In Olympia, car accidents can vary widely, from head-on collisions to pedestrian incidents, each with its own complexities requiring a custom strategy for a successful case.
Many car accidents in Olympia happen because of the actions of a negligent or careless driver. In 2023 WSDOT reported there were 805 crashes in Olympia. Some common causes of car crashes include:
After sustaining injuries in a car accident in Olympia, you may have several options for obtaining a financial recovery. First, you might have a claim for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. Washington state requires auto insurers to offer at least $10,000 of PIP coverage. However, policyholders can reject PIP coverage in writing or purchase a higher coverage limit. Minimum PIP coverage in Washington includes:
Washington also allows car accident victims to pursue claims against at-fault drivers for financial and personal losses. In a car accident claim, you may have the right to seek compensation for:
Unfortunately, Washington state law typically does not permit car accident victims to recover punitive damages. State law only allows recovery of punitive damages in personal injury claims when specifically authorized by statute.
A car accident can leave you with severe injuries that require extensive medical care. When you have a long road to recovery, you may find it challenging to balance your time and energy between your necessary treatment and pursuing a car accident claim. Hiring a car accident lawyer in Olympia can give you the benefit of an experienced advocate who can handle the details of preparing and pursuing your legal claims, freeing you to focus on healing. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you pursue maximum financial recovery by:
When you’ve had a car crash in Olympia, you can take steps to prepare for a personal injury claim to recover compensation from the driver(s) or other parties responsible for the accident. Some things you can do to get ready to pursue financial recovery in a car accident case include:
Finally, contact a car accident attorney in Olympia, WA, as soon as possible to discuss the next steps to pursue financial recovery and accountability for your injuries and losses.
When you’ve gotten into an accident and believe you might share some of the blame, you may wonder whether you can still file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Fortunately, Washington state follows the pure comparative negligence rule for injury/property damage claims. This rule allows an injured accident victim to pursue claims against other parties at fault for the accident, even if the injured victim shares some of the responsibility. However, an injured car accident victim who bears partial fault for the crash may have their financial recovery at trial reduced in proportion to their percentage of responsibility for the accident.
Suppose the other driver or their insurance company tries to shift some blame for the crash to you. In that case, you need experienced, aggressive legal advocacy from an Olympia car accident attorney to protect your right to maximum financial recovery.
Every car accident claim will have a unique timeline based on the case's specific circumstances. Some cases settle in a few months, while others take years to conclude. Some of the factors that can influence how long your car accident case might take include:
Under Washington state’s statute of limitations, you typically have three years after a crash to file a car accident lawsuit against the driver or other parties at fault for the collision. Although exceptions to the statute of limitations may give you more time to file a car accident claim, you can protect your legal rights by speaking with a car accident attorney in Olympia as soon as possible to determine the deadlines for your car accident claims and ensure you file your case on time.
If you file a lawsuit after the applicable limitations periods expire on your car accident claim, you risk losing your opportunity to pursue financial recovery from the driver(s) or parties responsible for the car crash and your injuries and losses.
When you’ve suffered injuries and property damage in a car crash caused by a negligent driver, you deserve financial recovery and justice for the harm you’ve experienced. Contact Freeman Law Firm, Inc., today for a free consultation with one of our Olympia car accident lawyers to learn how our firm can help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, car repairs, and other losses.
