LAKELAND NORTH CAR
ACCIDENT LAWYER

When a car accident happens, one or more victims can be injured or killed. In 2015, 516 fatal car accidents occurred in Washington, killing 568 victims. In less extreme cases, a car accident can leave a victim suffering from an injury that can lead to severe complications, including a disability for life. When an individual suffers from an injury because of a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, he or she may seek compensation for the expenses associated with the injury through a personal injury claim. Similarly, if a victim dies as a result of a car accident or the injuries sustained in one, his or her loved ones may seek compensation for the expenses related to his or her death, such as the loss of his or her income and non-financial contributions to the household, through a wrongful death claim.

HOW CAN I BE INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

An injury sustained in a car accident can be fairly minor or, as discussed above, severe to the point of causing a disability or death. There are many factors that can determine the type and severity of the injury a victim suffers, such as his or her health and fitness level before the accident, the size of the vehicles involved in the accident, and the speed and angle at which the collision occurred. A few examples of injuries that can result from a car accident include:

• Broken bones;
• Sprains;
• Strains;
• Organ and tissue damage;
• Injuries to the brain or spinal cord;
• Cuts; and
• Burns.

These injuries can have complications that include:

• Paralysis;
• Blood loss;
• Disfigurement;
• Loss of a limb;
• Disability; and
• Traumatic brain injury.

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WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

If you can, pull over to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to get your vehicle and any others involved out of the traffic. If you cannot safely do this, simply remain where you are. If you or anybody else in any of the vehicles involved need emergency medical attention, call 911 to have an ambulance sent to the scene. Regardless of whether this is necessary, call the local law enforcement agency to have an officer sent to record the accident and file an official police report.

Exit your vehicle and take as many photographs of the collision as you feel are necessary to communicate what happened and how. If there were any witnesses to the accident, take down their contact information because you might need to contact them later to record their testimonies to support your personal injury claim. These testimonies will work alongside other evidence from the scene, such as your copy of the official police report and the photos you take.

After leaving the scene of the accident, seek medical attention for your injury as soon as you can to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment. Your medical record and your doctor’s commentary about the injury and its prognosis are also important pieces of evidence to support your claim.

WE KNOW HOW TO
RECOVER DAMAGES

Seeking Compensation for your Damages through a Personal Injury Claim

After you have received the medical care you need, start working with an experienced personal injury lawyer to pursue a car accident claim. In Washington, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident.

Through your personal injury claim, you must demonstrate the following:

• Another party failed to uphold his or her duty to protect others from harm. Simply put, this means that another party somehow acted with negligence or recklessness. For example, driving drunk is an act of negligence, as is speeding or using a cell phone while driving;
• Because of the other party’s negligence, an accident occurred that caused you to suffer an injury; and
• Because of your injury, you suffered specific monetary damages.

Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the following damages:

• All of your medical expenses, such as hospitalization and medication bills;
• Your lost income, which can include your wages as well as any missed career opportunities or reduced earning capacity due to your injury or resulting disability;
• Any intangible damages you suffered, such as the emotional trauma you faced following the accident and your reduced quality of life; and
• Any expenses that do not fit into these categories but are nonetheless related to your injury, such as your need for a mobility aid or in-home domestic help as you recover.

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Reduce your Chance of being Involved in a Car Accident

Although you cannot completely eliminate your chance of being involved in a car accident and suffering an injury, you can cut down on your risk by taking certain safety precautions. Above all, always follow the posted traffic signs like the speed limit and those dictating traffic patterns. When you are driving at night or during wet, snowy, foggy, or icy weather, adjust your driving to the conditions present.

Keep the following tips in mind to reduce your chance of getting into a car accident:

• Never drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or another drug. This includes legal prescription drugs like sleep aids, which can impair your ability to focus on the roadway;
• Never drive distracted. If you must talk on the phone while driving, use a hands-free headset or your vehicle’s embedded speaker phone software;
• Always drive alert. If you are too tired to drive, take a rest or consume a caffeinated beverage before you get behind the wheel; and
• Stay calm. Driving while angry or stressed can impair your judgment and cause you to make irrational, unsafe choices on the road.

Work with an Experienced Lakeland North Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can leave you saddled with substantial medical bills and other expenses. To seek compensation for these damages, consider working with an experienced car accident lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim. Our team at Khan Law Firm PLLC can answer any questions you have and help you seek the money you deserve. Contact our office today to set up your initial consultation with us.