Bothell Personal Injury Lawyer | Accidents Caused by Negligence

Unexpected and preventable injuries happen to people every day. When another party’s actions have caused someone else’s harm, that party may have a legal obligation to pay the injured person’s damages.

Many believe that getting an attorney involved with their case may delay or complicate the claims process. In truth, working with a Bothell personal injury lawyer could spur the responsible party’s insurance company to engage in serious negotiations faster.

Additionally, proving defendant fault in cases like this can be extremely complicated without the guidance of seasoned legal counsel. An attorney could assist you with this process by collecting and compiling vital evidence that demonstrates you are not to blame for what happened to you. Contact us today to learn more about how our firm can help you following a personal injury.

Injury Claim Basics

When someone suffers an injury in an accident, negligence most likely played a role. Negligence is defined as the failure to use an appropriate degree of caution to protect others. Some incidents that commonly have negligence at their root include:

Vehicle crashes
Playground or recreational facility injuries
Accidents involving defective products
Medical errors
Dog bites
Fires
Slips, trips, and falls in public places
Industrial accidents

After sustaining a personal injury, a Bothell attorney could review the circumstances to identify negligent acts or omissions.

Typically, an injured party will submit a claim to the responsible party or their insurance company. In most cases, the insurance company responds with a settlement offer, and negotiations begin. Negotiations often conclude with the injured party accepting a settlement offer that provides reasonable compensation for their damages.

Unfortunately, responsible parties may sometimes refuse to negotiate in good faith. The claimant could then press their claim in court before a jury. A skilled Bothell attorney could present a compelling case that obtains the jury’s support and encourages them to make a generous damages award.

Damages Available in Bothell Injury Cases

An injured party’s damages are the losses they suffered due to an accident. A claimant who can prove another party’s negligence caused their injuries may be eligible to collect compensatory damages from the responsible party or their insurance company.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages include all the costs an injured person and their family incurred due to an injury, such as:

Lost income
Medical expenses
Rehabilitation and accommodation for the injury
Travel, parking, and meals while attending medical appointments
Other similar outlays

The value of any property lost or damaged in the accident is included in this calculation.

Compensatory damages also include payments to acknowledge the injured person’s inconvenience, disability, mental suffering, physical pain, and the injury’s impact on their lifestyle. When a claimant’s injuries are permanent or disabling, these non-economic losses often exceed the economic costs of the injury.

Comparative Negligence

If a claimant bears some responsibility for the incident, their damages may be affected. Washington Revised Statutes § 4.22.005 establishes the pure comparative negligence doctrine, meaning that each party involved in an accident is responsible for the damage they caused. A claimant who was 20 percent responsible for an accident will be 20 percent liable for their damages. The other negligent parties are responsible for the remaining 80 percent. During a private consultation, A Bothell attorney could further explain how comparative negligence plays a role in personal injury claims and how it may affect a specific case.

Proving Negligence in an Injury Case

One of the most important jobs of a personal injury attorney in Bothell is gathering evidence that proves another party’s negligence led to the claimant’s injury. Even though most claims never go to court, the ability to prove negligence is critical to successful settlement negotiations.

The specific evidence necessary to prove negligence depends on the type of incident that caused harm. In a car accident case, proving the other driver was at-fault in the crash is sufficient to establish liability. Proving liability in a medical malpractice case requires showing that the medical professional did not meet the standard of care of other similarly credentialed providers practicing in the area.

An injured person who tries to handle their claim alone is unlikely to understand the nuances of negligence and liability in their specific circumstances. Insurance companies often take advantage of claimants in this situation. A legal professional could ensure negotiations are fair and that an injured person’s claim gets the respect it deserves.

Trust a Bothell Personal Injury Attorney to Handle Your Claim

Whenever someone suffers a preventable injury, negligence most likely played a role. If someone else’s careless actions have caused your harm, you may be eligible to pursue damages from those responsible. While financial compensation cannot make up for what happened to you, these payments could help you cover the costs related to your injuries.

With the help of a Bothell personal injury lawyer, you could receive a fair settlement that provides reasonable compensation for your losses. Contact our firm today to discuss your unique case with a dedicated attorney.