After you get the medical care you need, one of your primary concerns may be learning what car accident damages you can recover. The driver who caused your collision owed you a duty of care, and if their negligence is proven, you need to be certain their insurance company is offering you a fair settlement.
At Max Meyers Law, our goal is to help you obtain the maximum recovery in your settlement. Our experienced car accident lawyer has successfully fought for the rights of car accident victims for almost three decades. We work hard to get you the compensation you deserve and need to take care of your health and get your life back on track.
Types of Car Accident Damages Awarded to Victims in Washington
You could suffer life-altering injuries, such as a spinal disk injury, paralysis, severe fractures, burns, or a traumatic brain injury in an auto wreck. You may have to endure chronic pain, have limitations in your mobility, and not be able to work or engage in activities you once enjoyed. Depending on your injuries, you may also need daily help with your personal needs, medical care, and household chores.
Fortunately, you may be entitled to several types of compensation if you can prove that the other driver caused your crash. However, you need the help of our car accident lawyer to reinforce with evidence all the elements of your claim.
Then, we fight to hold the insurance company responsible for paying car accident damages. Here are some of the economic and non-economic losses we pursue.
Medical Expenses
You should receive reimbursement for all necessary medical treatments to treat your injuries. If you’re not expected to fully recover from them, you should also receive damages to compensate you for your care and rehabilitation throughout your life. Medical reimbursement costs include:
- Ambulance bills
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries
- Hospitalizations
- Doctor appointments
- Diagnostic tests
- Medications
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Modifications to your home
- Assistive aids like a wheelchair or walker
- Home health and personal care aides
Lost Income
You should also be compensated for lost wages and income you’ll lose in the future when you can’t work due to your injuries. Here are the damages our legal team identifies:
- Lost wages
- Lost sick and vacation time
- Lost commissions, bonuses, and other perks of your job
If you must make a career change with a pay cut or become disabled, you would also be entitled to lost earnings damages.
Property Damages
The at-fault party’s insurer should also pay to replace or repair your car and any property damaged in the car accident, such as a tablet or cellphone.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are non-monetary damages to compensate you for the emotional toll of your injuries and your reduced quality of life.
Max Meyers and his team use their extensive experience settling car accident claims to accurately value your pain and suffering damages. He also has strategies to defeat the insurance adjuster’s arguments about why they should not have to pay you this compensation.
How to Protect Your Right to Car Accident Damages in Washington
Don’t be surprised if you have to fight long and hard with an insurer to obtain the compensation you deserve. In fact, one of our clients said, “Talking to the insurance company was futile” —and that’s one of the reasons why she called us.
Here are six vital steps our legal team recommends to protect your rights:
- Contact the police. Call law enforcement immediately after the crash and get a copy of the officer’s police report. It may contain crucial information, such as their conclusion about who caused the collision and whether the other driver got a traffic ticket, that can help our lawyer prove your case.
- Get the medical care you need. A physician should examine you within 72 hours of the collision—even if you don’t think you were hurt. You could have been injured but not have noticeable symptoms yet. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice on your treatments, and don’t have gaps in your medical care.
- Preserve evidence. Right after the crash, get contact information from the other driver, their insurance company, and eyewitnesses. If you’re able, take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene, and your injuries. You should also save medical bills and paystubs to give to your attorney.
- Be careful what you say. Be reserved about comments to the police, the at-fault driver, or their insurance company. Avoid making statements like “I’m sorry” or “I wish I hadn’t done that” that the insurance company could misconstrue as an admission of guilt.
- Don’t agree to insurance company requests. You shouldn’t sign the insurance company’s medical release, as it will likely give them access to all your health records. Also, say no if the adjuster wants to take your recorded statement. You could say something that weakens your claim, no matter how careful you are.
- Don’t accept a quick settlement. The insurer will attempt to settle your claim for much less than you deserve. You should not accept a settlement or sign any documents without talking to a lawyer.
Finally, hire an attorney. One of the best ways to protect your rights is to retain Max Meyers Law immediately after your car accident. We’ll collect all the evidence you need to build a strong case, and take over communications with the insurance company so it can’t take advantage of you.
We’ll try to negotiate a settlement for the car accident damages you’re entitled to—but we also won’t hesitate to the driver before the three-year statute of limitations under RCW 4.16.080 expires if necessary. Throughout the settlement process, our lawyer will give you the personalized attention you deserve and look out for your best interests.
Need to know more? Request our free book, Car Accident Secrets Unlocked.
