Personal Injury in Vancouver
Suffering serious injuries in a automobile, motorcycle, or slip and fall accident can be devastating and life-altering. At Marsh, Higgins, Beaty & Hatch, P.C., we represent individuals who have been seriously injured due to the negligent actions of another party.
Our experienced trial attorneys have established a reputation for achieving favorable results for their personal injury clients. We have handled a variety of personal injury matters, including the following:
• Vehicle accident injuries, including Truck, Auto and Bus Accidents
• Drunk Driving cases, where a pedestrian or driver of a vehicle has been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death cases
• Slip and Fall cases
• Dog Bites
Statute of Limitations
Injured individuals are often unaware that they only have a certain period of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Washington, under Title 4.16.080 of the Revised Code of Washington, plaintiffs generally have up to three years from the time of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, in Oregon, according to Title 2, Chapter 12.110 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, plaintiffs generally have up to two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Types of Recovery
In personal injury lawsuits, injured individuals can seek several types of recovery to compensate them for the harms they have suffered. The types of damages people often seek in a accident lawsuit in Vancouver include the following:
• Past, current, and future estimated medical expenses
• Property that was damaged as a result of the accident
• Lost wages from having to miss work
• Emotional distress resulting from the accident
• Change in one's future earning ability due to the injury
• Other costs that are directly connected to the injury
An experienced personal injury attorney in Vancouver will carefully evaluate the facts of your case and determine, based on a thorough assessment of your case and the pertinent law, whether you have a claim against the other party involved in the accident. If you have been seriously injured or if a loved one has died as a result of the negligent actions of another person, contact Marsh, Higgins, Beaty & Hatch, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.
DO’s and DON’Ts if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision:
•DO – Obtain the name, address, phone number and driver’s license number of anyone involved with the collision.
•DO – Photograph the collision scene and any property damage to the vehicles involved. For example, use your cell phone if you have it handy.
•DO NOT – Do not move your vehicle while you are waiting for the police to arrive.
•DO – If you are injured, tell the police officer that you are injured.
•DO – File an accident with the Department of Licensing in Washington or the Driver and Motor Vehicles Division in Oregon.
•DO – If you are injured; seek medical treatment from a qualified medical provider right away.
•DO – Keep all of your medical appointments with your treating provider unless there is a valid reason why you cannot keep the appointment. If you don’t keep your appointments, the insurance companies will sometime reduce the value of your claim.
•DO – Document your injuries. For example, take photographs of any bruising or any lacerations.
•DO – Report the collision to your own insurance carrier promptly.
•DO NOT – Do not give the other driver’s insurance company a “recorded statement” and do not sign any medical or employment authorizations for the other driver’s insurance company.
•DO – Keep track of your financial expenses related to the collision. For example, keep copies of your automobile repair invoices, medical bills, prescription receipts and other incidental expenses.
•DO – If you choose to have your vehicle repaired, obtain a copy of any property damages photographs of your vehicle from your body shop that may have been taken prior to the repair.
•DO NOT – Do not sign any documents, releases or checks without consulting with an attorney.
