If you or a loved one have been involved in a car crash, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you are getting fair compensation from an insurance company.
You deserve to be able to concentrate on your healing and recovery.
Whether you were involved in a mild fender bender or a catastrophic collision, LGP Law of Yakima, WA is here to support you! Our attorneys service the Central Washington region, handling the details of your auto insurance claim so you can focus on what truly matters.
Learn More about Personal Injuries from a Car Crash
What is a Car Crash?
A car crash occurs when a vehicle collides with something else, such as another car, pedestrian, debris, animal, or other object.
It is often used interchangeably with the term car accident; however, the word “accident” may connote that no one is at-fault for any damages that have taken place. In contrast, terms like “crash” or “collision” describe the occurrence of the event itself without implicating whether there is a liable party.
In 1997, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (US DOT/NHTSA) began a campaign whose goal was to remove the word “accident” from language associated with highway collisions, wrecks, and crashes which result in injuries or damages.
The vast majority of car incidents involve some degree of human error. It is important to remember that an incident does not have to be intentional to implicate fault. Due care is owed to others every time a driver takes the wheel.
What are Common Causes That Lead to a Car Crash?
The number of traffic collisions and deaths have been steadily increasing in counties across Washington State, including Yakima County, for the past decade. Because many car crashes involve risky behavior, your safety is improved by avoiding these dangerous and illegal activities:
Distracted Driving
We live in a digital age; cell phone usage is one of the most common ways people drive distracted.
However, it is important to note that any activity that dangerously interferes with driving may be penalized, such as eating, applying makeup, or interacting with a child in the backseat.
If something other than driving requires your attention, pull over to a safe place and don’t forget to turn on your hazard lights.
Driving While Impaired
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a gross misdemeanor in Washington State.
Even legal, over-the-counter and prescription drugs can fall under this category if they alter an individual’s mental capacity in a way that impairs driving.
Driving while drowsy can also impair driving, and may result in a charge of negligence or recklessness.
Speeding
Driving over the speed limit may seem inconsequential to people in a hurry, yet a significant number of car crashes involve speeding. Speeding increases the chances that control over the vehicle will be lost, decreases the amount of time that involved parties have to react to an emergency situation, and can compromise the effectiveness of the safety measures built into the vehicle itself.
Driving Without A Restraint
While wearing a seatbelt does not necessarily minimize your chances of being involved in a wreck, it can reduce the amount of injuries sustained and save lives. Be certain to check that you and all other passengers are buckled in before starting a drive.
We also recommend performing routine inspections on your vehicle and keeping up with its maintenance schedule.
Having reliable tires, brakes, and airbags, as well as ensuring fluids are topped off and other components are functioning smoothly, will go a long way in keeping you safe on the road.
Lastly, use the restroom before your trip; you don’t need to risk a bladder injury or have the distractions of discomfort and urgency.
The Do's and Don'ts During a Car Crash
Your health and safety are the number one priority after involvement in a collision.
Call 911 to receive aid in dealing with any injuries sustained by you, your passengers, or the other parties involved.
If no immediate medical attention is required, notify the police and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Immediately following the aftermath of a car crash is a critical time to begin gathering material for an insurance claim.
While waiting for assistance, you can take several key steps:
Do Exchange Information
with other parties involved in the car crash. Acquire the name, contact information, and car insurance of other drivers. You can also ask witnesses to provide their name and contact information, as statements from them may help to build your case.
Do Take Photos
to document the impact. Make certain to include damage to all vehicles involved, the road conditions, and features involved such as stop signs, street and traffic lights, guard rails, etc. If your image does not have metadata associated with it, also record the location, date, and time of the accident.
Do Follow Up
with both the State and your auto insurance. If law enforcement did not file a written report at the time of the accident, you are obligated to submit a collision report form with the Washington Department of Transportation (DOT) if any of the following occurred during the car crash: death, injury, or property damage valued greater than $1,000. You will also want to inform your car insurance of the event.
Do Not Leave the Site
of the collision until law enforcement arrives; this is illegal in Washington State.
Do Not Admit to Fault
to the other party, or when giving your report to the police. Truthfully state the facts as they occurred, but do not assign blame to yourself.
Even apologizing can be later interpreted by insurance companies as admitting responsibility for the incident. There may be factors you are not aware of that are at issue; do not speculate.
Do Not Neglect Your Medical Care
following the collision. If you were given a treatment plan, stick to it and attend follow-up appointments. Even for minor fender benders that you may feel tempted to “walk off,” being examined by a medical professional can be important for your long-term health. Injury may not present itself until days after the crash, so be watching for swelling, bruising, and signs of whiplash. Not all trauma is physical, and it is not uncommon to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a car crash. Seek out a mental health professional if you are having difficulty coping emotionally or mentally following the event. Keeping a detailed record of appointments, prescriptions, and diagnoses will be helpful in building your insurance claim.
Do I Really Need Legal Assistance for a Minor Car Crash?
While the phrase “car crash” may evoke mental images of being T-boned, sideswiped, or collided with head-on, the reality is that fender benders are much more common. Most drivers will experience a handful of these.
Even though minor collisions may feel less complex to handle, having an attorney on your side can be hugely beneficial.
It is in the best interest of every insurance company to settle quickly and cheaply, and they will use various tactics to deny claims or offer less than you deserve. An experienced lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive the maximum settlement amount.
Why Should I Choose LGP Law to Help Me?
Some attorneys will settle car crash cases early in the process because they feel it is not worth their time.
At LGP Law, we take every case seriously – from start to finish – to ensure you get everything you deserve.
We are willing to go to court if insurance is unwilling to negotiate a fair settlement. We are thorough and committed to seeing you through to an acceptable resolution.
We have the added benefit of being local to Yakima Valley, which means we know how to get things done here.
When you need legal support, you want an experienced, local attorney who knows our community. We are a driven team dedicated to serving our clients and helping you get things done right the first time.
When meeting with us about a car crash, here is what you can expect:
- An attorney will meet with you to evaluate your case.
- Avenues for recovery will be investigated.
- The insurance coverage of involved parties will be evaluated.
- We will negotiate claims with insurance companies.
- When necessary, we will bring a lawsuit against the responsible parties and their insurers.
- Our attorneys will go after every dollar your claim deserves.
If you or a loved one has been in a crash, the best time to get legal support is now. Contact us today.
Initial consultations on personal injury matters such as car crashes are FREE – you don’t pay unless we get paid.
Let us show you how professionals can support your journey towards healing and restoration.