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Olympia Auto Crash Attorney

From the moment of impact to receiving compensation for your losses, there can be many challenges in between. Painful injuries, fighting with insurance companies, questioning how to pay your rising expenses, and more can leave you ready to give up. However, an Olympia auto crash lawyer can lift this burden from your shoulders and oversee this process on your behalf. 

Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey allows you to focus solely on healing from your injuries. In the meantime, our Olympia auto crash attorney reviews your case, negotiates with the insurance company, and ensures you receive maximum compensation to cover your financial and other losses. Our team provides you with the diligent, reliable, and compassionate service you deserve so you can have hope and get your life back again. 

A Closer Look at Accidents in Washington 

Washington experiences its fair share of auto crashes every year, which result in a significant number of fatalities and serious injuries. In the most recently reported year alone, there were 3,413 injuries and 810 fatalities in the state. While accident injuries and fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade, there has been a more noticeable jump within the last four years of data. 

Most often, these accidents occur as the result of negligent actions and could otherwise be prevented.  Not only do these actions pose serious risks to the safety of other motorists, but these drivers also expose themselves to legal trouble. Car accident victims are within their rights to take legal action and hold drivers accountable for their failure to drive in a safe manner. Whether through an insurance claim or personal injury claim, a lawyer in Olympia, WA can represent you when negligence was the cause of your accident. 

Common Causes and Injuries in Car Accidents 

Car accidents and injuries can be caused by any number of factors and result in a wide array of outcomes. If another driver was speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, was distracted, or failed to compensate for weather or road conditions, they run the risk of hurting other motorists and causing severe harm. 

Car accidents can cause serious injuries that may have a profound impact on a victim’s life. Some individuals may be able to recover in a matter of weeks or months, but depending on the extent of the impact and trauma, other individuals may require long-term or permanent care in the wake of an accident. There are many factors that can impact the outcome of a collision. Some common injuries car accident victims may suffer include: 

  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations and contusions
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Strains and sprains
  • Head, neck, and spine injuries
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Abdominal injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Disability
  • Paralysis
  • Death

If you have been hurt in a car accident, it is essential to receive medical attention immediately. Not all injuries show up right away or are external, so receiving proper treatment and testing can ensure your safety and minimize the impact of a more serious condition. It is also important to talk to your doctor regularly as you recover, adjust as necessary, and communicate any changes to your condition for the worse. 

Navigating the Aftermath of an Auto Crash in Olympia, WA

In the wake of a car accident, there are certain steps that need to be taken. While you are likely to be shaken up and overwhelmed, knowing what to do when you have been in an accident is crucial for your physical safety and your ability to recover your losses. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you through the initial moments following the crash:

 

  • Ensure safety: Check for injuries right after a crash and call 911, no matter how minor they seem. Immediate medical attention can save your life and is also important for the sake of your claim. 

 

  • Request a police report: Ask for a police report to be filed to officially document the scene of the auto crash. All relevant details, contributing factors, evidence, and statements should be compiled into this document. Obtain a copy of the accident/collision report for your records and filing claims. 

 

  • Exchange information: Do not leave the scene of the accident until you have exchanged contact, vehicle, and insurance policy information with all parties involved in the accident. Not only will you need this information when you file a claim, but it is also a legal requirement in Washington. 

 

  • Say as little as possible: The less you say after an accident, the better it is in order to protect your claim. Aside from talking with the police and exchanging information, avoid talking to the other driver about the accident, avoid social media, and avoid talking to the insurance company until you have legal representation. 

 

  • Collect evidence: Take your own photos of the scene of the accident and your injuries to ensure you have sufficient evidence for your claim. It also provides you with quick access to photos if you need them before the police report is ready. You should also talk to witnesses, if possible, and get statements from them that you might be able to use for your claim. 

 

  • Hire auto crash attorneys: Hire legal representation before taking any further action after a car crash. They will advocate and negotiate for you and protect your rights from those who would take advantage of you. They can also provide valuable insight and guidance to help you through the claim process. 

 

  • Notify the insurance company: After hiring a lawyer, report the accident to your insurance company for their awareness. File a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, as they are responsible for paying for the damages they caused. 

Insurance Companies and the Need for Representation

There is an expectation that the insurance company will pay for your injuries and vehicle damage after a car crash. While this may be the case, they may also try to cheat you out of what you are entitled to receive. They often try many tactics so they do not have to pay you the full amount you need. They may even try to avoid paying you. It is also not uncommon for insurance companies to try to close out your claim before you even know the extent of your losses. This is why it is important to hire legal representation first so accident attorneys can stand up to insurance companies for you. 

Your lawyer understands how to communicate with the insurance company and demand that they pay you fairly. Your lawyer will also negotiate with the insurance company until they provide an offer that is sufficient and satisfactory. In the event that the insurance company fails to comply or the policy limits prevent you from recovering the full value of your losses, you may be able to proceed with filing a personal injury claim instead. 

Waiting to File a Claim Can Have Negative Consequences

The longer you wait to file a claim, the more it can hurt the outcome of your case. This is why you should file your personal injury claim quickly. Waiting to file your claim delays the amount of time it takes to recover your losses and offset your financial burden. Evidence also weakens over time, and memories fade, which can all compromise the strength of your case and settlement offer. 

By hiring an auto crash attorney in Olympia, WA, you can streamline the process, and the more insight they have into your situation, the better help they can provide. It is important to communicate your medical condition and needs with them, as well as any other losses you have suffered as a result of the crash. You should also communicate any changes in your ability to work to both your employer and your lawyer.   

Establishing Negligence and Fault in Your Auto Accident Claim

In order to resolve your claim, auto crash lawyers in Olympia, WA will demonstrate that the driver who collided with you acted negligently and is at fault for your injuries. They will demonstrate this by showing that your injuries were a direct consequence of the other driver failing to provide the level of caution they are obligated to show you and other motorists. Because of their negligence, they are responsible for paying you damages. 

There may be times when you are partially at fault or there were multiple other parties involved. In these instances, each party can still recover compensation, but it will be reduced according to their level of fault, as outlined in RCW 4.22. Your lawyer will work to ensure you receive maximum compensation. 

Recovering Compensation in Olympia, WA to Help You Move Forward

The goal of compensation after an accident is to help make you whole again to the best extent possible. By offsetting the financial strain you are under, compensation allows you to move forward with the peace of mind that you have the resources you need to recover. Every case is unique, so the value and types of losses that each person might be entitled to can vary widely. Depending on what you have lost, you may be able to recover some or all of the following forms of compensation: 

 

  • Special damages: Medical expenses, lost income, property damages, and more are all tangible financial losses that can be covered by special damages. The amount is calculated based on the value of each financial loss. 

 

  • General damages: Pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, decreased quality of life, and loss of enjoyment and companionship are subjective and intangible losses that compensation seeks to alleviate. Different methods may be used to calculate these losses.

 

  • Punitive damages: Provides for extreme losses caused by gross negligence or malice. As a punishment, the offending party is required to pay additional damages to cover the increased losses you have suffered. 

 

Talk with your lawyer about what you are dealing with in the wake of the auto crash. The more they know, the more they can help you recover a settlement or verdict that accurately reflects your needs. They will also identify which losses you are most likely to recover and can help you calculate an estimated value of what they are worth. 

Time Limits Apply to Compensatory Recovery

To receive a swift resolution to your claim and ensure you can recover damages, it is important to file a claim as soon as possible. According to RCW 4.16.080, you have three years to take action against the driver who hurt you. After such time you may forfeit your right to recover any compensation even if you have been injured. 

How Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey Can Help You

When you hire Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, you receive experienced and personalized attention to get you the results you need. When you are uncertain how to proceed, our team provides you with a variety of services that protect you from opposing attorneys, debt collectors, and insurance companies. We will also investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong auto accident case. Our firm is committed to fighting for you and providing your case with the time and attention it deserves. 

Additionally, we represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay anything unless we win your case. Our team only collects our agreed-upon fees from the settlement you receive rather than from you. We understand that this is likely a financially precarious time for you, and we strive to make legal services accessible to meet your needs. We provide you with the peace of mind and representation you need at a time when you need it the most. 

Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey Support You in Your Time of Need

Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey is dedicated to providing you with compassionate representation and ensuring you feel heard throughout the process. We give you a voice, advocate, and negotiate so you can get maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. To get the help you need with your car accident claim, contact us today to schedule your free consultation, and let us help you get justice.