When someone has been seriously injured or killed in a vehicle accident, a lawsuit is often filed to protect the rights of the injured party. Since the law can be difficult to understand, and since a personal injury lawsuit can be complicated, here is information to provide a basic understanding of the process and terminology.
A personal injury case is a legal dispute that begins when one person suffers harm due to the actions of someone else. Sometimes the dispute is settled prior to the launch of a formal lawsuit. Other times, a suit is filed if the parties involved cannot agree to an insurance settlement.
An insurance settlement is the payment from an insurance company to the insured to settle an insurance claim within the guidelines determined within the insurance policy.
When someone is injured in an accident, the insurance policy of the at-fault driver is required to pay for the person's injuries, including the cost of medical treatment and surgery, rehabilitation, lost work and wages, damaged property, and other costs. An insurance policy will only pay to the limit of its value, known as the policy limit. Even if the injured person's medical bills total $50,000 but the insurance policy limit is $25,000, then only $25,000 is available in insurance coverage. The injured person's own insurance policy also can pay towards that person's recovery. Go to this link for more comprehensive information on insurance policies.
In a personal injury case, money damages are paid to the injured person by the person or their insurance company, who is determined to be at fault for the accident or injury. A damage award is agreed upon during a negotiated settlement, or during a court trial.
Statutes of limitations are written laws that restrict the maximum time after an event that legal proceedings can be initiated. Once this period of time has passed, a claim can no longer be filed.
It is important to know the statute of limitations in the state that an accident or injury occurred, and that the resulting legal claim be filed within the timeframe allowed, to ensure that an injured victim's rights are maintained.
Go to this link to see the statute of limitations in each state.
An experienced personal injury attorney helps by overseeing all aspects of the insurance claim process so that the injured person can focus on healing and getting life back on track. A lawyer handles all stages of the claim from gathering information and handling correspondence with all involved parties, to negotiating a full settlement. Since it typically costs nothing initially to consult with an attorney, the decision to bring a lawyer onboard is an easy one to make.
Below we will explore common expenses associated with car accidents, the types of coverage that may be applicable, and how you can protect yourself financially if you are involved in a car crash in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Most car accident cases never make it to trial, even if the parties move from an insurance claim to a personal injury lawsuit.
So, how do you make the call? When should you pick up the phone and call a personal injury lawyer?
Yes. It’s boring reading. But it can greatly affect fault and how much you may or may not be able to win in an auto accident injury case.
Our client was on the job at the time of the car accident thus he had the option of filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. We discovered, however, that the vehicle he was operating was also covered under his employer’s large UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured) motorist policy.
While most injury claims do not go to court, about 10% do. And that’s where having credible witnesses can make a huge difference in your case.
Your demand letter is possibly the most critical tool in the settlement negotiations process.
Don’t worry – you won’t be writing it. Your personal injury lawyer will because it’s critical to present all the facts and circumstances in a way that positions you well.
Making any of these 4 mistakes can take away money from your final settlement amount, or eliminate it entirely. Learn what to do in this post.
Everyone by now knows that drinking and driving is dangerous. Yet more and more facts come out based on current research that highlight this problem even more. From Bellingham car accident and personal injury law firm Bill Coats Law, learn more about the dangers of drinking and driving.
If you've been injured and it was not your fault, you most likely have a personal injury case. What do you do this situation? Here are twelve tips and considerations in beginning a personal injury claim.
Without an attorney on your side, it can be like playing football without a helmet or much knowledge of the rules and plays versus an NFL team. When it's yours and your family's financial future on the line, this is not the kind of strategy you want to use. A personal injury attorney is a game changer.
A recent catastrophic accident involving two semi tractor trailers and six cars or pickup trucks showed how clearly large trucks have the advantage in an accident. However, does this mean cars are always going to lose in accidents with bigger vehicles? Increasingly, materials and engineering have leveled the field. Read more from Bill Coats Law in Bellingham, WA about top safety ratings for cars.
It should not be a surprise to anyone anymore - distracted driving is a factor in one out of four car accidents. Whether its from texting, talking on the phone, using GPS, eating, or parenting, distractions while driving are deadly behaviors. Here are latest statistics on this epidemic problem from Bellingham, WA lawyer Bill Coats.
In the State of Washington, you can be pulled over if an officer thinks you're driving while distracted - even if you are doing everything else right. This is because this behavior is so incredibly dangerous - as much if not more so as driving drunk. For recent research on how risky distracted driving is and what not to say if you're busted for it, click here.
Negotiation, strategy, experience and skill - all of these qualities make a personal injury claim reach a successful verdict or settlement. But here is one key aspect that can easily be overlooked by personal injury attorneys working with injured people. Bill Coats Law, of Bellingham, Washington, is the top car accident law firm in the fourth corner and writes on this basic human quality that wins cases.
Life jackets on a boat are a must for safety, but unlike riding a bike, no boater would think to don a helmet on the water. So often all that separates our brains from serious injury with a hard object is our skull. If you've been hit in the head and are experiencing symptoms of TBI, seek a doctor's help immediately. To recognize the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, click here.
Car insurance policies are complicated, and all the more so when covering financed and leased vehicles. Here is what you need to do to protect your financial assets if you drive one.
Many industries have a litany of acronyms and insurance is no exception. If you've been in a car accident, PIP might be a new one for you. It stands for Personal Injury Protection and will be a key piece to your peace of mind. For an explanation of what PIP is and how it works, click to watch this video by Bill Coats Law in Bellingham, WA.
Talking with an insurance adjuster can be difficult at any time during the claims process, but all the more so when an injured person is feeling the stress from lost wages. Here are some thoughts from Bill Coats Law in Bellingham, WA on what's at stake and what an insurance adjuster will require in paying lost wage claims.
It's called uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and all policies in Washington state are by law supposed to include it unless the policy holder specifically opts out. If your injuries and losses are more expensive than the at-fault driver's policy can cover, it's a critical part of your financial recovery after a car accident. Click to learn more.
There are lots of elements of a car accident claim that come into play when you try to file one. Some of them are obvious, and others are just big surprises. Attorney Bill Coats in Bellingham, Washington created this video to talk about one rule that could completely negate your claim if you exercise your right to file an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim. Be clear on your rights and responsibilities before you sign anything, and watch this video to learn more.
After an automobile accident, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what happens next. Bill Coats Law, in Bellingham Washington, has put together a YouTube Channel to answer some common question in hopes to help accident victims start on the right path to full financial recovery. Click here to get the answers you need.
After an automobile accident, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what happens next. Bill Coats Law, in Bellingham Washington, has put together a YouTube Channel to answer some common question in hopes to help accident victims start on the right path to full financial recovery. Click here to get the answers you need.
It often comes as a surprise to personal injury victims that after their insurance claim has settled, they may be writing a big check to their health insurance company. I created this video from my blog to talk about the process of reimbursing your health insurance company after your personal injury claim settles and what you need to know.
Many accident victims are nervous about their first contact with the insurance company’s adjuster, and justifiably so. Assuming anyone who was recently in a car wreck is dealing with injuries and emotional stress that come from a traumatizing event, it’s hard to think clearly through a claim negotiation. Here are some tips for that first contact with the insurance adjuster to help you advocate for yourself or a loved one and set the stage for financial recovery instead of further anxiety and financial stress.
