Battle Ground Car Accident

The experienced Battle Ground car accident lawyers at Philbrook Law work aggressively to hold all responsible parties accountable for the damages they cause. There is no excuse for speeding, driving while distracted, driving while intoxicated, driving while tired, or failing to follow the traffic laws of the state. Liable parties should pay you for your pain and suffering, your lost income, your medical bills, and the damage to your vehicle. They may also be required to pay for scarring and disfigurement damages and, in some cases, may be required to pay punitive damages.

Why do car accidents occur in Battle Ground, WA?

Many of the causes of car accidents are well-known. They include:

• Driving while distracted. Drivers in Battle Ground should never drive and text at the same time. If they need to use their cell phone, they should pull off to the side of the road where they can have a safe conversation. Drivers who eat, drink, look at a GPS system, play with the radio, or take their hands off the steering wheel and their eyes off the road for any reason are a danger to themselves and everyone around them.
• Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. Drivers should never drink and drive or use drugs and drive. Using substances can cause the driver to lose control of his/her vehicle. Sadly, many drunk driving accidents cause death and catastrophic injuries.
• Traffic violations. The most common traffic violation that causes accidents is speeding. Drivers should avoid driving too fast, especially when it’s snowing, raining, foggy, or too sunny. Traffic violation accidents also include running through stop signs and traffic lights, and many other violations of the rules of the road.
• Improper passing and merging. Cars should never pass unless the road markings make clear that it is OK to pass, and the traffic conditions make clear that there is enough safe distance to pass. Drivers must understand who has the right of way when cars merge and should communicate with each other to make sure the merge is done properly.
• Driver fatigue. A tired driver is a dangerous driver. Drivers making long journeys should take rest stops. They should get off the road if they need to sleep. Drinking coffee and opening the windows is not a sufficient response to driver fatigue. If you’re tired, you need to get off the road.
• Defective auto parts. Manufacturers of cars or car parts have a duty to make sure that the cars and car parts are designed properly and are made with quality parts. Defective parts such as faulty fuel lines, faulty braking systems, and faulty steering wheels can easily cause an accident. Recently, there have been many court cases involving defective auto bags which have crushed the drivers and passengers that they were meant to protect.

Other causes of car accidents in Battle Ground include construction sites that don’t properly direct drivers, roadways that are improperly designed or maintained by the state of Washington or by Clark County, and intersection accidents because the traffic at the intersection is not properly regulated.

“

After a car crash, everything changes. Pain, stress, missed work. Then the insurance company starts calling. Acting helpful, but protecting their bottom line. Navigating the aftermath of a car crash is scary. We treat you like a person, not a case number.

Pat ReeceAttorney

What types of car crashes are common in Battle Ground?

Most accidents involving cars happen in one of the following ways:

• Head-on collisions. These often-fatal accidents involved the fronts of two cars striking each other. They normally occur because one car is going the wrong way either in the wrong lane or at the intersection.
• Rear-end collisions. These accidents occur when the driver in the rear is speeding or is distracted. Common injuries to the drivers and passengers in the front car are whiplash and soft tissue injuries as well as back injuries.
• Single-car crashes. In these cases, the passenger should have a claim against the driver. Single-car accidents normally occur because the driver is speeding, distracted, driving while intoxicated, or tired.
• Broadside crashes. These crashes, also called T-bone crashes, involve the front of one car striking the side of the second car. These accidents often happen at intersections. Broadside crashes are often fatal if the cars are traveling at high speeds.
• Sideswipe collisions. This type of Battle Ground car accident occurs when the driver side of one car collides with the passenger side of a second car. Sideswipes often occur when one of the drivers fails to merge properly or fails to pass properly.
• Multi-car accidents. These accidents may be due to a chain reaction where one car strikes a car in front which strikes other cars down the line. Multi-car crashes can also occur when two cars collide and one of the vehicles spins out of control striking other cars. The cars that are trying to get out of the way may also strike each other. Multi-car accidents require skilled Battle Ground car accident lawyers because there are multiple victims and multiple defendants.

At Philbrook Law, we work with investigators, the police, and conduct extensive discovery to determine how these crashes occur. In some cases, liability can be determined just by examining the damage to the vehicles. In unique cases, we may consult with traffic reconstruction experts.

Who can be held liable for a Battle Ground car accident?

The people or entities who may be liable for your car accident or for the wrongful death of a loved one include:

• The driver of the vehicle that hit you
• The owner of the vehicle (if different than the driver)
• A manufacturer of a defective car or car part
• The State of Washington, Clark County, the Washington Department of Transportation, or other governmental entities
• A provider of alcohol: a business or anyone who sells alcohol may be liable if he/she served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated, and that person caused an accident

If your car was struck by a truck, then there may be claims against the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipping company, and other truck entities.

What types of injuries do Battle Ground car accident victims suffer?

Many car drivers and passengers die as a result of a car accident. If a car strikes a pedestrian or a bicycle rider, it’s usually a miracle that the pedestrian or bicycle rider survives. We file wrongful death cases on behalf of the families of the person killed.

Luckily, far more people survive car crashes, though sometimes their injuries can be catastrophic. Our Battle Ground personal injury attorneys can help you if you were in a car accident that resulted in:

• Spinal cord damage
• Head trauma or a traumatic brain injury
• Amputation of a leg, arm, foot, or hand
• Loss of vision or loss of hearing
• Broken bones
• Muscle damage and soft tissue injuries
• Nerve damage
• Sprains, cuts, and bruises
• Organ damage
• Burn injuries

What are the liability insurance requirements in Battle Ground?

Car owners are required to have the following amounts of minimal insurance:

• Death or injuries to one person in one accident: $25,000
• Death or injuries to multiple people in one accident: $50,000
• Property damage: $10,000

Car owners should buy as much car liability insurance as they can afford because just one surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars and many cars are worth much more than $10,000. Car owners should also purchase UM/UIM insurance in case the driver who causes the crash doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to pay all your damages.

Is your car accident lawyer near me?

Philbrook Law is located in Vancouver and Portland, but we serve clients in the greater Portland area, and throughout Oregon and Washington. Rest assured, however, that if you are critically injured and unable to come to us, we will travel to visit you in the hospital or rehabilitation center. We also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations.

How Philbrook Law helps when car crashes happen

At Philbrook law office, our Battle Ground car accident lawyers understand that even minor injuries can dramatically affect your health, your ability to work, and your ability to function. In many cases, victims suffer chronic pain for years or even the rest of their life. We’ll work with your doctors to fully understand and verify all your medical injuries and all the treatment that you’ll need. We’ll work with your employer to verify all the income that you’re losing or review your business income to verify your income loss. We skillfully and persuasively argue the extreme pain and suffering that you’re in. In most cases, we are able to negotiate a strong settlement. We’re also ready and able to argue your case before a jury when insurance companies are unreasonable. If a loved one died, or you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in Clark County, call our office in Vancouver, WA or fill out our contact form to discuss your case.

Rated 5 Stars by Our Clients

Read firsthand accounts from the clients our personal injury attorneys have represented in complex personal injury claims.

“You will not be disappointed. After my first meeting with Matthew I felt confident they were the team for my case. Tiffany provided great communication and assistance during the info gathering phase and also throughout the settlement phase. Thank you so much for going the extra mile.”

“They were able to find his insurance. I highly recommend hiring Matt and Tiffany. They took all of the insurance stress off my shoulders so I could concentrate on helping my son who had many broken bones and surgeries.”

“I reached out to them and within minutes, we had a great conversation. You can tell how much they care about their clients. They also went above and beyond to get the best results for my situation. Would highly recommend. You won't find anyone better!”

“Amanda especially was such a huge help. They handled two back-to-back car accident settlements for me, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The entire team was professional, responsive, and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate their hard work and highly recommend them!”

“Not our fault! The other driver turned left in front of as after he was waved on by another driver. We both had minor to moderate injuries. Our Ford F150 Lightning became undriveable. We went to urgent care! One year later, we were having difficulty in reaching a settlement with the other drivers insurance company after they gave us a low offer. We felt we needed legal advice or assistance. We met with Tiffany Henson, who reviewed our case. She gave us the advice we needed to negotiate with the other insurance, rather than try to take it to court. Tiffany offered to review our letter and gave us further advise. After the insurance company reviewed our letter and statements they doubled the settlement amount and made all of the stipulations we had requested! We can not thank Tiffany enough for her caring personable attitude toward us. Her advise was right on and saved us from more anxiety and stress. If you have an injury accident do not hesitate to contact Philbrook attorneys. They will treat you right.”

“That’s how great these people are. Driving home one night in my shiny new car I was suddenly sandwiched inbetween 2 much larger vehicles. The damage didn’t seem like much at first, but ended up being four years of treatment & life long conservative care. I wasn’t a case that was easy to get treatment for and I felt very lost before I was recommended the Philbrook law team. I actually fired an attorney who had left me with more questions than answers and hired this office. It was the best choice I could have made for myself. They stood by me every step of the way. Thousands of questions and appointments all the way to discovery and settlements. I have recommended them to hundreds of people and will continue to at any given chance. Not once in 4 years did I question if I was in good hands. They really go above and beyond for their clients and I can’t thank them enough. I truly miss hearing from them. I’m sure not everyone can say that about their attorneys. Give them a call, you won’t regret it.”

“I had never needed to hire a lawyer for anything so I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous. Matt and his team were awesome. They helped me throughout the whole process with every question and concern. They were timely, knowledgeable, patient and courteous. I appreciate the hard work everyone contributed to my case and getting me a fair settlement.”

“They did everything to get what I deserved, They work for the best of my interest, and I really have the best experience with her, everyone in there is very polite and respectful. I hope that I will never have the need to hired them again but if I have to I will. If you're reading this review and you're looking a lawyer to represent you in a car accident matter, then don't look any further, they are the best.”

“My recovery treatment took well over a year and took up a lot of time outside of other life stuff. Once they took over my case, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and they took on all the burden from there on out. My insurance tried to settle for an absurdly low offer and Philbrook law got a settlement beyond my imagination. And they made it so quick and easy. I would recommend Philbrook law to anyone needing an accident lawyer. They were so efficient and stayed in touch through the whole process. Their whole team works hard to ensure people get the justice they deserve. Couldn't be happy with my settlement outcome!”

“It was very thoughtful, kind and helpful to have good advice, especially after asking another local firm and them not knowing what to do! I will definitely use this law firm in the future. Thank you!”

~ D. Pierce

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