An insurance company’s primary objective is to minimize their expenses and pay out as little as possible.

Car accidents can be a traumatic experience, and the aftermath can be just as stressful. After a collision, most people turn to their insurance company for help, assuming that they will have their best interests at heart. Your insurance agent is likely amazing, however the insurance adjuster for the opposing party simply is not going to help you. It is essential to understand that insurance company’s primary objective is to minimize their expenses and pay out as little as possible.

What is the difference between Civil and Criminal Litigation?

Having done some public defense work, I have often been told by defendants “don’t worry, the other party isn’t pressing charges.”

I would then have to explain to the defendant that the plaintiff in their matter was not the injured party, but was in fact the State in which the incident occurred.

A civil lawsuit and a criminal prosecution are two distinct legal processes that have different goals, procedures, and outcomes. The main difference between the two is that a civil lawsuit involves a dispute between two or more parties over a legal matter, such as a breach of contract or a personal injury, while a criminal prosecution is a legal action taken by the state or federal government against an individual accused of committing a crime.

What to Do If You're Injured in a Car Accident

Car accidents can be a traumatic experience, especially if you suffer an injury as a result. If you're ever in a car accident, it's important to know what steps to take to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Here are some key things to keep in mind if you're ever in this situation:

I was driving my friend’s car and was hit by someone else. Do I still have a claim?

If you weren’t at fault and you and your friend have car insurance then yes, you still have a claim.

Driving someone else’s car does not change that you were the victim and need to be compensated for your injuries. The at-fault driver needs to reimburse you for the damages they caused you. This normally happens through the at-fault driver’s car insurance.
In all car accidents, we recommend you do the following:

1. Call the local police department and report the accident.
2. Seek medical attention.
3. Take pictures and document everything.
4. Call Earl and Edwards, PLLC

The person who caused my car accident is uninsured. Now what?

According to a recent study, in Washington, up to 21%, or 1 in 5 drivers are uninsured! This can severely limit your ability to recover if you are in an accident.

However, there are two things an attorney can help you do if the person who hit you is not insured.

What is the value of my Personal Injury case?

The value of a personal injury case is not determined by what you have lost, both in economics and emotionally. We’ll talk about economic damages below.

Is it worth hiring an attorney to handle my auto accident claim?

Understandably, this is the question that gets contemplated most during our consultations.

Could you do it yourself? Yes. Should you do it yourself? Probably not.
There is more to a car accident claim than submitting your claim and accepting whatever insurance decides to pay you. All insurances wish people would represent themselves because it allows them to pay you as little as possible.