For anyone who is a victim of a low-speed car accident in Camas, WA, you may not know whether or not you can file a lawsuit. Not all car accidents are severe, but that doesn’t mean that you will walk away without any injuries or property damage.
If you have been the victim of a low-speed car accident in Camas, WA, you need to find an auto accident attorney to represent you. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of Camas personal injury lawyers has extensive experience handling all types of auto accident cases, including low-speed accidents.
Keep reading to find out whether or not you can file a minor crash injury lawsuit, and if so, what the process is like.
Low-Speed Car Accident Scenarios in Camas, WA
Most people think of car accidents as being the result of speeding or reckless driving. However, there are plenty of scenarios where accidents can occur at low speeds, resulting in no damages or minor damages.
Low-speed accidents, also known as low-impact accidents, are usually used to describe when a car crash occurs under 10 mph in Washington.
Here are some examples of when low-speed car accidents can occur in Camas:
- Rear-end collisions: A very common low-speed accident scenario involves rear-end collisions. This can occur during slow traffic, or at red lights or stop signs.
- Merging: Stop-and-go traffic can result in low-speed car accidents if vehicles are trying to merge. Merging accidents can also occur when vehicles are trying to change lanes.
- Crosswalks and pedestrian zones: These are areas that usually require vehicles to go under 10 MPH and can result in collisions.
Generally speaking, low-impact car accidents usually occur due to distracted driving or when drivers fail to yield to others on the road.
Common Low-Speed Car Accident Injuries
Although low-speed car accidents usually result in fewer or less severe damages, this does not necessarily mean you will walk away without any type of injury. Any instance where vehicles collide can result in bodily injuries due to the impact of the collision, no matter the speed of the vehicles.
Here are some common examples of low-speed car accident injuries:
- Whiplash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Mild concussion
- Flesh wounds
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back injury
- Internal bleeding
If you have walked away from a low-impact car accident with any of these bodily injuries, you need to seek the representation of a soft tissue injury lawyer in Camas. A whiplash accident attorney in Camas will have experience with these types of accidents and can help you file a strong claim proving your right to compensation.
Filing a Low-Speed Lawsuit Without Injuries
Depending on the severity of the accident, you may not have any bodily injuries that you can seek compensation for. The good news is that Washington recognizes non-economic damages, allowing you to still seek compensation even if you haven’t been physically injured.
For example, you can seek compensation to cover the economic costs connected to emotional damages. This would include things like lost earnings due to missing work or the cost of therapy. Washington also allows you to see compensation for non-economic damages like the loss of enjoyment of life or the loss of consortium.
Keep in mind that filing a lawsuit without physical injuries can come with some unique challenges. You’ll need to provide extensive proof of your non-economic damages, including whether or not they have had a financial impact on you.
Proving Liability For Low-Impact Car Accidents in Washington
Insurance carriers may try to dismiss any claims for low-impact car accidents since the damages are usually relatively minimal. To avoid running into this problem, you need to be able to prove liability and clearly establish the extent of your damages.
Here are some tips for filing a strong claim that will allow you to get the compensation you are entitled to:
- File on time: One of the most important things to remember is to file your lawsuit within the designated timeframe. In Washington, the deadline is three years from the date that the accident occurred or the date that the injury was discovered.
- Get medical care: After the accident, the first thing you need to do is get immediate medical care to create medical documentation. This is a necessary step, even if you do not believe you are injured, as there are plenty of injuries that aren’t immediately noticeable.
- Gather evidence: As soon as possible, you need to start collecting evidence to prove liability as well as the extent of your damages. Examples of evidence you should collect include things like surveillance camera footage, dash cam footage, witness testimonies, expert testimony, photos of the collision scene, photos of damages, medical bills, and doctors’ notes.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm
Although low-speed car accidents in Camas, WA, usually come with fewer injuries and property damage, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t file a lawsuit. This is still a viable option, especially if you have sustained any types of damages that are recognized by Washington law.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our experienced auto accident lawyers are committed to defending the downtrodden and helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. For expert legal representation from one of our attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our online form.
FAQ:
Can I sue if the car accident was under 10 mph?
Yes, if you have any economic or non-economic damages, you have the basis of a lawsuit, even if the accident was minimal.
How do I prove my injuries were caused by the crash?
You will need to get medical attention to create a paper trail as well as provide your medical history proving that you didn’t have the injuries before the accident occurred.
Will insurance even take a low-speed claim seriously?
Insurance carriers may try to dismiss low-speed claims, which is why it is important to hire an attorney and collect extensive documentation. As long as you can prove liability and the extent of your damages, the insurance company will have to take your claim seriously.