In Washington, drivers are held accountable whenever they cause an auto accident. Typically, the driver is required to file an insurance claim to provide compensation for the victims. However, additional conditions could still lead to a legal claim. A car accident lawyer in Bellingham can discuss common topics associated with the accidents.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents?
According to state code 4.16.080, victims of auto accidents face a statute of limitations of three years when filing a legal claim. Any victim that doesn’t file the legal claim before the third anniversary of the accident loses all rights to start a lawsuit against the accountable driver.
The Discovery of More Extensive Injuries
With traumatic brain injuries, it is possible for new injuries to develop over time. Underlying injuries are often hard to diagnose as the brain is healing. The state offers an exception for such injuries and starts the statute of limitations on the day that the new condition is identified.
When Children Are Injured
Any conditions related to the child’s auto accident injuries that are diagnosed at a later time could provide further exceptions for children. The statute won’t run out until the child reaches the age of majority of eighteen years of age. The parent retains the right to file a legal claim until the child is an adult for any conditions that weren’t discovered prior to the end of the original statute.
How Are Wrongful Death Cases Managed?
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed under the presumption that the cause of the fatality was avoidable. In an auto accident case, the wrongful death could have been caused by a drunk driver, an exhausted driver, or due to vehicle malfunctions. The cause determines who is at fault for the fatality and who the claim is filed against.
In Washington, drivers must compensate victims when they cause auto accidents with injuries. The claims cover the cost of all medical expenses and the cost to repair the automobile. The age of the victim and other circumstances could extend the statute of limitations for the legal claims. Victims of an auto accident should contact a car accident lawyer in Bellingham or visit the website for more information. You can also follow them on Twitter.
