Car accidents can be traumatic experiences. The distress often continues for months after the crash when a car accident victim in Tacoma, WA, encounters the fault-based car accident laws that require an injury victim to present compelling evidence of the at-fault party’s liability to recover compensation.
The Tacoma car accident attorneys at Sears Injury Law provide experienced legal representation throughout every step of the car accident claim process. Our law firm can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and ensure your rights are protected. Call our Tacoma personal injury attorneys today at (253) 544-5553.
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Why Choose Us as Your Car Accident Lawyers In Tacoma, WA?
Most car accident claims are made directly against an at-fault driver’s insurance. Sadly, insurance companies are not on your side in this process and may protect their profits at your expense. You need assertive legal representation from the Tacoma car accident lawyers at Sears Injury Law. Here’s what our law firm has to offer:
- A free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer
- Contingency-based payment, meaning you only pay our fee after we’ve recovered compensation in your case
- A car accident lawyer who will come to you if your injuries prevent an office visit
- Access to accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to strengthen your claim
- A law firm with over 100 years of combined experience navigating Washington’s insurance system, civil court, and injury laws
- A results-oriented approach through personalized legal strategies rather than a carbon-copy recovery plan that might not align with your goals
The team at Sears Injury Law combine compassion with assertive legal action to achieve exceptional results for car accident victims. Whether you were injured in a rear-end crash or rideshare accident, our experienced team of Tacoma car accident lawyers are here to help you pursue justice. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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Tacoma Car Accident Resources & FAQs
- Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Partially at Fault?
- What Damages Can I Recover in a Tacoma Car Accident Claim?
- How a Tacoma Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
- How Long Will My Case Take?
- Do I Have To Go to Court for My Car Accident Case?
- How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Claim in Washington State?
- What Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
- What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
- What if the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
- Contact Our Tacoma Car Wreck Attorneys Today
- Visit Our Office in Tacoma, Washington
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Partially at Fault?
Washington State has fault-based car accident laws allowing an injury victim to recover compensation from the responsible party. Even if a car accident victim contributed to the cause of the car crash, they can still recover compensation, but the insurance company subtracts their percentage of fault from the amount they pay out on the claim. RCW 4.22.005 states the following:
“In an action based on fault seeking to recover damages for injury or death to person or harm to property, any contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages for an injury attributable to the claimant’s contributory fault, but does not bar recovery.”
While this is good news for a Tacoma car accident victim who contributed to the cause or severity of the accident, it also incentivizes insurance adjusters to assign higher percentages of fault to an accident victim with substantial damages to protect company profits. By assigning an injury victim 40% fault for an accident, they can reduce a $100,000 claim to $60,000. A proactive Tacoma car accident attorney protects an accident victim’s best interests throughout the process.
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What Damages Can I Recover In a Tacoma, WA Car Accident Claim?
An auto accident often causes far more than just property damage. When it results in serious injuries, the damages quickly escalate. Some injuries cause life-altering consequences, leaving an injury victim with disability and an uncertain future.
A successful Washington auto accident claim cannot undo the injury, but it can recover common damages such as the following:
- Reimbursement for past medical expenses
- Future medical costs for ongoing care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Compensation for lost earnings
- Future income loss or diminished future earning ability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Catastrophic injury damages specific to the auto accident case, such as scarring, disfigurement, loss of an organ, traumatic limb loss, the loss of one of the senses, or diminished quality of life
When an auto accident in Tacoma causes fatal injuries, a loved one may file a wrongful death claim with the help of a Tacoma wrongful death lawyer to recover compensation for their losses.
How Does a Car Accident Attorney Help with an Accident Claim?
Having strong legal representation when seeking compensation for car accident damages is always beneficial. Your car accident attorney from Sears Injury Law will do the following on your behalf:
- Handle all communication with the insurance company
- Investigate the accident to document clear evidence of another party’s negligence and liability under the state’s fault-based insurance law
- Carefully calculate economic and non-economic damages to maximize the compensation available to the injury victim
- Send their findings to the insurance company in a “demand package”
- Assertively argue for the highest possible settlement during negotiations with the insurance company
- Obtain an ample settlement or pursue the case in court
Nearly 95% of car accident cases end with a settlement. Insurance companies would rather avoid the additional expense of court, where juries are sympathetic to the injury victim. Your trial-ready attorney from Sears Injury Law will prepare all aspects of the your auto accident case as though for trial, making a more compelling argument for a settlement.
How Long Will My Case Take?
Every car accident case in Tacoma involves its own set of facts, and so the timeline will ultimately depend on several variables. Straightforward cases with clear liability sometimes settle within a few months. More complex claims, such as those involving severe injuries or disputes over fault, can take a year or longer to resolve.
One of the biggest factors is whether you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), since settling too early could mean leaving money on the table if you need future treatment. Our Tacoma car accident attorneys will make sure your case moves forward efficiently without sacrificing the compensation you need and deserve.
Do I Have To Go to Court for My Car Accident Case?
Most car accident cases in Tacoma are resolved through settlement negotiations and never go to trial. Insurance companies often prefer to settle rather than risk a jury verdict, particularly when the evidence against their policyholder is strong.
That said, some insurers refuse to offer a fair amount. If that happens, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to take your case before a judge and jury. We won’t pressure you into accepting a lowball offer just to avoid the courtroom.
Our Tacoma Car Accident Attorneys Are Here To Support You
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Claim in Washington State?
Under Washington law (RCW 4.16.080), you generally have three years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. The same deadline applies if you’re only pursuing property damage. Missing this window almost always means losing your right to seek compensation entirely.
Limited exceptions do exist for situations involving minors or injuries that aren’t discovered right away. However, these are uncommon. The sooner you speak with a personal injury attorney, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your claim.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Hiring a car accident lawyer in Tacoma won’t cost you a dime upfront. Our car accident law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect legal fees if we recover money for you. There are no hourly rates and no retainers to worry about.
You’ll sign a fee agreement at the start of the process that lays out the exact terms. This setup means that anyone can afford quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. It also means our team is motivated to maximize every dollar we recover on your behalf.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Washington requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone follows the law. If an uninsured motorist caused your crash, you may still have options. Your own auto policy might include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which can step in to cover your losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Our Tacoma uninsured motorist accident attorneys can review your policy and help you identify every available source of compensation. You may have more legal options than you originally anticipated in circumstances like these.
What if the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
A denial from the insurance company doesn’t have to be the final word. Insurers deny claims for many reasons, many of which don’t hold up under scrutiny. Common tactics include disputing who was at fault, questioning the severity of your injuries, and arguing that your treatment wasn’t necessary.
Our lawyers know how to challenge these denials effectively. We can gather additional evidence, including by bringing in expert witnesses as appropriate, and build a case that forces the insurer to reconsider as best as we can. If they still won’t budge, we’ll be ready to file a lawsuit and let a jury decide.
Contact Our Tacoma Car Accident Attorneys Today
After a car wreck in Tacoma, you should not leave your financial recovery in the hands of an insurance company without legal representation. If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident, call the skilled Tacoma car accident lawyers at Sears Injury Law for a free, confidential case review. We will begin a strong strategy for your financial recovery while you focus on your physical well-being.
Visit Our Tacoma Office
Come visit us at our office in Tacoma, Washington. We are conveniently located near you at:
Second Level, 4826 Tacoma Mall Blvd
Tacoma, WA 98409
