Automobile Accident Lawyers in Pierce County

Car accidents happen each day in Pierce County. And regardless of how carefully we drive, none of us is immune from another driver who is driving recklessly or carelessly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 36,096 fatal accident victims in the United States in 2019. Those of us who represent accident victims each day due to someone else’s negligence believe that figure is 36,096 too many.

At Northwest Law Group, our Pierce County personal injury lawyers have dedicated our careers to representing the rights of injury victims, both in Pierce County and throughout the state of Washington. If you have been injured in an accident due to another driver’s carelessness, we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Every driver in Pierce County owes the other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists using our roads a duty of care. This legal requirement says that a person must act with watchfulness, attention, caution, and prudence that a reasonable person in the same circumstances would use. If a driver is not driving cautiously, they have breached that duty. When that results in an accident and injuries, it establishes negligence and fault when compensation is being determined.

Negligent driving can be:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drunk and drug-impaired driving
• Tailgating
• Road rage
• Failure to yield

and others. In addition to being liable for the victim’s injuries in an accident, if the driver is charged with reckless driving, it can be considered a criminal traffic offense carrying large fines, license suspension, and even possible jail time.

In the state of Washington, driver negligence is what will determine fault, with the at-fault driver being liable for any costs resulting from the accident. But even if you were partially to blame for the accident, Washington has what is called comparative fault laws. As long as you were not 100 percent responsible for the accident, you may still be able to collect a portion of your costs in compensation.

You will file an insurance claim for your damages after a car accident, and the insurance company will investigate the accident and offer a settlement. But it’s important to understand that insurance companies will try to limit their financial exposure when determining settlements. This is why you may not get the compensation you truly deserve from the insurance company.

Your Pierce County personal injury attorney will do their own accident investigation to determine who was a fault for the accident. A skilled lawyer will also:

• Collect your bills and expenses and place a value on your claim.
• Determine if there may be any ongoing medical care you could need going forward.
• Calculate your lost wages and impact on your future earning capacity
• Calculate the cost of any property damage to your car or personal objects inside the car
• Consider if you may be a candidate for compensation for pain and suffering or loss of consortium

Your lawyer will be in contact with your healthcare professionals and insurance adjusters to give you the time and space you will need to heal.

Before you accept an insurance settlement, you should get the advice of a Pierce County automobile accident lawyer to see if the settlement is a fair one. In most cases, the settlement an insurance company offers is woefully insufficient and not nearly what you are legally entitled to. Speaking to an experienced attorney will help you understand what your claim may be worth and offer you peace of mind that your rights are being represented.

Call the Pierce County car accident attorneys at Northwest Law Group for a no-cost initial consultation to discuss your case. You never pay legal fees until we have recovered compensation on your behalf.