Car accidents happen often and can lead to significant destruction, severe injuries, and fatalities. When you’re driving on State Route 22 or another dangerous highway, it’s likely you’ll encounter a negligent driver. The Washington personal injury lawyers of Tamaki Law know how traumatic a car crash can be for you and your passengers. It can disrupt your life and lead to crushing debt if you don’t have the money to pay your medical bills. It’s stressful and overwhelming to find yourself in this scenario, but you can count on us to help you recover.
Our Washington car accident attorneys have been fighting for the rights of accident victims since 1994. We have over 100 years of combined legal experience handling cases like yours. When you hire us, we can investigate the accident, determine who’s at fault, and seek the maximum compensation you deserve. You should have the opportunity to hold the negligent driver liable for the devastation they caused in your life.
Tamaki Law has three office locations to serve your needs. We can meet with you for a free consultation to discuss the facts of the car accident you were involved in and determine your available legal options. Call us today at (800) 801-9564.
Common Types of Car Accidents
Different vehicle types, road conditions, and contributing factors can result in a car crash in Washington. The types of accidents that could occur depend on the circumstances involved. The most common types of car accidents are:
- Rear-end collisions – This often happens when one driver tailgates another. There isn’t enough space between both vehicles for the rear driver to come to a complete stop and avoid crashing into the back of someone else’s car.
- Head-on collisions – Head-on car accidents can cause debilitating injuries and fatalities. This type of crash can result when a distracted driver drifts into oncoming traffic or overshoots a turn and ends up in the wrong lane.
- T-bone accidents – A T-bone accident occurs when one car collides with the side of another. Intersections are common locations for T-bone crashes, especially when someone runs a stop sign or red light.
- Wrong-way accidents – Anyone could end up traveling in the wrong direction down a one-lane road. If the motorist isn’t familiar with the area, they could end up on a collision course with another driver.
- Single-vehicle accidents – Sometimes collisions involve multiple cars. Other times, only one vehicle ends up in a crash if the driver runs off the road or swerves to avoid a pedestrian and collides with a telephone pole.
Whether you were in a severe head-on crash or a minor fender bender in a parking lot, you deserve compensation for the injuries you sustained. Tamaki Law might be able to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their wrongdoing and seek the justice you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Washington
Car accidents can become deadly in certain circumstances. For example, a speeding driver could collide with another vehicle, and the violent impact could kill the occupants.
Fatalities are common in car crashes throughout Washington. In 2019 alone, 519 people died in motor vehicle accidents. In fact, Interstate 5 ranked as one of the most dangerous highways in the United States, based on data gathered from the National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration.
The most common causes of car accidents include:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to check blind spots before merging or changing lanes
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Dram shop claims
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to avoid crossing paths with a dangerous driver. Many people exceed the speed limit and weave in and out of traffic while rushing to work. Others become distracted by their cell phones and stop paying attention to what’s happening in front of them. The slightest driver error could lead to an accident, injuring everyone involved.
Common Injuries Caused in Car Accidents
The injury you suffered likely depends on the type of accident you were in and its severity. Some victims only need a few weeks to recover fully, while others end up with permanent impairment or disability.
The most common injuries associated with car crashes include:
- Whiplash
- Burns and lacerations
- Concussion or traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limb
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Crush injuries
- Back injuries
- Disability
If you don’t heal from your injuries, you might struggle with chronic pain and require ongoing medical treatment. Medical bills can lead to debt if you can’t afford those costs. You shouldn’t be responsible for any past or future expenses resulting from the crash if another person was entirely at fault.
A Compensation Available in Washington Car Accident Cases
Car crashes cause more than just physical injuries. They also typically result in emotional trauma and financial strain. When you’re attending doctor’s appointments, you might need to leave work and miss out on earning income. Even if your injury heals, you could suffer from ongoing psychological problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or a phobia of driving.
The compensation you’re entitled to should adequately cover the total losses you suffered in the collision, such as:
- Medical bills
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
At Tamaki Law, our Washington car accident attorneys will work hard to seek the full and fair monetary award you’re owed. We have the necessary resources to investigate the accident and obtain crucial evidence to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. We never give up without a fight. We’re willing to go to battle for you to try to reach a favorable outcome in your case.
Laws You Must Follow to File a Lawsuit
Every state establishes statutes of limitations for personal injury cases. This is the timeframe for initiating legal action against another party after an accident. In Washington, the statute of limitations for injuries received in car crashes is three years. That means you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the other driver, or you could lose your right to compensation.
It’s crucial that you avoid talking in detail about your case with the insurance company or the police officer that arrives at the scene. They might document what you say, and a jury could use your words against you later to diminish the monetary value of your case.
Pure comparative negligence reduces an accident victim’s compensation by the percentage of fault they share for their injuries. For example, if you suffered $40,000 in losses, but the jury determines you were 25 percent to blame for the crash, you could only seek up to $30,000. That isn’t enough to compensate for your total losses.
Why Choose Tamaki Law?
At Tamaki Law, our Washington car accident attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and skills required to handle your insurance claim or lawsuit effectively. We only take on cases we believe in because we want to advocate for victims who unfairly suffered the consequences of someone else’s misconduct. We dedicate our time and attention to each client to provide the personalized service they deserve.
We take most cases on contingency, so you won’t be expected to pay us upfront for legal representation. We know you might already face an economic burden as you’re trying to recover from your injuries. We don’t want to add more expenses to your plate. You won’t owe us any legal fees and costs unless we secure compensation for you. If we lose, you’ll never have to pay any fees.
Tamaki Law is proud of the reputation we’ve built throughout Washington state. We have set records for the settlements we’ve been able to reach in personal injury cases. Additionally, founding attorney Blaine L. Tamaki and other attorneys at our firm have received awards and accolades from various legal organizations. When you hire us, you can feel confident knowing you have a capable and dedicated legal team in your corner.
Without their hard work, I would have been completely taken advantage of by the insurance company – Kelcy
Case Results
Call Tamaki Law to Speak with a Washington Car Accident Attorney
Tamaki Law will remain by your side until the end of your case. We can guide you through the entire process and provide the support you need to get through this traumatic time in your life. We work together to meet your needs and try to achieve the best possible result for you. You can count on us to be there for you when you need us the most.
The Washington car accident attorneys of Tamaki Law know what it takes to win personal injury cases. We will put our knowledge and experience to work for you. We take the time to get to know our clients, so we meet your needs and provide the one-on-one attention you rightfully deserve. You’ll always have someone in contact with you to update you on the status of your case and inform you of the next steps, so you know what to expect.
If you were injured in a car accident in Washington, call us at (800) 801-9564 immediately. Don’t wait long before seeking legal action against the negligent driver or another party. The sooner we start working on a strategy, the better prepared your case will be to help us attain the best possible result for you. Call (800) 801-9564 for your free consultation or contact us online.