Yakima Car Accident Lawyer

Why Yakima Families Choose the Car Accident Lawyers at Abeyta Nelson

Even the best drivers cannot always avoid the negligent actions of others. When the unexpected happens, don’t take a chance on your health or your finances. Eastern Washington state’s top car accident attorneys of Abeyta Nelson Injury Law firm have a combined 120 years of experience handling cases involving car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents. We know how to work with your insurance company and how to get outstanding medical bills paid for you and your loved ones. Most importantly, however, our personal injury lawyers know which local and regional medical experts are qualified to diagnose and treat your injuries, how to get you the fair compensation you deserve, recover your lost wages, and how to take appropriate legal action to give you peace of mind and get your life back on track.

You Bring Your Car Crash Case, We Bring You Results

When you hire the experienced car accident lawyers at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law firm, we handle all aspects of your auto accident injury claim for you. Our experienced legal team works with insurance companies—both the at-fault parties and yours—so you don’t have to deal with the insurance adjusters. Working with all of the insurance companies involved in your car accident claim can be confusing and full of potential pitfalls. When you hire Abeyta Nelson, our car accident attorneys will investigate your case, obtain the necessary medical records and wage loss records, negotiate claims for reimbursement by hospitals or health insurance companies, and be sure all legal deadlines are met should you need to file a personal injury lawsuit for your injuries. At Abeyta Nelson, we get to know our clients and their families, building strong attorney-client relationships as we work with you on your case. We’ll be upfront with you about all aspects of your case, and we’re here to provide expert legal representation so you can focus on your medical treatment and recovery. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know the laws of motor vehicle liability and insurance inside and out, and we handle all communication for you – taking the hassle out of dealing with insurance adjusters so you can get on with your life.

Top 8 Reasons Car Accidents Happen

Person driving a car through a city, view from inside the vehicle showing hands on the steering wheel and blurred buildings ahead.

The most common causes of fatal auto accidents occurring in Washington state fall into the following categories:

Drunk or drugged driving is the cause of more than half of all deadly crashes. Drunk driving alone accounts for 30% of all traffic fatalities, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC).
Speeding
Aggressive driving
Reckless driving
Following too closely
Distracted driving
Texting while driving
Failing to wear a seatbelt

Often, fatal accidents in Washington state happen not just because of one of these factors, but a combination of one or more of these behaviors. Contact the lawyers at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law if you or someone you love has been involved in a fatal car accident.

Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident

After an accident, emotions are high, decision-making and judgment can be cloudy, and the extent of injuries are often not known until days or weeks after a car crash. First and foremost, our car accident attorneys advise clients to wait before signing anything they may later regret. Other commonly made mistakes after an auto accident include:

Signing an insurance settlement offer too soon after the incident occurs
Delaying meeting with an attorney who may eventually be able to get them a much larger settlement
Not getting a police report completed at the scene
Not getting injuries checked out immediately by a medical professional, even if they seem minor
Not taking photos at the scene to document key details of the accident, like property damage

Use caution and protect yourself after a car crash. Consult with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a serious injury or auto accident to maximize economic damages, and minimize pain and suffering.

How To Start Filing Your Car Accident Claim

A mechanic wearing a blue uniform writes on a clipboard while inspecting a car in an auto repair shop.

The process of filing an auto accident claim really begins the moment after the car crash occurs. If you’re injured in a car accident, it’s important to stay calm and quickly assess the situation to determine if any of the parties involved are seriously injured. Call 9-1-1, take photos, exchange information with the other driver, and stay in a safe location until help arrives. Contact your insurance company via phone or mobile app to open an insurance claim. Within a few days, you will be assigned an insurance adjuster who will investigate your claim, and shortly thereafter, he or she will make a settlement offer.

If the insurance offer is too low, or if you have questions, don’t be pressured to do anything right away. Abeyta Nelson accident attorneys can assist with filing a personal injury lawsuit and will fight tirelessly for your rights, both in negotiations and in court to win your case. Let us handle the legal side of things. Schedule your free case review with our personal injury lawyers today and take the first step toward justice and peace of mind.

The Injuries Most Car Crash Victims Experience

Injuries that can happen as the result of an auto accident in Washington state range from minor to more serious, including:

Neck injuries, including whiplash
Spinal cord injuries
Ligament damage
Broken bones
Traumatic brain injury and concussion
Emotional or psychological trauma, including PTSD
Internal bleeding

Other injuries may include life-threatening internal injuries which require immediate medical care, diagnosis, and treatment. Our experienced car accident lawyers talk in detail with clients about their physical or mental symptoms, arrange for medical appointments and continually follow up throughout any long-term therapy or rehabilitation.

Injuries That Appear Minor but Cause Serious Damage

A person in jeans and a striped shirt stands next to a white car with the hood open, looking into the engine compartment.

If you’ve been in a minor auto accident, it may seem easy to determine the damage done to the vehicle just by looking at it. It may also seem easy to decide that since all accident victims involved in the car crash look and feel fine at the scene, there’s been no injury. Injuries that look or feel normal at the scene of the accident may include:

Relatively minor scrapes
Bruises
Muscle strains
Headaches
Soft tissue pain

All too often, the insurance company will also look at this scenario and determine that there is little to no damage to the car or driver, and offer limited compensation for the accident. Or, they may delay or deny the personal injury claim altogether.

But what happens if, a week later, an accident victim starts to feel unrelenting neck, head or back pain? Additionally, what if that pain and suffering requires expensive, long-term treatment and results in lost wages? After the adrenaline of the accident wears off, usually within the first 24-48 hours, it’s in your best interest to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer like those at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law.

Receiving Maximum Compensation for Our Clients

Many hesitate to seek legal representation from a car accident attorney due to a perception it will cost too much, but our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we recover economic damages for you. Being involved in a personal injury lawsuit can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover while managing medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Our goal is to help you seek the full compensation you deserve, so our car accident lawyers can help you focus on healing.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident lawsuit or are just starting to consider your legal options, it’s crucial to understand your rights. That’s why we offer free case reviews with a car accident attorney—to help you determine whether you have a valid claim and what steps to take next. Since opening our doors in 1982, Abeyta Nelson Injury Law has created a team of trained and dedicated dedicated staff and car accidents lawyers who advocate for our clients, provide thoughtful legal advice, communicate well and truly care about each and every case. During your consultation and throughout your case, a dedicated car accident attorney will listen to your story, review the facts, and walk you through what to expect.

When To Consult a Yakima Car Accident Lawyer

In Washington state, the period to file a car accident claim – what is also referred to as a statute of limitations – is usually three years from the date of the auto accident, but there are some exceptions. Although you may have longer to actually file your claim with the court, generally, the sooner you can consult with a car accident attorney following the accident, the more that attorney can do to help you win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do car accident lawyers cost?

There is a misconception that car accident attorneys charge too much for the average person to afford high-quality legal services. Unfortunately, that belief often scares people away from consulting with personal injury attorneys. The reality is that most car accident lawyers, like those at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means clients pay no attorney’s fee unless they win their case, making filing a personal injury claim affordable to everyone. In addition, Abeyta Nelson offers free case reviews, which means we never charge a fee for an initial consultation with a potential client.

How do I know I need a car accident attorney?

A car crash can leave accident victims vulnerable to car insurance adjusters who pressure them to settle for less. In addition, although it’s hard to believe, your own car insurance company may not have your best interests in mind. Certain insurance companies are known for their aggressive and sometimes misleading handling of personal injury claims, delaying payment, denying valid claims, writing insurance policies that are impossible to understand, and putting pressure on people to make settlement offers that are too low. Signing insurance documents, especially at the accident scene when emotions are high, could mean that accident victims agree to settle for much less compensation than deserved. Always consult with an experienced car accident lawyer if your accident involves injuries, extensive property damage, or disputes with the insurance adjuster of the at-fault driver.

How long does litigation take?

Every auto accident case is different, so the timelines for economic damages in Washington state vary greatly based on the kind, extent, and severity of injuries. If you’re looking for the most accurate estimate of how long your case will take to settle, talk with an experienced accident attorney at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law. Our car accident lawyers specialize in personal injury claims, we’ve settled thousands of cases, and we know the time and effort it takes to successfully win your case.

How does my type and coverage of insurance affect my claim?

Like most people, you probably don’t read much of what your medical or auto insurance company sends you, other than the bill—but the type of insurance coverage you have really does affect your car accident claim. Should you be injured in a car accident, it’s very important that you know how to take maximum advantage of the coverage you’ve paid for. Contrary to popular belief, there really is no such thing as “full coverage” when it comes to auto insurance. As is true with many things in life, however, you tend to get what you pay for.

Liability coverage protects you or another driver insured under your policy if either of you are found legally responsible to pay for someone else’s injuries, damages, or losses arising from an accident. Liability coverage protects you and your personal assets, and is required by Washington state law. This type of coverage is one of the most important auto coverages you can buy, and therefore you should buy the highest liability coverage limits you can afford, because if your insurance coverage is not sufficient and you’re in an accident, the other party may come after your personal assets. To fully protect yourself, consider an additional purchase of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist policy. Each of these policies provide different levels of coverage that may make all the difference if you’re in an auto accident. If you’re in doubt, bring your insurance policy to Abeyta Nelson for a full review by our experienced car accident lawyers.

What can I expect from my auto accident case?

Abeyta Nelson car accident attorneys have 120 years of combined experience representing accident victims. Our attorneys know the laws of motor vehicle liability, understand the insurance available, and know how to deal with the aggressive and sometimes misleading tactics that insurance companies use against their own clients. These calculated strategies may include delaying payment, denying valid car accident claims, writing insurance policies that are impossible to understand, and putting pressure on people to take settlement offers that are too low.

Abeyta Nelson car accident attorneys fight against insurance companies by investigating and gathering evidence, building cases based on our clients’ losses, and working hard to obtain the largest settlements possible. In addition, our legal team supports clients and their family members throughout each case by communicating regularly, answering questions promptly, and following up on each client’s post-accident medical care and therapy. Our award-winning team of car accident lawyers have a proven track record of settling the largest personal injury lawsuits in Central Washington state.

What if I had a collision with a company car or truck?

If you’re in an auto accident in Washington state while driving your company’s car or truck on official company business, you’ll likely fall within the vicarious liability rule. This means that your employer may be held responsible for any damages you may have caused as an employee of the company while on the job, and would be liable for paying damages and any medical bills or car crash-related expenses. If you were driving your company’s car but you were using the vehicle for personal reasons, your company would likely not be found liable, and you as the employee would likely have to pay out of pocket for any damages, medical expenses or other losses. If you have questions about how to file a car accident claim related to an accident that occurred while you were driving a company vehicle, contact an experienced car accident attorney at Abeyta Nelson today.

What if I or the other driver was driving while drunk, drugged or drowsy?

Whether it’s you or another driver found to have caused an auto accident while drunk driving, under the influence of drugs, or sleep-deprivation, the impaired party will likely be found negligent and therefore, liable. Economic damages owed by the at-fault driver may include auto repairs, medical treatment and lost income. In more extreme cases, such as severe injury or even wrongful death, an impaired driver would likely be considered to be at fault and subject to criminal charges. It is critical to call 9-1-1 immediately following any accident so first responders can assess the scene, administer medical care and take photos to document the scene. These types of personal injury cases are complicated and require an expert car accident attorney with decades of experience. Contact Abeyta Nelson today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What if the car accident resulted in death?

A serious car or truck accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. In some extreme cases, family members of an accident victim may be faced with a wrongful death case. During these emotionally difficult times, there are likely medical and funeral expenses to deal with, and dependent loved ones may be affected by their loved one’s lost income. Consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer can help victims determine whether to file a lawsuit and pursue the compensation they deserve.

Contact a Yakima Personal Injury Attorney

Contact Abeyta Nelson Injury Law today to set up a visit at our Yakima office location at 1102 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902, or call phone number 800-927-2845 for a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys.

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