Bellevue, Washington’s bustling downtown and proximity to Seattle make for congested, often dangerous traffic conditions. If you were involved in a car accident in Bellevue, you may be dealing with serious injuries and a long road to recovery ahead. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer in Bellevue, WA, can provide clarity on your next steps.
Max Meyers Law PLLC represents car accident victims across Bellevue through the compensation and legal process. Speak with us to discuss your rights and options for moving forward.
Establishing Fault in a Bellevue Car Accident
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence statute for assigning fault in car accidents. Multiple parties can share accident liability and each receive a percentage of the blame for the accident. Your percentage of fault may impact the damages you can seek from the other parties; generally, your damages would be decreased by that amount.
Collecting evidence with the help of a car accident lawyer in Bellevue, WA, could help you establish another party’s negligence. Helpful evidence might include:
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Medical documentation detailing your injuries
- Witness testimonies from those who saw the collision
- Security camera or dashcam footage of the accident
- Black box data from the vehicles involved
- Testimony from accident reconstructionists
Exploring Your Options for Pursuing Compensation
The first step in seeking compensation after a Bellevue car accident is generally through an insurance claim. You can contact the other driver’s insurance company to inquire about filing a claim. However, insurance coverage is sometimes not sufficient to cover the medical bills and other expenses resulting from serious accidents.
An attorney can represent you in insurance company negotiations, if necessary, to seek a higher payout from the insurer. If these negotiations are unsuccessful, you may decide to pursue a personal injury claim against the insurance company or liable party.
A lawsuit may allow you to seek several types of car accident compensation. You could pursue economic damages to cover the direct monetary costs of the accident; these may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical damage
- Loss of earning capacity
You may also be able to seek non-economic damages to make up for the non-monetary costs of the accident, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Working with experienced legal representation can help you explore all options for seeking compensation and provide you with trusted guidance throughout the process.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Bellevue, WA?
If you are considering pursuing legal action after a Bellevue car accident, understanding Washington’s statute of limitations can help you avoid missing important deadlines. In Washington State, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to pursue personal injury claims. This same timeline applies to filing property damage claims.
Missing this deadline might bar you from seeking compensation, though there are a few exceptions that may apply. Your accident deadline may be longer than three years if:
- You did not discover the injury until some time after the accident
- You were a minor at the time of the accident
Speaking with a car accident lawyer in Bellevue, WA, can help you understand the deadlines that apply to your case and prevent missteps that could compromise your claim.
Schedule a Consultation With Max Meyers Law PLLC
Before you accept an insurance payout, talking to an attorney about your rights and options may be a wise idea. Max Meyers Law PLLC provides comprehensive legal representation for car accident victims across Bellevue.
Call us today at 425-559-9453 to schedule a consultation with our experienced car accident lawyer in Bellevue, WA.