Experienced Spokane Car Accident Attorneys
Key Takeaways
- Some types of car accidents, such as head-on collisions, can cause more severe injuries than other types.
- After a car accident in Spokane, you can recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages.
- You should take specific steps after an accident to help your case.
- A car accident attorney in Spokane can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
In many cases, car accident victims are injured enough that they cannot do anything at the accident scene. In these cases, a car accident attorney in Spokane can guide them through recovering the compensation they deserve. You can take several steps to help your Spokane car accident lawyer create a strategy for your case.
Why Clients Choose McPartland Law Offices Spokane Car Accident Lawyers
Car accidents can cause many losses, including property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages. Insurance companies are not likely to offer a fair settlement in most personal injury cases. Having an experienced personal injury law firm standing behind you reduces the stress of dealing with insurance companies and allows you to concentrate on healing faster.
McPartland Law’s experienced attorneys will work with you on your accident insurance claim to recover the compensation you deserve.
Client Testimonials
“If anyone is in the Spokane area and is in need of A Great Law firm McPartland Law is Amazing. Helping 100% And fast…” — Denise M.
“These guys are the best! They worked hard and got me the best settlement possible! I am forever grateful! Definitely will recommend to everyone! Thanks guys I appreciate everything you did for me!” — Tracie H.
Types of Car Accident Claims Our Firm Handles in Spokane
McPartland Law, a personal injury lawyer in Spokane, handles car and truck accidents. Our firm guides you through the complex process of recovering the compensation you deserve. Some of the common types of car accidents include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- T-Bone collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Chain reaction crashes
- Single-vehicle accidents
This list is not exhaustive of the types of car accidents we handle. Any kind of accident that causes injury or wrongful death means dealing with insurance companies, and you should have experienced legal representation to guide you through the process.
What to Do After an Accident in Spokane?
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in an auto accident, you can take several steps to protect your rights.
Report the Collision
You should always call first responders in an accident, even a minor wreck. The documentation is the first step in gathering evidence for a car accident case. However, if you decide not to call them, Washington State requires you to complete a collision report form and file it with the state.
Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as possible after the accident, contact your insurance company to notify them of the accident. However, you should only give them:
- Your contact information
- The other party’s contact information
- Your auto accident lawyer’s contact information
- The date and location of the accident
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. Every claim they have to pay means less profit. Even your insurance company, regardless of how loyal and long you have been with it, will look for reasons to deny a claim. Barring that, insurance companies will pay you the least amount possible to “make you go away.”
Obtain Medical Care
After a car crash, it’s imperative to seek medical care. This step is essential in documenting car accident injuries. In some cases, your injuries might seem minor, but should they become more serious, you will have the initial documentation for your case. Some car accident injuries may not manifest for hours or even days after the accident. In some cases, such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, injuries may not manifest for weeks or months after the accident.
Additionally, seeking medical care gives insurance companies one less reason to try to deny your claim or offer you a meager amount. When you decline medical care, the insurance company may claim that you are not injured or cannot be injured as severely as you say since you did not seek medical attention until after the accident.
Contact Your Attorney
Contact a personal injury attorney as soon after the accident as possible. The sooner you obtain legal advice, the less you will have to deal with insurance companies – and the less likely you will make a costly mistake.
You could inadvertently admit fault or make a statement that you should not. Insurance companies are known for tricking you into saying things that could damage your case. They are also known for talking you into signing off on a settlement that is not fair.
In addition to protecting you from erring, a car accident attorney in Spokane can:
- Identify all parties that may have liability in the accident
- Locate other sources of compensation that apply to your accident
- Handle filings and deadlines
- Handle negotiations
- Guide you through the accident claim process
- Work with insurance adjusters
- Keep your case moving forward so that you can recover the compensation you deserve
Can You Collect Damages for Your Car Accident Claim in Spokane?
After a car accident in Spokane, you can collect two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Sometimes referred to as special damages, economic damages have a monetary value. General damages, or non-economic damages, do not have a monetary value.
Economic damages include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Replacement of personal property, such as your vehicle
- Death-related expenses if you lost a family member in a car accident
Non-economic damages generally cover losses caused by serious injuries and may include:
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Loss of consortium and/or companionship
- Loss of quality of life
- Inconvenience
You could also recover extra compensation in a fair settlement if the accident caused excessive scarring or disfigurement.
Need Help with Your Spokane Car Accident Case? Contact Us
Call McPartland Law Offices if you have questions about resolving your case. Our experienced car accident lawyers will assist you in pursuing the results you desire. Complete our online contact form or call today for a free consultation at (509) 495-1247.
Frequently Asked Questions
To recover compensation after a car accident, you must prove that the other driver was at fault and negligent. The four elements of negligence are:
- The defendant has a duty of care to other drivers on the road.
- The defendant breached that duty of care, usually by driving recklessly and breaking traffic laws.
- The defendant’s actions or inactions caused the harm to you.
- You suffered damages because of the accident.
Investigating the accident scene is the key to establishing fault and proving the defendant was negligent. To prove fault, your attorney can use:
- The police report
- Witness testimony
- Statements from the drivers involved
- Videos
- Photos
- Cell phone records
- Weather reports
- Medical records
A car accident can stay on your driving record for five years. However, if you were driving a commercial vehicle, the accident can stay on your record for 10 years from the collision date.
If the collision was alcohol-related, or you were charged with vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, the accident will stay on your record for life.
In most cases, the statute of limitations for a vehicle accident or other personal injury claims is three years.
While there is no legal requirement that you have to retain a Spokane car accident attorney, you may find their services very helpful, especially if you need ongoing medical treatment or you lost a loved one in a car accident.
Washington is a tort state, which means the driver who caused an accident is responsible for your damages. The driver’s insurance company, or the driver, if they were not insured, pays for your injuries and losses.
Visit Our Office
Moses Lake, Washington 98837
Written By Bryce McPartland
Mr. McPartland, a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and Washington State University, has a proven track record in personal injury law. Recognized as a Rising Star by Washington’s SuperLawyers Magazine, he has secured multimillion-dollar settlements for clients. Bryce’s commitment to continuous legal education and community service underscores his expertise in the field of personal injury law.
