Bellingham Car Accident Attorney

Situated squarely between two of the biggest cities in the Pacific Northwest and only 20 miles from the U.S.-Canada border, Bellingham attracts its fair share of motorists. While this has resulted in economic growth for the city and the surrounding area, it also means that anyone who spends a significant amount of time on the road is more at risk of being involved in a potentially dangerous car crash. Although recovering compensation from the at-fault parties who caused an accident is possible, doing so can be difficult, so if you were injured in a collision, it is important to contact a car accident attorney who can help you navigate the more complex aspects of our legal system.

Recovering for Accident-Related Losses

In Washington, injured parties can recover what are known as compensatory damages if their injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence. These damages are further divided into two groups: economic and non-economic damages. The former covers monetary losses that are relatively easy to calculate, such as:

• Past and future medical expenses, including ambulance services, diagnostic services, treatment, and rehabilitation;
• Property damage, including the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle;
• Any wages lost while the injured party was unable to work; and
• The loss of future income, which applies when a person’s injuries are so severe that he or she is prevented from working or is forced to accept lower paying employment.

Courts also recognize, however, that many accident victims suffer losses that are more difficult to calculate. For this reason, juries often award what are referred to as non-economic damages, especially in serious cases. This includes monetary compensation for things like the physical pain and suffering that a plaintiff endured as a result of an accident, or emotional distress, which while difficult to calculate, both significantly affect a person’s quality of life.

Comparative Fault in Washington

Many people mistakenly believe that if they contributed in any way to a car accident, they will be barred from recovery. Fortunately, this is not true in Washington, which adheres to the legal theory of comparative fault. According to this standard, plaintiffs who contribute to their accidents can still seek compensation for their losses, although the amount they are able to recover will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault in causing the crash. If, for instance, an injured party suffered $100,000 in medical bills and vehicle repair costs, but is deemed to be ten percent at fault for an accident, he or she could still expect to recover $90,000 in damages.

We Are Here To Help

Call Today for Help with Your Case

For help with your own car accident case, please contact the experienced Bellingham car accident attorneys at Khan Injury Law PLLC. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A member of our legal team can also, however, be reached via online message, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to set up your first free consultation.