Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of accidental injuries in Seattle. These crashes can vary widely in their kind, cause, and severity. Whether you were involved in a fender bender or a serious wreck, it is imperative that you get immediate medical care and the maximum available financial compensation. Our Seattle car accident lawyer can help you explore your legal remedies in Washington.
Most Common Injuries in a Car Accident in Seattle
Motor vehicle collisions are consistently a top cause of accidental injuries in Seattle. While crashes can happen for many different reasons (and vary widely in their severity), most of them could have been prevented with proper safety precautions. After an accident in Seattle, it is crucial that injured victims are able to get immediate medical attention. Common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and Other Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue damage can be debilitating. Whiplash is one of the most common forms. Neck, shoulder, and back strains are common in Seattle crashes. It is not uncommon for soft tissue injuries to occur with a delayed onset.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A concussion or more serious traumatic brain injury can occur even without a direct blow to the head. All suspected concussions/TBIs require immediate medical attention. A severe TBI can be a catastrophic injury.
- Back Injuries: Car accidents can cause herniated discs, aggravated degenerative disc disease, nerve compression, spinal fractures, and chronic back pain. These injuries may limit lifting, sitting, standing, driving, or returning to work.
- Broken Bones: High-impact collisions can cause fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, wrists, ankles, hips, collarbone, or facial bones. Some fractures heal with casting and follow-up care. Others require surgery, hardware, and/or physical therapy.
- Psychological Trauma: Psychological trauma can happen. Seattle car accident victims may suffer anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, panic while driving, or post-traumatic stress symptoms after a serious crash.
An Overview of Your Remedies Under Washington Law
A Bodily Injury Claim Against the At-Fault Driver
First and foremost, it is important to understand that Washington is a fault-based car accident state. Most car crashes occur primarily because of driver error. An injured victim may bring a claim against the negligent driver who caused the crash. Evidence may include police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, dashcam video, vehicle damage, medical records, and expert analysis. You can bring a claim directly against the insurance company of an at-fault driver or another at-fault party.
Personal Injury Protection Benefits (PIP Benefits)
Your own insurance policy may also offer a recovery option, regardless of who was at fault in the crash. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) may provide first-party benefits through the injured victim’s own auto policy. PIP can help pay medical bills and certain wage-loss benefits, regardless of fault, depending on the policy. These benefits can be important early in the case because a liability claim against the other driver may take time to resolve. PIP does not prevent an injured victim from pursuing a fault-based claim against the responsible driver.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 drivers in Washington State lack the required liability coverage? Uninsured motorist cases are far more common than most people realize. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or lacks enough coverage to pay the full value of the claim, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. These are first-party claims against the injured victim’s own insurer, but they can still become adversarial. The insurer may dispute fault, injury severity, causation, or damages. Policy language, coverage limits, exclusions, and notice requirements should be reviewed carefully. These claims can be complicated to navigate. A top Seattle auto accident lawyer can help.
A Personal Injury Lawsuit
Most car accident injury claims are settled outside of litigation. That said, there are exceptions. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, an injured victim may file a personal injury lawsuit. In Washington, personal injury claims are generally subject to a three-year statute of limitations under RCW 4.16.080. That deadline can control the right to sue after a Seattle car accident. Waiting too long can damage the claim, even when liability seems clear, and the injuries are serious.
Recovering the Maximum Compensation for a Crash in Seattle, WA
No matter how you were hurt and which remedy (remedies) you are pursuing, a primary goal is ensuring that you are able to secure the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies often try to pressure injured victims to settle their cases for less. Our Seattle car accident lawyer is ready to help you fight for the maximum compensation, including for:
- Vehicle repairs;
- Ambulance costs;
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills;
- Other medical costs;
- Loss of wages;
- Diminished future earnings;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental distress;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death.
We are Leaders in Car Accident Claims in Seattle
Whether you were involved in a fender bender or a serious crash, it is imperative that you have a top-rated attorney on your side. Do not go it alone: The right lawyer can make the difference when it matters most. At Seattle Car Accident Law Firm, we are a solutions-driven law firm that puts injured victims first. Your initial consultation with our Seattle car accident lawyer is free, strictly private, and carries zero additional obligations.
Call Our Seattle, WA Car Accident Attorney for a Free, No Obligation Case Review
At Seattle Car Accident Law Firm, our Seattle auto accident attorney is an aggressive advocate for justice. If you or your loved one suffered an injury in a crash, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (564) 444-7708 or to contact us online for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. With an office in Seattle, we handle car accident injury claims in King County.
