When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash

Many people wonder when to hire a car accident lawyer after a crash. Depending on the circumstances, it may be beneficial to consult a lawyer as soon as possible, particularly if you have been injured, fault is disputed, an insurance company denies liability, or you receive a settlement offer and want to evaluate it. Our Seattle car accident lawyer offers a free initial consultation.

How Hiring a Lawyer Early May Help Your Case

Some forms of evidence disappear quickly. For example, surveillance camera footage can be erased unless your lawyer acts to preserve it as evidence. As another example, witnesses may have evidence supporting your case. Memories fade, and they may forget important details over time.

Insurance companies often begin building their cases early. You may benefit from a lawyer who uses their experience and resources to begin working on yours as soon as possible, too. Additionally, professional representation can help you respond appropriately to communications from potentially liable parties without inadvertently harming your claim.

At the same time, your lawyer can begin collecting evidence that they will use to substantiate the damages they will claim on your behalf. For example, they can collect documentation supporting your claims for medical costs and lost wages. In general, the time to hire a lawyer after a crash is the soonest possible opportunity you have to do so.

Why It May Be Beneficial to Get Legal Advice if You Were Injured

Injuries complicate your life in multiple ways, and severe injuries can have lifelong consequences. A settlement can be all that stands between you and severe financial challenges at a time when recovery and rebuilding your life are your primary concerns.

It can be difficult for you to determine which types of damages you may qualify for, their value, and how to substantiate your losses. An experienced lawyer can help you by gathering evidence and handling the claims process and any settlement negotiations that follow.

Your lawyer can protect your right to compensation, working with experts to demonstrate how your injuries affect you, both now and in the future. As a result, you may need a lawyer for a car accident if you were not at fault and there are no disputes on this score.

Disputes Over Fault Are Common in Car Accident Cases

Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule. Per Wash. Rev. Code § 4.22.005, you can recover damages, even if you were partly at fault, but any compensation will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, and another driver was 80% at fault for your accident, your recoverable damages may be reduced by 20%.

Insurance adjusters evaluate claims on behalf of their companies and can challenge liability, damages, or other aspects of a claim. They may undertake their own investigations and will dispute claims if they believe they have grounds to do so. It can be difficult for a regular person to know how to present a strong case and deal with counterarguments.

Establishing liability by demonstrating fault is among the most intensive tasks undertaken when you hire a car accident lawyer after a crash. Each party involved may have its own opinions on fault, and evidence they believe supports a conflicting point of view. Hiring a lawyer early on can help them to preserve evidence and build a stronger case on your behalf.

When Multiple Parties Are Liable

Car accidents are often caused by multiple factors, and several parties may share liability. As an injured party, you now have to deal with multiple claims at once, showing that each party owed you a duty of care, failed in it, that their failure contributed to your accident, and that the accident caused your injuries. For example, potential liable parties include:

• Other motorists
• Companies whose vehicles were involved in the accident
• Workshops or component manufacturers
• Government entities responsible for roadway design, maintenance, or traffic control

Each of these parties may be responsible for a percentage of your damages based on their degree of fault, and you will need to address each of them in order to recover compensation. Complicating things still further, you may need different forms of evidence to show they are liable.

When Insurance Companies Deny Liability

Apart from the question of fault, there are other reasons why insurance companies may deny liability. For example, they may claim that an insurance policy has lapsed or that certain exclusions apply.

Alternatively, they may say there is insufficient evidence or dispute whether the accident caused your injuries. As an example of the latter, a person who delays getting medical attention only to discover they sustained internal injuries can struggle to show that an accident caused their injuries.

Although denial of liability could indicate that some time has elapsed since your accident, this may be the time when you hire a car accident lawyer after a crash. They can examine why your claim has been declined and look for ways to address your matter.

Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash to Evaluate Settlement Offers

In some cases, people receive settlement offers that barely cover their current costs, or they aren’t sure whether to accept a somewhat more substantial-looking one. A car accident lawyer can evaluate your damages comprehensively and will advise you accordingly. They may consider:

• Medical costs and the future cost of treating your injuries
• Lost wages or earnings and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including trauma, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life
• Disfigurement or disability

Many settlement offers omit certain damages, particularly those that don’t directly affect you financially. Nevertheless, you may qualify for additional compensation due to the way your injuries affect your life. These non-financial damages can make a considerable difference to how much car accident settlements in Washington settle for.

Secure a Consultation Today

At Puget Law Group, we know that you may be concerned about adding legal expenses to your out-of-pocket costs. That’s why we offer you a free consultation.

If you’re wondering when to hire a car accident lawyer after a crash, you need not delay getting an opinion on your case. Call us today.