Easter weekend in Seattle means blooming cherry blossoms and family gatherings. Sadly, it also usually means an increase in car accidents. Whether you’re on your way to an early morning church service, rushing to a family brunch, or navigating Seattle’s streets during the Easter holidays, knowing what to do in case of a Seattle Easter car accident will not only ensure your safety but will also protect your legal rights. Read on for important information from the Seattle car accident attorneys at Lerner and Rowe.
Why Easter Weekend Is a High-Risk Period for Seattle Residents
In Seattle, a mix of increased volume of cars on the road, drivers who are distracted and in a hurry to reach their Easter celebrations, and people who are unfamiliar with Seattle’s streets makes for a high-risk period for residents. In Seattle, road safety during Easter weekend is made more complex by factors such as:
- Increased road volume on I-5 and I-90 as people drive to their Easter celebrations
- More instances of DUI on Seattle’s streets, especially in the evening
- Unpredictable spring weather, which may cause road hazards
Immediate Steps after a Seattle Easter Car Accident
1. Ensure Safety First
Your safety should always be your primary concern. If your car is in a safe position:
- Move your car out of traffic
- Turn your hazards on immediately
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries
Do not leave the scene of a car accident. According to RCW 46.52.020, drivers should remain at the scene if an accident occurred involving injury, death, or damage to property over $1,000.
2. Call 911 Without Delay
Call 911 as soon as possible. The police report is important for filing both a claim and a lawsuit. When calling 911:
- State your exact location
- Let them know if anyone is injured, even if the injuries appear minor
- State the number of cars involved in the accident
- Be present until help arrives
Response times for 911 calls during Easter weekend might be longer. Please be patient and remain at the scene.
3. Document Everything
You should take detailed photographs of everything you can, including:
- All damage to vehicles, from a variety of angles
- The license plates of all vehicles involved
- Street signs, traffic lights, and road conditions
- Skid marks and debris
Next, you should collect information from all the people involved, such as:
- Names, addresses, phone numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Insurance company names, policy numbers
- Make, model, year, VIN, license plates
It’s important that you collect as much information as you can to help support your claims later.
4. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Injuries don’t always manifest themselves immediately after the accident. The adrenaline rush can mask the pain, and injuries such as whiplash or a concussion can develop hours or days later.
Go to the ER or the urgent care center if you are experiencing:
- Any pain or discomfort
- Headache, dizziness
- Numbness, tingling
- Difficulty moving
- Confusion, memory problems
Prompt care will establish a medical record linking your injury with the accident, which will be necessary for any subsequent claim.
Washington State’s Pure Comparative Negligence Standard
Washington State follows a pure comparative fault standard, which means you can recover compensation for your losses even if you are partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation, however, will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent responsible for $100,000 total in damages, you will receive $80,000.
Statute of Limitations in Washington
In Washington, you have three years from the date of the Seattle Easter car accident within which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. You will lose your right to file a claim if you wait longer than three years.
When to Contact a Seattle Automobile Crash Attorney
You should contact Lerner and Rowe right away if any of the following situations apply to you and your case:
- The Seattle Easter car accident resulted in serious injuries that required hospitalization and treatment.
- The other driver accuses you of causing the accident, or there were multiple causes for the accident.
- The insurance company denies your claim in the hope that you will back down and accept a smaller offer.
- The insurance company makes a quick, lowball offer in an effort to get you to settle for less than your case is worth.
- A commercial vehicle was involved in the accident.
What Can You Recover?
The laws of Washington State provide victims of a car crash the right to pursue damages to compensate them for the harm they have suffered. This includes the right to seek not just financial damages but non-financial damages as well. And under rare circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Cost of vehicle damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium (for married victims)
Here to Help You after a Seattle Easter Car Accident
Have you been injured in a Seattle Easter car accident? You don’t have to face what comes next alone. The experienced Seattle car accident attorneys at Lerner and Rowe are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
But don’t take our word for it. Just look at the billion-dollar total results we’ve achieved for our clients over the years. The best part? We offer you a no-fee promise, so you can rest easy knowing that you won’t have to pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. To speak to our Seattle personal injury attorneys today, give us a call now, fill out our convenient online form, or get in touch via LiveChat.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.