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Washington State personal injury laws can have a direct bearing on the final amount of compensation an accident victim may be able to recover.
Anyone injured by another person’s negligence must be informed about state law so they can understand how it affects their ability to collect financial compensation.
If you are injured, you must consult a well-informed attorney who can advise you of your rights and explain how state laws can impact your ability to file a claim.
Our Washington State law firm has knowledgeable attorneys with comprehensive experience handling personal injury cases. Contact our law firm and ask to schedule a free initial consultation today.
How Does Washington’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law Affect Financial Compensation Awards?
Washington State law applies pure comparative negligence laws in personal injury cases. These laws dictate that the courts must consider both parties’ actions when determining who should be held at fault.
Under the conditions imposed by state law, injured victims may still be able to collect compensation even if they are deemed 99% at fault for the accident.
As a result, insurance companies will do everything in their power to put as much blame on the claimant as possible to minimize the compensation they may have to pay to injury victims.
For this reason, anyone injured by a negligent act must hire a personal injury lawyer who will fight to protect their legal rights.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Washington?
Generally, personal injury victims have up to three years from the date the accident occurred to file a lawsuit. Individuals who fail to file their injury claim within the three-year time limit can lose their legal ability to have their case heard in court.
If an accident victim tries to file a claim after three years have expired, the courts can refuse to hear the case, and the claim will be thrown out.
However, there are several exceptions to the three-year rule. For example, the time may be extended under Washington’s discovery rule, which allows the three-year time limit to begin once the injury victim discovers the injury, such as in medical malpractice cases.
In other instances, if the accident victim is a minor, the statute can be tolled until the minor reaches the age of 18. After the injury victim is 18, they have three years to file a personal injury claim to collect compensation.
Finally, if the liable party is a government employee or entity, the time limit is significantly shorter than the typical three-year period. Depending on the situation, the period may be as short as 60 days or extend to one year.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your injury, you should always consult with a lawyer to determine the steps to protect your right to file a claim.
Why Should I Trust Your Law Firm to Help Me With My Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury victims are often left feeling confused about what they should do first to try and recover compensation after being injured. The first step is to contact a personal injury law firm who will work to protect your legal rights.
Our law firm has a proven record of assisting Washingtonians with their personal injury cases and obtaining maximum compensation for the harm they have suffered.
When we agree to take your case, we will thoroughly investigate your claim and determine what damages you may be entitled to receive. Additionally, our law firm has the resources to hire accident reconstructionists and expert witnesses who can strengthen your claim.
Most importantly, our highly trained legal professionals provide clients with the information they need to make educated decisions about their claims.
Finally, unlike other law firms that may push injury victims to take quick settlements, our personal injury lawyers work for clients. We never encourage clients to agree to settlements that do not adequately meet their current and future needs.
If you or a family member have been severely injured in an accident caused by negligence, contact the Seattle, Washington law offices of Buckley & Associates at 206-558-8441 immediately. We will gladly schedule a free case evaluation to determine your legal needs and how we may be able to help.
