On-road accidents are not rare in Kent. Washington is an at-fault state. This means that if the other driver was responsible for causing the car accident, they are liable for their action. You would typically file a claim with their insurance company. After getting injured in Kent, you must take steps to protect your interests. Hiring an attorney is one of them. In this post, we are sharing key details about the same.
Insurance companies don’t care
This is one of the most common things that people don’t understand. Insurance companies are not in the business of paying for auto accident claims. Their claims adjuster may try different tactics to minimize the burden on the company, including –
- Discouraging the claimant from seeking medical care
- Undermining injuries or the worth of the claim
- Pressuring the claimant to accept an offer
- Asking the claimant to sign forms to access medical history
- Discouraging the claimant from hiring a lawyer
More often than not, insurance adjusters ask questions to trick people into saying things that would go against them.
Your share in the blame
What if you are partly to blame for the accident? Washington laws are claimant friendly, and even if you are mostly responsible for the accident, you have the right to sue the at-fault party for their negligence. That said, remember that the other party would also take action against you in such circumstances. Your fault share determines what you get from the settlement awarded. For instance, if you are 40% at fault and were given $200,000 in a settlement, your final compensation would be $120,000.
The need for an attorney
The insurance adjuster would do their best to pass the blame on you and deny your claim. Hiring an attorney is necessary to stay away from insurance tactics. Lawyers can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate for you. Your lawyer is also your best source for knowing the various legal options that you can consider for the case.
The good news is you don’t need to burn your wallet to hire an attorney for your accident claim. All injury lawyers in Kent get a contingency fee, which is a chunk of your recovery. Your lawyer only gets the money when you win a settlement, and the fee depends on the work and experience of the lawyer. Consult an accident attorney for free to know your case better.
