Washington Car Accident Lawyer Helping Clients Get Fair Compensation After an Accident in Lacey

It is estimated that over eighty-six thousand car accidents happened in the state of Washington in 2020 alone, with more than 500 of them resulting in a fatality. What should you do if you were injured in a car accident? How do you know if you have a case and are eligible to receive compensation? Our car accident law firm has helped many clients in Lacey, WA, and surrounding areas to recover a fair settlement after a car accident — here are a few important things you need to know.

What Should I Do After Getting Involved in a Car Accident?

If you were involved in a car accident, your first priority is to get medical help for yourself and for anyone else that may have been hurt. If you are safely able to do so, call law enforcement to report the accident, and take pictures and videos of the scene of the car crash. You will also need to obtain the other driver’s contact information and insurance information, as well as the contact information for any witnesses. If possible, get a copy of the police report.

Even if you don’t feel hurt, it is important to be examined by a medical professional, as certain types of injuries may not manifest themselves for a few days after the accident. You may have a hard time proving that an injury that did not show symptoms for days or weeks after the crash was actually caused by the car accident unless you have medical records documenting it.

What Happens if I Was Partially to Blame for the Accident?

Unlike other states that bar victims from recovering compensation if they are more than 50% to blame for the accident, victims of a car crash in Washington may still recover compensation regardless of whether they contributed to the accident or not. The state goes by the pure contributory negligence rule, which allows a judge or a jury to determine the percentage of fault assigned to a victim.

For example, suppose your claim would be worth $10,000.00 but it is determined that you were 40% at fault for the accident, your percentage of responsibility for the crash will be deducted from your total claim value. So, in this case, you would receive $6000. Even if you were more than 50% responsible, you would still be able to seek compensation. Working with a car accident attorney may help you build a strong case and reduce the percentage of blame assigned to you.

When Is It Worth Initiating a Lawsuit for Personal Injury After a Car Accident?

While it is true that not every car accident case will require the help of an attorney, anytime another driver causes an accident that resulted in significant injuries and/or property damage to your vehicle, you will be potentially looking at a significant settlement amount. When the driver is not insured or underinsured, or when their insurance is not treating you fairly, it may be worth speaking to a injury attorney to see if you have a case. You may be able to recover higher amounts via a civil lawsuit and get proper compensation for pain and suffering.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me?

After an accident, all you should be focusing on is healing and getting back on your feet. Instead, many car accident victims find themselves playing phone tag with insurance adjusters and dealing with a growing stack of bills. When you have a car accident attorney on your side, he or she can handle all the paperwork and phone calls for you, all while making sure you are being treated fairly and given enough compensation to cover all your losses.

At Capital Injury Law, we have helped many Lacey area clients recover maximum compensation for their auto accidents, and we can help you, too. Reach out to us at 360-209-3360 and request a no-commitment case evaluation.