Automobile Accidents
Automobile Accidents
Nothing can ever prepare you for the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that arise in the aftermath of a traumatic auto accident. The good news is, you don’t have to tackle these hardships alone. Our Spokane car accident attorneys can build a strong claim and protect you against unfair tactics used by insurance companies. Our goal is to make sure you get the medical treatment you need and the maximum recovery available under the law.
When insurance companies do not cooperate, we will take the case to trial and aggressively represent your interests. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in Spokane County, Adams County, or Grant County, call us today at (509) 495-1246 to schedule a FREE consultation.
Washington State restricts the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. You have three years from the date of the accident to pursue compensation. The sooner you attain legal representation for your car accident case, the better the likelihood of winning your case. Don’t delay.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental injury and premature death in Washington state. Most often, they are caused by driver negligence, defective car parts, or dangerous road conditions due to improper maintenance. Most traffic accidents are not “accidents” but rather the result of another driver’s negligent or reckless behavior, including:
In addition to negligent actions, traffic accidents can be caused by:
Rear-end collisions occur when a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these accidents account for nearly 30 percent or one-third of all auto accidents in the United States.
Head-on collisions happen when the front ends of two cars heading in opposite directions crash into one another. These are among the most devastating types of car accidents because they are most likely to result in serious injury or death. These accidents are usually caused by the negligent actions of one of the drivers, which may include:
Side-impact collisions happen when the front or back of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle. These accidents, also referred to as broadside or T-bone collisions are most likely to occur in intersections and parking lots where vehicles are traveling perpendicular to one another.
Vehicle Rollovers occur when a car flips over on its side or roof. These accidents are usually violent and have high fatality rates as drivers and passengers may be ejected from the car.
The National Safety Council reports that 20 percent of all people involved in rear-end collisions suffer a whiplash injury. Even at a relatively low speed, a car accident can cause a violent impact. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are common in accidents. Whiplash is a type of soft tissue injury that occurs because of the “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement” of the neck. While they are most commonly associated with rear-end collisions, these injuries can occur in any type of motor vehicle accident. Some of the specific symptoms and ailments that are associated with whiplash include:
All whiplash injuries require immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, many people fail to seek proper care for whiplash. It may feel like whiplash is an injury that you can “walk off” or “let get better on its own”—but this is simply not the case. Neck pain should always be evaluated. The sooner you get medical attention, the better position you will be in to recover from a whiplash injury.
For a number of different reasons, it can be difficult for people to recover financial compensation for their whiplash injuries. As whiplash is fundamentally a type of soft tissue damage, there is no one definitive test that can be used to prove the existence and severity of a whiplash injury. The good news is that there are proactive steps you can take to protect your legal rights. An experienced Spokane, WA car accident attorney can help you put together the evidence you need to prove the extent and severity of your whiplash injuries.
Auto accidents are among the most common causes of severe injuries in our region. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) reports that approximately 50,000 people are hurt in traffic collisions in the state each year. If you were injured in a crash, you need financial compensation to pay your medical bills and support your loved ones.
There are many factors that will affect the timeline of your case. In this article, our Spokane car accident attorneys provide a brief overview of key things to know about the timeline for bringing a personal injury claim in Washington State.
The average car accident injury claim takes between two months and twelve months to reach a final settlement. In some cases, there is a fierce dispute over fault or damages. Remember, it is important to be patient. Do not settle your personal injury case for less than you rightfully deserve.
Every auto accident injury claim is different. As a general rule, the more severe the injuries and the more complicated the accident, the longer it will take to resolve the case. Here are three things you must do before trying to settle a car accident injury case:
Calculating the true value of your claim is our most important job. We wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (as close to full recovery as possible) before we submit a demand letter to the insurer. This enables us to account for every penny owed. Here is a brief overview of our process of building a strong claim:
Prove Liability
An accident results in legal liability when you can establish that someone else’s negligent actions caused your accident and subsequent injuries. To prove negligence, you must show the following about the alleged at-fault party:
Our auto accident lawyers will gather evidence including police reports, photographs, witness statements, medical records, accident reconstruction, and more to make the case that you were a victim of negligence. A thorough investigation on our end enables us to negotiate more effectively with the insurance adjuster. We will also consult with your doctor/s and other medical experts who can confirm that the accident was the “proximate cause” of your injury.
Demonstrate Damages Incurred
A personal injury claim doesn’t exist without the ability to show that you’ve suffered economic (monetary) and non-economic losses as the result of someone else’s negligence. We may consult not only with your doctor/s but with financial and vocational experts who can attest to your immediate and long-term financial issues. Albrecht Law can help to identify and calculate your total damages.
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, there are certain key steps you can take to improve your chances of recovering a fair settlement.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company: Even if the crash was not your fault, you need to notify your insurance company and open a claim. Be sure to never admit fault and stick to the facts when speaking with an insurance adjuster.
One in six motorists are driving uninsured. If you were hit by an uninsured driver, you can most likely recover from your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage up to your policy limit. If the driver has insurance but not enough to cover your losses, you may be able to recover the difference from your own underinsured (UIM) policy limit.
Many accidents occurred along the major corridors of I-5, I-90, US-2, I-84, and I-405. Interstate 5 is considered to be the busiest and most dangerous highway in Washington State. In addition to the traffic congestion – construction, road maintenance, and road paving all play a role in making this a problematic road to travel on. U.S. Highway 2 between Everett and Stevens Pass is notoriously known as the “highway of death.” More than 60 deadly crashes have occurred on this 70-mile stretch of road since 1999. Oncoming traffic on this two-lane country road is only separated by yellow lines.
US 195: US 195 connects Spokane with Pullman. Accidents can happen anywhere on 195, but are most prevalent in Hangman Valley in Spokane, the road’s busiest stretch.
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 25% of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. are weather-related. Unfortunately, Inland Northwest residents know all too well what it’s like to drive in adverse weather conditions.
Collisions: The areas that tend to be the most dangerous include all the mountain passes including I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, U.S. 2 over Stevens Pass and White Pass. Heavy snowfall in this region creates the potential for avalanches, and in many cases, the passes need to be temporarily shut down. To make it safer to drive in inclement weather, Washington has made it legal to use studded tires Nov 1-March 31. Vehicles heavier than 10,000 pounds are required to carry tire chains.
In an auto accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will cover your medical expenses and wage loss during your recovery. In Washington state, all auto insurance providers must offer PIP coverage to their policyholders. In the event of an accident, PIP coverage must, at a minimum, provide the following coverage:
When a lawsuit is brought forward for damages caused by a car accident, a judge or jury will follow the rule of pure comparative negligence to determine who is at fault. Under this rule, if you were partially responsible for your accident, you can still collect damages, but your settlement or award would be reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributed to you. For example, if you have a claim that results in $100,000 of injury and the other driver was 80% at fault and you were 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. You are entitled to benefits under PIP regardless of who is at fault. To collect PIP benefits, we can help you setup a PIP claim with your insurer so that your medical providers bill your insurer directly.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.