As the name implies, accidents are just that, an accident. While they are unexpected and can suddenly happen, many accidents are caused by the negligence and recklessness of others. When this occurs, victims of a car accident should take the time to gain a better perspective on their situation, as this can help you understand your rights when it comes to recovering compensation for losses and damages suffered.
What are the compensation laws in Washington State? Whether a victim is prepared for it or not, a serious car accident could leave him or her injured and devastated due to the injuries and damages suffered. Because the losses can be overwhelming, victims seek to hold a negligent party accountable.
The State of Washington has at fault and pure comparative negligence laws. Negligence laws state that one must prove that the other driver was at fault in order to recover damaged for injuries. When an injured driver is partially at fault, it may still be possible to recover partial damages. Comparative negligence laws allow the court to attribute percentages of fault to those involved in an accident. This means that a victim’s damage recover is reduced by the percentage he or she is determined to be at fault.
Those injured in a car crash should understand their rights and options. A personal injury action could be very resourceful and beneficial, as this could help a victim address medical bills, rehabilitation costs and lost wages. Those in such situations can benefit from seeking the assistance of an experience attorney.