Auto Accident Law Firms Near Me | Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey

The aftermath of a car accident can be disorienting and overwhelming. The sudden impact, recovery from injuries, and the complex legal processes that follow can leave you feeling lost or unsure of what to do next. If you are looking for an auto accident law firm near you, trust in our personal injury attorneys from Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey to walk alongside you.

Founded in 1980, we built our firm on the core values of compassion, integrity, innovation, respect, and dedication. Our commitment runs deep because, for us, it is more than just legalities. We work to restore lives. We understand these situations’ emotional and financial tolls, so we fight tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the support and justice they deserve.

Causes of Car Accidents Near You

Car accidents are a persistent problem throughout Washington State, stemming from a variety of contributing factors. Reckless driving, often manifested as disregard for traffic laws and signals, is a major concern. Drivers unfamiliar with local roads and the increasing prevalence of distracted driving, especially due to cell phone use, further exacerbate the risks.

Washington’s diverse environment also plays a role. Varying weather conditions, ongoing construction projects, and traffic congestion in both urban and rural areas create challenging driving scenarios. Adverse weather can significantly reduce visibility and increase road hazards. Construction zones, with their lane changes and altered traffic flow, require heightened driver awareness. Traffic congestion, particularly during peak commuting times, can contribute to driver frustration and risky behaviors.

Several factors contribute to common collisions in Washington State:

Impaired Driving: Levels of intoxication or the influence of drugs can delay reaction time and remain a leading cause of accidents.
Rural Road Hazards: Many areas of Washington have rural roads with unique dangers, including limited visibility, wildlife crossings, and increased susceptibility to weather-related road hazards.
Construction Zones: Road construction is common throughout the state, often requiring reduced speed limits and altered traffic patterns. Drivers must be attentive to these changes, and speeding in construction zones carries significant penalties.
Freeways and Highways: High traffic volumes on freeways and highways increase the risk of accidents, especially when people drive recklessly, like speeding, engaging in road rage, or distracted driving.
Seasonal Hazards: Washington’s diverse climate means drivers must contend with a range of seasonal hazards. Winter weather, including icy roads, blowing snow, whiteouts, and unplowed surfaces, creates extremely hazardous driving conditions in many areas.
Intersections: Intersections are consistently high-risk locations for collisions across the state. The combination of turning vehicles, pedestrians, and inattentive drivers often leads to serious accidents.

Common Car Accidents in Washington

Some types of car accidents occur more than others due to a combination of driver error, road conditions, and other factors. Understanding these can help drivers be more aware and avoid common car accidents.

Rear-End Crashes: Often caused by distracted driving, following too closely, or sudden stops, these crashes can result in whiplash and other injuries, even at slow speeds.

Intersection Accidents: Failure to yield, running red lights, and turning errors can cause t-bone crashes at intersections. Most cars have less side-protection, making this.

Lane Change Collisions: These accidents occur when drivers fail to check their mirrors or signal properly before changing lanes. They can also be caused by drivers drifting out of their lane due to intoxication, distraction, or fatigue.

Head-On Crashes: While less common than some other types of accidents, head-on collisions are often the most severe due to the force of impact. They are frequently caused by drivers driving on the wrong side of the road, often due to impaired or distracted driving.

Multi-vehicle Pile-ups: These often occur on highways or freeways. A single initial collision can trigger a chain-reaction accident involving multiple vehicles.

Injuries Often Sustained in Auto Accidents

Car accidents can cause injuries from minor aches and pains to life-altering conditions. Understanding the common injuries from car accidents can help you identify symptoms you may have and encourage you to seek appropriate medical attention. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial not only for your physical recovery but also for documenting your injuries for your insurance claim.

Whiplash, a common neck injury, is caused by the sudden snap motion of the head during a collision, with symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness that may not appear immediately.
Back injuries include a wide range from small muscle strains and sprains to more serious disc herniations or spinal cord injuries, often presenting with pain, numbness, tingling, and limited mobility.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result from a blow to the head or a sudden jolt, with concussions being a common type. More concerning than concussions, severe TBIs can cause long-term cognitive and physical impairments, with symptoms including changes in behavior, headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and changes in mood.
Broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are particularly common and are indicated by pain, swelling, and deformity.
Soft tissue injuries, affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons, include sprains, strains, and contusions (bruises), with pain, swelling, and bruising as common symptoms.
Spinal cord injuries are very serious car accident injuries and can potentially result in paralysis, loss of feeling, and other long-term disabilities.
Internal injuries, such as damage to organs, may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening, with abdominal pain, swelling, and changes in bowel habits as potential signs.
Emotional trauma like anxiety, fear, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from being in a car accident can be significant.

Be sure to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident, even if you don’t feel injured, as some injuries may not manifest themselves for days or even weeks. Prompt medical treatment is essential for your recovery and for documenting your injuries for your insurance claim. Do not hesitate to discuss any physical or emotional symptoms you are experiencing with your doctor.

Calculating Your Claim’s Value

Understanding the full extent of your losses after an auto accident is crucial for receiving fair compensation. Your auto accident attorney can help you accurately calculate these damages, including current and future expenses associated with your injuries. They will take into account both economic damages, which are verifiable monetary damages, and general damages, which are the more subjective impact the accident has had on your life.

The comprehensive value of your claim relates to several factors, including the severity of your injuries, their impact on your life, and your economic losses. Experienced auto accident attorneys can help you accurately assess the value of your claim and negotiate effectively with insurance adjusters to maximize your settlement amount.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident in Olympia can be daunting, especially when dealing with insurance companies. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. However, the insurance claims process can be complex, and insurance companies often prioritize their own bottom line over your needs, sometimes offering settlements that fall far short of covering your medical expenses and other damages. Protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery often requires legal representation.

Our experienced auto accident lawyers in Olympia can guide you through every step of the insurance claims process, including:

Investigating the Accident: Our team will launch an investigation to determine how the crash happened, determine negligence, and gather crucial evidence to support your claim.
Documenting the Scene: We will help you document the accident scene, including taking photos of vehicle damage and the surrounding area, to preserve critical evidence.
Collecting Evidence: We will gather all necessary documentation, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case on your behalf.
Calculating Your Losses: We will meticulously calculate the comprehensive total of your losses, including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, to ensure you seek appropriate compensation.
Sending a Demand Letter: Our auto accident attorneys will draft and send a comprehensive letter of demands to the insurance company, outlining your damages and the compensation you seek.
Negotiating with Adjusters: We handle all negotiations with insurance adjusters, working tirelessly to secure a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your claim.
Filing a Lawsuit: If the insurance adjuster refuses to negotiate, our lawyers will take your case to court and represent you to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Court Representation: We will provide knowledgeable and dedicated legal representation throughout the litigation process, advocating for your best interests at every step.

When to Take an Auto Accident Case to Court

Taking a case to court is a significant decision. While many cases are resolved just through insurance settlements, some situations necessitate litigation to achieve a just outcome. Generally, you should consider taking your car accident case to court if the insurance company denies your claim, if their settlement offer is too low, or if negotiations reach a standstill.

Other reasons to go to court include disputed liability, serious or complex injuries, uninsured or underinsured drivers, and the statute of limitations running out. This last one is particularly important to understand, as car accident claims can take time, and sometimes insurance companies will intentionally stall to run out the clock. Consult with auto accident law firms near you to determine if your case needs to go to court.

Statute of Limitations in Olympia, WA

Protecting your right to seek compensation after a car accident means understanding and meeting critical legal deadlines. In Washington State, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit, including car accident cases. This three-year limit is called the statute of limitations.

Filing your lawsuit within this timeframe is essential for several reasons. It demonstrates your commitment to pursuing your claim and strengthens your negotiating position with the at-fault party and their insurance company. Furthermore, it preserves your option to have your case heard in court if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful. Claims against government entities in Washington have even stricter and shorter deadlines, so prompt action is absolutely vital.

Regardless of who is liable, consult with an experienced auto accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident and protect your rights. The legal team at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey is committed to getting your claim is filed correctly and within the appropriate time limits. We are prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf and, if necessary, take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.

What If I’m Partially At Fault?

In Washington State, the principle of comparative negligence governs personal injury cases, including car accidents. This means you can still recover monetary compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. The defendant bears the burden of proving your negligence as they seek to reduce the amount they owe you. However, the amount you ultimately receive, whether through a settlement or court award, will be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 25% at fault for an accident resulting in $10,000 in damages, your recovery will be reduced by $2,500, leaving you with $7,500.

Washington’s system is considered pure comparative negligence, meaning there is no threshold of fault you must meet to pursue a claim. Even if you are deemed 99% at fault, you can still recover 1% of your damages. This contrasts with the modified comparative fault systems used in some other states, where recovery is barred if you are found to be 50% or 51% at fault or more.

Looking for an Auto Accident Law Firm Near You?

If you have been injured in a car accident, the experienced attorneys at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey are here to help. We understand the stress and disruption a car accident can cause, and we are dedicated to providing compassionate support and strong legal representation. For over four decades, we have helped Washington residents navigate their auto injury claims. We take the insult out of injury.

Do not let an accident derail your life. Contact our office today for a free consultation to take the first step toward recovery and justice. Let our dedicated team handle the legal burdens so you can focus on healing.