) 285-1743
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Evidence You Can Use in Your Case
A legal team can examine evidence in combination with other factors relating to your personal injury 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
Our Renton auto accident law firm can review the facts of your accident, build a body of proof, and prepare a list of witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
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. 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 also 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.
Our wrongful death attorneys are 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.
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. It means multiple parties can share responsibility in an accident injury claim, which can impact the damages you recover.
You can still recover damages in a case where you are 99% at fault for your auto collision. Our attorneys are 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.
Get Help from Our Renton Car Accident Attorneys
Choosing to deal with the aftermath of an auto collision by yourself can be tough. Ultimately, an at-fault party or their insurance company could blame you for the crash and do everything within their power to deny your claim.
With experienced legal representation at your side, you could avoid this issue altogether. Our Renton car accident attorneys will work to hold the at-fault driver and their insurance company accountable for your hardships.
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 a free consultation.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.