As Seattle heads into its rainy season, drivers face unique challenges on the road. Wet conditions, reduced visibility, and slippery surfaces all contribute to an increase in accidents during this time. Rainwater mixes with oil and debris on the roads, making them slick and reducing the traction of tires. This can lead to skidding, hydroplaning, and longer stopping distances, making accidents like rear-end collisions and multi-car pileups more common.

In addition to slippery roads, heavy rainfall reduces visibility, making it harder to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles. Drivers who fail to adjust their speed or maintain a safe distance in these conditions are more likely to be involved in accidents. Potholes and flooded areas add to the dangers, as hitting a pothole or driving through standing water can cause drivers to lose control.

If you’re involved in a rain-related accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly impact your personal injury claim. First, ensure everyone’s safety by moving your vehicle to the side of the road if possible. Document the scene with photos of the road conditions, any damage to the vehicles, and any injuries. Exchange information with the other driver(s) and get contact details from witnesses. It’s also essential to file a police report, even for minor accidents, to create an official record.

Although injuries may not be immediately apparent, it’s critical to seek medical attention. Conditions like whiplash often don’t show symptoms until days later, and having medical documentation is vital for your personal injury claim. Consulting a personal injury lawyer early in the process is also highly recommended, as they can help navigate the complexities of dealing with insurance companies and ensure that you receive fair compensation.

In rain-related accidents, the issue of fault is often determined by whether the driver took appropriate measures to adjust to the weather conditions. Washington state law expects drivers to drive more cautiously during inclement weather. If another driver was speeding, failed to keep a safe distance, or neglected to use headlights in low visibility, they could be held liable for the accident, even if weather played a role.

Personal injury claims can help recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage. However, insurance companies may try to reduce their payout by pointing to the weather as the cause of the accident, rather than another driver’s negligence. This is where having legal representation is invaluable, as a personal injury lawyer can gather the necessary evidence to prove liability, including weather reports and witness statements.

In Washington, you have three years to file a personal injury claim, but it’s always best to begin the process early. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather evidence and make a strong case. A lawyer can handle the negotiations with insurance companies and, if needed, represent you in court.

Seattle’s rainy season brings a higher risk of accidents, but with proper precautions and knowledge of what to do in the event of a crash, you can protect yourself. If you do find yourself involved in an accident, Bridge Law & Associates, PLLC, is ready to assist, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Stay safe, and be prepared for the road conditions ahead.

Being in a car accident is bad enough, but when the other driver just takes off? That’s a whole new level of stress. At Bridge Law, we get how overwhelming a hit-and-run accident can be. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you know what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

Ensure Your Safety and Seek Medical Attention

First things first, make sure you’re okay. If you’re hurt, call 911 right away. Even if you think you’re fine, it’s a good idea to get checked out. Some injuries don’t show up immediately but can cause problems later.

Report the Accident to the Police

Next, call the police. Let them know you’ve been in an accident and the other driver took off. Give them as much information as you can—time, location, and any details about the vehicle that hit you. The police report will be super important for any claims you need to make.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

While you’re waiting for the police, if you can, start gathering evidence. Take photos of the scene, your car, and any visible injuries. Note down any details about the other car—make, model, color, license plate (if you caught it). Also, get contact info from any witnesses. Their accounts can be really helpful later on.

Notify Your Insurance Company

After you’ve talked to the police, give your insurance company a call. Tell them what happened and share any evidence you’ve collected. Many policies cover hit-and-run incidents under uninsured motorist coverage, so they’ll guide you on how to file a claim.

Seek Legal Advice

Getting a lawyer on your side can make a big difference. At Bridge Law, we’ve got a lot of experience with hit-and-run cases. We’ll help you deal with the insurance company, investigate the accident, and work to get you the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Follow Up on Your Medical Treatment

Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice and go to all your follow-up appointments. Keeping a detailed record of your medical treatment is crucial when you’re seeking compensation.

Keep Detailed Records

Keep everything related to the accident in one place: police reports, medical bills, insurance correspondence, and repair estimates. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to build a strong case.

Stay Informed and Patient

Hit-and-run cases can be tricky and may take some time to resolve. Stay in the loop about what’s happening with your case, and try to be patient. Your lawyer will keep you updated and help you make the best decisions along the way.

Getting into a hit-and-run accident is scary and frustrating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Bridge Law is here to help you every step of the way. If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run, give us a call for a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for you.

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If a latent injury has disrupted your life, you may have grounds for a much larger personal injury case than you initially expected.

Some injuries seem trivial yet develop into life-altering medical concerns.

We often meet accident victims who experienced little to no pain right after an auto collision, slip-and-fall incident, or even suspected medical malpractice. But as time passes, their health, happiness, and livelihood are turned upside down by pain and suffering.

Washington law generally limits the time you have to file a claim. It’s critical to act quickly and reach out to our personal injury specialists to discuss your options confidentially.

How minor injuries lead to major cases

There isn’t always an obvious link between current pain and a previous accident. Delayed injury symptoms may take months to emerge, so it can be surprisingly hard to attribute them to a specific event.

Unfortunately, many people are left with uncompensated medical bills, pain and suffering, and even disabilities.

• Delayed symptoms are especially common with conditions like whiplash, concussions, or even internal injuries.
• Complications like chronic pain or limited mobility often arise over time.
• Cumulative health impact can be substantial, especially if you have a physically demanding job that worsens injury symptoms.
• Financial implications build up over the course of years. They include not only direct treatment costs, but also lost wages, ongoing therapy/rehab, and so forth.

For example, it’s not uncommon to suffer a herniated disc in the neck or back. But if the disc doesn’t press on a nerve, then it’s probably not painful and therefore not diagnosed. The problem is that herniated discs rarely stop progressing—let alone heal on their own. They tend to worsen gradually until they eventually do press on a nerve, leading to debilitating pain, extensive treatment, a long road to recovery, and potentially lifelong consequences.

Another common situation is minor head/neck pain or migraines. You might have struggled with them for years due to poor posture, old sports injuries, unlucky genes, or any number of non-traumatic reasons. So, following a relatively small accident, it can be hard to tell new issues from a flare-up of old ones. But that’s exactly the sort of thing a doctor often can distinguish. For instance, clients are frequently surprised to learn that their pain or migraine is actually the result of a concussion sustained in an accident.

These are just a couple of the most common situations. Dozens of other types of injuries may emerge long after an accident.

We fully support all our cases with thorough medical review and analysis, so you can identify unnoticed injuries as soon as possible. That way, we can fight for fair compensation before you rack up years of medical expenses and life disruption.

Our experience makes the difference

Injury cases are often surrounded by mountains of tasks and technicalities.

How do you link your injury to an accident? How should you document its ongoing effects? What kinds of medical reports and analyses are helpful? How do you even begin to calculate the total financial burden?

There’s simply no substitute for our experience. And at Bridge Law, we have decades of combined experience handling these complexities to build rock-solid cases for maximum compensation.

If you’ve experienced any loss in quality of life following an accident or injury, then you may have more options than you realize.

We’re in your corner. Reach out now to discuss your situation promptly and privately.

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If you suffered injuries as a passenger, while your friend or acquaintance was behind the wheel, you’re probably entitled to compensation from their insurer.

This is sometimes known as a “passenger vs. driver” case. And as with any other collision case, it takes proper planning to get maximum compensation for your injuries and treatment. We recommend that you consult an experienced attorney before negotiating with anybody.

Whose insurance will cover your injuries?

Generally, your compensation will come from the policy of the liable driver(s).

Washington law affirms that drivers owe due care to you, the passenger. That means they’re legally responsible for maintaining a safe speed, avoiding hazards, and doing whatever they reasonably can to keep you and others safe.

When a driver causes harm by breaching this duty, it leaves them liable to everyone who suffers as a result. Consequently, if your friend contributed to the car accident, then your friend’s policy is expected to cover your injuries. The same goes for any other driver who played a role in the collision, too.

Determining liability for passenger injuries

Determining liability can be complicated, since Washington law espouses comparative negligence. That means each driver’s liability is proportionate to their role in causing the accident.

Let’s say your friend was 30% responsible and another driver was 70% responsible. Theoretically, you would receive 30% of your due compensation from your friend’s insurer and the remaining 70% from the other driver’s insurer. Of course, this becomes more complex when multiple vehicles are involved, but the basic principle is the same.

(Note that Washington no longer recognizes the principle of last clear chance. If your friend and the other driver share responsibility, then it does not legally matter who had the last opportunity to avoid a collision. Compensation depends solely on their comparative negligence.)

All this means you will not receive compensation until fault is established. Sometimes it’s straightforward; other times it’s nuanced, and hotly contested. Our personal injury team can help you move toward compensation as quickly, smoothly, and fairly as possible.

Do you have to sue the driver?

If the collision hasn’t strained your friendship enough, then the prospect of suing the driver certainly could. Fortunately, you can receive compensation without suing your friend. Working with an attorney does not necessarily mean you’re suing.

That said, just because you needn’t sue your friend doesn’t mean you can’t. In fact, there are situations in which it’s helpful or even necessary.

The most common is if the driver’s policy is withholding your rightful compensation. We can limit the claim to the policy amount, so you’re not obligated to go after your friend’s personal assets. It’s often more of an administrative affair than an acrimonious, personal one. In fact, this sort of suit might serve everyone’s best interest by forcing a quick and final settlement.

Another scenario is if your injury expenses exceed your friend’s policy limits (or if they lacked a policy altogether). Some accidents entail months or years of delayed injuries, treatment expenses, ongoing therapy, and lost productivity. If the driver’s insurance and your medical coverage don’t suffice, then it may be worth exploring a lawsuit to recover further compensation. This requires particular care and planning to avoid forcing your friend into bankruptcy.

A far rarer situation is if you suspect the driver actually intended to harm you. This raises completely different legal matters from a standard accident-injury claim. It is not something to explore lightly. Still, if you suspect your (former) friend set out to harm you, then it’s essential to share that information with your legal team.

Whatever the details, our personal injury experts can help you decide whether a lawsuit is worth considering in your individual circumstances.

What if your friend was uninsured or underinsured?

If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, then your own policy may compensate you for your injuries. If you didn’t have such coverage at that time, then your options are limited. 

Compensation may still be available through other avenues, up to and including a suit, as discussed above. Your legal team will help you evaluate and pursue these options if necessary.

Can you be liable as a passenger?

It’s highly unlikely that you’d be found liable as a passenger. Within the bounds of normal, rational behavior, there is not much that could cause an accident without the driver breaching their duty of care.

However, it’s not impossible.

For instance, if the driver argues that your actions made them lose control or overlook a hazard, then you may be held at fault. This would require markedly aggressive or abnormal behavior, so it’s not a common scenario. But if you believe your own actions could have contributed, then it’s critical to discuss this with your legal team.

However, you may receive less or no compensation if you weren’t wearing a seat belt when the accident happened, or if you willingly rode with an impaired driver. Those factors do not make you legally responsible for the accident, but may still have a significant financial impact.

(Keep in mind that personal responsibility for seat belt use applies from age sixteen and up. If you were under sixteen, then the driver—not the passenger—is on the hook.)

Getting legal help for your injuries as a passenger

Bridge Law specializes in quickly obtaining rightful compensation for car accident injuries. 

Before talking to insurers, and before attempting to “take care of it” informally with your friend or any other parties, reach out to our legal team.

Accident claims are highly time-sensitive, so we encourage you to get in touch immediately.

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