Federal Way Personal Injury Lawyers

What should you consider when selecting a personal injury lawyer? 

Your choice of attorney can make a big difference to the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit. Many people like to consider a few lawyers before selecting the right one for them.

Most personal injury lawyers work off contingency fees, which means that they take a percentage of the compensation awarded to you in an accident after the settlement has been agreed upon. There is no upfront retainer to pay and no risk for you in taking legal action.

In the United States, a personal injury attorney must have earned a bachelor’s degree, a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from a law school, and pass the bar exam to be able to practice law.

The first thing you should check is whether your attorney has the necessary qualifications to represent you. This should be made clear on their website. Confirm that the lawyer is licensed in your state. 

Next, research their reviews and confirm that they specialize in the area of personal injury law that concerns your case. Do they have a strong track record of achieving successful outcomes for clients in similar situations to you?

Once you have whittled your shortlist down to the best candidate, arrange a free case evaluation. This is an opportunity to openly discuss the details of your case and ask questions to establish if you want this particular attorney to represent you. You can also discuss fees and an experienced attorney should also be able to provide an indication of the level of compensation you are entitled to.

What are the most common injuries from accidents?

Of course, the nature of your injury depends on the nature and extent of your accident. With car accidents, we most commonly see the following types of injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries: anything from concussion to life-altering injuries that require permanent medical care.
• Facial & soft tissue injuries: may cause scarring or disfigurement, with long-term physical and emotional consequences.
• Spinal cord injuries: can result in years of pain requiring long-term treatment and medication or even temporary or permanent paralysis.
• Internal injuries: may only become apparent well after the accident and can be very serious if not treated (that’s why it’s so important to get medically checked after an accident).
• Broken bones: serious injuries that heal with medical care but some may cause considerable pain and longer-term complications.
• Amputation: where a limb is badly injured and cannot be saved, surgical amputation may be required (or a limb may be amputated by the accident itself).
• Sensory damage: injuries to the eyes or ears can lead to vision or hearing problems that may require significant life changes.

Can you claim even if you were partly at fault for your accident?

Washington State is a Pure Comparative Fault state.

This means that, if you were injured in an accident that was at least partly the fault of another party, you can sue the other party for their proportion of fault.

So, even if you were 50 percent at fault for the accident, you can still sue the other party or parties for damages for 50 percent of the fault.

What can personal injury lawyers help you recover?

With medical costs so astronomical in the United States, a serious accident can be a huge financial burden. If a long-term hospital stay and surgery is required, the financial stress on families can be severe.

You should not have to cover this if your accident was the fault of another party. However, medical costs are just one of the damages you can recover in a personal injury accident.

Your lawyer will also work to establish which of the following additional losses apply to your case:

• Future medical costs: you may require ongoing medical care after an injury. Follow-up therapy, medication and medical supplies may be necessary for months or even years.
• Lost income: if you missed work as a result of your accident, you may be able to claim for lost earnings. 
• Future lost income: if your injuries are so serious that you will also require time off work in the future (or permanently), it should be compensated by the at-fault party.
• Pain and suffering: this includes damages for the physical and emotional effects of your accident.
• Loss of quality of life: if your injuries have robbed you of quality of life, this can also be compensated in a personal injury claim.
• Property damage:  accidents often result in damage to property (like motor vehicles), and this can also be claimed.