Legal Question in Personal Injury in Washington

auto accident injury

I was in an auto accident Aug. 1, 2000. I need to find out what the statute of limitations is and also find out if in a bad whiplash case such as mine, if there is a limited amount I can ask for if I decide to get a lawyer. I have seen an orthopedic doctor and have been seeing a chiropractor since the accident, but have not found total relief from the pain.


Asked on 11/19/01, 1:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Robert Kornfeld Robert B Kornfeld, Attorney at Law, Inc., P.S.

Re: auto accident injury

What state are you calling from? If its Washinton, there is GENERALLY a three year statute of limitations for negligence, but there are exceptions and different ways to perfect your claim.

Please call to discuss this further and I can give you a more complete answer to your question if you can give me more facts.

Thanks,

Rob Kornfeld

1 800 282 4878

[email protected]

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Answered on 11/19/01, 4:13 pm
Gary Preble Preble Law Firm, P.S.

Re: auto accident injury

The statute of limitations in WA is three years. You thus have until Friday, August 1, 2003 to commence any lawsuit against the negligent person who caused your injury.

There is no limited amount you can get just because you get a lawyer. The amount you get would be based upon the amount of damages you receive. Of course, the attorney would receive his fees out of your settlement (or verdict if it goes to trial); but having an attorney often means a greater amount because the attorney often knows better how to prove the actual value of the damages than the injured person can do by himself. (In addition, an attorney can help deal with other matters that may result in lower medical and other obligations.)

The attorney can often obtain experts who can establish the extent of the damages, as well as challenge any experts hired by the insurance company, and who might tend to favor a lower amount. For example, sometimes it is difficult to prove the extent of whiplash injury just by the nature of the accident.

You may find good information on whiplash at http://whiplash101.com/.

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Answered on 11/19/01, 10:04 pm


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