Were you injured in a car accident in Puyallup, Washington? You may be entitled to compensation, but you’ll likely need to go through a powerful insurance company to secure it. The Puyallup car accident attorneys at Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group are here to help you every step of the way.
We are a respected personal injury law firm with a legacy built on justice going back to 1893. With $100 million won for our clients in just the last five years alone, you’ll be set up for success as your case moves through the legal process.
If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, contact our Puyallup personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Contact Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group today at (253) 364-7042 for a free consultation with a car accident attorney in Puyallup. We can answer any questions you might have and advise you on your next steps.
Why Choose Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group?
Jacobs and Jacobs is highly respected throughout Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region. Our Puyallup personal injury attorneys have earned recognition from the Washington State Association for Justice and other leading professional organizations for our outstanding legal services, achievements that opposing parties take notice of.
A few reasons to consider hiring us for your case include:
- We’ve successfully handled tens of thousands of personal injury cases in the area
- Our case results include numerous recoveries in the six and seven figures
- We’ll prepare your case as though it may go to trial, which gives us leverage as we negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Our lead attorney, Tom Jacobs, has 40 years of practicing law and was voted as one of seven trustees of the Pierce County Bar Association by 1,500 colleagues on two separate occasions
Contact our car accident lawyers in Puyallup, WA, today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll make it our primary objective to maximize the value of your claim.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Washington State?
Washington’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases under RCW 4.16.080. If you do not file your lawsuit within three years of your accident, you could lose your right to pursue compensation altogether.
However, note that exceptions to this three-year deadline do exist, such as:
- Cases involving minors might have a longer time limit
- You may have additional time if the defendant has fled the state
- Claims against government entities have unique filing requirements, including that you file a notice of claim at least 60 days before you can file a lawsuit
The clearest way to ensure you take legal action on time is to contact our attorneys as soon as possible.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident in Puyallup?
Car accident victims in Washington State can pursue both economic and non-economic damages from the driver responsible for the crash.
Economic damages reflect your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages represent your more personal losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Trauma and disability
- Loss of companionship
Punitive damages are generally not available under state law unless specifically authorized by statute.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Puyallup
Car accidents in Puyallup frequently happen because of driver negligence. The city sees heavy traffic along SR-512, River Road, and at busy intersections like Meridian and Canyon Road. With that kind of volume, the risk of a crash goes up significantly.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in the area include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence
If your crash involved a commercial vehicle, our Puyallup truck accident lawyer can investigate the trucking company, driver, and other potentially liable parties. We can also evaluate the full extent of your losses and pursue the compensation available under Washington law.
Burden of Proof in Puyallup Car Accident Claims
In a Washington personal injury case, the burden of proof falls on the injured party. This means you, the plaintiff, must prove that another party’s negligence directly caused your injuries. While this may sound straightforward, in practice it’s anything but. Insurance companies are armed with adjusters, defense attorneys, and investigators whose sole mission is to reduce or deny your claim.
At Jacobs and Jacobs, our personal injury attorneys will aim to build an evidence-based, legally sound case that meets or exceeds the burden of proof standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This means we must show it’s more likely than not (i.e., >50%) that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries.
How Much Is My Puyallup Car Accident Claim Worth?
Although cases involving the most serious injuries tend to be worth the most, that is just one factor to consider. Some of the other things that can influence the value of your claim include:
- The available insurance policy limits
- Whether you will make a full medical recovery
- The nature of your pain and suffering
- Whether you share any responsibility for the wreck
- The strength of the available evidence
- The total amount of your financial losses
Having a qualified car accident attorney on your side can also affect what your case is ultimately worth. We know how to negotiate effectively and can bring in experts to strengthen your claim when the situation calls for it.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Puyallup?
Most car accident lawyers in Puyallup operate on a contingency fee basis. This means instead of paying by the hour or paying up front, you only pay attorney’s fees at the conclusion of your case if you win compensation.
If we obtain a settlement or jury verdict for you, you will generally owe around 33% for attorney’s fees. The exact percentage varies depending on the case, but you will sign an agreement at the start so that you won’t be caught off guard.
How Can a Puyallup Car Accident Lawyer Help Me With My Case?
A car accident lawyer’s primary goal is to recover as much compensation for you as possible, whether that means negotiating a settlement agreement or going to trial. Some of the things we can do to help include:
- Conducting an investigation into your accident
- Collecting and organizing evidence
- Documenting all of your damages
- Responding to allegations of shared blame
- Handling the communications with the insurer
- Negotiating with the opposing party
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court if necessary
Insurance companies and their adjusters know that they need to take a case seriously when the victim is represented by an experienced car accident attorney. For that reason alone, you may receive a higher settlement offer than you would on your own.
We Will Fight for Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Our lawyers are prepared to help you file a claim after sustaining any of the following:
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Knee injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Burn injuries
- Paralysis
If you lost a loved one in a fatal crash, our Puyallup wrongful death attorney can help your family understand its legal options and pursue compensation.
Were you injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault? We may be able to help. Call today for a free consultation.
FAQs on Puyallup Car Accident Claims
Q: I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Can I still file a car accident claim in Washington?
Yes. Washington follows a comparative fault system. Not wearing a seatbelt may reduce your compensation, but it doesn’t automatically bar you from recovering damages if the other driver was at fault.
Q: How long will my car accident case take to settle?
It depends. Straightforward claims with clear liability and complete medical records may settle in a few months. More complex cases, such as those involving serious injuries or contested liability, can take a year or more, particularly if a trial is necessary.
Q: Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover compensation even if you were 99% at fault. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Q: What if I was hit by an uninsured driver?
You may still recover damages through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you carry it. We can also investigate whether other liable parties exist or if any assets can be pursued in civil court.
Q: What happens if the at-fault driver fled the scene?
Hit-and-run accidents are common in Puyallup. We can pursue a claim under your underinsured/uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage and work with law enforcement to support any criminal proceedings.
We Fight For You – Set Up a Free Consultation With Our Puyallup Car Accident Attorneys
If you were involved in a car accident in Puyallup, Washington, you may be entitled to significant compensation through a personal injury claim. Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group is here to help ensure that as much money ends up in your pocket when it’s all said and done.
Our Puyallup car accident attorneys have been helping clients in the area for over a century and are just as confident in our ability to help you with your case as well. Contact us at (253) 364-7042 to learn more and schedule a free initial consultation
with a Puyallup car accident lawyer.