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.
