Have you ever been injured in a car accident? If so, the aftermath can be overwhelming and confusing. With so many questions swirling around your head, it’s easy to feel lost and unsure of what steps to take next. As Bellingham car accident attorneys with decades of experience, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about car accident cases to help guide you through this challenging time. From understanding your legal rights to navigating the claims process, our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions and get back on track as quickly as possible. Whether you were injured in a car accident, truck accident, or pedestrian vs. car accident – let us be your go-to resource for answers and support!
While you technically don’t need a car accident lawyer, you will benefit greatly from the expertise one provides. Although Car Accident FAQ are great, sometimes questions can be more detailed and be very different depending on details. Automobile accident lawyers are especially qualified to negotiate with insurance companies to get you the biggest settlement possible. In fact, studies show that people who hire a personal injury attorney receive car crash settlements several times what they could negotiate on their own.
Car accident clients only pay a percentage of the settlement; there are no up-front costs to hire a car crash lawyer and clients only pay the attorney fees if a settlement is obtained. Because of this arrangement, the attorney is motivated to settle cases for the highest amount possible.
Car crash settlements will typically cover economic damages such as medical expenses related to the injury plus lost wages and damage to your vehicle. You may also be able to recover for non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
For a minor accident turn on your hazard lights and call 911; a police report is important for all car accident claims. Unless you are seriously injured, write down the names and badge numbers of the responding officers and take pictures of the scene including license plates, skid marks on the road and any damage to vehicles. If you are seriously injured, remain in your vehicle; wait for first responders to arrive and treat your injuries. Do not admit any fault to the responding officer and immediately contact your own insurance company to notify them about the accident. Do not post any details about the accident on social media.
If you were not fully treated on the day of the injury, seek medical care as soon as possible. As soon as you are able, contact a qualified personal injury lawyer; he or she can help walk you through the settlement process. You may also want to request and obtain a copy of the accident report and a property damage estimate from a qualified auto body shop. Keep a record of all healthcare visits directly related to the accident and notate all symptoms and pain that you are experiencing. Keep paper copies of all healthcare receipts, test results, prescriptions and treatments. Keep track of any missed workdays and additional out-of-pocket expenses. The insurance company for the at-fault party may call you for a recorded statement; never agree to this. Understand that you should give a recorded statement to your own insurance company. Never admit guilt or accept a settlement from an insurance agency; contact a car accident attorney first.
When you hire a car accident attorney, they handle every aspect of your injury claim, including gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to build the claim. The injured party (plaintiff) must prove the following four elements in a car accident case with the help of their attorney:
1. A legal duty of care was owed
When driving a car, we owe a legal duty of care to everyone else on the road to operate our vehicle with a reasonable standard of care.
2. A duty was breached
In the case of a car accident, the plaintiff must prove that the person who caused the accident was not operating within their legal duty of care. The “reasonable person standard” is used to compare the actions of the defendant to what a reasonable driver would have done in the same situation. If it is decided that a reasonable driver would have acted more carefully, then the defendant can be considered negligent and at least partially at fault for the accident. If the driver was also cited for traffic violation in relation to the accident, that can help strengthen the case that a duty was breached.
3. Causation
The plaintiff must show that the other driver’s actions directly caused their injuries. In other words, the accident would not have happened if the other driver had acted responsibly, and the injuries were a predictable result of their behavior.
4. The breach of duty led to injuries
Proving negligence is not enough to make a person responsible for an accident or injuries. The connection must be made that the driver’s negligence was the direct or proximate cause of the accident and therefore would not have happened had a reasonable driver been there in his place.
We look forward to answering all of your questions and speaking with you about your legal needs. Call our office or send us a message through our consultation request form today; we will provide a FREE initial consultation and case evaluation. Our attorneys offer home and hospital visits with evening and weekend appointments available.[/vc_column_text]