13. WHAT IF I AM PARTLY AT-FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT?
Under Washington State law, in most circumstances you
will be able to recover a percentage of your damages even when you are substantially at fault.
14. WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVE LIABILITY IN
A TYPICAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT?
A police investigation is important. Photographs
of the vehicles, the accident scene, the level of traffic or any debris on the roadway are vital. Statements of
witnesses or at least getting the names and addresses of people who are present is helpful. If you are badly injured
and cannot get this information yourself, you should rely upon the investigating officer or friends and family to help you
acquire this information. The sooner you contact a lawyer to help you, the better off you will be.
15. HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE
A CLAIM?
You can contact our office at our toll free number
or by sending us an email at law@kochlaw.com. By making a simple inquiry, you will reach an experienced professional
who can respond generally about whether or not you have a claim that is worth pursuing.
16. WHAT IF I SLIPPED AND FELL?
If you slipped and fell due to the negligence of another,
you are entitled to recover. A business has a duty to make their premises reasonably safe for their customers.
If they breach that duty and someone is injured due to that breach, they are liable for your injuries.
17. HOW SOON AFTER A PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT
SHOULD I CALL YOU?
Contact our office immediately. Do not give the
other person's insurance company a statement until you have consulted with a lawyer. I make a point of returning all calls
and e-mails promptly. If you have suffered a personal injury, you need to know right away what insurance coverage is
in place to cover your medical expenses and lost wages.
18. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO TAKE ACTION?
The statute of limitations for an automobile accident
or other tort claim is three years in most circumstances. If the claim involves the Federal Government, it must be filed
within two years under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Some other types of cases have different statutes of limitation.
If a person is under the age of 18, the statute of limitations does not run out until they reach their 18th birthday.
Following their birthday, the individual has three years to file their claim.
19. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SETTLE PERSONAL
INJURY CASES?
If you bring in all pertinent materials upon our first
meeting, we can get to work on assessing your claim and drawing up your demand. We have settled personal injury cases
in a few months, but others take much longer. The amount of time between filing suit and settling a claim depends solely
on each individual case.
20. WILL I HAVE TO GO TO TRIAL?
The vast majority of Washington State personal injury
cases do not go to trial. However, we treat each case as if it is going to trial, because we are willing and prepared
to do whatever it takes to maximize your settlement.
21. WHAT KIND OF DOCTORS SHOULD I SELECT
TO TREAT MY SOFT TISSUE INJURIES?
The people who are typically involved in connective tissue
injury treatment are medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, physical medicine and rehabilitation
doctors, neurologists, and orthopedic physicians as well as pain doctors. it is important to select a treating doctor
who supports your decision to pursue a legal claim, and who will cooperate with your attorneys as we research your case.
22. WHAT PARTS OF WASHINGTON STATE DO YOU
HANDLE CASES IN?
Although we are located in Silverdale, we have handled
cases throughout the state including the following counties: Kitsap, Pierce, Jefferson, Clallam, Mason, King, Snohomish, Douglas
and Yakima. We have a large support staff and a committed team of professionals who are dedicated to solving your case
for you, and we are willing to go to great lengths to secure your highest possible settlement.
