Sunnyside Car Accident Lawyers | Auto Accident Attorneys Near Me in Sunnyside, WA | Law Firm for Car Crash Wreck Accidents & Auto Collision Claims

Just because you are involved in a car accident in Sunnyside, WA does not mean you are at fault for your crash. If someone else caused your collision, hold them responsible. To do so, hire a Washington personal injury lawyer to help you submit an auto collision claim.

Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, has proudly served the Washington community since 1954. Our Sunnyside car accident lawyers are available to review your case and discuss your legal options with you. To learn more, contact us today.

Types of Car Accidents

Every auto crash is different. If a negligent driver slams their car into your vehicle, they can be held responsible for your crash. There are many instances where a driver gets into an accident. Reasons why auto collisions happen include:

Distracted driving
Intoxicated driving
Speeding
Poor road or weather conditions
Drowsy driving
Car defects
Running a red light or stop sign
Tailgating

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all auto accident, either. For example, an Uber or Lyft driver may cause a crash that leaves you with an injury. At this point, you may be eligible for compensation from the motorist or their ridesharing company.

In the days after your auto collision, consult with a car accident lawyer. Then, you can provide your attorney with details about your crash, and they can answer frequently asked questions and many others about personal injury lawsuits. Along with this, your lawyer can help you figure out who is at fault for your accident.

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Sunnyside

The at-fault party in an auto crash is anyone who was negligent. To prove negligence, you must show someone had a duty of care toward you. This duty is a legal obligation to avoid careless or reckless acts that could put you or others in danger.

In addition, you must verify that someone breached their duty of care. For instance, a driver may have been speeding, which led to your auto collision. In this instance, the driver traveled faster than the posted speed limit. It was reasonable to expect this motorist to comply with the speed limit. Also, the driver was expected to follow the rules of the road and chose not to do so.

You must show that you got hurt because the at-fault party violated their duty of care toward you. Lastly, you must provide proof that your injury resulted in quantifiable or subjective losses.

In an auto accident case, the other driver is often at fault. There are times when other parties are responsible. Defendants in auto crash claims may include:

Car parts manufacturers or resellers
Government entities
Ridesharing or taxi companies

The car accident attorneys at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, have plenty of legal experience. We can identify the at-fault parties in your car crash case and help you submit your claim in accordance with Washington’s statute of limitations. For more information, reach out to us.

How Much Time You Have to File a Car Accident Claim

Based on the Revised Code of Washington section 4.1.6.080, you have up to three years to file a personal injury claim. This means there is a three-year window for requesting compensation after an auto accident. It is in your best interest not to wait to ask for damages. If you wait beyond three years, you are solely responsible for all of your accident costs.

If another driver causes your crash, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance provider. It is mandatory for motorists in Washington State to have car insurance. In the best-case scenario, you notify your insurance company about your crash, and they get in touch with the other motorist’s insurer. Next, the at-fault driver’s insurance covers the full cost of your claim.

Unfortunately, the best-case scenario rarely happens. An insurance company is focused on its own bottom line and its clientele. Thus, an at-fault motorist’s insurer may commit time, energy, and resources to contest your claim. It may do whatever it can to show you are in some way at fault for your collision.

A car accident attorney knows the challenges that come with auto insurance claims. They can speak to an insurer on your behalf and work with them to negotiate a settlement. If an insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, you still have the option to bring your case to court.

There are instances where a driver causes a collision but does not have insurance or lacks sufficient coverage. If you are driving and get hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may need to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. This option allows you to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver.

An auto accident lawyer can help you submit your claim against an at-fault motorist. If you are filing a claim due to a left-turn accident or any other type of collision, your attorney provides legal support. They help you prepare a compelling argument designed to show a judge or jury you deserve as much money as possible.

In cases where someone besides another driver is at fault, an auto accident attorney can review your case and figure out who is responsible. They can file your claim before the statute of limitations to do so expires.

How Much Your Sunnyside Car Accident Case Is Worth

There is no set amount you will receive in your auto collision case. Auto accident lawyers treat each claim as its own entity. They look at the severity of your injury, damage to your vehicle, and other factors to determine how much your case may be worth. Once auto accident attorneys calculate your losses, they help you put together an argument designed to show a judge or jury you should be awarded this amount.

In an auto collision claim, you may request economic and non-economic damages. Economic compensation is quantifiable, while non-economic damages are subjective. Examples of economic and non-economic compensation awarded in car crash cases include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Vehicle damage
Pain and suffering

Your lawyer considers your immediate and long-term losses. As an example, you may get into an accident where you suffer a catastrophic injury. You may need many years of physical therapy and other treatments for your injury. With help from your lawyer, you can ask for a compensation amount that accounts for these treatment costs.

The amount you ask for in a car accident claim may not be what you actually receive. In some cases, the settlement award you get is far less than the amount you request.

In Washington, a court may consider your percentage of fault relative to your auto collision. If you are partially responsible for your collision, you may have your damages deducted accordingly.

Consider what can happen if you file a car accident claim for $10,000. In this situation, a court may find you were 20% at fault. This results in a settlement award of $8,000, i.e., the original amount you requested minus your percentage of fault.

Washington has a contributory fault statute in place. This gives you the right to request damages even if you are 99% responsible for your car crash injury. On the other hand, the defendant can capitalize on the statute. If they prove you are partially responsible for your crash, they can raise doubt about whether you deserve damages. This may compel a judge or jury to award less damages than what you initially requested or no compensation at all.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Sunnyside

It is easy to panic after an auto collision in Sunnyside. Conversely, do everything you can to remain calm, cool, and collected. That way, you can do what is necessary to protect yourself. You can also take steps to get compensation to cover your losses.

Here are some of the best things to do following an auto accident:

Go to a Doctor

You may believe your auto accident injuries are not as bad as they seem. Regardless, you will not know for sure unless you consult with a doctor. Go to a hospital as soon as you can after your auto crash. Follow the doctor’s instructions to treat your injury.

If a doctor recommends ongoing treatment, go through with it. With any medical bills you receive, keep them. You may be able to provide these invoices as evidence that shows the costs to recover from your injuries.

File a Collision Report

If you call 911 after your auto collision, police officers will come to the accident scene. They will prepare a collision report that details your accident. This report may prove to be a valuable piece of evidence in your case. You can reach out to the Sunnyside Police Department to get this report once it is available.

For those who do not call 911 following your car crash, you can do so online. You have up to four days from the date of your collision to submit this report. If you want help filling out your report, contact the police.

Notify Your Auto Insurance Provider

Tell your auto insurer about your crash, and they will investigate it. Your insurer will also connect with the other driver’s insurance company.

You should not accept responsibility for your collision. When you notify your insurer, stick to the facts about your crash.

After you notify your insurer, you may get a call from the at-fault motorist’s insurance company. The other driver’s insurance provider may push you to make a statement on the record about your collision. They may urge you to accept a lowball settlement offer, too.

Keep in mind that anything you say or do on a call with an at-fault motorist’s insurance company may compromise your case. Rather than leave anything to chance, do not say anything. Instead, find an auto crash lawyer who has received many positive client reviews. This lawyer can discuss your claim with an insurer, so you do not have to do so.

Be Careful About What You Post on Social Media

If you post a picture on Meta, X (formerly Twitter), or any other social media platform, the consequences of doing so can be severe.

Those who publish social media content about an auto accident or injury may do so in the hopes of keeping family members and friends up to date. However, the content may be publicly accessible. If the defendant in your car crash lawsuit sees it, they may be able to use it to their advantage.

If you want to share updates about your car crash and injury, proceed with caution. Remember that what you put out on social media may be viewed by the defendant in your case. When in doubt about whether to post something, take a step back, consider the ramifications of doing so, and make a decision about it that aligns with your best interests.

Hire an Experienced Car Crash Lawyer

You may expect to quickly and easily resolve your auto collision case. No matter what you do, the at-fault party may fight back. Thankfully, you can hire an attorney who knows what can happen in auto crash lawsuits. Your lawyer makes sure you get the legal help you need at each stage of your litigation.

Choose an attorney who is familiar with Washington’s car accident laws. This lawyer can help you identify and address any legal challenges that relate to your case.

Select a lawyer who is dedicated to your case. This attorney will respond to your legal questions and concerns whenever they come up. They will help you meet the burden of proof for personal injury cases. Your lawyer will also work with you to build an argument that resonates with a judge or jury.

Get Started with Your Sunnyside Car Accident Claim

If you are weighing the pros and cons of submitting an auto accident claim in Sunnyside, the team at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, can help you out. We can learn about you and your case and provide you with personalized legal support. To request a consultation, contact us today.