Spokane Car Accident Lawyer

Collision victims are rarely able to simply pick up the pieces and move on without some help. A Spokane auto accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need to heal and move forward with your life.

A car accident is a terrifying, painful experience, and dealing with insurance claims, personal injury, and damages can make it even worse. When you’re injured in an accident, you want the best care and the fastest compensation you can receive, but achieving that can be a difficult issue without the service of professional lawyers with practical experience.

If you were in a crash and you believe you were not at fault for the negligence that caused it, the legal consultants at Craig Swapp & Associates are here to provide legal representation that will get you compensated and protect your rights. With the right Spokane car accident attorney on your side, you could be compensated for the losses and damages that resulted, even if you are found to have partial fault under Washington’s state laws.

Navigating Insurance Claims

Insurance companies seek to make money, but their profits decrease when they pay for damages in full in car accident cases. No matter what information or practical evidence you provide to them, they will attempt to provide you with a smaller insurance settlement in a shorter period of time. In the end, you’ll probably feel more like the the insurance company worked you over than helped you. Washington State requires that certain rights are given to drivers by insurance companies, but this does not always guarantee your settlement will truly cover the damages that resulted from the accident.  

The Spokane legal consultants from our personal injury law firm are of utmost importance when it comes to navigating the world of insurance claims and whether you get compensated for the damage someone else’s negligence has caused you. We can provide representation during negotiations, look over your accident claim, review your settlement offer, and convince the insurance companies to provide the compensation you’ve claimed.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Spokane

Car accidents are a common occurrence in Spokane, Washington, and can have serious consequences for those involved. Understanding the common causes of car accidents can help drivers take steps to avoid them and reduce the risk of being involved in a collision.

1. Distracted driving – Distracted driving is a major cause of car accidents in Spokane and across the United States. It includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, such as texting, using a cell phone, eating, or applying makeup. Distracted driving is particularly dangerous because it slows a driver’s reaction time and reduces their ability to make split-second decisions.
2. Speeding – Excessive speed is another common cause of car accidents in Spokane. When drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for road conditions, they increase the likelihood of losing control of their vehicle, running off the road, or colliding with another vehicle.
3. Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and can result in serious car accidents. Substance-impaired drivers are more likely to make poor decisions, misjudge distances, and lose control of their vehicle, leading to collisions.
4. Improper lane changes – Improper lane changes are a common cause of car accidents, especially on highways and interstates. When drivers fail to signal, change lanes without checking their blind spots, or cut in front of other drivers, they put themselves and others at risk of a collision.
5. Running red lights and stop signs – Running red lights and stop signs is a dangerous and illegal behavior that can result in serious car accidents. Drivers who run red lights or stop signs are often in a hurry and may not see other vehicles or pedestrians in the intersection.
6. Weather conditions – Inclement weather can also contribute to car accidents in Spokane. Heavy rain, snow, and ice can reduce visibility, make roads slippery, and increase the risk of hydroplaning or losing control of the vehicle.
7. Defective vehicle parts – In some cases, car accidents may be caused by defective vehicle parts, such as faulty brakes, tires, or steering components. If a driver’s vehicle is not properly maintained or if it has a known defect, it can increase the risk of a collision.

By staying alert and focused on the road, obeying traffic laws, and properly maintaining their vehicles, drivers can help keep themselves and others safe on the roads. However, if you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, it is important to seek the help of an experienced car accident attorney who can help you navigate the complex legal system and obtain the compensation you deserve.

Types of Auto Collision Injuries

Settlements in car accident cases can go well beyond the cost of repairing your car or buying a new one. Auto collisions are commonly deadly, and surviving a crash can mean debilitating injuries for the rest of your life. The costs of these injuries contribute to the nearly $900-per-person average that car crash cases cost each year.

A Life-and-Death Concern

Injury to yourself is an immediate issue after a Spokane car crash or truck accident. Injuries can be life or death and may be one of the most immediate expenses following an accident—the medical care involved in a hospital stay, even a short-term one, can add up quickly in costly medical bills, especially if the personal injury you suffered was severe.

Neck Injury

Neck injuries like whiplash are especially common during auto wrecks. Our lawyers have handled cases in these practice areas for many of our clients. The severity of the damage may vary, depending on speed and the health of the victim, but this injury can cause major damage to the ligaments and muscles of the neck—personal injuries that can put a person out of work for an extended time.

Head Injury

Head injuries are often some of the most severe injuries in an auto collision, especially when a motorcycle is involved. Untreated, head injuries can cause a life-threatening concussion, a coma, and even permanent brain trauma. This can change your life completely, including your ability to continue the career you’ve worked all your life in. Brain injuries can cause multiple other problems to critical areas to your life, such as hearing, vision, and cognitive issues, as well as greatly reduced quality of life.

Broken Bone Injury

Broken bones are another common injury from auto collisions. The sudden force of a crash can cause bones to fracture, which can be incredibly painful and may require surgery. Commonly broken bones in car accidents include the ribs, arms, legs, collarbone, and pelvis. These injuries can be debilitating and may require a long period of recovery, including physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Burn Injury

Burns can be caused by a fire that starts as a result of the crash, or they can occur when hot liquids or chemicals are spilled. Burns can be incredibly painful, and severe burns may require multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Burns can also cause permanent scarring, which can be both physically and emotionally debilitating.

Internal Injury

Internal injuries can also result from auto collisions. These injuries are often not immediately apparent and can include internal bleeding, organ damage, and internal trauma. These injuries can be life-threatening if not properly treated and can result in long-term consequences such as permanent damage to organs or chronic pain.

Some common internal injuries from car accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Internal Bleeding
• Organ Damage
• Stomach, Liver, or Pancreatic Injury

It is important to seek immediate medical attention after a car accident, even if you do not feel any pain or think that you have not been injured. Internal injuries can worsen over time and may cause permanent damage if not treated in a timely manner.

Your Compensation After an Auto Accident

A car accident can cause a wide variety of damages, from damage to your vehicle to tolls taken on your physical, emotional, and financial health. All of these damages can factor into your ultimate compensation award, even if your insurance company does not want to include them after they’ve reviewed your claim.

With legal representation from an auto accident lawyer in Spokane, you can be sure that your insurance coverage handles all areas of the personal injuries you’ve claimed. If you have experienced serious injuries, you will likely require compensation for non-economic damages in addition to costly financial damages like medical bills, lost wages and income, and property damage.

Below are some of the damages the insurance company should provide compensation for in a successful car accident claim:

• Medical billings and related expenses
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Loss of wages
• Physical impairment or disfigurement
• Loss of companionship

Fault in an Auto Collision

Of extreme importance in settling a crash claim is the issue of fault, negligence, an liability. In Spokane and the rest of Washington, injured drivers are responsible for their portion of the negligence that caused the car, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, or motorcycle accident. This means that, if you are found at fault for any part of your Spokane motor vehicle collision, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage for which you were at fault.

For example, imagine you were in a collision with another driver, but you were driving distracted and you are found to have liability for 25 percent of the fault. In this situation, you can expect to receive only 75 percent of your awarded compensation. For a compensation award of, say, $10,000, you would then only receive partial compensation of $7,500 out of the total needed.

You and your Spokane accident lawyers will need to pinpoint each and every at-fault party and prove why they were at fault so that you have the best opportunity to get fully compensated. The following are some examples of parties that are commonly found liable for collisions in these types of personal injury cases:

• Distracted or drunk drivers
• Manufacturers
• Mechanics
• Governmental road authorities

Speak with a Spokane Car Accident Lawyer with Experience

Craig Swapp & Associates is here to represent you. Our lawyers can help you get the insurance compensation you need for the personal injury or trauma you suffered during your accident and every day since.

If you would like your case examined by a Spokane auto accident lawyer with experience, contact us for a free consultation. Just fill out the online contact form at the bottom of this page or give our experienced lawyers a call at 1-800-404-9000. We’ve worked to see accident victims from all over Washington get compensated, and as one of our valued clients, we’ll make sure you recover the settlement you need, too.