Car accidents can make you feel overwhelmed and confused about the actions to follow next. It happens quickly with no warning. If you think someone else's reckless driving is the cause You may even be angry. You may be suffering as well -- not just physically, but also emotionally.
There's no need to be alone.
Accident victims in car accidents rarely notice their injuries shortly, and they're frequently amazed by how much frustration they'll encounter during the claims process for insurance.
Unfortunately, insurance companies for autos make it much more difficult to recover than it needs to be. Their initial settlement agreements usually do not reflect the full amount the victims are entitled to.
You or someone that know is injured in a Washington accident and you're injured, you could be eligible for a greater value of reimbursement than you think. The at-fault driver along with their respective insurance firms aren't likely to provide the full amount without legal assistance, by hiring an attorney, you could dramatically increase the odds of recovering the maximum amount.
We are our attorneys for car accidents in Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law are here to fight to recover every cent you're due. Here, we'll outline the rights you have, your options as well as your the obligations you have by Washington State law. We'll also discuss the ways we can assist you without having to pay any upfront fees or take funds out of your pockets. We provide services to clients from Tacoma and Olympia.
What Is a Car Accident Lawyer?
A lawyer in car accidents will be your advocate on behalf of justice.
A knowledgeable lawyer knows that your ideal outcome is the one that counts. We at Fuller & Fuller, do not take the quickest way out or the quickest route to a lower-value settlement. We seek out strategies for maximizing compensation. It's our job.
Insurance companies are huge and powerful, however, the law demands justice, and we're trying to level our playing field to the person -the person who isn't entitled to losses due to the negligence of someone else.
Also, we're here to assist with difficult tasks such as making calls, filling out insurance forms, gathering medical records, looking over police reports, examining accident scenes, and engaging in aggressive negotiations -- things that you'd prefer not to do, but that must be completed. We're able to tackle these things correctly and we're pledging that to you.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Car Accident?
Washington state law permits various types of damage in cases of auto accidents.
The number of damages you can claim in your claim will vary based on the extent of your injuries and the amount of insurance coverage. In the majority of cases, compensation may comprise:
- Hospital and doctor bills
- Other medical costs
- Bodily suffering and pain
- Emotional distress
- Value loss to your vehicle
- Lost income
- Rental car costs
- The cost of household help
- Future earnings loss
- Damages for wrongful death (e.g. funeral expenses and loss of companionship etc.)
- The cash you owe from your pocket
What Are Washington's Car Insurance Requirements?
Similar to every other state, Washington requires each driver to keep a minimum level of auto insurance. Although many drivers opt to pay more than the minimum coverage, some choose to drive without insurance coverage whatsoever (even when it's not legal).
It is important to be aware of the state's minimum requirements, which will not only determine the amount of insurance you'll have to purchase but also the amount of coverage that could be offered to you if a reckless driver causes injury to you. Washington's insurance requirements for cars include:
- Bodily accident responsibility: coverage of at the minimum of $25,000 per individual or $50,000 in the event of an accident
- Property damages responsibility: coverage of at minimum $10,000
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): The minimum PIP levels include $10,000 and $25,000 UM coverage. Washington Law requires that the insurance company provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as well as uninsured motorist insurance (UM) if you do not waive your right to PIP or UM. Be wary of relegating your right to this vital insurance.
- Uninsured Driver (bodily accident): coverage of a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 for each accident.
- underinsured motorist (property damages): coverage of at least $10,000 per incident
What Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Washington?
As if getting hit by a drunk or reckless or reckless driver isn't enough, imagine finding out that the driver was operating illegally without insurance for their car.
This happens more often than you believe. We've seen an increase in uninsured and underinsured motorist crashes in the wake of the economic downturn of the past decade.
Many insurance companies in Washington provide protection options to protect you in these situations. Underinsured Motorist Insurance protects you if the driver has insurance, but it's not enough. Uninsured Motorist Insurance begins when the driver who is at fault does not have any insurance in any way. Insurance companies often lump all of these coverages under the same policy, referred to as UMC. In either case, you'll be covered only within the policy limits in the UMC provision.
The decision to purchase Underinsured Motorist Insurance is a good idea. It's the most effective line to protect yourself against motorists who don't adhere to Washington's insurance requirements and could assist your lawyer in pursuing damages for you. While the majority of insurance policies for autos in Washington include these coverages automatically, however, you have the option to waive your rights to these coverages in writing. Many people don't realize the waiver they made to purchase insurance. This is why it's best to contact your insurance company today to confirm that you're covered.
What Is PIP in Washington?
Washington is among the few states that offer personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy that, if you purchase it, the policy covers the cost of medical bills and/or loss of income (up to the limits of your policy) regardless of who's legally responsible for the accident.
PIP may make it easier for you to obtain insurance coverage even if you're at fault or the issue of fault isn't quite clear, but that does not mean that reckless drivers can be excused from responsibility. The parties at fault are often required to pay back PIP funds in the course of your settlement. The procedure for making these decisions is a bit tangled. In general, you should be assisted by an experienced attorney to protect your rights. The good thing is that, if you've got an attorney, you'll likely reduce the amount you be required to pay back PIP.
Similar to Underinsured Motorist Protection Personal Injury Protection, also known as UIM, is often included in the auto insurance policies of Washington. However, you have the option to waive the policy in writing. Contact your insurance provider and be sure that you're protected.
Who Will Pay My Compensation in a Washington Car Accident?
In most instances, the insurance company of the driver-at-fault company is legally required to compensate for any damages caused by their policyholder (up to the limit of coverage). Drivers can also be held personally liable when they are responsible for the accident.
What happens if both drivers are faulted in some way? What happens if you get hurt is that the motorist who was at fault is most likely responsible, however, you could be a bit to blame.
The answer is contingent on the state in which you're located. In Washington, we use a law known as "Comparative Negligence". This means that each party takes on part of the responsibility (usually determined as a percentage to the court or by both lawyers in negotiations) and the amount of compensation is modified accordingly.
Let's look at a case study.
There is an intersection, but you let your car drive over it, causing your car to be stretched out into the intersection. Another car drives by at 100mph, swerves through a red light, and then hits your head. The driver who hit you isn't hurt however you are (to the amount of $50,000). The court could decide that the driver who was speeding was primarily responsible, but you are responsible for about 10 percent of the blame. In the context of the comparative Negligence law, the amount of your recovery is reduced to 10% which would result in a total amount of $45,000 for your benefit.
Steps to Take After a Washington Car Accident
If you've ever been involved in a car crash before you're aware of how tense and painful it is.
If it hasn't happened yet to you, remember that statistics indicate that most American drivers will have at least one minor car accident during their lives. You might be amazed by how disorienting and confusing the first few minutes following an accident can be. But the actions you take at the time of the collision are crucial.
Now, take a moment to save these steps in memory (or save them on your smartphone or within the dash compartment of your car).
- Be calm. It will be easy to let your emotions overwhelm you so take a moment to take a breath.
- Contact an emergency number. Dial 911. Keep calm. Even if there aren't indications of damage, you need to remain calm and await the arrival of the police.
- Find the signs of injuries. Assess yourself. Do you notice any signs of injuries? If yes, please let 911 know. Check for other people in the area who needs assistance as well.
- Find names and information. Ask for the driver's name as well as insurance details. If the driver appears to be dangerous or angry, or in a state of coma, ask the police officer to obtain the information you need. (If witnesses are present keep track of their contact information before leaving the location.)
- Take photos. Get detailed photos of both the vehicles and their damages. Photograph wide-angle shots of the entire scene, If you can (but do not risk yourself). Photograph the license plates and also any accidents.
- Notify your insurance company. Your insurance policy likely requires you to start this process sooner rather than later.
- You should seek non-urgent medical attention. Even if you weren't required to be taken to an ambulance at the time of the incident, it is recommended that you take a trip to the doctor immediately if you feel any discomfort within the following days of the incident. Medical records play a crucial aspect in proving the claim.
- Contact our Washington attorneys for car wrecks. We recommend you make a point to include Fuller as well as Fuller, Attorneys at Law to your phone's list of contacts. Enter 800-570-4878 as "Car Accident Lawyer."
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
We recommend that you at a minimum speak to a knowledgeable lawyer about your options before signing any papers or making any decision regarding legal actions. There's a chance that you're legally entitled to more than you think. Research has shown that victims of injuries tend to get more compensation if they are represented by a car accident lawyer.
Washington Car Accident Lawyers
Do not take on insurance companies on your own Don't accept less than you're worth. The car accident lawyers of Fuller & Fuller are here to fight for you to get the most favorable result.
We won't charge you a fee unless and until we can get you cash.
Contact us as soon as you can to receive a no-cost consultation, without obligation. The strict legal deadlines apply to these cases, so do not delay. Contact Fuller right away.
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