Washington Personal Injury Laws

Personal injury laws are on the books in every state in the United States. However, these laws vary in many ways and can be hard to understand.

In order to be entitled to compensation resulting from an accident caused by someone else's carelessness, you must prove they were negligent. In the state of Washington you must show that:

• The person who caused your injury owed you a duty
• They breached that duty
• You suffered damages
• The breach of that duty was the cause of your injuries

These elements of negligence can be difficult to interpret, and only an experienced personal injury attorney would be able to properly advise you of whether or not you have a personal injury case.

Some states require that you show you had no fault whatsoever in the accident. Washington, however, does not. In Washington you are still entitled to receive damages, even if you were at fault also. The total amount of damages you are awarded, however, will be reduced proportionately to the fault attributed to your actions.

In the state of Washington, the party who cause your injury may be responsible for:

• Lost wages. These can include past, present and future lost wages.
• Damage to property
• Emotional distress
• Any effect on your future earning capability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of quality of life

The damages awarded for the above are referred to as compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate for your losses. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are intended solely to punish the wrongdoer. Punitive damages are rarely awarded, but they are available, and are usually substantial. They are difficult to obtain because they are only granted when the act of the negligent party is especially egregious.

The time restraint, or statute of limitations, in Washington is three years. This means you have three years from the date of your accident to file notice of your claim. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to file a law suit. There are, however, exceptions to this rule, so if this time has passed since your accident, it is still important for you to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer today.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in Washington, please contact a Washington personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.