Personal Injury Law in Bellingham, WA

Were you hurt due to another’s negligence in Bellingham? If so, it may have far-reaching consequences such as a loss of wages or extensive medical treatment. Personal injury law allows an injured person to get damages if the responsible person acted recklessly. A personal injury attorney in Bellingham, WA can help navigate the lawsuit to make sure you receive all of the compensation you deserve.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law in Bellingham relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.

Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Bellingham, WA

Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.

A few of the most common personal injury claims are:

• Car Accidents
• Slip and Fall
• Dog Bites
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Accidents
• Burn Injuries

Most Common Injuries in Bellingham 

The Washington State Department of Health reports an average of 305.4 per 100,000 people experienced unintentional injuries. In total, this resulted in 39,564 incidents statewide that led to hospitalizations. For the northern region of Washington, motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of injury-related death. As a result, Bellingham residents can empathize with the consequences that follow a personal injury.

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Bellingham, WA

Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Washington

A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations, and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either settlement or a court appearance.

Before going to trial in Bellingham, mediation efforts can become mandatory at the discretion of a judge. Washington legislation does not require that this happens, but most personal injury cases settle out of court. Parties that find a settlement due to attending these sessions can save significant time, money, and heartache. However, if it becomes clear that a mutual resolution is not possible, a judge and jury can have the final word on the matter.

Washington Personal Injury Settlement

With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and factors that impact the final amount.

Washington law makes a distinction between economic and non-economic damages for settlements. The latter involves reimbursement for damages like repairs to your property or medical bills. A jury in Bellingham can also award a plaintiff monetary compensation for less tangible things like pain and suffering. The amount obtained is often left confidential, but your attorney can provide perspective based on the details of your case.

If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, going to court in WA means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Washington

If your Washington personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills, and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant to compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rarely awarded and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific.

Civil cases in Washington do not have a cap or limit for awards at the time of writing. However, it does have a unique restriction on punitive damages. A person or organization in Bellingham cannot seek compensation for intentional, reckless, or malicious acts. However, current law does allow a jury to assign any amount they deem appropriate for pain and suffering

Statute of Limitations in Bellingham, WA Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is 3 years. Failing to file on time can result in a quick dismissal of your claim by a judge in Bellingham.

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury.

Work With an Experienced Bellingham, WA Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in Bellingham against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Washington state lines.

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