When To Call A Personal Injury Lawyer In Washington

If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Washington, you’ve probably been looking for a lawyer to help you. You might have seen listings for personal injury lawyers during your search. It’s natural to wonder when you actually need to call and further explore your options.

The short answer is that you should always take every opportunity you can to explore your options after you’ve been injured. Moreover, there are numerous types of accidents that can lead to injuries in Washington. Data from the Washington Department of Health (WDOH) found that between 2004 and 2013, there were a total of:

• 461,729 non-fatal injuries that resulted in hospitalizations throughout Washington.

This means that an experienced Washington personal injury lawyer can be there to guide you through the entire process.

Experienced Washington Personal Injury Lawyers

Crary, Chuang, & Domanico, P.S. was founded in Spokane in 1948, and we have proudly served injury victims in Washington throughout our existence. We are dedicated to providing our clients with excellent legal representation when they need it most.

If you choose our Washington personal injury lawyers for your accident case, we promise to put forth our best efforts to get you the outcome you deserve. If you’ve been in an accident and suffered a serious injury, contact us today for a free consultation. We can provide you with experienced support so you can figure out what to do next.

Types of Personal Injury Cases in Washington

Obviously, an accident can happen anywhere at any time. This means that you have to always be prepared. One of the first steps in deciding whether or not you need a personal injury lawyer is if you find yourself in any of the following types of accidents in Washington:

• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Bus accidents
• Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Injuries
• Car accidents
• Construction accidents
• Child injuries from daycare accidents
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• Workplace accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Product liability
• Premises liability
• Slip and fall accidents
• Traumatic injury accidents
• Wrongful death from an accident

When you choose to work with our team at CCD Law, we will diligently work to advance your case, aiming for the best possible outcome for your accident. Our goal is to help you move forward with your life. Before that can happen, though, it’s important to understand the different types of injuries that can happen and what you should do after an accident to protect your rights.

Common Injuries in Washington Accidents

Another difficult aspect of a Washington personal injury case is that there are a variety of different types of injuries that you or a loved one can experience. Moreover, many accidents result in multiple injuries, each with its own path toward recovery. Usually, these injuries include the following:

• Fractures and broken bones – These injuries involve the breaking or cracking of bones, such as arms, legs, ribs, or the pelvis.
• Head injuries – These can range from concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can have long-term effects on a person’s cognitive and physical abilities.
• Spinal injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting sensation and motor function below the site of the injury.
• Back and neck injuries – These may include herniated discs, whiplash, or strains/sprains, causing pain and limited mobility.
• Sprains or muscle tears – These injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissues, resulting in strains, sprains, or tears.
• Internal injuries – Internal organs, such as the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidneys, can be injured in an accident, leading to internal bleeding or other complications.
• Cuts and lacerations – Accidents can cause cuts, lacerations, or deep wounds, requiring medical attention and potentially leaving scars.
• Burns – Burns can occur from fires, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces, leading to varying degrees of damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
• Psychological injuries – Accidents can cause emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.

It’s important to note that the severity and type of injuries can vary greatly depending on the nature of the accident. With that said, the actions you take in the immediate aftermath of the accident are critical when it comes to both your health and any potential legal action you can take.

Actions to Take After a Washington Accident

After an accident, it’s important to take certain steps to ensure your safety and address any injuries. If you’re seriously hurt, you may need to do more to take care of your health, and it can also help if you want to make a claim later on. If you’re involved in an accident and you’re injured, here are the steps you should follow:

• Get medical help – If you or anyone else in the accident is hurt, call 911 or go see a doctor right away.

• Report the accident to authorities – If you can, tell the local police or authorities about the accident and wait for them to come to the scene.

• Get information – Get the driver’s contact and insurance details from the vehicle involved in the accident. Also, get information from any witnesses who saw what happened.

• Collect evidence – Use your phone or camera to take pictures and videos of the accident place. Capture where it happened, any damage to property or vehicles, and any injuries you or others got. 

• Follow medical advice – Listen to what your doctors say and go to all your follow-up appointments. Not following their advice could hurt your health and possibly affect any legal case later on.

When to Call a Washington Personal Injury Lawyer

Ultimately, the decision to take further legal action is entirely up to you. That said, if you do decide you want to explore your options, it’s at that point that you can call our team and set up a free consultation. You’re under no obligation to hire us, but we will give you a better idea of the process and what to expect.

What is the Personal Injury Case Process in Washington?

Every personal injury case is unique, meaning that no two cases proceed in exactly the same way. However, When it comes to personal injury cases in Washington, the process generally involves two paths: an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Most often, it starts with an insurance claim and may proceed to a lawsuit depending on the circumstances. Here’s an overview:

• Insurance Claim – If there’s an injury resulting from an accident, the insurance company of the at-fault party gets involved. They review the claim and offer a settlement based on their evaluation. Settling the claim out of court can have benefits such as lower costs and faster compensation, but drawbacks include potential delays and inadequate settlement offers.
• Lawsuit – Filing a personal injury lawsuit means taking your case to court. While it typically takes longer, it offers the potential for greater compensation. You would be more involved in the litigation phase, but our team will handle various responsibilities including filing legal documents, responding to requests for evidence, and negotiating with the other side. The goal is to achieve a fair settlement, but if necessary, we will prepare your case for trial.

Damages

The main goal of taking legal action in a Washington personal injury case is to recover available compensation, known as “damages.” Typically, this includes things like:

• Medical expenses – Compensation for costs related to medical treatment and ongoing care.
• Lost wages – Reimbursement for wages or income lost due to the injury, including future earning potential.
• Property loss – Compensation for the repair or replacement of damaged belongings.
• Pain and suffering – Damages for physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Emotional distress – Compensation for psychological or emotional trauma resulting from the accident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Damages for the inability to participate in activities you used to enjoy.
• Loss of companionship – Compensation for strained relationships and loss of support from loved ones.

The amount of compensation depends on the skills of your lawyer, who will build a strong case and negotiate on your behalf. Acting quickly is important to meet legal requirements and effectively represent your claim. But it’s also important to know how we approach claims and what we can do to help you.