Being involved in a motor vehicle crash is a stressful experience. You may face injuries, high medical bills, and time away from work you can’t afford. Some injury victims assume that making a car accident claim is a relatively straightforward process, and an attorney is just an additional cost. However, this is often not the case. Following an accident-related injury, it is generally in your best interest to speak with an attorney to discuss your rights and legal options.
Accident victims who hire attorneys tend to recover significantly higher settlements in car crash claims than those who attempt to handle the claims themselves. Knowledge and experience go a long way toward achieving fair and favorable outcomes.
Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law, has been serving clients in Olympia, Tacoma, and other Washington areas since 1972. Our accomplished car accident attorney is passionate about helping injured accident victims move forward with their lives. Our firm has the experience and resources necessary to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why hire a lawyer for your car accident claim? An attorney can help your case by:
1. Handling the Insurance Company
Having someone on your side to deal with insurance companies is one of the biggest reasons to hire an attorney. As you receive treatment for your injuries and try to put your life back together, the insurance company is often actively working to undermine the full value of your claim.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. You may assume that cooperating with an insurance company and answering all of their questions will expedite the process. However, the more you talk to insurers, the more you place a fair settlement for your damages at risk.
A car accident lawyer knows how insurers operate and understands the tactics they use to delay, diminish, and deny valid claims. With a skilled attorney in your corner, you have the best chance at recovering the maximum compensation you need to move forward.
2. Applying Knowledge of Washington Laws
It’s very unlikely that you know and understand the laws that apply to your situation. A car accident lawyer can determine which laws and factors are relevant to your case. An attorney can provide a thorough understanding of Washington traffic and insurance laws and how they are interpreted in the court system.
After enduring a severe injury, you should focus all of your efforts on getting better, not researching laws and figuring out what to file, how to format, what legal precedents to cite, what evidence is admissible, and more. A lawsuit is a rigorous process and you have a limited amount of time to get it right. A car accident attorney can offer in-depth knowledge of applicable laws and help to build your best case.
3. Investigating the Car Accident
In some cases after a collision, accident victims are able to take photographs of the scene, exchange information with the other driver, and talk to potential witnesses. However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries in a wreck, you may be unable to do anything until you receive medical care.
A car accident lawyer understands these situations, and will thoroughly investigate your crash and gather evidence to support your case so you can focus on healing.
To help build your case, an accident attorney can:
- Photograph the scene of the collision
- Inspect vehicle damage
- Request a copy of the police report
- Obtain witness statements
- Request video footage from dash cameras, business surveillance, etc
Not only is a thorough investigation critical to establishing fault in a car accident case, it is also important for assessing the damages you may be entitled to recover in a personal injury claim.
4. Understanding the Seriousness of Your Injuries
After a severe injury, it is essential to get the medical care you need and closely follow your doctor’s instructions. While your physician will understand how your injuries affect your health and body, a car accident lawyer will look deeper at how your injuries impact the full scope of your life.
Seasoned auto accident attorneys have seen the devastation serious injuries can inflict on the lives of their clients. They recognize that the losses caused by these injuries extend beyond immediate medical bills. Catastrophic injuries can affect nearly every aspect of a victim’s life, possibly resulting in future medical expenses and therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.
A car crash attorney will investigate your accident thoroughly and work with experts to determine the cause of your injuries and their long-term consequences.
Experienced car accident lawyers have witnessed a broad range of serious injuries caused by traffic wrecks, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Complications from whiplash
If you lost a loved one in an accident, an attorney can help you pursue damages in a wrongful death claim. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your family member’s lost wages and companionship, funeral expenses, and more. While no financial award can make up for your immeasurable loss, compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit can help your family avoid undue financial hardships during a difficult time.
5. Maximizing Your Compensation
The insurance company ultimately wants to resolve your claim promptly for minimal cost. This means that if you receive a settlement offer, you can expect it to be considerably less than your case is worth.
Without a car accident lawyer on your side, you may be tempted to accept a low settlement. If you face time away from work, significant medical bills, and other expenses following your wreck, you may consider the offer substantial enough to cover your costs.
However, you can’t pursue additional compensation for future expenses once you have settled with an insurance company. It is critical to ensure your settlement reflects the full extent of your losses – now and in the future.
If your accident claim goes to trial, you only have one opportunity to win your case. Courts make their decisions based on the evidence and testimony presented at the trial. Your attorney will guide your case through the legal process and into the courtroom to ensure you have the best chance of success.
Contact an Olympia Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been hurt in an automobile collision, it is in your best interest to speak with a lawyer as quickly as possible. Experienced car accident attorney Marya Fuller is a specialist in accident and injury law. She is committed to achieving justice and knows how to effectively represent her clients’ best interests.
Call Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law, today at (800) 570-4878 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We proudly welcome clients from Olympia, Tacoma, and other areas throughout Washington.
