Kent car accident lawyer

Being involved in a car accident is not only scary, but it can severely disrupt your life. From long-term disability to lost wages, and high medical bills to emotional pain and suffering, an injury sustained in a car accident can be life altering. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, and if your life has been drastically changed because of it, the team at the Khan Law Firm, PLLC can help you file your personal injury claim and recuperate the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move on with your life. Hire the best car accident attorney near you, call Khan Law Firm.

Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Kent, WA

Car accidents can happen at any time, despite an individual driver’s vigilance and care. Sometimes, an accident is simply the result of poor road conditions or even vehicle malfunction. However, more often than not, Washington car accidents are the result of human error. Many of today’s drivers perform risky and dangerous behaviors while on the road, putting not only themselves in harm’s way, but others as well. Make sure you find the best car accident lawyer near you to ensure you get the help you need.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Kent, WA are the following:

Speeding;
Texting while driving;
Other cell phone use while driving;
Distracted driving;
Failure to yield;
Poor to severe weather conditions, including icy roads; and
Deadly or defective vehicles.

Each of these risky behaviors can result in any number of types of accidents, and cause injuries ranging in severity. At the Khan Law Firm, PLLC, we routinely see clients who have been the victims of the following types of car collisions:

Rear end collisions;
Side impact collisions;
Roll-over accidents;
Head on collisions;
Hit and run accidents
Traffic collisions;
Accidents involving pedestrians; and
Accidents involving the elderly.

Causes of car accidents

Determining Liability in a Kent, WA Car Accident

Determining fault in a Kent, WA car accident is really a matter of determining which driver was negligent in their actions while behind the wheel. So, before you take action, make sure you first ask yourself, “who is the best car accident attorney near me?” and get a consultation. In some cases, determining negligence is straightforward—such as in a rear-end collision, when the fault almost always belongs to the driver that did the rear-ending—while in others, it is difficult to tell who acted carelessly. However, fault must be determined if the filing party wishes to recover any losses for damages and injuries sustained as a result of the accident. In order to determine the fault of a Kent car accident, the police, insurance adjusters, and any other interested parties evaluate the following:

Any traffic citations or violations of the law leading up to the accident;
Evidence, such as photos from the scene of the accident, witness statements, police reports, surveillance video footage, and any other physical evidence;
Whether or not the accident was a rear-end collision or left-turn accident;
Any comments made by either driver after the accident; and
Any negligent acts performed by either driver leading up to the accident.

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Washington is a Comparative Fault State

Because of Washington’s comparative fault law, both drivers of a car accident may be held liable. For instance, one driver may have run a red light, which ultimately caused the car accident, but had the other driver not been texting while driving, they probably would have seen the other driver come through the intersection and slammed on their brakes in order to avoid the accident altogether. Because of situations like these, determining fault can be tricky. Make sure you do your research to find the best car accident attorney near you.

If the injured driver played any role in the car accident, the judge or insurance adjuster may attribute a percentage of fault to him or her. Using the scenario above as an example, the courts may determine that the texting driver is 10 percent liable for the car accident. When awarding damages, the judge will award the full settlement, less 10 percent. So for instance, if the texting driver filed a claim for $10,000, and the courts determined they were 10 percent responsible, the judge would deduct 10 percent of the winnings—bringing the total awarded settlement to $9,000.

We know how to recover damages

Kent Car Accident FAQ’s

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Kent, WA?

All car accident injury claims are subject to a strict statute of limitations. Under Washington Law (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080), an auto accident claim must be filed within three years of the date of the wreck. While that may seem like plenty of time to initiate your claim, it is imperative that you act swiftly after a crash. You can be sure that the insurance company will waste no time in building its defense to your claim.

To protect your legal rights, call an experienced Kent, WA car accident attorney right away. Your lawyer will be able to review the accident, conduct a comprehensive investigation, and put together all of the evidence that you need to build a strong and successful legal claim. Do not wait to get the compensation that you deserve.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

You should hire an experienced car accident lawyer immediately after a serious crash. Though, to be clear, you do not necessarily need an attorney in every car accident case. If you only suffered minor property damage and if your insurance company is handling your claim fairly, a lawyer may not be able to add much value. That being said, you should hire a Kent car accident attorney if:

You suffered a serious injury;
You were forced to miss time at work;
You are experiencing considerable pain and suffering; or
The insurance company is offering you less than you deserve.

At Khan Law Firm, our Kent, WA car accident lawyers offer free, no-obligation case evaluations to injured victims. During your initial consultation, we let you know whether or not you should hire a lawyer. If you are in a better position to handle your claim on your own, we will tell you.

Can I Afford a Top Car Accident Attorney in Kent?

Yes — you can always afford to hire the best auto accident attorney in Kent, Washington. At Khan Law Firm, we handle personal injury claims on a contingency basis. Our law firm obtains our fee as a percentage of the compensation that we recover for our clients. If there is no fee, then there is no recovery. It is as simple as that. Our Kent personal injury attorneys do not charge clients upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees.

If you do not get paid, then we do not get paid. Our Kent car accident lawyers are committed to recovering the maximum available financial compensation for you and your family. We have a proven record of success in handling a wide array of personal injury cases. Our law firm is more than willing to take on all of the financial risks associated with pursuing your case. We have the resources and skill to hold the large insurance companies accountable.

Do I Need to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

No, not necessarily. If you were injured in a car crash and another party was ‘at-fault’ for the wreck, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. Still, a lawsuit will not always be required to get the full and fair financial compensation that you deserve. Indeed, most car accident cases are settled without litigation. According to data provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), less than three percent of tort claims receive a jury verdict.

As a general rule, the auto accident claims process starts by filing a claim against the responsible defendant’s insurance company. Our Kent, WA car accident lawyer can help bring a strong, compelling claim against the insurance company. We have extensive experience handling all aspects of car accident injury claims and we are committed to helping plaintiffs maximize their financial support.

Should I Give a Statement to the Insurance Company?

No — you should not give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.

Following a serious traffic collision in Kent, Washington, you should expect to receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster. In fact, you may get a call from your insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company, another third party insurer, or all of the above. You are not required to answer these calls or respond over the phone.

Remember, insurance companies are looking for information that they can use to protect their own financial interests. It is best to handle your claim in writing: Let an experienced Kent auto accident lawyer handle all correspondence and communications with the insurance company.

Can I Recover Compensation for Pain and Suffering?

Yes. Under Washington law, auto accident victims have a legal right to seek financial compensation for noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering. As explained in the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions–Civil, injured victims should be compensated for both the pain and suffering that they have already gone through and the pain and suffering that they are reasonably likely to endure in the future.

Of course, pain and suffering is inherently difficult to value. Large insurance companies are notorious for trying to undervalue pain and suffering and other intangible damages. Do not let them get away with it — you deserve full financial compensation for your noneconomic damages. Our top-rated Kent, WA car accident attorneys have the skills and tenacity to help you recover for pain and suffering.

What Happens If I Was Hit By an Uninsured Motorist?

As explained by the Washington State Department of Licensing, every driver in our state has a legal duty to obtain the minimum mandated liability coverage. Unfortunately, nonetheless, there are still many uninsured and underinsured motorists on our roadways. Following a crash with an uninsured driver, you should call an experienced Kent, WA car accident attorney right away.

Your lawyer will help you review and explore every path to financial recovery — including filing a legal claim against another negligent third party and file a claim against your own insurance policy. Uninsured motorists claims are especially complex, it is imperative that you take immediate action to protect your rights.

How to Predict the Settlement Value of Your Kent Car Accident

There are many factors that will determine the value of your Kent, WA car accident, including the severity of the car accident and the resulting injuries, whether or not the injuries are permanent, how significantly the injuries have affected and/or will affect your life, and the perceived distribution of fault in the accident. Furthermore, if the case goes to trial, the jury’s perception of the case could ultimately affect your settlement.

Because of this, it is best to consult with a Kent, WA car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident occurs. An experienced car accident lawyer can assess the circumstances surrounding your case and provide you with a good idea of the type of settlement you can look forward to. Typically, a client likes to have this information before they proceed with a claim, as they like to know whether or not filing a car accident claim is worth their time. Additionally, it is important to know the value of a case, as sometimes the value affects whether or not a plaintiff chooses to settle or go to trial.

Below are a few factors that the best car accident lawyers near you in Kent, WA will look at when determining your case’s value:

The overall strength of your liability case;
Your perceived credibility;
The defendant’s perceived credibility;
Whether or not the accident was avoidable in any way and by either driver, and who was ultimately at fault;
The severity of the accident;
The severity of your injuries;
Whether or not your injuries are permanent;
The condition of both vehicles before and after the accident;
The defendant’s possible defense;
Your possible rebuttal to the defendant’s possible defense;
Whether or not there were any witnesses to the accident;
The perceived credibility of those witnesses;
Any pain and suffering you endured in addition to your physical injuries; and
Any loss of companionship you may have endured as a result of the car accident.

How to Predict the Settlement Value of Your Kent Car Accident

At the Khan Law Firm, PLLC, our car accident lawyers use their knowledge and legal abilities to formulate a strong case for each of our clients, despite the odds. If you have recently been seriously injured in a car accident in Kent, WA, and the other driver’s negligent behavior was the primary reason for the accident, you are entitled to compensation. To make the most of your car accident claim, retain the help of a Kent, WA car accident attorney. Contact our personal injury law firm at 206-203-3978 to schedule your free initial consultation today.