Ridesharing Complicates Auto Accident Claims

We’ve all heard of multimillion-dollar settlements from car accident court claims, but we don’t see what happens once that person’s case is closed. What do they use that money for, and do they get to decide how to use their car accident settlement? While your settlement is the compensation you need for your recovery, not all of your funds will always go to what you want. A lawyer can help you understand how you’ll be able to use your auto accident settlement. We can help you determine what your case is worth and how much you’ll get to keep for yourself.  

Liens Will Affect Your Claim

When you’re seeking compensation for your injuries, a portion of your settlement will need to go to any liens placed on your settlement. When the person who injured you settles, you’ll receive the agreed-upon amount, which should cover both your economic and non-economic damages. But your insurer or healthcare provider might have put liens on your settlement. This is essentially an order that says you must pay a certain amount for your bills, which might be more than you initially thought. Some hospitals might use this time to make up some of their own losses from insurance company agreements by charging you more and placing these liens. Fortunately, a lawyer can work with your insurance company. We’ll speak to the companies seeking a part of your settlement and reduce the amount you’re expected to pay where possible.

Using Your Non-Financial Losses

While these expenses might take priority, that doesn’t mean you can’t make decisions about how to use your car crash settlement. You might have been allotted a certain portion of your settlement for losses that don’t have a direct financial value, such as pain and suffering. These won’t have to be used to handle any specific debts. Likewise, the amount awarded for your lost income is meant to cover your living expenses, as an income would, but this doesn’t limit how you can use it.

Contact a Lawyer

When you receive your car accident settlement, you might be unsure of how much of it is truly yours. After your expenses have piled up for so long, it might feel like you don’t have many options to keep or decide how you’ll use your settlement. Fortunately, a lawyer can help you determine what you’ll need to use your settlement for and how much you’ll have for your other needs and expenses. We’ll help you cover all accident-related expenses so you can focus on your recovery. Unsure of where to begin with your settlement? Speak to a lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates for a free consultation on how to allot your funds and eliminate any debts related to your injuries. Get started by calling 1-800-404-9000 or by visiting our website for more information.

Driving Law to Know in Washington

When you’re injured in an auto accident and you need help recovering fair compensation, a lawyer will be one of your biggest assets, but understanding the driving laws that will affect your case is extremely important.

Because it’s easy to make a mistake and reduce or lose your compensation, you’ll want to keep these Washington laws in mind as you handle your car crash case.  

Statute of Limitations

First, keep in mind that you don’t have long to file. Washington residents can expect only three years to file before their case is dismissed and they’re barred from recovery. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.

While three years might seem like plenty of time, keep in mind that you’ll likely need to approach the insurance company at first, and adjusters may drag out the proceedings, giving you less time to work on your claim. Be sure to move quickly to get your compensation.  

Fault Laws

When you’ve been in a car wreck in Washington, you’ll need to first make sure you’re not considered to be at fault for the accident. Because Washington is a “fault” state, the person responsible for the accident should be the one responsible for paying for the damages—usually through his or her insurance company.

You’ll need to show that you weren’t the one who caused the accident. In some cases, the accident report from the responding police officer may help prove this, and a lawyer can investigate the scene and review your case to provide further evidence that the other driver was to blame for your accident.

Comparative Negligence

But even if you prove that the other person was at fault, you may still take part of the blame for your crash, and we’ll need to work to avoid this. Comparative negligence laws could reduce the compensation you receive for your case. This can be devastating when you’re badly injured.

While partial blame won’t bar you from recovering compensation altogether, your compensation may be reduced proportionally. For example, if you were slapped with 40 percent of the fault, and you should have received $100,000 for your damages, you may only recover $60,000. When you have a totaled car and sky-high medical expenses, a reduction like this makes it difficult to recover.

Been in a Crash? Call a Lawyer

These Washington driving laws can be confusing, but you don’t have to deal with them alone. When you’re worried about losing the compensation you need after a wreck, call a lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates. Our firm is ready to fight for you.

When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in Washington, you may need help understanding the laws relevant to your case. We can give you that help. For a free case review, talk to our attorneys. Give us a call at 1-800-404-9000 or visit us online.