Tacoma Car Accident Lawyer

When You’ve Been in an Auto Accident in Tacoma, WA – Call Ladenburg Law

Every day, most of us get in and out of cars to go to work, take the kids to school, and run errands. Thankfully, most of us return safe and sound. However, statistics show that thousands of us will end up in a collision at some point this year on Washington’s roads. In fact, there are over 100,000 crashes in Washington each year. Many of these crashes are serious, life-altering events for victims. If this has happened to you, call an experienced Tacoma car accident lawyer from Ladenburg Law.

Read on to learn more about how we may be able to help you during this difficult time in your life. At Ladenburg Law, we have decades of combined experience helping car accident victims win settlements.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tacoma

The overwhelming majority of car accidents are preventable. Around here, this is why we often prefer the term “collision” instead of “accident.” In fact, driver negligence is the most significant cause of all crashes.

The NHTSA has identified these risky driving behaviors as being factors in many crashes:

  • Drunk and impaired driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Drowsy driving

There may be other causes and factors, too. For instance, a manufacturer’s defect in a vehicle or a poorly maintained road could lead to a collision. No matter the cause, one of our skilled attorneys can investigate what happened to determine who is at fault.

Determining Fault in a Car Wreck Case

One of the most important questions to answer after a car wreck is: “whose fault was this?” Ultimately, the person who caused the accident is financially responsible. Suppose it was the other driver’s fault and you were injured and your car badly damaged. In this scenario, you would be entitled to receive compensation for your vehicle, plus your medical bills. Most often, this compensation will come from the other driver’s insurance company.

All drivers have an obligation to their fellow motorists to be safe when operating their vehicle. For instance, we all know to follow traffic safety signals and abide by speed limits. If a driver breaches this obligation by speeding or running a red light and strikes another car, he can be legally liable.

Sometimes, you may be partially responsible for the crash. What happens in this situation? Thankfully, the state of Washington has a comparative fault law (RCW 4.22.005). This allows you to recover partial compensation for your damages. During a free case review, one of our attorneys can discuss the specifics of how comparative fault works and may apply to your situation.

Car Accident Scenarios We Can Help With

No matter what happened in your car crash, chances are we’ve seen it before in our law practice.

Below you’ll find a list of common accident scenarios we can help with. Make sure to click on the link of any of these to learn more.

We can also assist you if you were a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist who was struck by a car.

What Happens During an Initial Consultation?

Some people hesitate to reach out because they are worried about how much it could cost to talk with us. But it’s always free to call and speak with one of our compassionate attorneys! In fact, we’ll only charge a fee if we win you a settlement. In other words, you pay us nothing upfront.

During our initial consultation, we’ll want to learn more about what happened:

  • The collision, in your own words
  • Any evidence you have (e.g., police report, photos, witness information)
  • Your injuries
  • Medical treatment you’ve needed
  • Impact to your work and income
  • Any dealings thus far with the insurance company

After discussing, we’ll be able to tell you if we can offer assistance. No matter what, you walk away with valuable legal information about your case. There is no risk or obligation to reach out.

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Is it Worth it to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

We recommend that you call a car accident lawyer anytime you’ve been the victim of a wreck. As a reminder, there is no fee to have a lawyer hear what happened. In many cases, just having a lawyer on your side increases the value of your claim. Even after a fee, a lawyer can often help you recover much more than you would’ve on your own.

Here are some other advantages to working with a lawyer:

  • Manage the process. We’ll take on all aspects of the claim – identifying the at-fault party, building your case, and communicating with the insurance company.
  • Negotiating a settlement. As our attorneys have been through this process hundreds of times over, we know what it takes to negotiate a settlement that’s fair.
  • Courtroom experience. What happens if negotiations stall or the offer comes in far too low? Our attorneys won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit.

Why not focus on your healing and let our team handle the legal stress? At every turn, we’ll inform you of your legal rights and how your case is unfolding.

How Long Do I Have to File an Auto Accident Claim in Tacoma?

It’s important to understand that you have a window of three years to file a personal injury claim in the state of Washington (Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080). The three-year timeline begins on the date of the crash.

If a member of your family has been killed in a fatal crash, your family has three years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. (Please see our page on understanding wrongful death cases for additional information about this scenario.)

We encourage you to involve one of our attorneys as soon as possible in the process while evidence is fresh. This only increases your chances of winning the best settlement possible.

What Kind of a Settlement Can I Expect from My Auto Accident?

Despite what you might find elsewhere on the internet, there’s no quick calculator to determine your settlement value. Even if there was, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to collect that value from the at-fault party.

There are many variables that can impact how much your settlement may be, such as:

  • The at-fault party and their ability to pay
  • Evidence, including witness testimony
  • Insurance policy limits
  • Severity of your injuries
  • Amount of your medical bills
  • Impact to your job and income
  • If you contributed to the collision
  • Awards in cases similar to yours

To sum up, having a skilled attorney can help you navigate these factors and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. This is particularly important if you’re facing severe injuries and steep medical bills. A fair settlement will ensure that you are financially restored.

Contact a Tacoma Car Accident Attorney Today

If you were recently injured in an auto collision, you likely have many legal questions. A Tacoma car accident lawyer from Ladenburg Law would be happy to review your case and explain your legal options. From there, we can help you determine how to best proceed with your injury claim.

If a negligent motorist caused your injuries, you could be entitled to damages for your lost wages, medical bills, pain, and suffering. Contact a Tacoma attorney today for your case consultation.

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