After being involved in an accident in Seattle, Washington, one of the most important things you need to do is to start the Seattle auto accident claim process. Once you do this, you will be well on your way to getting compensation to help you cover your damages. However, negotiating car accident claims is not always as straightforward as you may think.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident attorneys in Seattle, Washington, are dedicated to providing our clients with the legal guidance they need as they start the process of filing a car accident lawsuit. Our attorney will work tirelessly on your behalf to protect your rights, negotiate on a fair settlement amount, and take your case to court if necessary.
Initial Steps After an Accident
Besides checking yourself and your passengers for injuries and getting to safety, there are several other steps you need to take after being involved in a Seattle car accident. One of the first steps to take is to report the accident to your insurance provider, as this is often a requirement for your insurance policy. The timeline for this will be dependent on your insurance carrier, but it is generally recommended to do this as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that you should not provide any more information than is necessary to your insurance carrier. Simply report the accident and leave any other communication to your auto accident attorney.
Additionally, after an auto accident, you should try to document evidence while it is still fresh at the scene of the collision. You can do this by taking photos of property damage, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any injuries you sustained. You can also collect the contact information of any witnesses so that your attorney can get witness statements later on.
Don’t worry if you aren’t able to collect evidence after the accident as much of this evidence will also be included in the police report.
The Claims Process
The car insurance claim timeline in Seattle can be quite long and unpredictable, so it is always best to get this process started as soon as possible. Remember, if you sustained any type of injuries or property damages and you were not entirely at fault, you are most likely entitled to compensation.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what the claims process looks like and what to expect:
- Filing the claim: Once you have reported the accident to your insurance carrier, you can move forward with filing your claim. You will need to do this with the at-fault driver’s insurance company by providing evidence, the police report, the filled-out accident claim, and medical records.
- Work with an insurance adjuster: After filing your claim, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to investigate. You will need to work with this insurance adjuster by providing them with additional information, allowing them to inspect your vehicle, and attending interviews. Although it is important that you are cooperative, you should never speak with the insurance adjuster without your attorney.
- Negotiate: After investigating your claim, the insurance company will present you with a settlement offer. You and your auto accident attorney will need to go over this carefully to decide whether or not it is a fair settlement offer or if you should negotiate. Your attorney can handle negotiation on your behalf if you want to get a higher amount.
- Taking legal action: If the settlement offer is not fair and the insurance provider will not amend it, you have the option of taking legal action against them. You can do this by filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court.
Common Auto Accident Claim Issues and How to Navigate Them
Every Seattle auto accident claim is going to be quite different, so it can be difficult to know what to expect. There are several issues you may run into that could delay the process and make it harder to get the compensation you deserve.
For instance, disputes around who was at fault are quite common, which is why it is necessary to gather as much documentation as possible. There may also be disputes around the settlement amount you are entitled to, which is why you need to provide documentation of your damages as well as your expenses. Keep track of things like car repair expenses, hospital bills, doctor’s notes, and medical bills.
You may even run into issues after negotiations have been settled and an agreement made. This can happen if there are delays in payment, which is something that your attorney can help you deal with so that you get access to the financial resources you need to recover.
FAQ Section
How long does the claim process take in Seattle?
The car insurance claim timeline in Seattle will be very different depending on every case but on average, moderate claims are resolved in 4 to 12 months. Whereas complex claims may take 1 to 3 years to complete.
Do you need a lawyer for a small claim?
Although it is not absolutely necessary to hire a lawyer for a small auto accident claim, it is still best to take this additional step for better legal representation, especially when it comes to settlement negotiations.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
Uninsured motorist claims in Washington are more complex but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to receive compensation. A common solution if the other driver doesn’t have insurance is to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation instead.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer at NBF Accident Law
As a victim of a car accident, it is your right to begin the Seattle auto accident claim process so that you can get a settlement. You can then use your settlement to help cover damages, such as property damage, time missed from work, and medical bills.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident lawyers will fight purposefully on behalf of our clients, protecting your rights so that you can get the settlement you deserve. We will help you with every step of this process, from collecting evidence to filing your claim to negotiating with insurance companies.
Contact us today at 206-923-8888 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
