We’ve been helping Washington state residents receive compensation for their injuries since we opened our doors. At Colburn Law, our main goals are getting you back on the road to recovery and helping you gain the financial security you need.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a type of civil action. You may seek this type of legal recourse for your injuries even if the party responsible is facing criminal charges. For example, if you were injured in a car accident with a drunk driver, you may be able to file a car collision lawsuit above and beyond his or her criminal penalties. Contact a dog bite lawyer in Seattle if you need more information on steps to take following your injury.
The civil court system plays a vital role for those who are struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that occur after a serious injury or accident. With a personal injury lawsuit, victims of accidents can gain the financial security to move on, even when they feel they’ve run out of options.
How Do I File a Lawsuit?
While it’s possible to file a lawsuit by yourself, we recommend seeking the help of a Seattle personal injury attorney. Each case has different filing deadlines and a series of complicated steps to follow, so it’s essential to have a prior knowledge of the civil court system.
Negotiating a Settlement
The reality is that the majority of personal injury cases settle before they go to trial. This helps save money on attorney’s fees from litigation, but it also requires negotiation skills. We won’t accept a low-ball offer from an insurance company or any other entity – we’re committed to securing the settlement you deserve.
Generally, personal injury settlements have two different parts:
- Economic damages are fairly easy to calculate because they are tangible. Examples of economic damages also called “special” damages, including medical bills, lost wages, loss in earning capacity, and rehabilitation costs.
- General damages cover any intangible losses you may have suffered because of your injuries. Examples include emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of partnership (in the case of a wrongful death lawsuit), and pain and suffering.
- In rare cases, such as those involving gross negligence, we may be able to pursue punitive damages. The courts designed this compensation to punish the defendant for wrongdoing and to discourage it in the future. An example where we might pursue punitive damages is if a pharmaceutical company was offering kickbacks to physicians for prescribing their drug off-label.
To learn more about why we are a top-rated personal injury firm in Washington, visit the links below:
I will listen. I will make your voice heard. And I will do everything in my power to help.
