The sudden sound of crunching metal on Meridian Avenue or near Pioneer Park changes your day instantly. You face a confusing mix of physical pain and worry about your vehicle while sirens approach.
What to do after an accident in Puyallup involves a specific set of actions that protect your health and your legal rights. We handle the insurance adjusters and the paperwork while you focus on your medical treatment.
Our team tells every client we will take it from here because we believe your primary focus should remain on your healing and your family. When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you gain a team that uses 130 years of history to provide the capable assistance you require after a crash. Call our office today to talk about your situation and learn how we help.
Essential Steps for Recovery in the Valley
- Washington law requires the filing of a collision report when injuries or significant property damage occur.
- Pure comparative fault rules allow for financial recovery even if a driver shares some blame for the crash.
- Medical evaluations immediately following an event establish the connection between the collision and physical injuries.
- The three year statute of limitations sets a hard deadline for filing a legal claim in state courts.
- Evidence from the scene, such as photos and witness contact information, provides the foundation for a successful claim.
- Communication with insurance companies should focus on facts and avoid statements of fault.
Prioritizing Your Physical Health at Local Facilities
Seeking medical care serves as the most important action after a collision. You might feel a rush of adrenaline that hides the pain of a neck injury or a concussion. Doctors at Good Samaritan Hospital or other local clinics possess the tools to identify injuries that do not exhibit symptoms immediately.
A medical record created shortly after the crash provides the documentation we need to show the insurance company that the accident caused your harm.
Waiting to see a doctor creates a gap in your treatment that insurance adjusters use to deny your claim. They often argue that your injuries happened later or that the crash was not serious enough to cause pain.
Consistent medical documentation removes this doubt and proves the extent of your physical harm.
- Emergency Care: Seek immediate help if you feel dizzy, experience sharp pain, or have trouble moving.
- Follow Up Appointments: Attend every session with specialists or physical therapists to show you take your recovery seriously.
- Documentation: Keep a record of all your symptoms and how they change your daily life.
Our team reviews these medical files to calculate the full cost of your care. We review the hospital bills, the cost of medications, and the price of future physical therapy. This work allows us to pursue the full compensation you can recover in a personal injury claim so your settlement covers every part of your recovery.
Call our office today to discuss your medical needs and your case.
Gathering Evidence Near the Scene
Collecting information at the site of the crash helps our team build a strong argument for accountability. You should take photos of every vehicle involved, the position of the cars on the road, and any debris or skid marks.
Photos of traffic signs or signals near the intersection of 5th Street and West Stewart Avenue also provide helpful context. These images serve as a permanent record of the conditions at the time of the event.
Witness statements provide another layer of support for your claim. People who saw the crash can offer an unbiased view of what happened before the police arrived.
You should ask for the names and phone numbers of anyone who stopped to help. We use these contacts to gather testimony that shows the other driver acted recklessly.
- Vehicle Damage: Take clear photos of the impact points on every car or truck.
- Witness Contact Info: Save names and numbers in your phone or on a piece of paper.
- Police Information: Ask the responding officer for their name and the case number for the report.
Safety remains the priority while you are at the scene. You should move to the side of the road and avoid standing in traffic while you wait for help. We handle the investigation of the scene and the collection of reports once you reach a safe place. Call our office today to talk about the evidence you gathered.
Filing the Required Washington State Accident Report
Washington law requires drivers to file a formal report under specific conditions. According to RCW 46.52.030, you must submit a Motor Vehicle Collision Report if the crash resulted in injury or death.
This requirement also applies if the property damage to any one person’s property reaches one thousand dollars or more. Drivers must complete this report within four days of the accident.
Filing this document ensures the state possesses an official record of the event. You can complete this process through the Washington State Patrol website or at a local police station. This report includes details about the weather, the road conditions, and the insurance information for every driver involved.
- The Four Day Deadline: State law gives you ninety six hours to submit the required paperwork.
- Property Damage Limit: A report becomes mandatory once the repair costs hit the one thousand dollar mark.
- Personal Injury: Any physical harm to a driver, passenger, or pedestrian makes the report a legal requirement.
Our firm assists clients in managing these filings so every detail remains accurate. Mistakes on a state report can cause problems with your insurance claim later on. We tell our clients we will take it from here so they do not have to worry about these bureaucratic deadlines. Call our office today to talk about your report.
The Three-Year Deadline for Legal Action
Washington law sets a strict time limit for filing a personal injury claim after a crash. RCW 4.16.080 generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to take legal action.
Missing this three-year limit means the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to any recovery. We closely monitor this deadline to ensure your family remains protected.
Building a strong case requires us to act quickly while memories remain fresh. Evidence like video footage from a nearby store or skid marks on the pavement can disappear within days. Starting the legal process early allows us to preserve these details for your claim.
- Statutory Deadline: You must initiate your lawsuit within thirty six months of the event.
- Preserving Evidence: Early action secures photos and witness statements while they exist.
- Case Building: We use this time to gather medical records and document your lost wages.
Our firm manages the timelines so you do not have to worry about legal calendars. We have served Washington residents since 1893, and we know how to keep a case moving forward, including ensuring your medical bills in a personal injury case are properly documented and addressed. Please call our office today so we can begin working on your behalf.
Injured? Get the Compensation You Deserve!
Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Our experienced injury attorneys fight for your maximum compensation—so you can focus on healing. No fees unless we win!
Schedule A Free ConsultationA Legacy of Service Since 1893
Jacobs & Jacobs has remained a steady presence in the Puyallup area since 1893. We serve families in King, Pierce, and Thurston Counties with compassion and strength.
Our history of serving Washington since 1893 shows our dedication to treating our neighbors with respect. We are members of the local community who care about the people here and their safety.
- Primary offices in Puyallup and Kent provide a local base for our neighbors to reach us.
- A team of over 50 members makes sure we have the resources to manage your claim successfully.
- Tom Jacobs uses his 40 years of experience to lead our firm and protect your rights.
We provide honest and hopeful guidance throughout the legal process. Our team is ready to listen to your story and help you find a path forward. We possess the experience needed to hold major companies and insurance providers accountable for their mistakes.
Call our office today to talk about your situation and learn how we help.
FAQs
Neighbors often have questions about their rights after a crash changes their daily lives. The following information addresses common concerns people have as they seek a recovery for their injuries in the Puyallup area.
What happens if the other driver left the scene without stopping?
Hit and run accidents happen frequently, but you still possess options for a recovery. We look at your own insurance policy to see if you have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage acts as the insurance for the driver who cannot be found.
Can I seek a recovery if the road conditions caused the crash?
City or county governments carry a responsibility to maintain roads in a safe condition for all users. You might have a claim if a poorly designed intersection or a severe road hazard caused your accident. These cases often involve different deadlines and requirements than claims against private drivers.
What if the crash involved a city vehicle like a bus or a police car?
Claims against government entities involve shorter timelines and specific notice requirements under state law. You must act quickly to preserve your right to seek a recovery from a city or county. We manage these specialized filings to ensure your claim meets every legal standard.
Does the law protect me if the accident happened on private property?
Personal injury laws apply to crashes in parking lots or on private driveways just as they do on public roads. We investigate the site to see if a property owner’s negligence also contributed to the collision. This may include poor lighting or a lack of proper signage on the premises.
Will the insurance company pay for my rental car while mine is in the shop?
Property damage claims usually cover the cost of a rental vehicle while your car undergoes repairs. We help you document the need for transportation and work with the insurance company to ensure they cover these costs. Keeping receipts for any transportation expenses helps us prove your loss. If you have questions about your rights, speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer can help you understand your options. Call our office today to talk about your property damage claim.
What if the other driver was a teenager or a minor?
Legal responsibility for a crash caused by a minor often rests with their parents under the family car doctrine in Washington. We investigate the ownership of the vehicle to determine who carries the legal responsibility for your injuries. This allows us to find the correct insurance policy for your recovery.
Call Jacobs & Jacobs Today
Your recovery requires a legal team that provides strength and capable assistance. We manage the legal details and the investigations so you can focus on your health and your family. Our firm tells every client we will take it from here because we believe your primary focus should remain on your recovery.
Call our office today to talk about your case and learn how we provide the advocacy you need. We have the history and the resources to help you seek accountability for the harm you suffered.
We will take it from here.