Hurt in an auto accident in Bellevue? Check these details

Washington is a fault-based state for car crashes and auto accidents. If you suffered injuries and losses in a road mishap in Bellevue because the other party was reckless, you must be proactive about recovering compensation. While the state laws make the negligent driver responsible for your losses, you are liable for providing evidence and proving their fault. You need an auto accident attorney in Bellevue who can become your trusted advocate and legal ally as you deal with the aftermath of the situation. Here are some quick details for your help.

The statute of limitations

For the uninitiated, the statute of limitations is a law that caps the time for filing an injury lawsuit following an auto accident. According to Washington’s statute of limitations, you must take legal action within three years. The clock starts from the date of your injury or when the accident happened. If you lost a family member in a road accident, the three-year limit is still applicable, but the time will start from the date of the person’s death, which could be a later date than that of the mishap. For matters concerning property damage, the statute of limitations sets a deadline of three years.

The pure comparative negligence norm

Unlike some states that prevent a party from recovering compensation from another when the former is more at fault, Washington is a pure comparative negligence state. Even if you are largely responsible for the auto accident, you can still sue the other party. The settlement, if you win, will be further adjusted according to your fault percentage. This makes Washington a claimant-friendly state. However, the calculations according to the pure comparative negligence rule can be quite complex.

Hire a lawyer immediately

While you can always proceed with your auto accident claim without an attorney, it may not be a prudent step. Ensure that you find a reliable lawyer at the earliest who can start an independent investigation and initiate the process of discovering evidence. Thankfully, accident attorneys in Bellevue will not demand anything until you win, which means that affording legal help and assistance doesn’t have to cost anything immediately. Your lawyer takes a risk while taking the claim and get a share of the compensation when you recover money.

Don’t let the laws confuse you about getting compensated for your injuries – Call an attorney and work on the case immediately. They will also guide you on the dos and don’ts to follow.