When you’ve been injured in a car accident, your immediate attention is most likely on your physical injuries. This is especially true if your car accident was serious and you were hurt badly.
While your health and well-being should always be your top priority, there’s other things you may have to worry about. Chief among these in the aftermath of a car accident is how you’ll be able to pay your bills and rent.
Spokane Car Accident Victims Can Turn to CCD Law
Since 1948, Crary, Chuang, & Domanico, P.S. has been helping people who were hurt in car accidents throughout Spokane and the surrounding area. We promise to provide excellent legal help when you need it most.
If you choose to work with Spokane personal injury lawyers for your accident case, we’ll do our very best to make sure you get the fair result you deserve. If you’ve been in a bad accident and got seriously hurt, contact us today for a free consultation. You can turn to our team for help.
Different Types of Car Accidents in Spokane
While the outcome of most car accidents in Spokane is often impactful on you and your family, the reality is that no two car accidents are alike. In fact, there are several different types of car accidents that you could be involved in, each that carry their own risks and consequences:
- Single-vehicle accidents – These accidents occur when a car crashes or has trouble without hitting another vehicle, like hitting a tree or going off the road.
- Multi-vehicle accidents – In these accidents, more than one vehicle is involved, often when two or more cars collide, and it can be tricky to determine who’s at fault.
- Sideswipes – This happens when one car’s side hits another car’s side while they’re both moving in the same direction, like a gentle graze.
- Rear-end accidents – In a rear-end collision, one car crashes into the back of another car, usually when the front car stops suddenly, and the one behind can’t stop in time.
- Intersection accidents – These occur at intersections when two or more vehicles meet. They can involve various scenarios, such as right-of-way disputes or running red lights.
- T-bone accidents – T-bone accidents, also known as broadside or side-impact collisions, happen when one car hits another from the side. These often occur at intersections.
- Hit and run accidents – In these cases, a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without identifying themselves or providing information.
- Distracted driving accidents – These accidents result from drivers being distracted by activities like texting, eating, or using their phones while driving.
- Drunk driving accidents – These occur when a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing their ability to drive safely.
- Weather-related accidents – Adverse Spokane weather conditions like rain, snow, or ice can lead to accidents due to reduced visibility and slippery roads.
- Speeding accidents – Accidents caused by excessive speed, where a driver cannot stop or maneuver in time to avoid a collision.
- Rollover accidents – Rollovers involve a vehicle turning over onto its side or roof, often in high-speed or high-impact accidents.
Every car accident is different, so it could involve a combination of these types, causes, and outcomes. What’s crucial to keep in mind, though, is that you will encounter significant challenges after being in a car accident.
Challenges That Come From Spokane Car Accidents
Car accidents in Spokane can occur for various reasons, often due to negligence by other drivers. This negligence can manifest as inattentiveness, aggressive driving, or other unsafe behaviors, leading to potential accidents.
However, the most common outcome of car accidents is injuries. And the more severe your injuries are, the more impact they’ll have on your life moving forward:
- Severe injuries – Car collisions often result in injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to major issues like fractures, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and tragically, even fatalities.
- Medical expenses – Injuries sustained in these accidents can lead to substantial medical bills from hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments.
- Physical and emotional pain – Victims of car accidents may endure physical pain and emotional distress, both immediately after the incident and during the recovery process.
- Vehicle damage – Typically, the car itself will sustain damage in an accident.
- Lost wages – Injuries from car accidents can lead to missed workdays or long-term disability, resulting in lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
- Psychological effects – Such accidents can leave lasting emotional scars, potentially causing anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts.
- Impact on families – Car accidents can affect not only the injured rider but also their family members, who may need to provide care and support during the recovery period.
- Fatalities – Tragically, some car accidents result in fatalities, leaving families to cope with the loss of a loved one and potential financial hardships.
Of all these challenges, one of the most practical is losing–or at least not being able to earn–money. This, in turn, could lead to not being able to pay your bills, mortgage, or rent.
Do You Need a Lawyer If You Can’t Pay Your Rent After a Spokane Car Accident?
While there’s no legal requirement in Washington that says you have to hire a lawyer for a car accident claim, having our Spokane car accident lawyers by your side can significantly simplify the legal process. Our extensive experience has led to a proven system that benefits our clients. Here’s what our services entail:
- Legal advice and guidance – Our team of lawyers are well-versed in Washington specific laws regarding car accidents. We can clarify your rights and explain the legal options at your disposal.
- Investigating the accident – We possess the resources to conduct a thorough accident investigation. This includes gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, and reconstructing the accident scene to establish liability.
- Collecting evidence – Our team assists in gathering crucial evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and any available surveillance footage. This evidence plays a vital role in building a strong case on your behalf.
- Communication with insurance companies -: We take the lead in communicating with insurance companies, other involved parties, and their legal representatives on your behalf. This ensures your rights are safeguarded, and you avoid inadvertently saying something that could harm your case.
- Negotiation – If you’re dealing with insurance claims or potential settlements, our experienced lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Representing you in court – In cases where negotiation fails to reach a fair settlement, we can represent you in court. This involves preparing legal documents, presenting your case, and vigorously advocating for your best interests during the trial.
After you’ve been injured or otherwise incapacitated in a car accident, you’re going to need help. Trying to handle everything on your own can quickly become overwhelming, and that’s before you even get to the actual legalities involved in your case. Choosing to work with our team can make the process of getting support for your injuries and damages much easier, which can ultimately aid in your overall recovery.
Damages Available in a Spokane Car Accident Claim
Once you make the decision to pursue a car accident claim, our team takes immediate action on your behalf. In addition to providing legal services, we meticulously calculate and organize your damages. This ensures that you receive full and fair financial support from the person–or party–responsible for the accident.
When you’re grappling with paying your rent and other financial challenges, the legal system–and our legal help–enables you to seek various forms of damages. These can include things like:
- Medical expenses resulting from the accident.
- Lost wages and income from missed work.
- Potential loss of future earnings if you suffer permanent disability preventing you from working.
- Expenses for repairing your vehicle or any other damaged property.
- Damages relating to the physical pain and emotional suffering you’ve gone through because of the accident.
- Psychological distress stemming from the incident.
- The impact on your overall quality of life.
- Effects like scarring or disfigurement.
Again, remember that every car accident is unique. Thus, the damages that are available in your case depends on the specific circumstances of your case and what you’ve lost. In addition, there are other considerations you need to be aware of. Washington follows “comparative negligence”, which means that your overall recovery could be reduced by your level of fault in the accident.
Also, Washington has a three-year statute of limitations for injury claims, meaning you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to pursue the available damages.
CCD Law Can Guide You in the Aftermath of a Spokane Car Accident
Being injured in a car accident, no matter how seemingly minor, can have a huge impact on your health. What’s worse, every car accident carries the possibility of damage that can spread to other parts of your life, including your ability to provide for your family or even pay your rent.
At CCD Law, we understand how difficult this can be. That’s why our team of experienced Spokane car accident lawyers will be there to help guide you through the process of filing a claim and supporting you throughout your case. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
