Given the traffic in Seattle, accidents are bound to happen. Many commuters see the aftermath of accidents on Seattle roads almost every week. When these accidents happen, traffic slows to a crawl, and injured victims see their lives turned upside down.
At Premier Law Group, founded in 2001, our Seattle personal injury lawyers help accident victims like you get the compensation you need after a car accident. Our Seattle car accident lawyer has extensive experience and can explain your rights.
Why You Need Our Seattle Car Accident Lawyers
Seattle’s roadways can be challenging even in light traffic. When a driver makes the decision to act recklessly and puts your life on the line, you have every right to seek recovery for your damages. Our legal team at Premier Law Group will help you to overcome the most common obstacles you are likely to face during this process:
- We determine all parties at fault. If more than one person contributed to your accident, the city was responsible, or the driver’s employer, we want to make sure they pay for your losses as well. Expect us to investigate your case comprehensively to gather this data.
- We stop insurance company tactics in their tracks. Insurance adjusters will try to get you to settle for less than you are owed. They may try to trick you into accepting fault. By allowing us to handle the insurance company, you reduce these risks.
- We negotiate with confidence and evidence. Our long careers fighting for victims of Seattle car accidents make a difference in cases. We know what your case is worth and what it takes for the insurance company to settle fairly. Expect us to go to trial if necessary, though most of our evidence-backed claims end in a settlement for our clients.
You have injuries and losses due to the negligence of another driver. Let us fight for you. Turn to our Seattle car accident attorney for answers and results. Premier Law Group is a recognized attorney ready to fight for you. Browse our FAQs to learn more.
Seattle’s Most Dangerous Intersections
As Seattle continues to grow, even as public transportation options expand, it’s still very common to find yourself facing reckless driving on Interstate 5 or a driver tailgating you on Interstate 90. Many of the car accidents in Seattle happen in residential and commercial areas, on the streets you travel every day. Consider some of the most problematic and accident-prone intersections in the city and surrounding areas:
- 23rd Avenue South and Rainier Avenue South: This intersection is quite complex because six roadways converge in the area. This leads to both confusion and accidents from failure to yield the right of way.
- Boren Avenue and Pike Street: The sheer number of vehicles in this area near the market is a common problem, but this is also a high-risk area for pedestrian accidents.
- I-5 Southbound, near the Union Street Ramp: This ramp backs up, and that leads to high-speed crashes and deadly outcomes.
- Aurora Avenue North and North 85th Street: This busy intersection is a constant concern for several reasons, including speeding, heavy traffic and congestion, and drivers running red lights to get home sooner.
- Lake City Way NE and NE 125th Street: One of the most common causes of Seattle car accidents in this area is the left-hand turn. Drivers often have limited visibility or try to run the light, striking the driver with the right-of-way.
There are plenty of other dangerous intersections. When you are in an accident in any of these or other areas, let our Seattle car accident lawyer become your guide. We will gather the evidence to build your case, fight for fair compensation, and make sure your rights remain in focus.
Car Accident Causes in Seattle
There are many causes, but driver error is the leading cause. Many motorists make mistakes out of negligence or else drive recklessly. Some common causes include speeding, racing, tailgating, and illegal maneuvers. Other accidents are caused by dangerous road conditions, including ice, snow, and road defects. When a road defect is not repaired, the government or another entity responsible for the road may be to blame.
Still other accidents are caused by vehicle defects. Brakes that malfunction or seat belts that fail could contribute to our clients’ injuries. Manufacturers regularly recall vehicles that have serious problems that pose a danger to the public.
Identifying the cause of the accident is key because Washington’s motor vehicle laws place financial responsibility for the accident on the person or entity at fault. Our Premier Law Group case results show our long history of client success.
For a FREE legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Seattle, call (206) 285-1743
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Common Serious Injuries in Seattle Car Accidents
Any time you have injuries that require you to get medical care, hiring a Seattle car accident attorney becomes a valuable investment. This is particularly true when you have injuries that are likely to lead to long-term implications for your physical or mental health or impact your overall well-being.
If you have any of the following injuries, we strongly encourage you to speak to our legal team about your rights before you talk to the insurance company:
- Broken bones and complex fractures, especially involving surgery
- Head injuries, including skull fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck pain, including whiplash or soft tissue damage
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Spinal cord or spinal column injuries, including paralysis or damage to the vertebrae
- Lacerations and other soft tissue injuries
- Disfigurement from scarring
Catastrophic injuries include those resulting in permanent loss, such as permanent mobility loss or loss of vision. In these Seattle car wrecks, the risk is very real that you will not receive enough compensation to meet your ongoing needs. Our Seattle traumatic brain injury lawyer will work diligently with you to build a strong claim that incorporates all potential losses owed to you.
Compensation after an Accident in Seattle
After a serious car accident, you have financial, physical, and emotional losses, all of which you can pursue through a claim against the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Our trusted and compassionate Seattle car accident attorney will look at all ways you are suffering and build a maximum claim. An injured motorist can receive compensation to cover:
- Medical expenses, including future medical expenses for things like doctor visits, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription drugs, and assistive devices
- Lost wages, including lost future wages
- Property damage, such as damage to their vehicle
Many clients also receive compensation for pain and suffering, which describes the physical pain and anguish caused by injuries. You should speak with our Seattle car accident lawyer to identify the amount of pain and suffering compensation you might receive. Do not settle your claim without fair compensation for all of your losses. Browse our client reviews to learn more about our history of success.
Punitive Damages in Seattle Car Accidents
In some egregious car accidents, our clients also receive punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish the defendant and deter others from committing intentional or grossly negligent acts. Though punitive damages are rare, they may be available when the other driver’s carelessness warrants them.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations in Washington
After a car accident, focus on getting medical care and healing. Do not hesitate to contact our legal team immediately after that point. We want to get to work building your case right away. However, the Washington statute of limitations is a factor you need to consider.
The Washington statute of limitations (RCW 4.16.080) gives victims three full years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This gives you ample time to heal and reach full recovery before fighting for your right to compensation. That is a good thing, to some degree, because it allows you to more accurately understand long-term losses.
However, we do not want you to wait that long to receive compensation, and we often find that waiting too long makes evidence inaccessible or lost. For this reason, we encourage you to contact our Seattle car accident lawyer sooner rather than later. We will investigate your case, develop a comprehensive claim, and reach a settlement outside of court. However, when needed, we have the time to pursue a lawsuit against those at fault if you act now to protect your case.
Car Insurance in Washington State
This state requires that all people who register and drive a motor vehicle have insurance. Though some drivers can self-insure, most will buy insurance through a company like Allstate or Progressive. The state sets minimum levels under its mandatory insurance:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, up to $50,000 per accident
- $10,000 in property damage insurance
Victims of a car accident will file a claim under these policies to recover damages when the driver is at fault. In many situations, these minimum policy requirements are not enough to cover all of your losses. For that reason, many people have far more than these minimums in place.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage May Help You
Some drivers also carry underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, which can be a big help in an accident. For example, if you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the coverage can step in to cover your losses.
Our clients cannot make a claim under their bodily injury liability insurance, since that only pays out if they injure someone else. However, uninsured motorist coverage can kick in to pay compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Underinsured motorist coverage is also excellent insurance to have. It can pay compensation when the driver at fault for the collision has exhausted their benefits. For example, you might have suffered $100,000 in losses, but the driver only carries $25,000 in maximum liability benefits. Your own underinsured motorist coverage can step in to cover some of the rest.
Dealing with insurance adjusters can be confusing, and one of the main reasons we recommend that injured motorists contact us as quickly as possible. Schedule an appointment to meet our attorneys today.
Car Accident Myths
Our car accident lawyer in Seattle meets with many clients who hold misconceptions about car accidents they picked up from the Internet and TV. Some of the more common are:
- The car that strikes another car is always at fault. It usually works out this way, but it isn’t 100% true. Instead, the law states that a motorist is at fault if they were negligent, meaning they did not operate their vehicle with due care. Sometimes the driver of the car that got hit is to blame, as when, for example, a driver cuts off another motorist and gets rear-ended.
- All car accident cases settle. Most cases settle, but if there is a disagreement about fault or the severity of injuries, then a case might end up in court. Our lawyers are well-equipped to bring a lawsuit on your behalf.
- Homeowners’ insurance will pay for car accident injuries. This is not remotely true. Homeowners’ insurance rarely comes into play in car accident cases.
- If you contributed to your accident, you can’t receive compensation. This is also false. Washington has a “pure” comparative negligence legal scheme. This means a person could be 99% responsible for their accident and injuries and still receive compensation. The amount they receive will be reduced by their proportion of fault.
As the victim of a car accident in Seattle, you need a legal resource to turn to and put your trust in. You may not be sure of your rights, and that is very common. Do not count on the insurance company to treat you fairly. They will not. Our team will become your advocate in these cases.
Schedule a FREE Case Review with a Car Accident Attorney in Seattle Now
Contact Premier Law Group today. One of our car accident lawyers in Seattle will meet with you to review your case. Our clients never pay a fee unless we win their case, so there is no risk in calling.
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.