The experienced Seattle car accident attorneys at Walthew Law Firm are aggressive, justice-focused advocates for injured victims. We have what it takes to hold negligent motorists and large insurance companies accountable. Contact us today and put our 90 years of experience to work for you.
At-Fault, Negligent, and Aggressive Drivers Must Be Held Accountable
When you’ve been in a car accident, you may have a sense of who caused it. But determining fault can be complicated. If the other driver was negligent, you may have to prove they breached a duty of care to you and that breach caused your damages.
Actions that can contribute to a car 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
In some cases, the at-fault driver is more than negligent. They may have acted recklessly, or even intentionally. Road rage is a form of reckless behavior that can escalate into intentional behavior. But even aggressive drivers are a serious threat to safety because excessive speeding, cutting other drivers off, and taking risks can cause life-changing injuries or even fatal car accidents.
Other Common Causes of Car Accidents in Washington State
Sometimes it’s not another driver that causes your accident — it’s a third party. But even someone who wasn’t at the scene of your accident can still be held accountable.
Your accident and resulting serious injuries may be due to a manufacturing or design defect in your car. A poorly trained mechanic or technician who improperly repaired a car could be held liable for your accident.
Similarly, construction crews or even the government can be held liable for your accident when it’s the result of:
- Poorly maintained roads
- Mess and confusing construction
- Unclear signage
- Improperly designed roads.
Common Car Accident Injuries
While some people walk away from a car accident with some bumps and bruises, not everyone is so lucky. Too often, car crashes lead to catastrophic and even life-threatening injuries, including:
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue damage
- Joint injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limb (amputation)
Personal Injury Video
Comparative Negligence for Motor Vehicle Accident Injury Claims
Multiple parties may share fault for the same motor vehicle collision. Under Washington law (RCW § 4.22.005), a pure comparative negligence standard applies to these cases. Each party to a collision will bear fault for their “share” of the blame for causing that accident through negligence. Notably, Seattle car accident victims can still recover compensation for their damages even if they are partially responsible for their own crash. However, their settlement/verdict will be reduced.
As an example, imagine that you sustained $50,000 in total damages in a car accident in Seattle. After an investigation, it is determined that you are 20% at fault for the crash due to distracted driving. Under Washington law, you could pursue compensation for 80% of your damages ($40,000) while being held liable for 20% of your own losses ($10,000). Every percentage point of fault matters in serious car accident injury cases.
Why Hire Walthew Law Firm for Your Seattle Car Accident Claim
For over 90 years, our personal injury law firm has advocated for injured victims and their families in Seattle and throughout Western Washington. With vast experience, we always put the rights and well-being of our clients first. Our experienced Seattle car accident lawyers are committed to personalized legal advocacy for Seattle car accident cases and have the experience to handle all types of claims, including:
- Semi-truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian collisions
- Bus accidents
- Uber & Lyft accidents
- Distracted driving collisions
- Intoxicated driving crashes
Auto accident injury claims are a type of personal injury claim. They’re complicated, and it’s normal to have a ton of questions about your rights, your options, and what comes next. Taking prompt action preserves your rights and ensures you receive fair compensation for your emotional and physical injuries from insurance companies and the at-fault driver.
Walthew Law Firm is by your side each and every step of the way. It is our mission to help you secure every dollar that is available under the law. Among other things, our Seattle car accident attorneys will:
- Listen to your story and answer questions about your legal rights and legal options
- Conduct a thorough investigation and evaluation of your crash, gathering evidence
- Guide you through the paperwork and represent you in talks with insurance companies
- Develop a comprehensive strategy with a mission to maximize your financial recovery
Recovering the Maximum Compensation After a Car Crash in Seattle
Washington car accident victims have the right to pursue a settlement or verdict that accounts for both their out-of-pocket expenses and their intangible damages. However, insurance companies often make it challenging to collect. At Walthew Law Firm, our Seattle car accident lawyers go above and beyond to fight for the maximum compensation for our clients. We will aggressively seek compensation for your:
- Property loss, such as vehicle repairs
- Ambulance costs and emergency medical treatment
- Hospital expenses and medical bills
- Long-term rehabilitative care;
- Lost wages, including future earning power
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability, disfigurement, and impairment
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death of a family member
Know the Deadline: Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Injury Claims
Be proactive. You have a limited period of time to bring car accident cases in Seattle. Under Washington law (RCW 4.16.080), there is a three-year statute of limitations to bring your claim. What happens if you do not file a lawsuit in a timely manner? You may not be able to take legal action at all. Do not miss out on your chance to get justice and compensation. Only very limited exceptions apply.
Contact Our Seattle Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The Seattle personal injury attorneys of Walthew Law Firm are standing by, ready to protect your rights. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, do not wait to contact us. Speaking with a car accident attorney can help you understand your options and your future.
We represent motor vehicle accident victims on a contingency fee basis. There are never any upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses for our clients. Instead, we only get paid when you get paid.
Don’t go it alone. Put our experience to work for you. Contact Walthew Law Firm in Seattle, WA, today to schedule a free, confidential case consultation with an experienced car accident attorney.
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Seattle, WA 98121
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