AUTO ACCIDENTS
Personal injury cases are civil cases in which a person has been harmed due to negligence or some other kind of wrongdoing. These types of cases involve injuries such as broken bones, burns, back injuries, neck injuries, soft tissue injuries, and head injuries. These cases often arise out of auto accidents, dog bites, and accidents in which a person is injured by slipping and falling on the other party’s property. In a personal injury case, the injured person is seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The main issues to consider in evaluating a personal injury case include the liability of the parties involved and the extent of damage inflicted on the injured party. Washington State is a comparative negligence state. That means if a person is partly responsible for an accident, that party may still recover, but the recovery will be offset by that party’s contribution to the accident.
The vast majority of personal cases do not go to trial and the parties reach an agreement to settle. In many cases, this can be done fairly quickly. Do not let the other party’s insurance company pressure you or try to trick you into accepting a settlement and signing a release saying that you will not file a lawsuit. The insurance companies will try to offer you an amount that is far less than what your case is worth.
Settlement offers are generally much higher when the injured person is represented by an attorney. This is because an attorney knows the value of the case and has the legal skill and knowledge to take the case all the way to trial if necessary and the insurance companies know this. Do not accept a settlement offer before contacting a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case and advise you of your best course of action. If you believe you have been harmed because of someone else’s negligence or wrondoing, call Attorney John E. Gross at (206) 618-1629 to schedule an appointment for a free 1 hour consultation and case evaluation.