Vehicle Accident FAQ’s

WASHINGTON VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Why not wait to see what the insurance company is willing to offer me before I hire a personal injury attorney?

If you do, you may find yourself stuck permanently with a lower offer. Why? Because you are far more likely to speak with an insurance adjuster without counsel and say something that will be interpreted in the insurance company’s favor. You will also be at greater risk for being pressured into a quick settlement because your emotions often run higher after an accident.

Should I accept whatever the insurance company offers me?

No, you should not. Many insurance companies offer low settlements hoping that you will accept the offer. Insurance companies have discovered that they can save on both ends. Some “fools” will accept their low settlement offer, which save the insurance company money. Then the insurance company saves money even if they pay out, if you hire an incompetent personal injury attorney to represent your vehicle accident claim. The bottom line is simple. You should never try to recover compensation for injuries from a vehicle accident without legal representation. And you should make sure that the attorney you hire is experienced in personal injury law.

What advantages do I gain by hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle my vehicle accident?

1. When an attorney takes your vehicle accident personal injury case, you are relieved of dealing with all the headaches connected to dealing with the insurance companies that may be involved.
2. You have an advocate that is on your side. No insurance company, even your own, is your friend.
3. When you hire a competent, aggressive and experienced lawyer to negotiate your vehicle accident settlement, you usually walk away with more money than if you had tried to negotiate with the insurance companies on your own—even after you have paid attorney’s fees. Insurance companies know you don’t know the strategies and rules that attorneys take years to acquire.
4. You may also find that it is easier to get the medical treatment you need when you are able to tell the doctor that your attorney recommended the visit. This can make a major difference if you do not have health insurance.
5. You are less likely to be fooled into considering a low offer and acceptable settlement offer. A well-qualified personal injury attorney, like you will find at Boyd Buckingham, knows which costs should be included in the settlement. There are many that you might overlook.

What can I expect to recover in compensation after a motor vehicle accident?

You are entitled to compensation for any medical expenses related to your motor vehicle accident. If you lose wages, you can seek compensation even if you are covered by sick leave or use vacation pay. If the vehicle accident leaves permanent impairment, you can seek compensation on several levels, such as loss of earning power or coverage for permanent healthcare assistance. And obviously you’re entitled to the value of your car at the time of the accident. You may also seek damages for pain and suffering.

How much compensation can I expect for work lost?

You can expect compensation, as long as your loss of work was ordered by a doctor. This is one reason it is so important to seek medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem at the time. Talk to the doctor about your job description and typical tasks you perform. An experienced physician will be able to tell if you should take time off from work to recover from your injuries.

If you are ordered to take off work, you are entitled to compensation for the money you would have earned during the time you are under doctor’s orders. If you injury is severe enough to impact your earning power into the future, you can also seek compensation for loss of income capacity.

How much compensation can I expect for pain and suffering?

A great deal depends upon how thoroughly you keep records of the pain and suffering you experience after an automobile accident. You need to be very thorough in reporting all of your complaints. You need to keep a journal where you record your feelings are expressed clearly over time.

What do I need to do so that I am compensated adequately for my vehicle accident?

Do all the things recommended for demonstrating that you experienced pain and suffering as a result of your vehicle accident. But in addition, make sure that you do not stop treatment until you know that you are back to your normal self. If your symptoms continue, keep on going to the doctor. That way the insurance company can’t say that you must have recovered because you don’t need medical treatment anymore.

You also need to make sure you see the right type of specialist. The following doctors treat and diagnose different symptoms:

• Neurologist—See a neurologist if you suffer from severe, consistent headaches. Dizziness, vertigo, numbness, paralysis and loss of motion and/or feeling are symptoms of problems with nerve function. If you experience memory loss, fainting spells or changes in your cognitive functions, the best physician to see is a neurologist.
• Orthopedist—See an orthopedist if you experience severe or continuous neck and/or back pain. Discomfort in your shoulders, knees, hands and feet can indicate problems with the bones.
• Psychologist / Psychiatrist—Accidents often cause anxiety, depression, withdrawal, fear, phobias, and other behavioral issues.
• Physical Therapist / Chiropractor—Physical therapists and chiropractors help you recover from the muscular, tendon and ligament damage caused by many accidents.

If my car is damaged in a vehicle accident, should I expect a rental car while my car is in the repair shop?

If you are not the person at fault and the damage is minor enough to warrant repairs, you have two options. You can ask for a rental car while your car is being repaired, or you can ask for loss of use payments if you prefer to use an alternative transportation option.

What does it mean when the insurance company says my car has been totaled?

If the cost to repair the car after a motor vehicle accident is more than your car is worth, the insurance company will consider it totaled. You are entitled to the fair market value for your car at the time of the accident. Insurance companies will seek to settle for the lowest market value, even if you had a high-end model. There are other factors that can raise the fair market value above average. You may have recently replaced the engine, meaning the car has a higher market value than a comparable car of the same age.

Am I entitled to a rental car if my car is totaled in a vehicle accident?

In general, you are entitled to a rental car or loss of use compensation from the time of the accident until the insurance company sends you a check to pay for your vehicle.

Do I need to pay before you will consider representing my vehicle accident case?

No. You can contact Boyd Buckingham for a free evaluation of your motor vehicle accident personal injury case. Call our law offices at (425) 228-6662. Because Washington requires our clients to reimburse us for any costs we pay on your behalf, we will discuss any fees that you would have to pay if your case was unsuccessful. Otherwise, we use a basic contingency fee structure. We make every effort to only take cases where we know we can win for you.