Sunnyside Personal Injury Lawyers
If you suffer a personal injury in Sunnyside, WA due to someone else’s negligence, take legal action. To get started, explore your legal options. Look for a Washington personal injury law firm to help you pursue damages from any at-fault parties.
Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC is a leading choice for those in need of an injury lawyer in Sunnyside. Our attorney is available to discuss your case. Contact us today.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Per Revised Code of Washington section 4.1.6.080, you have three years from the date of an injury caused by someone else to file a claim against them. There are many instances where it may be in your best interests to submit an injury claim. These include:
Car Accident
It is against the law to drive without auto insurance in Washington. Even if a driver has insurance, they can still cause an accident. With or without insurance, an at-fault motorist can be held accountable. To get compensation for an injury you suffer in an auto crash, you have two options.
In many instances, you can submit an insurance claim. For example, a driver may crash their car into your vehicle. This driver was speeding at the time of your accident, and they are 100% responsible. At first glance, your claim may seem simple and straightforward. Yet, when you file a claim with an insurance company, it may be difficult to get compensation to cover your accident-related losses.
An at-fault driver’s insurer looks out for their client’s best interests — not yours. The insurance provider may do things to try to avoid paying your claim. This company may attempt to get you to make a statement on the record in which you accept blame for your collision. Or, the business may use stall tactics and other methods to frustrate you to the point where you want to give up on your claim altogether.
You are eligible to submit an auto crash claim if you are involved in a head-on collision, sideswipe accident, or similar types of incidents. Along with these, you may be able to sue if you are involved in a ridesharing or taxi cab accident.
Injury lawyers in Sunnyside can help you figure out who is at fault in your auto crash and file a claim accordingly. At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, we can answer frequently asked questions and many others about car crash cases. For more information, reach out to us.
Defective Product
Based on the Revised Code of Washington section 4.1.6.080, you have the right to pursue damages from a manufacturer or reseller of a product that causes you to get hurt. To understand how a faulty product claim works, consider an example.
You buy a new product with the expectation it will serve you well as soon as you start using it. When you utilize the product as instructed, you suffer an injury. You get hurt in spite of the fact that you did exactly what was expected to use the product correctly.
There is a reasonable expectation for a product manufacturer or reseller to offer items that do not harm others. If a business that produces or sells products does not meet this expectation, you or anyone else can get hurt. When a faulty product injury happens, the business may be responsible for it. With help from an injury attorney, you can determine who is accountable for your defective product injury. Your lawyer can help you pursue a settlement award.
Contributory fault is in effect across the state. This means the amount of compensation you are awarded in a personal injury case can be reduced by your percentage of fault. As such, the defendant in a product liability lawsuit may do everything they can to show you are in some way responsible for your injury. If the defendant is successful, they may be able to avoid paying full damages or any compensation at all.
If you get injured due to a faulty product, consult with a personal injury lawyer. This gives you a legal representative who advocates for you and protects your legal rights. Your attorney can help you prepare a compelling argument against any parties responsible for your injury. They work in lockstep with you to help you get a fair settlement.
Medical Malpractice
You are eligible to seek compensation if you get hurt due to a healthcare provider’s negligence. Proving fault in a medical malpractice case requires patience and attention to detail. A personal injury attorney can work with you to get the evidence you need to show a healthcare professional was negligent, which led to your injury.
There is a burden of proof for medical malpractice cases and other personal injury claims. Basically, you must be able to show that a healthcare provider acted recklessly or carelessly. You must also verify that this provider had a legal obligation to provide a standard level of care. When this obligation was violated, you suffered an injury. On top of that, your injury is forcing you to deal with quantifiable or subjective losses.
An injury law firm helps you gather evidence that compels a judge or jury to rule in your favor. In a medical malpractice case, you may use healthcare records and other relevant documents to support your case. You may ask witnesses to testify on your behalf as well.
If a family member dies due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation on behalf of the deceased person (decedent). This requires a wrongful death claim.
In Washington State, you are allowed to submit a wrongful death claim if you are a decedent’s personal representative. You may be named a representative in a deceased person’s will. It may also be possible to submit a claim on the grounds of wrongful death if you are the surviving spouse, child, or parent of someone who dies due to a healthcare provider’s negligence.
How to Submit a Personal Injury Claim in Sunnyside
Do not wait to file an injury claim. The statute of limitations for submitting a claim cannot be extended. If you wait too long, you lose the right to sue for damages. In this situation, you are fully responsible for your injury costs.
Injury law firms are available to assist you. Look for personal injury lawyers who have experience relating to your injury. For instance, if you are involved in a trucking crash that leaves you with an injury, find a lawyer who has handled truck cases. This attorney may have received dozens of positive client testimonials from plaintiffs in trucking accident cases. They know the ins and outs of truck laws and can share what they know with you. Plus, they can make sure your claim is submitted against any at-fault parties and before your window to do so lapses.
Once you choose between injury attorneys, your lawyer works hard for you. They may provide tips and recommendations to help you navigate the legal process, such as:
Collect Evidence
Get as much evidence as you can to support your case. Personal injury attorneys can help you gather a wide range of exhibits, including:
- Police records
- Pay stubs
- Healthcare records
- Accident scene photos and videos
A personal injury law firm recognizes the value of evidence. The firm works with you to collect information that shows a judge or jury why you deserve damages. It uses evidence to explain why the defendant is completely responsible for your injury.
Avoid Posting on Social Media
When it comes to social media posts, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you publish content on social channels to tell family and friends about your injury, doing so may harm your case. Because the defendant in your lawsuit may search online for any comments, photos, or videos, they can use against you. If they succeed, they will have evidence that could lead a judge or jury to rule against you.
Personal injury law firms may encourage their clients to stay off social channels or limit what they post for the duration of their litigation. Anything you share on social media may be used against you. Thus, if you want to update a family member or friend about your injury, email, call, or text them. If you are unsure about whether posting a specific piece of content could compromise your case, err on the side of caution and do not share this information.
Do Not Speak with an Insurance Company
If an at-fault party’s insurance provider contacts you after you suffer your injury, be cautious. Sometimes, an insurance company will propose a settlement that is far less than what you could receive if you bring your case to trial. By accepting this offer, you give up your right to seek further damages. Worst of all, you may wind up getting only a fraction of the amount you need to cover your injury expenses.
There may be times when an insurer pressures you to speak about your injury on the record. If you agree to this, you risk saying something that could raise doubt about your involvement in an accident that led to your injury. What you say may be recorded, and it could be used as part of a defendant’s argument against you.
For those who get a call from an insurer, notify your attorney. Let your lawyer speak with an insurance company for you. Your attorney knows the tricks an insurance provider may use to try to get you to accept a lowball settlement. They can also help you avoid saying something on the record that could put your request for compensation in danger.
Ask for the Most Damages Possible
If you have a collision report and other evidence, you may be well equipped to pursue the maximum amount of damages available to you. With help from your lawyer, you can show a judge or jury you deserve this amount.
In a personal injury lawsuit, you can ask for economic and non-economic damages. A judge or jury may award economic damages for losses you can quantify. It may offer non-economic compensation for pain, suffering, and other subjective losses.
Your attorney helps you calculate your damages. They consider the immediate and long-term impact of your injury.
Be Open to a Settlement Offer
It may take weeks, months, or years before you receive compensation in a personal injury claim. Regardless, you and your lawyer can work together for as long as needed. Over the course of your litigation, you may get a settlement proposal. By reviewing the offer with your lawyer, you can weigh its pros and cons and make an informed decision about it.
Just because the defendant offers a settlement does not mean you have to accept it. You and your lawyer can consider how any decision you make regarding a proposal may affect you now and in the future. If your attorney believes it is not in your best interests to approve a settlement, they will let you know. Your lawyer can explain their reasoning, but ultimately, you have the final say on whether to accept, decline, or counter the offer.
If you are not fully satisfied with a settlement offer, decline it. There is no penalty if you refuse a settlement proposal. Your attorney will notify the defendant about your decision, and you and your lawyer keep building your case.
On the other hand, if you are happy with a settlement proposal, approve it. Then, you will get compensation and close your case.
You and your attorney can continue to negotiate a settlement after you submit your claim. If you do not get a settlement that meets your requirements, you can bring your case to trial. Next, you and your lawyer can argue your case, and a judge or jury will render a final decision.
Partner with a Sunnyside Personal Injury Attorney
If you are dealing with a personal injury and want legal help, the team at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC is here for you. Our Sunnyside injury lawyer can take a look at your case and go over your legal options with you. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.