Washington auto accident laws are based on a fault system. According to this system, law enforcement must identify an accountable party while investigating the accident. The driver designated as at-fault must file a claim through their insurance provider. The claim should provide the funds needed to pay medical costs and auto repair for the victim. However, some drivers don’t follow the rules.
What to Do Next
If the accountable driver fails to fulfill their financial obligations, the victim should consult an attorney. The first option is to allow an attorney to negotiate with their insurance carrier. In some instances, this strategy allows the victim to collect compensation to cover their expenses including attorney fees.
When negotiations fail, the next step is to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The victim has a period of up to three years to file the claim. The claim must show how the responsible party is liable for medical costs and auto repairs for the victim. It must include all medical bills and at least three estimates for auto repairs. If there were additional victims, they must file a separate claim. To file a claim contact auto accident attorneys in Lacey, WA now.
What to Consider When Filing
The first strategy used to discredit an accident claim is to directly blame at the victim. Under comparative fault rulings, the opposition could utilize this strategy. If the victim is guilty of a moving violation during the accident, the opposition could use this action against them. The court assigns blame based on a percentage system.
The percent assigned to the victim is the amount at which the settlement is reduced. The victim cannot be more than forty percent at fault. If the percent assigned is more than forty percent, the victim won’t receive a settlement.
Auto accident victims must present a strong case against the responsible driver. This case must show how the accident impacted the victim’s life. The injuries must produce extensive medical costs to prove that the case is viable for court. To discover more about these cases, hire auto accident attorneys in Lacey, WA by visiting today.
