Kent Car Accident Attorney

Despite precautions you may take while on the road, it’s sometimes inevitable that you will be involved in a car accident because of the behavior of others. When this happens, you could be entitled to file a car accident claim or lawsuit to recover compensation from the at-fault party. If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing you can do is reach out to an experienced Kent personal injury lawyer. For help, contact Brumley Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.

Why Hire Brumley Law Firm For Your Car Accident Case?

If you’ve been involved in a car crash and believe someone else was responsible, reaching out to a car accident lawyer right away is the best choice you can make. Here’s why choosing Brumley Law Firm is the right decision:

• With almost a decade of legal experience, Brumley Law Firm has the experience necessary to navigate any type of car accident claim.
• Demonstrating our dedication and skill, we have successfully resolved over 300 cases for our clients in just the past year alone.
• Our team includes former insurance staff and injury lawyers who bring unique knowledge that can be leveraged in your favor during negotiations and trial.

For help with any type of car accident claim, including rear-end accidents and rideshare accidents in Kent, WA, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a free consultation.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Kent, Washington

After a car accident, taking certain steps to ensure your safety, protect your rights, and prepare for any potential insurance claims or legal actions is important. Here’s a list of actions you should consider taking immediately after a car accident:

1. Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others for injuries. Do not move if you are severely injured. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
2. Ensure Safety: If the accident is minor and there are no serious injuries, move vehicles to the side of the road, if possible, to avoid blocking traffic and further accidents. Turn on hazard lights and use road flares if you have them.
3. Call the Police: Even for minor accidents, it’s wise to call the police. They can file a report, which may be helpful for insurance claims or legal purposes. The police report often plays a crucial role in determining fault.
4. Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s). Get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance policy details. Avoid discussing fault or making statements that could be interpreted as admitting liability.
5. Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including all vehicles involved, any visible damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and weather conditions. This documentation can be invaluable for insurance claims or legal actions.
6. Look for Witnesses: If there are witnesses, get their contact information. Their accounts may be important if there’s a dispute about the accident details.
7. Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the information you have collected and cooperate fully, but be cautious about admitting fault or giving detailed statements before you speak with a car accident lawyer.
8. Seek Medical Attention: Visit a healthcare provider for a check-up, even if you don’t feel injured. Injuries from car accidents can be latent, and having a medical record immediately following the accident can be crucial for health and legal reasons.
9. Keep Records: Keep all records related to the accident, including medical bills, a copy of the police report, repair receipts, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
10. Consult an Attorney: Consider consulting a car accident lawyer, especially if there are significant damages, injuries, or if fault is contested. A Kent car accident attorney can advise accident victims on how to proceed with claims and represent your interests in more complex legal matters.

Following these steps can help protect your legal rights and ensure your health is monitored after a traumatic event like a car wreck.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Washington State?

In Washington State, the statute of limitations for filing a claim related to a car accident is generally three years. This applies to both personal injury claims and claims for property damage. The three-year period starts from the date of the accident.

It’s important to act within this timeframe because failing to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations typically results in losing the right to sue for damages related to the accident. This rule has a few exceptions, such as if the injured party is a minor or if the injury wasn’t discovered immediately, but these situations require specific legal handling.

This is why it is crucial to speak to a car accident lawyer in Kent experienced in these kinds of legal matters – we can help you navigate the situation’s complexities.

Determining Fault in a Kent Car Accident

In Kent, WA, and throughout the state, fault in a car accident is determined under the rule of “pure comparative negligence.” This legal doctrine affects how damages are awarded in cases where multiple parties may share responsibility for an accident.

Pure Comparative Negligence Explained

Under pure comparative negligence, each party involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault based on their contribution to the accident. This system allows a damaged party to recover compensation even if they are partially, or even predominantly, at fault.

Their percentage of fault reduces the compensation each party can recover. For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault in a car accident and the total damages are $100,000, you could recover 70% of the damages, which amounts to $70,000.

If the case goes to court, the judge or jury will evaluate the evidence and arguments presented to determine the percentage of fault for each party involved. This includes examining actions, driving behavior, and adherence to traffic laws by each party.

What Kind of Compensation Can a Car Accident Victim Receive?

If you’ve been in a car accident that someone else was responsible for, you could potentially receive several types of compensation. The main types of compensation that might be available include:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for medical costs typically covers past, current, and future medical expenses related to the accident. This includes emergency room visits, hospital care, surgery, medication, medical supplies, and ongoing therapies and rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages: If the injury results in time away from work, you may be compensated for lost wages. This includes the wages lost from the time of the injury through the recovery period. Additionally, if the injury impacts your ability to earn money in the future, compensation for loss of earning capacity can also be claimed.
• Pain and Suffering: This type of compensation is intended to cover the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. Calculating pain and suffering often involves complex determinations about the severity of the pain and its long-term impacts on one’s life.
• Property Damage: Compensation for property damage covers the repair or replacement of any property damaged in the accident, such as a vehicle and any personal belongings inside the car at the time of the accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment: If injuries from the accident prevent you from enjoying day-to-day activities or hobbies you engaged in before the accident, you may be eligible for compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disfigurement and Permanent Disability: If the accident results in permanent injuries, scars, or other disfigurement, you might receive compensation for these long-term effects.

Potential Liability in Washington State Car Accident Cases

In car accident cases, determining who bears legal responsibility is essential for pursuing compensation. Potentially liable parties can vary depending on the specifics of the incident but often include:

Another Driver

A driver can hold liability if their actions or negligence led to an accident. This often happens because of distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, and other traffic violations.

At-Fault Driver’s Employer

The at-fault driver’s employer may be responsible when accidents happen during working hours while an employee is fulfilling job responsibilities, such as in a trucking accident in Kent. This is known as vicarious liability.

Government Entity

A government entity may be liable if the accident resulted from factors such as poorly maintained roadways or faulty traffic control signals, which are typically taken care of by government agencies responsible for road safety.

Partially At-Fault Injured Parties

In some instances, the injured party themselves might be held partially at fault under Washington state’s comparative negligence rules when the case goes to trial. Washington follows pure comparative fault, meaning the victim can recover compensation even if they are up to 99% at fault. However, any compensation they get will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

In an action based on fault seeking to recover damages for injury or death to a person or harm to property, any contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages for an injury attributable to the claimant’s contributory fault but does not bar recovery.

For example, an injured party was speeding 10 mph over the limit, but the other driver was drunk and ran through a stop sign, causing a DUI accident. Both parties might bear some fault – let’s say the victim is 10% responsible and the drunk driver is 90% responsible.

In this situation, the victim’s compensation would be reduced by 10% because of this allocation of fault.

Insurance adjusters may also determine fault and present reduced settlement offers as a result.

How a Kent Car Accident Attorney Can Help You With a Case

When you need to file a car accident claim, it’s always a good idea to work with a Kent car accident lawyer instead of trying to handle it on your own. Here are the important ways a lawyer can help:

• Listen to your side of the story to determine what steps should be taken next to give you the best chance at recovering compensation.
• Investigate and gather evidence, including police reports, witness testimony, and any available video footage.
• Handle all communication with at-fault parties and insurance companies to give you the best chance at recovering adequate compensation.

A car accident attorney can be invaluable in a car accident case, offering the legal guidance and support needed to navigate the situation and give you the best chance at success.

Contact Brumley Law Firm To Schedule a Free Consultation

Being involved in a car accident and experiencing injuries can be incredibly traumatic. It’s understandable that you may not know what to do in the aftermath of an accident, no matter how many times you’ve tried to prepare for this scenario. If this happens to you or a loved one in Kent, WA, don’t hesitate to contact Brumley Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation regarding your car accident claim.