Auto Accident Injury in Washington

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Washington? 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 WA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in 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. Even though Washington has a comprehensive plan to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries in traffic accidents, there is much work to do. That is, the Washington Department of Transportation’s 2019 statistics are alarming.

That year, there were approximately 111,500 traffic accidents in the Evergreen State. In these, 506 individuals lost their lives and nearly 2,000 sustained serious injuries. While traffic accidents occurred for many reasons, inexperienced, distracted, drowsy and impaired drivers contributed to about 30% of all reported crashes in Washington in 2019.

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.

Title 46, Section 46.52.030 of the Washington Revised Codes requires you to report any car accident that a police officer has not already reported if any of the following is true:

• The accident causes $700 or more in total property damage
• The accident causes someone’s death
• The accident causes someone’s injury

Washington law only gives you four days to report any accident that meets one of the above criteria to the WDOT.

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

Car accident injuries and fatalities are exceedingly expensive in the Evergreen State. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the economic impact of traffic injuries and fatalities was $930 million in 2018 alone. Along with roughly $10 million in medical costs, the estimated economic toll includes more than $920 million in work losses.

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 WA

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. Like many other states, Washington takes a fault-based approach for compensating car accident victims. This means the person who causes the accident must pay for damages. Likewise, because of Washington’s pure comparative fault statute, anyone who sustains a legally cognizable injury may pursue financial compensation from at-fault parties.

Statute of Limitations in WA

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. Because Washington’s statute of limitations for car accidents is typically three years, you likely must file a claim within three years of the date of the accident. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.

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 In Washington

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 WA!

There are other areas of Washington law that could apply to your case. But if we’ve got you covered, go to our home page to get matched with a local lawyer today.