If a person is debating whether to call a Personal Injury Attorney in Bellingham WA because they’ve been injured, they definitely should. When an injury occurred because of the fault of another individual, product, or situation, they can receive the legal advice to need to achieve the highest settlement possible. Although it might appear to be easier to talk to the insurance company on their own, when a victim is offered a settlement without an attorney, it is usually a much smaller amount than they are entitled to.
If a victim has already started the process of achieving a settlement, they should never sign the agreement before speaking with an attorney. Once the agreement is signed, the victim will not be able to seek any further damages from the guilty party. A victim can receive a free consultation to discuss the case.
Paying An Attorney
A victim will never have to pay an attorney any money out of their pocket. The only way the attorney received compensation for their legal services is if they win a settlement for the victim. The attorney will receive a percentage of the settlement and will discuss the percentage during the free consultation.
Time Limit
In the State of Washington, an individual only has three years from the date of the injury. The clock starts running on the date of the injury.
Comparative Fault Rule
In the state, there is a Comparative Fault Rule. If the victim is partially responsible for their injuries, their award will be reduced by that amount. For example, if they are 30% responsible for their injuries and are awarded $10,000, they will only receive $7,000 of the settlement. This rule gives insurance companies the incentive to blame the victim to reduce their losses. This is why it’s so important to hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Bellingham WA to fight for a fair settlement.
There’s no reason to accept a settlement from an insurance company that is less than a victim deserves. When a victim contacts the Allen Law Firm, they will find experienced personal injury personnel who will help them achieve the highest settlement possible. Find us on Facebook!