Our experienced Everett car accident attorney at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner have represented the residents of Everett for over 50 years. We know it’s distressing when someone else’s negligence injures you. And the process of recovery can be a challenging, confusing, and financially stressful time.
Today, we will discuss how you can get financial compensation for the losses you experience from your injuries and what steps you can take to streamline the process. You’ll need to speak with an Everett car accident attorney if you want to have the best chance of holding the negligent parties responsible and securing the maximum compensation for your injuries.
How Can I Secure Compensation for My Injuries?
Our car accident attorneys can help you file your car accident claim with the following steps.
Step 1: Collect Evidence of the Car Accident
Evidence gathering is central to proving your negligence claim. Common evidence you can use includes the following:
- Medical records,
- Income and tax records,
- Photos of the accident,
- Photos of your injuries,
- Photos of the scene and vehicle damage,
- Video surveillance footage,
- Police reports,
- Witness statements, and
- Expert testimony.
Our experienced attorneys will help you collect this evidence to build your demand letter.
Step 2: File a Demand Letter
First, we will calculate the appropriate amount of compensation your losses are worth. We will then draft and send a demand letter to the insurance company. In it, we’ll explain your losses and request fair compensation. This letter will be the basis for negotiations with the insurance company.
Step 3: Negotiate with the Insurance Company
Once the insurance company receives and reviews the demand letter, negotiations begin. You don’t have to talk to the insurance companies. At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we’ll handle everything.
The goal of every insurance company is to maximize its profits and minimize expenses. That means their goal is to pay you the least amount of money possible. Many times, they will offer you money right away. But this offer is usually significantly lower than what your case is worth.
Alternatively, they may drag out the proceedings and later offer a low settlement. They’re hoping your morale weakens over time, making you more likely to accept the low amount.
Alternatively, the insurance company could fight the case and attempt to push the responsibility back onto you. Because Washington is a pure comparative negligence state, the more blame they push on you, the less compensation they have to pay.
We have experience dealing with the unscrupulous practices insurance companies routinely employ. We won’t let them trick you into settling for less compensation than your case is worth. If the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
Step 4: File a Lawsuit
Most cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement. But if the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable amount of money, we will file a lawsuit with the court. Our law firm has extensive litigation experience. We know how and when to file motions, demand and dissect discovery, depose witnesses, and take your case to trial. But please know that during trial preparations, negotiations never stop. We will continue negotiating with the insurance company, and should they decide to be reasonable, a trial would no longer be necessary.
What Are the Potential Emotional and Psychological Impacts of Car Accidents?
Car accidents can have significant emotional and psychological impacts on a person. Let’s look at some potential issues you may face after a crash.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can accompany almost any traumatic event, and car accidents are no exception. You could experience flashbacks, feelings of being emotionally numb, nightmares, or overall anxiety or fear of getting in a car again.
Depression
Depression and an overall sense of sadness are common results of being in a car crash. It can come from the crash itself or the stress and pain that follows.
Insomnia
In the aftermath of a crash, your brain can be overstimulated by chemicals that keep you awake at night. Such neurochemicals include adrenaline and epinephrine. You might also find it difficult to relax at night if your body feels like it has to be “on guard” because you feel exposed to danger because of the vulnerability felt from the crash.
Other Emotional Consequences
Other potential psychological consequences can include the following:
- Panic attacks,
- Anxiety,
- Phobias related to cars,
- Mood disorders or mood swings,
- Anger or episodes of anger,
- An inability to concentrate,
- Memory loss or difficulty remembering things,
- Unexplained episodes of crying,
- Lack of interest in pursuits that once brought you pleasure, and
- A loss of appetite.
You could experience one, some, or all of these emotional changes. You might need to seek psychological help if the issues begin to negatively impact your life. You can seek compensation for such damages. They would be categorized as non-economic damages for pain and suffering as detailed below.
What Can I Recover in Damages?
In Washington state, car accident victims may seek various damages if another party is at fault for causing the collision. An experienced Everett car accident attorney helps you recover compensatory damages in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Compensatory damages include the following:
- Medical expenses. Medical expenses include all costs related to your medical treatment, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and any future medical care you may require. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, your attorney also covers these future expenses.
- Lost wages. If your injuries prevent you from working, you may seek compensation for lost income. Such damages can include the wages you have lost up to this point and any potential future earnings if your injuries impact your ability to work in the long term.
- Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering non-economic damages compensate for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries. Pain and suffering damages are challenging to quantify without a skilled attorney to gather and present the necessary evidence to support your claim.
- Property damage. You may seek compensation for repairs or the replacement of your vehicle if it suffered damage in the collision, including any other personal property that sustained damages.
- Loss of consortium. If your injuries have negatively affected your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be entitled to damages for loss of consortium. These damages compensate for the impact on your family life and relationships.
Obtaining the full value of damages you need and deserve after an accident is vital to getting your life back on track and moving in the right direction. Your Everett car accident attorney gets to work immediately calculating the value of your losses and negotiating a settlement.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the at-fault party acted with extreme negligence or recklessness, the court may award punitive damages. The compensatory damages listed above have the purpose of compensating a victim for their losses. Punitive damages do not seek to compensate, but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
An Everett auto accident lawyer helps you assess the full range of damages you may be entitled to recover and fights to ensure you receive fair compensation.
What Steps Should I Take Immediately After a Car Accident?
Knowing what to do immediately following a car accident is essential to protect your health and legal rights. Here are the critical steps you should take:
- Ensure safety. First and foremost, check yourself and others for injuries. If it’s safe, move to a location away from traffic to avoid further accidents.
- Call emergency services. Contact 911 to report the accident. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to have a police report, a crucial component for your insurance claim and legal case.
- Document the scene. Take detailed photos of the accident scene, your vehicle, and any visible injuries. Also, you should collect the contact information for any witnesses and other drivers involved in the accident.
- Exchange information. Share your contact and insurance details with the other driver(s) involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so promptly documenting your injuries is crucial for your case.
- Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Be honest, but avoid making recorded statements without consulting an attorney.
- Avoid admitting fault. Refrain from admitting fault at the scene of the accident or when speaking with the insurer. Fault determination should be left to the insurance companies and legal professionals.
- Keep records. Maintain a detailed record of all medical treatments, expenses, and communications related to the accident. This information supports your case as you seek compensation.
By taking these steps, you can help protect your rights and ensure that you have the necessary documentation for your insurance claim or legal case.
What Is Needed to Build a Strong Car Accident Case in Everett, Washington?
Building a solid car accident case requires a comprehensive approach to gathering evidence, establishing fault, and demonstrating the impact of the accident on your life. Here’s what is typically needed:
- Accident report. Obtain a copy of the police report, which provides an official account of the accident. This report can include details about the scene, witness statements, and officer observations.
- Medical records. Your medical records document the nature and extent of your injuries. These records are crucial for connecting the injuries to the crash, proving the severity of your injuries, and showing the necessity of medical treatments.
- Witness statements. Statements from witnesses who saw the accident provide valuable testimony about what happened. Witnesses help corroborate your version of events and establish fault.
- Photographic evidence. Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries are powerful evidence. They provide a visual record of the impact and extent of the damage.
- Expert testimony. In some cases, expert testimony may be needed. For example, accident reconstruction experts can provide insights into how the accident occurred and the factors involved.
- Proof of financial loss. Gather documentation of all financial losses resulting from the accident, including medical bills, repair costs, and evidence of lost wages. Proof quantifies the economic damages you seek.
- Documentation of pain and suffering. Keep a journal or detailed account of how the accident and your injuries affect your daily life and emotional well-being. This documentation supports claims for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Consultation with an attorney. An experienced Everett car accident attorney guides you through building a solid case. They help gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.
By gathering and organizing these elements, you and your attorney build a compelling case demonstrating the full impact of the accident on your life and supporting your compensation claim.
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident in Everett can be overwhelming, but knowing what damages you are entitled to recover, the steps to take immediately after the accident, and what is needed to build a strong case makes a significant difference. Engaging an experienced car accident lawyer provides the expertise and support necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your losses. Remember, taking prompt and informed action influences the outcome of your case and helps you move forward with your life.
Our goal is your financial recovery and peace of mind. Read on for more information about some of our attorneys.
Meet Your Everett Car Accident Lawyers
Meet some of our top attorneys and negotiators at Brett, McCandlis Brown & Conner.
Paula McCandlis
Paula is a Gonzaga University School of Law graduate with almost three decades of legal experience. She believes in a personalized approach, where she takes the time to understand her clients and how their lives were affected by the car accident. This is the foundation of her impeccable legal representation.
Since 2016, Paula has also been a part-time U.S. magistrate judge in the Western District of Washington. Paula knows the law, and you can count on her to maximize your recovery.
David Brown
David fights zealously to represent his clients against big insurance companies. He’ll keep you informed of your case every step of the way. He’ll explain the complex legal issues so you can fully comprehend your case and make the best well-informed decisions.
David is a University of Colorado graduate with 17 years of legal experience. Since 2013, Super Lawyers Magazine has recognized David as a Rising Star.
Matt Conner
Matt graduated magna cum laude from the Seattle University School of Law. Over and above his stunning decade of legal experience, Matt also has extensive experience in finance. Before law school, he majored in mathematics and economics and worked in the mortgage banking and real estate industries for a time. This financial background provides him with a unique perspective on the precarious financial situation most accident victims face.
You won’t be just another case file to Matt. He cares about his clients and wants them to recover quickly from their ordeal.
Start Your Path to Financial Recovery with the Top-Rated legal team at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner
Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner for a free case evaluation with a seasoned Everett auto accident lawyer. Since 1972, we have had experience handling personal injury cases in Everett. We treat every client with the respect and dignity they deserve. Contact us today and allow us to set you on the road to recovery.
Our office in Everett, WA
- Address: 2722 Colby Ave #105, Everett, WA 98201
- Open hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Phone number: 425-374-1491
