Tacoma Car Accident Attorney Ready to Help When Things Get Rough
Tacoma is a great place to live. Cradled on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma has much to offer residents and visitors alike. If you enjoy the arts and museums, you’ll find them here. And if you like the great outdoors and water activities, Tacoma has hiking, biking, and water sports activities that would be a shame to miss.
And whether you are making your way to the Foss Waterway Seaport for a day of boating or the Tacoma Glassblowing Studio to watch this fascinating art come to life, you’ll likely use your car to get there. And auto vehicle accidents can happen anywhere, at any time, and can cause anything from minor irritation to major emotional and physical upheaval. And when your life has been touched by such a crisis, it is time to reach out for some help. Let our proven Tacoma car accident lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC provide you with the support that you need.
I’ve Been in an Accident, But Why Would I Want to Bring Tacoma Car Accident Lawyers into the Mix?
People like to make jokes about attorneys, and the prevailing superficial opinion in our country seems to be that bringing an attorney into any situation will simply muddy up the waters – so to speak. But nothing could be further from the truth in car accident cases.
In fact, the insurance adjusters that you may speak to are truly hoping that you believe this and opt not to use a legal practitioner. Why? Because that makes their job so much easier. You see, their job is not to help you, because helping you means paying you money that their boss would much rather see going into the company’s bank accounts.
Face it. Their job is to make profits for their company, and the way that they do that is by paying you as little as possible for your accident claim.
And they are well-trained. They know how to trip you up so that you say something to them that they can later use to claim that you are:
- Not injured at all,
- Not as seriously injured as you claim, or
- More responsible for the accident than you actually are.
The list goes on and on. And if you speak to them, you can be certain that they will use every tactic they know to get you to say things that will hurt you in the long run. You can’t really outsmart them; they know what they are doing. This is the reason why you should bring knowledgeable Tacoma car accident attorneys into the mix. It’s best to have a dedicated lawyer who knows what is best for you.
Simply Having a Car Crash Lawyer Balances the Equation
The good news is that you don’t have to outsmart them. You can hire a Tacoma car accident lawyer to do that. In fact, the minute you get Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC on your team, you can be certain that the balance of power has shifted in your favor. That is because the insurance adjusters know us. They know that we are aware of their tactics and will not fall for any of them. So simply having a lawyer in your corner changes the negotiations from their inception.
Now the adjusters are having to switch from tactics to true negotiations based on evidence.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Washington?
Washington sets a strict three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and property damage claims. While three years might sound long, building a strong case takes time to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and negotiate with insurance companies.
A Tacoma car accident lawyer knows the deadlines and will help ensure your filing is accurate and on time. If you fail to file within this window, you lose your right to seek compensation. Each day you wait is a day that evidence can disappear and memories can fade. Do not risk your recovery by handling these complex legal timelines alone. Let our Tacoma car accident lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC help you.
What If I Am Partially At Fault?
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, do not write yourself off just yet. In Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover for at least a portion of your damages. So even if you failed to wear your seatbelt, or failed to yield, or played some part in the crash, you can still recover – but your recovery will be lessened by the percentage that you were at fault. It can get a bit tricky to figure out, but that is what your Tacoma car crash attorney and their team are for.
What Insurance Coverage Am I Required to Have in Washington?
Washington law requires all motor vehicle operators to carry insurance or a bond to cover accident liabilities. You must maintain the following minimum coverage:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person,
- $50,000 for total bodily injury or death of two or more persons, and
- $10,000 for property damage.
While the law aims to ensure victims receive compensation, these minimums may not cover the costs of a serious collision. Understanding additional coverage is vital to protecting your financial future:
- Personal injury protection (PIP). Insurers must offer PIP coverage, which pays some medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. You must reject this in writing if you do not want it.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM). This coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or carries limits too low to cover your damages. In a UM/UIM claim, your insurance company “steps into the shoes” of the at-fault driver to pay your remaining costs.
Attempting to navigate these compensation sources alone puts your recovery at risk. Tacoma car accident lawyers know how to coordinate these policies, working to ensure every available avenue of coverage is maximized for your recovery.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover?
If you have been in a collision, your Tacoma car accident attorneys may pursue both economic and noneconomic damages to help ensure your financial stability. These categories represent the total cost of the crash, spanning from your bank account to your quality of life.:
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages are out-of-pocket costs from your accident. These measurable losses are supported by receipts, invoices, and payroll records. They typically include:
- Medical expenses—coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, and medications;
- Ongoing medical care—reimbursement for physical therapy, supplies, and prosthetics;
- Property damage—cost to repair or replace the vehicle; and
- Lost income—compensation for missed wages.
A skilled auto accident attorney meticulously calculates these figures to build a strong foundation for your claim.
What Are Noneconomic Damages?
Noneconomic damages, often called “human” losses, are harder to calculate because they lack a clear price tag. These damages represent the invisible toll an accident takes on your mental health and personal relationships. Quantifying these damages requires professional assessment and legal expertise. Since these losses extend into your future, your lawyer works with experts to determine the value of:
- Pain and suffering—addresses the daily reality of chronic physical aching, as well as the emotional weight of anxiety, depression, and the loss of enjoyment in your favorite hobbies;
- Future medical expenses—accounts for the lifelong financial burden of anticipated future procedures, permanent prescriptions, and long-term nursing care required for your recovery;
- Loss of earning power or potential going into the future—reflects the “wage differential” or the permanent gap in your career trajectory if your injuries force you into a lower paying role or prevent future promotions; and
- Loss of consortium and companionship— claim typically brought by a spouse to reflect the deprivation of emotional support, physical intimacy, and the essential daily companionship that sustains a marriage.
By identifying and documenting both your economic and noneconomic damages, your Tacoma car accident lawyer can help you recover the full scope of your loss.
Money without Trial
You do not have to go to court to receive compensation for your car accident case. Most cases settle out of court. Hiring an attorney is a benefit to your case either way. Our trusted Tacoma car accident lawyers can help you get the most money out of your case by negotiating with the insurance company or settling your case with the other side before going to court.
Attorneys are able to assess and guide your case from the very beginning. We start with a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation, and then from that point, we can best assess the trajectory that your case needs to take.
We often begin by recommending that you get further medical treatment, and we will help get your medical bills paid as you receive treatment. Once you have received as much medical treatment as you need, we can progress to attempting to settle your case.
Oftentimes, we can settle directly with the insurance company once your medical treatment is complete. We will make a series of offers back and forth, and settle the case if we get to a position where we have valued your case and a position where you are satisfied with the result. Having our skilled Tacoma auto accident attorneys represent you in these negotiations can drastically increase your total monetary award.
If we can’t settle your case with the insurance company, we will proceed with filing your case in court. Once your case is filed and we have served the case to the other side, the court will set your case for trial. Generally, a case must go to mediation or a settlement conference before trial. Most cases settle prior to going to trial. We can help you get the full amount you are entitled to for your car accident case, even if your case never goes to court.
Call Our Tacoma Auto Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been in a car collision, there is no time to waste. Let our Tacoma car accident attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC help put your life back together, fight for every cent that your case is worth, and take all the burden off of you in the process.
In addition to car accidents, our highly-skilled legal team is always ready to assist with any injury cases, such as:
- Railroad accidents,
- Slip and fall,
- Dog attacks,
- City transit accidents,
- Medical negligence and malpractice,
- Truck crash accidents,
- Motor vehicle accidents, and
- Wrongful death claim.
Our services are free unless we win compensation for you, so call today or fill out our online contact form for a free, confidential case consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Tacoma?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Washington.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your insurance company “steps into the shoes” of the at-fault driver to pay your damages.
Can I Still Recover Damages If the Accident was Partly My Fault?
Yes, Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages even if you were 80% at fault, but the court will reduce your recovery by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you had $100,000 in damages and were 20% at fault for speeding, you could recover $80,000.
Can My Settlement Be Reduced If My Own Insurance Paid My Medical Bills?
No. Under Washington’s collateral source rule, the at-fault driver cannot reduce what they owe you just because your insurance covered your initial bills. The law ensures a wrongdoer does not benefit from your decision to carry insurance. But keep in mind that you may need to provide some reimbursement to your insurer from your settlement.
What If My Insurance Company Claims I Don’t Have PIP Coverage, But I Don’t Remember Turning It Down?
Washington law requires insurance companies to offer personal injury protection (PIP) when you buy or renew a policy. This coverage is optional but considered automatic unless you opt out. To be valid, a rejection must be in writing and signed by the named insured. Your Tacoma car accident lawyer can request a copy of the signed waiver from the insurance company.
