Car accidents are unfortunate and often avertable, and yet, hundreds of such accidents and crashes are reported in Washington State every year. You don’t want such misfortune, but if you ever get involved in a car accident, you need to know the laws and your rights. It is also imperative to have the contact details of a reliable personal injury lawyer in Seattle so that you can get valuable legal advice. In this post, we are sharing more on Washington State car accident laws.
Contents
The statute of limitations
Every state has its “statute of limitations”, which determines the deadline for bringing a personal injury lawsuit to court. In Washington State, you have three years to file a car accident injury claim, counting from the date of the accident. However, this deadline doesn’t apply to car insurance claims. You are required to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer within a reasonable time or should at least inform of the accident. In the case of wrongful death lawsuits, the deadline remains the same, but the counting starts from the date of death of a victim, which may not be the same as the accident date.
The “pure comparative negligence” rule
Washington follows the “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means that if you had a part role in causing the accident, you can still get compensation, but the final settlement will reduce depending on your share of fault. Also, you can ask for compensation in Washington, even if your share of fault is more than the other party. However, your insurance company will have to deal with the claim filed by the other party.
Reporting an incident
After a car accident in the state of Washington, you must fill the Motor Vehicle Collision Report. This is mandatory if the accident caused overall damage of $1,000 or more, or if someone has sustained injuries.
Do you need a personal injury lawyer?
Yes, you have to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer for your car accident claim. Insurance companies often adhere to many tactics, so that they can reduce their financial burden. As such, a lawyer is your biggest asset for getting a fair settlement. Experienced personal injury lawyers know what it takes to negotiate with insurance companies, and they don’t fear going to court.
If there is no clarity on liability, or you have a part share in negligence, you must consider hiring a lawyer anyway to avoid unwanted outcomes.
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