The job of an insurance adjuster is to minimize the impact of injuries caused by a dangerous construction site or defective product. Our job is to maximize your lawful compensation based on the extent of your injuries and the short- and long-term effects.
Motor vehicle accidents cause the loss of time, property, health and even life. Such accidents have a variety of possible causes, including driver error, negligence, manufacturing defects and dangerous weather. No matter what the specific cause or result, a crash can turn a normal day into a prolonged struggle. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer about your motor vehicle accident case can help you sort out your rights, your options and your future. Contact The Walthew Law Firm in Seattle, WA, today to schedule a consultation with an attorney.
At-fault, negligent and aggressive drivers
When you have been in an auto accident, you may have a sense of who caused it. Issues of fault, however, can be complicated by who acted when their action took place and which laws governed the situation. If the other driver was negligent, you may have to prove that the driver breached a duty of care to you and that the breach caused your damages. The assistance of an attorney is immensely valuable at this time, whether you are battling an insurance company, seeking compensation for your injuries or defending yourself in court.
Actions, on the part of either driver, that may have contributed to the accident include:
- Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to compensate for dangerous weather or road conditions
- Driving above or below the posted speed limits
- Driver distraction caused by a cell phone, passenger, radio or another source
- Failure to obey traffic laws regarding turn signals, rights-of-way and other rules
Sometimes the at-fault driver is more than merely negligent; he or she may have acted recklessly or even intentionally. A reckless driver acts with “conscious disregard” for the probable consequences of his or her actions. Road rage incidents often involve reckless behavior, and they can escalate into intentional behavior. Road rage in particular can be extremely dangerous, leading to injuries and criminal charges. Generally, aggressive drivers are a serious threat to safety because excessive speeding, cutting off other drivers and taking other risks can result in injury-causing or fatal accidents.
Drunk driving
Drunk driving can lead to both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit against the intoxicated driver. Additionally, the business that sold alcohol to a drunk driver may be held liable if it served the driver when he or she was visibly intoxicated; this is known as “dram shop liability.” This, however, does not take any responsibility away from the driver who drove while intoxicated. If you have been in an accident involving alcohol or drugs, seek the help of a personal injury attorney who will explain your legal options.
Auto accidents not caused by the drivers
Sometimes, no matter how carefully you drive, you cannot avoid an accident. In certain cases, a vehicle’s manufacturing or design defect causes an accident or makes it worse. This might happen if, for instance, the brakes on your car fail or the airbag does not deploy when it should. The law of products liability applies in this situation, protecting consumers when products create an unreasonable risk of harm. If a product defect caused your injuries, you may have a case against the designer, manufacturer or distributor of the product.
Another responsible party could be a mechanic or technician who improperly repaired a car that caused an accident. Both the mechanic and the his or her employer could be liable in such a case.
Poorly maintained roads, messy and confusing construction, unclear signage, improperly designed roads and similar problems could also contribute to an accident. Government entities are typically responsible for the roads and highways, so they might be liable for accidents caused by the above factors. Special rules apply to lawsuits against government entities, and a lawyer will be able to explain them in detail.
Contact a personal injury attorney
It is important to take prompt action when you have been in a motor vehicle accident. This will help you preserve your rights and seek proper compensation for your injuries. Contact The Walthew Law Firm in Seattle, WA, to schedule a consultation with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer.
If you are suffering from a personal injury, do not put off contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer. There is no reason for you to try to tough it out when it comes to pain and suffering, thinking that you can recover from your injuries on your own. Take the necessary steps that Western Washington residents have taken for over 90 years. Contact us for aggressive and compassionate advocacy when you need it most.
