There were over 45,000 injuries in car accidents in Washington in 2012, according to the state Department of Transportation. That’s more than 45,000 people who may feel lost, scared, and confused about their health and financial well-being. Those affected may be motorists, truck drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and more.

If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle, truck or car accident, we can provide you with dedicated legal assistance. Serving all of Washington State, including Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Tacoma and Vancouver.

Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents happen for all sorts of reasons. Some common causes of and contributing factors to motor vehicle accidents are listed below.

• Drunk driving: any time someone gets behind the wheel after having too much to drink, he or she is placing lives at risk.
• Speeding: driving too fast is one of the most reckless and dangerous actions in which drivers engage. It leads to serious and fatal accidents every day in Washington and around the country.
• Distracted driving: the term “distracted driving” refers to the use of cell phones at the wheel, but can also refer to other practices that take one’s attention away from the road, like snacking and changing radio channels.
• Failure to obey traffic laws: those who disregard traffic signals or otherwise break traffic laws place others in danger.
• Drowsy driving: driving while fatigued is an underrated risk that many motorists take every day.

If the other person involved in the accident engaged in any of the above practices while driving – or others not listed above – he or she acted negligently.

How do I prove negligence in a car accident claim?

To prove that the other party is liable for damages you suffered in the accident, you must prove the presence of four elements.

First, you must prove that the other motorist had a duty to operate his motor vehicle safely and responsibly. All motorists owe a duty of care to all others on the road.

Second, you must establish that the driver was negligent. This means proving the driver engaged in dangerous or careless behavior, such as the behaviors listed above. Even if you are partially to blame for the accident, you may still recover damages, minus your percentage of fault.

Third, you must prove that the driver’s negligence caused your accident, and by extension your injuries. Some injured motorists run into problems if the other driver or an insurance company argues that your injuries are not related to the accident.

Finally, you must establish the extent of the damages you suffered. You may rely on medical receipts and reports, evidence of lost wages, and more to do so. The compensation that you recover for injuries you suffered in a Washington car accident should cover not just medical expenses and lost wages, but also disability compensation, pain and suffering, and reduced earning capacity, if applicable. Your personal injury lawyer can walk you through the various types of damages to which you may be entitled, and the evidence to prove it.

Want to know if you have a claim? Speak to an attorney today!

After your accident, seek medical attention at the scene, in the emergency room, or with your own doctor a couple of days later. Afterwards, notify your insurer and that of the other driver. Then get started filing your claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Use our contact form to set up a consultation with a car accident lawyer at Holland Law Group on Mercer Island. We’ll help you figure out your rights to compensation for your losses and prove liability for the crash. Initial consultations are free, and we only represent clients on a contingency basis – you don’t pay us anything until we recover compensation for you.