If you have been involved in a car accident in Washington, you reserve the right to contact a lawyer to see if you have a car accident claim. Washington is what’s referred to as a fault insurance state, which means that people who have been affected by car accidents have the right to hold at-fault drivers accountable. In the early stage, sometimes referred to as the insurance stage, many car accidents can be resolved before ever seeing a courtroom. However, if you do take your car accident case to trial, it’s crucial to know what’s needed to proceed.

When you decide to process a personal injury claim, your car accident attorney will begin the process by investigating the accident, evaluating the cost of the damages, and deciding whether or not to involve the at-fault party in the proceedings.

Read on to learn more about the car accident trial process, and schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Yakima, Washington today.

What Happens Before A Car Accident Goes To Trial?

Before a car accident goes to trial, your lawyer will decide whether or not to send a demand letter to the at-fault party. If your lawyer does demand that you send a letter, you can meet with the driver and settle the claim before the case goes to trial. If you, or the other driver, decide not to go forward with the negotiations or decide against them, a lawsuit will be filed in a Washington civil court.

Next, you will need to prove that the other driver’s negligent actions truly did cause the accident. If you can successfully prove this during the discovery process, you may have a case.

What Is The Discovery Process?

In civil actions, the discovery process refers to what parties use during pre-trial to gather information in preparation for trial. When you bring a personal injury claim to court, you have an obligation to prove the other driver’s negligent actions directly caused your injuries and the damage done to your vehicle. There are many forms of evidence that can be upheld here, including the following:

Witness testimonies are one form of evidence that are used during the discovery process. Testimonies can be from you, witnesses who saw the accident, expert witnesses who are trained to examine car accidents, and the at-fault driver involved with the accident. 

Medical bills and invoices related to your medical care will also come into play during this process. Knowing the extent of your injuries, and how much money it costs to repair them, is crucial for understanding just how damaging the car accident was

Police reports: Your lawyer will get a copy of the police report from law enforcement in order to get the first hand recounting of the accident’s details from a police vantage point.

Surveillance footage: In some cases, a lawyer may be able to secure surveillance camera footage from a store, office building or residence that you drove past. This footage can be integral to the strength of your case, as it can paint a clear picture of what happened during the case, helps with establishing timing, and serves as concrete proof of the accident’s events (if they are caught on camera).

How Does A Lawyer Help Me With A Car Accident Trial?

When someone else causes an accident by failing to act responsibly, they should be held accountable for the damage they cause. An experienced car accident attorney from our personal injury law firm can help ensure you are treated fairly throughout the process and you get the most compensation possible from your car accident claim.

The insurance adjusters working for the at-fault party are not usually looking out for your best interests when they show up at the hospital or home visits following an accident when injured victims may be emotionally fragile and unable to think clearly about their legal rights under the law. This often leads to routine lowball offers that fail to compensate victims adequately for their physical symptoms as well as future symptoms related to their auto accident.

The best way to maximize your outcome following a personal injury case is to schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer as soon as you can.

Schedule A Free Car Accident Consultation With Church And Page Today

No matter how your car crash occurred, a personal injury lawyer in Kennewick can talk to you about your potential case and work with you to make the most out of your situation. Not all motor vehicle accidents are the same. Hiring a car accident attorney from Church & Page can go a long way towards making matters right for you and your family.