Practice Areas

Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Semi Truck Accidents
• Pedestrian, Crosswalk, Bicycle Accidents
• Passenger Van Accidents
• Drunk Driving (DUI) Collisions
• RV and Motor Home Accidents
• Delivery Truck Accidents
• Distracted Driving Accidents
• Bus, Shuttle, Taxi & Mass Transit Accidents
• ATV Accidents
• Boating & Personal Watercraft Accidents

Wrongful Death

Injuries to Minors & Children

Serious Accidents & Catastrophic Injuries

• Head Injuries & Brain Damage
• Back & Spinal Cord Injuries

Insurance Coverage Disputes & Bad Faith Claims

Medical Malpractice, Surgery Errors & Hospital Injuries

Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Nursing Home Neglect & Elder Care Abuse

Library

Car Accidents

• Car Accident Report: Aurora T-Bone Collision in Busy Intersection
• Car Accident Report: Bothell Head-On Collision
• Car Accident Report: Auburn Way Commuter Struck by Uninsured Driver

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Answers To Your Legal Questions

 

Q:

I was injured in a rear-end collision where little damage was caused to my vehicle. The other driver's insurance company is denying my claim, saying that I could not possibly have been injured when the damage to my car was so small. What do I do now?

A:

I was injured in a rear-end collision where little damage was caused to my vehicle. The other driver's insurance company is denying my claim, saying that I could not possibly have been injured when the damage to my car was so small. What do I do now?

Unfortunately, more and more insurance companies are implementing a policy of denying bodily injury claims outright, or only offering a nominal sum to settle, when the property damage is below a certain monetary amount, like $1,000. The first thing you should know is that there is no credible scientific support for the proposition that injury potential can be determined based on the extent of property damage caused to the vehicle. However, these "low damage" cases may be difficult to prove in court because jurors often believe that injuries cannot occur in low speed crashes.

Insurance companies will often hire self-proclaimed "experts" to help them spread the myth that low damage means little or no injury. If you find yourself in this position, here are a few suggestions. First, take your car to another reliable automotive shop to determine the full extent of damage. Quite often, most of the damage will be hidden and an expert will need to dissemble the rear bumper and check the vehicle for all possible signs of impact. Second, you must adequately document all damage and all evidence that a collision occurred. This means taking photographs and compiling a thorough repair estimate. Third, do not repair the vehicle or accept a property settlement until you have spoken to an attorney. Finally, you need to hire experienced counsel because a lawsuit is probably inevitable. My office has successfully handled many claims involving "low damage" collisions. Please email me directly or contact my office if you wish to discuss your claim further.

More Legal Questions About Car Accidents?

Do you have more legal questions about car wrecks and truck accident cases?  Return to the car & truck accidents frequently asked legal questions page. 


To get more information about Washington state car accident law, auto accident injury cases, and Seattle personal injury attorneys visit our car accident information page.  Or order your FREE copy of The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Accident Case.

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