Nothing in the world can prep you to face the consequences of a car accident. Sadly, such accidents and crashes are not rare in Spokane. Hundreds of serious and fatal car crashes are reported in Washington every year.
After a crash, the first step is to call 911. You have to get medical attention for your injuries without delay. You should also call the police and inform them of the accident. Consider taking photos and videos of the accident scene if you can and exchange personal & insurance info with other drivers. Once things settle a bit, check online for a reliable Spokane personal injury attorney. An attorney can improve your chances of getting a fair settlement. Below are a few basic things worth knowing about Washington laws.
Comparative fault in Washington
Washington is a claimant-friendly state. It follows the pure comparative fault system, which allows you to make a financial recovery from the other at-fault party even when you are more at fault. However, you will only get a part of the awarded settlement, depending on your share in fault. In other words, you can sue the other at-fault driver even when you are more than 50% at fault.
The statute of limitations
Like most states, Washington also has a statute of limitations, which sets the limit for car accident lawsuits. If you want to file a civil lawsuit in Spokane, you have to do so within three years from the date of the accident. If you miss that deadline as set by the statute of limitations, your case will be dismissed. The deadline remains the same even when you are using just for property damage or wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit after losing a loved one.
Meeting an injury attorney
Not all injury attorneys in Spokane are the same, and therefore, you have to do your homework and select a reliable law firm. Make sure that your injury attorney is working on a contingency fee and ask them about their work profile and expertise in person. Also, ask about the worth of your claim. Most personal injury lawsuits don’t go to trial, but if your case needs that, you need an attorney with courtroom confidence.
It can take a while to get a settlement for your car accident claim. If you had a share in fault or have sustained serious injuries and losses, don’t delay getting help from a reliable injury attorney.