You were headed home, picking up groceries, or driving somewhere you’ve been a hundred times. Now you’re wondering how a crash that lasted seconds could cause so much trouble. Our Dash Point car accident lawyers can help you pursue a claim against the person responsible.
At NextLaw, our attorneys bring 100 years of combined experience to injury cases. We know insurance companies don’t always see the full extent of what you’ve lost.
Our Dash Point personal injury lawyers can investigate what happened and handle your claim while you recover. Call us for a free consultation.
Car Accidents Along Dash Point Road and Nearby Communities
Dash Point Road (SR 509) passes through neighborhoods where drivers regularly turn onto the road from side streets. If another driver pulled out in front of you, we want to know where it happened. The road’s layout could help establish how much time that person had to see your vehicle.
Our attorneys handle collisions near Dash Point State Park, along East Side Drive NE, and throughout the Browns Point area. We investigate rear-end crashes, intersection collisions, and wrecks involving impaired or distracted drivers. The circumstances of each accident determine where we begin looking for evidence.
If the crash happened near a business or residential property, someone might have caught it on camera. That footage could show something neither driver noticed at the time. Our Tacoma personal injury lawyers can check for recordings before the property owner deletes them.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Dash Point, call (253) 238-2558
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Dash Point?
Your first concern after a Dash Point car accident should be your health. Call 911 if someone needs emergency assistance, and get medical attention for injuries. Even if you can walk away from the wreck, neck pain or other symptoms might become more noticeable later.
Once you’ve addressed any injuries and the immediate danger has passed, here’s what we’d recommend:
- Take photos before you leave. Get pictures of the damage to both vehicles and where they ended up, as long as you can do so safely.
- Talk to anyone who stopped. If someone witnessed the collision, ask for their name and a way to call them later.
- Hold on to your medical paperwork. Keep the records from your first visit and anything your doctors give you as treatment continues.
- Keep track of lost wages. Write down the shifts you’ve missed or the hours you’ve had to cut because of your injuries.
- Don’t rush to sign anything. If the insurer sends you a settlement agreement or release, let us review it before you make a decision.
Washington requires drivers to report certain accidents involving injuries or substantial property damage. Under RCW § 46.52.030, you generally have four days to file a required report if an officer doesn’t submit one. You can file collision reports through the Washington State Patrol.
Dash Point Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
Call: (253) 238-2558How Dash Point Car Accident Attorneys Investigate Disputed Claims
The other driver’s insurance company might question your account of the crash, especially if its policyholder disputes what happened. We want to know where those accounts differ and what evidence could resolve the disagreement. An adjuster’s decision about fault doesn’t have to be the final word.
Our Dash Point car accident attorneys can compare the damage to both vehicles with the drivers’ accounts. If someone claims they never crossed the centerline, for example, the location and angle of impact could raise questions about that explanation. We can also review electronic vehicle data when it’s available.
The insurer could also argue that your injuries existed before the accident or that you didn’t need all the treatment you received. NextLaw will review your medical history as it relates to the claim and work with your healthcare providers to document how the collision affected your health.
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How Shared Fault Affects Car Accident Claims in Washington
The other driver’s insurer might agree its policyholder caused the crash and still argue that you could have avoided it. Maybe the adjuster thinks you were going too quickly or should have braked sooner. That accusation can affect your settlement, even if the other driver caused the collision.
Under RCW § 4.22.005, Washington allows you to recover damages even if you contributed to the accident. If a jury awards you $100,000 in compensatory damages but finds you 20% responsible for the crash, your award drops to $80,000.
If the insurance company says you’re 30% responsible, we’d want to know why. What did you supposedly do wrong? And what evidence do they have? You shouldn’t have to accept a percentage just because an adjuster put it in a letter.
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What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Dash Point Car Accident?
A serious injury can change how much you work, what you can do at home, and the medical care you’ll need months from now. We examine your expenses alongside the physical limitations and personal losses you’ve experienced since the collision.
Depending on your injuries and the circumstances, compensation can cover:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, follow-up appointments, rehabilitation, medications, and reasonably anticipated future care.
- Lost income: Wages you missed and reduced future earning capacity if your injuries affect your work.
- Property damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement costs and other damaged personal property.
- Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort, emotional distress, and the loss of activities you previously enjoyed.
- Future expenses: Additional care or assistance you reasonably need because of lasting injuries.
You might have weeks of treatment ahead of you when the insurer makes its first offer. We want to account for what your doctors expect you’ll need, especially if your injuries could affect your ability to work long after the accident.
Washington’s Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit
Under RCW § 4.16.080, you generally have three years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington. That deadline still applies if you’re negotiating with an insurance company and haven’t agreed on a settlement.
If the insurer won’t agree to a reasonable settlement, we can discuss taking your case to court. For a qualifying claim arising in Pierce County, that could mean filing a lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. Insurance negotiations generally don’t stop the three-year deadline.
If a city truck or another government vehicle hit you, we’ll need to find out who was responsible for it. Washington generally requires you to file a formal claim and wait 60 days before suing a state or local agency. NextLaw can take care of those requirements and keep your case moving.
Let’s Talk About What Happened
Injured in a car accident? Call Dan Next! Maybe the insurance company has already made an offer. Maybe you’re still waiting to hear who it thinks caused the accident. Either way, we’d like to hear what happened and explain what your options look like under Washington law.
At NextLaw, our legal team has handled over 150 combined jury trials. We know that each client brings different concerns to the conversation, and we want to hear yours before recommending a course of action.
Our Dash Point car accident lawyers handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t owe attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call Dan Next for a free consultation. Tell us what happened, and we’ll talk through what you can do next.
Call or text (253) 238-2558 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form