According to the Bellingham Herald, 2023 saw a 33-year high in fatal car accidents, most of which were attributable to speeding. It’s becoming increasingly important to know how to mitigate the physical, financial, and legal risks of car accidents. Whether you’re making or defending a claim, the car accident lawsuit process is easier to go through with good information and legal assistance.
The key steps in an auto accident lawsuit are:
- Reporting the accident to the police and your insurer
- Getting medical attention
- Finding an attorney
- Filing your claim
- Settlement or trial
At the Scene and Soon Thereafter
The car crash legal procedure starts at the scene of the crash. Once everyone’s safe, it’s best for the parties involved to exchange numbers and then start taking as many pictures of the scene (if it’s safe and possible).
If you have any injuries, ensure that you get medical treatment as quickly as possible. Among other benefits, medical evidence helps with the valuation of personal injury claims. Reporting the accident to the authorities and your insurance carrier are also vital steps to take at this stage.
Finding an Attorney
It’s important that you find a suitable car accident or personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In Washington, there is a generous time limit for filing a car accident claim, but letting too much time pass is a bad idea, even if you don’t let the claim expire.
Many people who delay getting professional auto accident legal advice or representation do so because they want to avoid fees. Luckily, personal injury lawyers tend to offer contingency arrangements. If you’re defending against a claim, you’ll also have a much greater chance of success if you get representation.
Claiming or Defending
Your attorney will then take you through the car accident claim steps. First, they’ll send a demand letter to the other party. Next, the other party (or their insurer) will issue a counteroffer. Most claims get taken care of in this negotiated fashion or after a mediated meeting.
However, sometimes, parties cannot find common ground because of a dispute of facts. If this causes the negotiation to stagnate, the next step in the lawsuit process timeline is to prepare for trial. Note that this is likely where you’re headed if you’re defending and have a strong defense.
Finding an attorney early makes this stretch of the car accident lawsuit process much smoother. They’ll already have most of the evidence and will be intimately aware of all the case’s details.
Navigate the Car Accident Lawsuit Process Successfully
Car accidents have become more common as vehicles have gotten faster and populations have grown. If you’re a regular on the roads, keep this knowledge in your back pocket in case you’re ever involved in a car accident.
Building a strong case begins with taking photos and gathering evidence at the scene. Part of that also includes visiting the doctor for safety and medical evidence reasons. From there, notify the relevant authorities, find a lawyer, and prepare for the car accident lawsuit process.
At Maurer Law, we treat our clients with utmost seriousness and dedication. Make sure you get the best legal service in Spokane by contacting us, and we’ll get you the compensation you deserve.