When to Hire a Washington State Truck Accident Injury Lawyer
In addition to offering you our extensive knowledge of Washington state traffic laws and insurance policies, the Emery | Reddy Truck Accident Injury Lawyers provide a full range of services to support you through the complex accident claims process. We protect your workers’ rights in discussions with insurance companies and in communication with other liable parties. We work with your employer to ensure that lost wages are properly documented and fully recovered. This allows you to focus on the most important matter in your personal injury case — your healing.
Following a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be contacted by the insurance company representing the negligent party and offered a settlement for your injuries. If you sign a release for your personal injury claim in exchange for a compensation check, it may effectively put an end to your claim and render you ineligible to pursue additional damages. Bear in mind that, as businesses, insurance companies are not likely to put your interests above the bottom line, even if you feel they have offered a reasonable amount. Hiring experienced truck and car accident attorneys is the best way to ensure that you maximize the amount of compensation to which you are entitled by law.
Call us today for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how we may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
Is Your Truck Accident Injury a Third-Party Claim or a Washington State L&I Claim?
Third-Party Claim
A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your Labor and Industries claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.
Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
If your truck accident injury leaves you out of work for an extended period of time, you may be entitled to compensation for pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Washigton State L&I Claim
A Washington state L&I claim results from a workplace injury or occupational disease. An L&I claim is monitored and managed by an L&I Claims Manager who sees the process through from initial claim filing to closure. If all goes as planned, your claim is accepted by L&I, and you will receive certain benefits.
When you are injured or contract certain types of illnesses at work, you are entitled to certain workers’ compensation benefits. You can file an L&I claim in Washington state through the L&I website’s File Fast tool, by calling the L&I office at 877.561.3453, or at your doctor’s office. After you file, it is imperative that you call an experienced L&I attorney to help you navigate the L&I claims process.
What Compensation Can You Recover for Truck Accidents?
- Medical benefits: L&I medical benefits will cover all medical costs associated with your claim. This can include doctor appointments, treatments, surgeries, occupational therapy, and prescription medications.
- Time-loss benefits: If you are approved for time-loss benefits, you may receive compensation for lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.
- Damages for pain and suffering: L&I award amounts vary widely and typically fall into three categories:
1. L&I disability pension: A life-long benefit awarded to injured workers who will never be able to return to any gainful employment due to a severe or life-threatening injury.
2. Permanent partial disability (PPD) award: A one-time sum paid to injured workers when their L&I claim is closed. The worker can re-enter the workforce following a PPD award.
3. Claim resolution settlement agreement (CRSA): An L&I settlement option where all parties agree to close an injury claim for a specified amount. When agreeing to this settlement type, the injured worker exchanges all future benefits, except medical, for the payment.
We understand that many families depend on the income of an injured worker, and our Washington state Truck Accident Injury Lawyers are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation you are entitled to by law. Our practice was founded on a commitment to advocating for workers’ rights, and we are proud of our record protecting the injured and disabled. Call us today for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how Emery | Reddy may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
