Auto Accident Injury in Seattle, WA

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Seattle? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Seattle, WA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Seattle, Washington

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. In the same year, the State of Washington recorded 111,641 total crashes, resulting in nearly 2,500 combined serious injuries and fatalities according to The Washington State Department of Transportation. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 5.7% decrease in state-wide fatalities involving alcohol impairment from 2017-2018, 2019 still saw a concerning amount of incidents with 500. The state’s current Strategic Highway Safety Plan, known as Target Zero, holds the bold aim of achieving zero traffic deaths and zero serious injuries on the state’s roadways by 2030.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

If the accident you’re involved in is not investigated by a police officer or sheriff’s deputy at the scene and there are resulting injuries and/or the total estimated damage equals or exceeds $1,000, then you’ll need to file a report within 4 days from the date of the accident with the State Department of Motor Vehicles. A copy of the report will usually be available two weeks after submission through the Washington State Patrol at a cost of $10.50 (at the time of this writing). Failure to report a qualifying incident may result in driver’s license suspension, pursuant to Revised Code of Washington, 46.52.035. 

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, estimated economic costs due to motor vehicle crashes in Washington totaled nearly $4.47 billion in 2010. Spread equally amongst all state-wide crashes that year gives each crash an average expense of about $44,000. For 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated $10 million in medical costs associated with traffic crash deaths in the state, two-thirds of which involved cars. Broken down by age, 37% of the total cost estimate was generated by adults aged 35-64.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Washington

Liability Laws for Seattle

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. In Seattle, as well as the whole of Washington, your level of fault in causing a collision diminishes the amount of damages you can claim, but does not prevent recovery altogether. If you were found to be 60% responsible for causing the crash, you’d only be able to recover 40% of the damages, for example. According to the Revised Code of Washington (46.30.020), you must carry proof of financial responsibility while driving a registered motor vehicle. Usually, this will take the form of liability insurance.

Statute of Limitations in Seattle

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. While there are some exceptions, you generally have within three years to file a personal injury claim after a traffic crash (Revised Code of Washington, 4.16.080).

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Seattle, WA

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Washington!