¿Fuiste Víctima de Conducción Agresiva?

¿Cuánto tiempo tomará resolver mi reclamo por accidente de auto?

Así como no hay dos accidentes idénticos, tampoco hay dos procesos que sean exactamente iguales. Si ya has terminado tu tratamiento médico y tu caso se resuelve fuera de los tribunales, puedes esperar que todo concluya en un período de entre 4 y 12 meses. Sin embargo, si tu caso requiere presentar una demanda, el proceso podría extenderse durante años. Tan solo la fase de descubrimiento puede durar entre 6 y 12 meses. Afortunadamente, la mayoría de los casos de lesiones personales no llegan a juicio.

¿Cuáles son los beneficios de contratar a un abogado de lesiones para que represente mi caso de accidente de auto?

Varios estudios han demostrado que contratar a un abogado para representar tu caso de accidente de tránsito puede tener un impacto significativo en el acuerdo que recibas. Nuestros abogados tienen décadas de experiencia negociando acuerdos justos con las aseguradoras y, si es necesario, defenderán tu caso ante un juez y un jurado.

En The Advocates somos expertos en obtener registros médicos completos, asegurarnos de que tus facturas médicas sean pagadas y no terminen en Cobranza, e incluso podemos ayudarte a conseguir un auto de alquiler mientras tu vehículo es reparado. Para ser sinceros, contratar a un abogado es una de las mejores decisiones que puedes tomar para tu caso y puede aumentar significativamente el monto de tu compensación.

¿Cuánto dinero debería recibir tras el acuerdo?

No hay dos accidentes exactamente iguales y, por lo tanto, no los tratamos de la misma manera. Nuestra misión en The Advocates es usar nuestro conocimiento, recursos y determinación para ayudarte a recuperar tu vida. Para lograrlo, exigiremos una compensación total por todas las pérdidas, gastos y lesiones que hayas sufrido como consecuencia de tu accidente. Esto puede incluir, entre otros:

• Salarios perdidos
• Facturas médicas
• Gastos hospitalarios
• Visitas a E.R.
• Terapia física
• Tratamientos quiroprácticos
• Pérdida de disfrute de la vida
• Costos de cuidado infantil

Sabemos mejor que nadie lo rápido que pueden acumularse las facturas médicas y dejarte sumido en una montaña de deudas. Si contratas a un abogado de accidentes de tráfico en The Advocates, lucharemos cada día para que recuperes tu vida tal como era antes del accidente. Nuestros abogados te ayudarán en el camino hacia la recuperación.

¿Por qué debería contratar un Advocate para que represente mi caso de accidente de auto?

Un Advocate no es un abogado común de accidentes de tránsito. Lo que nos distingue de otros bufetes de lesiones personales es nuestra dedicación y determinación para ayudar a nuestros clientes a recuperarse por completo después de haber sufrido un accidente. Nos enorgullece ser la voz de nuestros clientes en el sistema legal.

Nuestros abogados son expertos en las leyes del estado de Washington y saben cómo obtener la máxima compensación por tus lesiones y pérdidas. A diferencia de otros abogados de accidentes de tránsito, en The Advocates lucharemos por tu caso hasta agotar todas las opciones legales. Mientras que otros bufetes pueden rendirse si no logran negociar un acuerdo justo, en The Advocates nos negamos a abandonar y llevaremos tu caso ante un jurado para obtener la compensación que mereces.

¡No te conformes con menos! Llama hoy a nuestra oficina al (866) 642-7927 o chatea en línea ahora mismo con un abogado en vivo desde nuestra página de inicio. 

¡Mereces un Advocate de tu lado!

No one plans to be in a car crash, but when an unexpected collision occurs, it can be difficult to remember exactly what to do after an accident.

With statistics showing that the average driver will be involved in an accident once every 17 years, the reality is it’s often a matter of time before you’re forced to navigate the high-stress aftermath of an auto accident.

Fortunately, there are a number ways to be prepared if you find yourself injured in an auto accident. Below is a list of frequently asked questions all drivers should know:

What Do I Do Immediately After an Accident?

For starters, take a deep breath and try to calm down. It’s always best to be thinking clearly when dealing with any sort of emergency. This is especially true if you or someone else requires immediate medical care.

Next, call the police. You should consider calling the police even if the accident was little more than a minor fender-bender and the other driver has admitted fault. An official police report is the best way to establish who is to blame for the crash. If you don’t file a police report there’s nothing stopping the other driver from simply blaming you.

One last thing to keep in mind is to remain vigilant as you walk around assessing the damage to your vehicle. Other drivers may not see you and some might be rubbernecking instead of paying attention to the road. This all adds up to a dangerous and unsafe situation. Stories of drivers being hit by an un-involved driver are far too common, so be sure to pay as much attention as possible.

How Should I Gather Evidence of a Crash?

One benefit of smartphones is that most everyone has a high-definition camera in their back pocket. Take as many photos of the accident as possible. It’s always better to have too much evidence than not enough. You should also feel free to take a photo of the other driver’s license, license plate, and insurance policy. If they refuse to show either to you just take a photo of them and make sure you write down their name.

Another way to gather evidence is to write down a brief journal entry of everything that happened. Describe the events of the accident as closely as possible and maybe even show it to the at-scene police officer. You should also jot down the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.

In the days following the crash, be sure to keep track of any and all medical procedures you undergo. Pay special attention to the providers you see as well as the dates of your appointments. Nobody wants a long forgotten bill popping up in collections months after a settlement has already been agreed upon.

Should I Admit Fault If I Think I Caused the Crash?

In short, no. Even if you believe the crash was entirely your fault you should never say so. Leave that determination for the police officer to make in their report. Prematurely admitting guilt could tank any chance you have of making a personal injury claim in the future.

You should also avoid commenting on your physical state. Try not to say, “I feel alright,” or “I am not injured.” Some injuries such as whiplash might not fully manifest for days or even weeks following a crash. It’s best to instead say, “I do not need medical attention at the moment.”

Never doubt that insurance adjusters will do anything possible to deny a personal injury claim. They will not hesitate to bend your words out of context in order to save their company a few dollars.

What Type of Insurance Coverage Should I Have?

First and foremost, you should add Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to your insurance plan. Some states require insurers to include PIP with all auto insurance policies they offer. Others simply require them to offer it to those they insure. This means you could very well have PIP and not even know it.

PIP is a great addition to your insurance policy because it will allow you to cover medical expenses after a crash and it can even replace lost income in some instances. If you don’t have PIP, or don’t know if you do, call your insurance representative and make sure it’s part of your policy.

Another item it would be wise to have is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM). This helps protect you in the event you’re injured by a driver without insurance or by someone lacking adequate coverage to compensate for your medical bills or losses.

Should I Accept the Settlement Offered by the Insurance Company?

Frequently, the first settlement offer an insurance company makes is lower than they’re willing to go. Remember that despite their wholesome and friendly commercials, insurance companies are in business to make money. One way they do this is by minimizing the amount of money they pay in settlements.

It may be tempting to accept a settlement from an insurance company simply to be done with your claim, but you should probably turn it down. Once you accept a settlement you forfeit your right to pursue further damages from your accident. Settling an accident claim prematurely can have serious repercussions later if injuries flare up again and you’re stuck paying medical bills out-of-pocket for the required treatment.

If an insurance company tries to wave some money in your direction, it would be wise to once again take a deep breath and think through the consequences of accepting such an offer. Or, if in doubt, get a second opinion prior to accepting a settlement.

Should I Hire an Attorney?

Not everyone will benefit from hiring an attorney. However, anyone that has been in an accident involving injuries of any kind would be wise to at least obtain a free consultation before moving forward with their claim.

Personal injury attorneys, like the ones at The Advocates, have decades of experience settling claims and helping victims get back on the road to recovery. In most instances, one initial conversation is enough to determine whether you’d be able to increase your total settlement by enlisting a lawyer to fight on your behalf. Since all reputable personal injury firms operate on a contingency model (no fees until you win) there’s no downside to enlisting an experienced PI lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.

For straightforward claims where our attorneys are unable to add value, we’ll encourage people to either accept the insurance company’s offer or pursue the claim on their own. However, for more complex claims involving injuries, ongoing medical treatment, or contested liability, studies have shown that people who hire a personal injury lawyer typically receive settlements that are 3.5 times higher than those who handle the claim on their own.

Although not everyone will benefit from hiring a lawyer, as long as you speak with an experienced attorney prior to moving forward with your claim you’ll be able to make the best decision for your specific circumstances.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call now to get a free consultation.

Dealing with an insurance company, or multiple insurance companies, can be intimidating and confusing. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about insurance coverage and how it relates to a personal injury claim:

How will policy limits impact your injury claim?

When you sign up for insurance coverage, there are different limits to choose from. The minimum limit in Washington State for bodily injury liability coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This means that if you are injured in an accident, your policy limit should allow for at least $25,000 to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many people have insurance policies with limits above the state minimum.

Because limits vary between policies, your attorney will advise you on the specific coverages available and alert you of any concerns regarding the adequacy of the available policy limits.

How do insurance companies address the pain and suffering associated with your accident?

Pain and suffering will be documented throughout your case, and again when we get ready to close your case. Our team will work with you to tell your story to the insurance company. This will give them a full understanding of how your accident has affected your day-to-day life and allow them to provide the appropriate total compensation for your injuries.

Items that might be included in pain and suffering include overall inconvenience, inability to perform specific activities, and ongoing impact to your daily life.

Is your insurance involved even when you’re not at fault?

Even if you’re not at fault for the accident, you will always want to open a claim with your insurance company. There may be benefits on your policy that you can use for your claim. If you do not have benefits on your policy, it’s still good to open a claim so your insurance company is aware of the accident. They will eventually be made aware one way or another, so it’s best to be proactive by opening the claim yourself.

What happens if you’re partially at fault for the accident?

If you are found partially at fault, you probably still have a claim. Consult with an attorney and they will advise you on how to best proceed depending on the circumstances. Your insurance premium may go up due to your partial responsibility for the accident.

What happens if you’re hit by an uninsured driver?

You may have what is called Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage on your auto insurance policy. This coverage protects you if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance. You can submit a claim with your own insurance for your injuries. Washington State does not require you to have this coverage and it does cost extra, so check with an attorney to discuss your options.

Will your rates go up following an accident?

Unfortunately, your insurance rates can go up following an accident. In most instances, your provider will not raise your rates. If you feel like your rates have been raised unfairly, we encourage you to get quotes from several other insurance companies to see if you can get a better rate.

What happens if your necessary treatment exceeds the policy limits?

While in the pre settlement stage, we often do not know the policy limits of the other insurance company. The insurance company is not obligated to disclose the policy limits unless there are specific concerns that the coverage might not be adequate. For this reason, we monitor bills and treatment closely to be sure that you are not in the red. If you do end up in this situation there are many ways your attorney can help.

Treatment and medical billing look different for every case, so your attorney will communicate any concerns with you to develop the best plan for your circumstances.

Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!