Walla Walla Personal Injury Lawyers
If you suffer an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence in Walla Walla, WA, hold the at-fault party accountable. To do so, you can file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injury. In this instance, a Walla Walla personal injury law firm can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, we can connect you with an experienced injury lawyer. We will do everything possible to help you secure a fair settlement in your personal injury lawsuit. To find out more, please reach out to us.
Why a Personal Injury Can Happen in Walla Walla, WA
No one expects a personal injury to happen. Yet, personal injuries happen every day to people in Walla Walla and other cities and towns across the United States. They occur for many reasons, such as:
Car Accident
There were 5.4 medically consulted injuries recorded in motor-vehicle accidents in the United States in 2021, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Auto accident injuries range from mild to severe. If you get into a car crash due to no fault of your own and suffer an injury, personal injury law firms can help you pursue damages from any at-fault parties.
Motorcycle Accident
You can ride your motorcycle and follow the rules of the road for motorcyclists in Washington State. Regardless, a negligent motorist can drive while distracted, speed, or do other things to put you in danger. In any of these scenarios, it pays to hire an injury lawyer to help you get compensation from the driver who caused your collision.
Bike Accident
There was a 620% increase in spending on bicycles and accessories in the United States between 2020 and 2023, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) indicated. Cyclists can travel in bike lanes, wear helmets and other safety accessories, and take every precaution possible. No matter how much a cyclist does to protect themselves, a negligent motorist can still cause an accident that leaves this individual with an injury.
Workplace Accident
If you work at a construction site or any other environment where hazards are present, there is a risk of an on-the-job accident that leaves you with an injury. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation if you get hurt at work. However, if your employer disputes your workers’ comp claim, you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer who can help you get the benefits that you deserve.
Slip and Fall Accident
You can slip, fall, and suffer an injury on someone else’s property. In this scenario, the property owner may be accountable. Personal injury lawyers can take a look at your accident and injury and help you determine if you are eligible to file a claim against the property owner.
Pedestrian Accident
If you walk around Walla Walla, a car can crash into you. An auto accident can cause you to suffer an injury that affects you long into the future. With help from an injury attorney, you can hold the driver responsible for the accident.
Medical Malpractice
A healthcare provider may act negligently and injure you. If this happens, the provider can be held responsible. You can submit an injury claim against the healthcare provider, and you may be able to get thousands of dollars in compensation.
Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC can help you with a claim if you were injured for any of the aforementioned reasons and many others. Our personal injury attorneys are here to serve you in any way we can. To learn more, please reach out to us.
What to Do If You Suffer a Personal Injury in Walla Walla
If you are involved in an incident that leads to a personal injury, try not to panic. Your first instinct may be to call an injury law firm that can help you get money from any at-fault parties. Instead, there are several things that you should do to get through the incident without compromising your health and safety, such as:
Call 911
Reach out to 911, and they will send medical personnel and police officers to you. Medical professionals can treat your injury on the scene and bring you to an emergency room as needed. Police officers can collect information from you about the incident in which your injury occurred and file a collision report if you were involved in a car accident.
Get the Contact Information on Anyone Involved in Your Accident
Request the full name and other relevant information of anyone responsible for your accident and injury. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses who saw your accident. Witnesses may be able to testify on your behalf if you submit a personal injury claim against any at-fault parties.
Collect Evidence
Use your smartphone to capture photos and videos from the accident scene. Remember, pictures are worth a thousand words, and the same holds true for videos. With photos and videos of your injury and other evidence from the accident scene, you can build a compelling argument against anyone who caused your accident and injury.
Do Not Take Responsibility for Your Accident and Injury
When you give information to police about your accident and injury, do not accept responsibility for them. If you do, you can hurt your chances of getting compensation. Respond to questions from police officers as best as you can, and if you are unsure about how to answer a question, you do not have to answer it.
Contact Injury Lawyers
Injury attorneys are available, and they can review your case. Keep in mind that not all injury law firms are created equal. Thus, you should find a law firm that specializes in the type of accident that led to your personal injury.
Once you connect with an attorney, you can decide whether now is the right time to submit a claim. It is in your best interests to contact a lawyer as soon as you can following your accident. Otherwise, you may miss out on the opportunity to get compensation.
How Much Time You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Walla Walla
Washington has a three-year statute of limitations in most personal injury lawsuits. This statute cannot be extended. If you do not submit a claim within the three-year window, you are solely responsible for any costs relating to your injuries.
An attorney can take a look at your case and help you decide when to submit a lawsuit. Your lawyer will consider your economic and non-economic losses. They will make sure that you file a claim for a reasonable amount of compensation.
You can be awarded economic compensation based on your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses that are quantifiable. Comparatively, you can receive non-economic compensation for your suffering, pain, and other losses that are subjective. The total amount of personal injury settlement awards varies depending on the severity of your injury and other factors.
How Much Money You Can Get in a Walla Walla Injury Lawsuit
There is no limit on the amount of economic and non-economic damages that you can request in a personal injury lawsuit in Washington State. Your attorney will work with you to calculate your damages. They will encourage you to pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible.
There is no guarantee that you will get compensation in your injury case. Your lawyer will do everything they can to prepare an argument that compels a judge or jury to rule in your favor. If your lawyer succeeds, you will get the full amount of the damages that you initially requested.
You may be able to get compensation without having to go to trial, too. For instance, the defendant in your lawsuit may find that you have an abundance of evidence that you can use against them. Rather than risk having to pay a significant amount of damages, this individual may offer a settlement.
What to Do If You Get an Injury Settlement Offer
Your lawyer can answer frequently asked questions and many others about settlement proposals in personal injury cases. You are not obligated to approve a settlement proposal. Conversely, it can be beneficial to go over a settlement offer with your attorney so you can determine if it is in your best interests to move forward with it.
Ultimately, a settlement offer should give you a sufficient amount of compensation. If the proposal falls short of what you want financially, you can reject it without penalty. At this point, your attorney notifies the defendant about your decision, and you and your lawyer continue to build your case.
Multiple settlement proposals can be exchanged leading up to your trial. If you do not approve a settlement, your lawsuit will go in front of a judge or jury. Then, a judge or jury will decide if you will receive compensation.
How Contributory Fault Works in Walla Walla Personal Injury Cases
The concept of “contributory fault” applies to injury lawsuits in Washington. If you are found to be partly responsible for your injury, the amount of damages awarded to you can be reduced accordingly. Meanwhile, you can still submit a claim for compensation based on an injury caused by someone else, even if you are 99% responsible for it.
Contributory fault works in all types of personal injury cases. For example, you can get into a car crash and request $10,000 from an at-fault driver. If a judge or jury finds you were 20% responsible for the crash, you will receive $8,000 in compensation.
Your attorney will commit the time, energy, and resources required to develop an argument that resonates with a judge or jury. They will put you in the best position to get 100% of the compensation that you request. Your attorney will also make sure that you understand what can happen when your injury case goes to trial.
What to Expect During a Personal Injury Trial
It can be stressful to enter the courtroom for an injury trial. During the proceedings, your attorney advocates for you and protects your legal rights. The defendant’s attorney does the same for their client.
Your lawyer will explain why you deserve compensation. They will present evidence, question witnesses, and make statements on your behalf. The defendant’s lawyer will dispute claims from your attorney and attempt to discredit your case.
A judge or jury takes as much time as needed to decide on your case. If your lawyer delivers a clear and convincing argument, a judge or jury may share your point of view. This can lead to a favorable judgment in which you get the damages you want.
What to Look for in a Walla Walla Personal Injury Attorney
It can be challenging to identify the right Walla Walla personal injury lawyer. Remain persistent, and you can find a lawyer who meets your expectations. Here are some of the criteria to consider as you weigh the pros and cons of hiring a personal injury attorney in Walla Walla:
Case Experience
Choose a personal injury lawyer in Walla Walla who has handled dozens of injury cases to date. Your lawyer can share details about their prior case experience with you. They can use their case knowledge and insights to help you find the best way to settle or win your claim.
Client Feedback
Check out a lawyer’s client testimonials. This gives you a good idea about what it is like to partner with an attorney. You can use testimonials to see how a lawyer engages with clients and makes sure that they get plenty of help as their cases progress.
Communication Skills
Set up a date and time to consult with an attorney. This allows you to share details about your case with a lawyer and get their insights into it. Plus, you can find out how a lawyer communicates and collaborates with their clients and ensures that they get the legal help they need, exactly when they need it.
For more than 60 years, Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC has been serving clients in Washington State. Our lawyers are here to help you get compensation from anyone who caused your personal injury. Please contact us today to schedule a case consultation.