Personal Injury FAQ

Home » Seattle Personal Injury Resources » Personal Injury FAQ

If you were a victim of an injury because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you can seek compensation for your losses from the at-fault party. This may cover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Navigating the personal injury claim process can be daunting. Below are answers to some of the most common questions you may have that can help you understand the process.

If you still have questions or want to discuss next steps in your personal injury case, reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Seattle, WA.

What Is a Personal Injury Case?

A personal injury case arises when someone is injured due to another person’s negligent conduct. To act negligently means to fail to exercise reasonable care and caution under the circumstances. The injured party can seek compensation for their losses.

To successfully recover compensation, the plaintiff (the injured party) must prove the following four elements:

• The defendant (the at-fault party) owed them a duty of care
• The defendant breached the duty of care
• The plaintiff suffered damages
• The defendant caused the plaintiff’s injuries

You must prove these elements by a preponderance of the evidence.

Evidence that is often used in personal injury cases includes the following:

• Photos
• Medical Records
• Videos
• Surveillance footage
• Medical bills
• Invoices
• Property repair or replacement estimates
• Pay stubs
• Accident or incident reports

If you can prove that your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

Many types of cases fall under the category of personal injury.

Common personal injury cases include:

• Motorcycle accidents
• Car accidents
• Slip and falls
• Truck accidents
• Construction accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• Premise liability
• Wrongful death

You may have a personal injury claim if you were injured because of someone else’s negligent or otherwise tortious actions. Reach out to an experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer to discuss your options and how to recover compensation for your personal injury accident.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There’s no requirement that you hire a personal injury lawyer, but there are several benefits to doing so. An experienced personal injury lawyer will protect your rights while advocating for your interests. That means they will gather evidence of the accident, assess your injuries, and explain your options.

Your personal injury attorney can also demand a settlement on your behalf from the insurance company, protect you from unfair pressure to settle, and even take your cases to court if necessary. There’s also a chance you’ll receive a higher settlement or jury award if you hire a skilled attorney to negotiate on your behalf.

Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Most personal injury lawyers are paid under a contingent fee arrangement. This fee is contingent upon the attorney successfully recovering compensation on your behalf, so they don’t get paid unless you do. Further, the fee is typically based on a percentage of your ultimate financial award–usually between 33% and 40%. Because you don’t have to pay any attorney’s fees upfront, anyone can hire a personal injury lawyer, regardless of their financial resources.

However, there may be other costs that the client is responsible for, such as court filing fees. Your attorney should explain whether you are responsible for these expenses and whether they will advance them on your behalf.

Determining the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim

You might assume that the value of your personal injury claim is the combined value of your medical costs and property damage, but that is not the case.

Many variables will determine the potential value of your claim, including:

• The extent of your medical costs
• The extent of your property damage
• The extent of any other damages you incurred, such as pain and suffering
• Whether your injuries are temporary or permanent in nature
• The extent to which you were at fault in the accident
• The relevant insurance policy limits

Your attorney will explain how these variables impact the value of your case.

How Long Do I Have To File My Personal Injury Case in Washington?

Each state provides a time limit for filing different types of cases, including personal injury cases. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the at-fault party.

Many personal injury cases settle before a case is filed in court. Even if a lawsuit is filed, most cases settle before going to trial. However, the ability to file a lawsuit and take a case to trial is an important strategic tool that can come in handy if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer. It’s crucial that you are aware of the deadline for filing your case.

Contact Our Experienced Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, you may be dealing with injuries, property damage, lost wages, and other unexpected costs. While this may seem overwhelming, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses from the at-fault party.

Our experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers are here to review your case and fight for compensation for your damages. Contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at 206 727 4000 for a free consultation and to learn more about your options for pursuing a personal injury case.