If you’ve been in a car or pedestrian accident in Bellingham that involves a hit-and-run driver, here are a few things to consider when choosing a lawyer:
- Ask people in your network for recommendations
- Find a local attorney who’s near you
- Search for lawyers who have experience with hit-and-run cases
- Look up client reviews and testimonials for lawyers
- Pick an attorney who fits your budget
- Ask about their investigative process for unidentified driver claims
- Learn how the lawyer communicates and provides updates
Picking the right attorneys means finding someone you can trust who will guide you through the legal process and provide peace of mind as you focus on recovery or grieving.
Let’s review these considerations when searching for the best Bellingham hit-and-run lawyer for your case. If you’re ready to discuss what happened with qualified crash investigation attorneys near you, contact Walton Injury Law today.
Ask Friends, Relatives, and Colleagues for Recommendations
If you have relatives, friends, or co-workers who’ve had to hire an attorney after an accident, reach out to them for recommendations. They may refer you to the lawyer they worked with in the past.
While asking people in your network for recommendations, you can also ask them what their experience was like during the claims and litigation process. If they are comfortable sharing, ask if there are things they wish they knew before hiring an attorney or filing a lawsuit.
Choose a Lawyer Familiar With Bellingham Roads and Traffic Risks
Don’t just pick a law firm with a nationally recognized name. For flee driver cases, knowledge of the local area can make a major difference. Local lawyers will know dangerous roads in Bellingham where accidents happen, which can make a difference when investigating what happened and building your case.
Knowing the potential risks of fleeing driver collisions on Meridian Street or Lakeway Drive can make a meaningful difference in the value of your claim. This is the kind of granular focus that local attorneys have and that large national firms may lack.
Look for Experience Handling Fleeing Driver Collisions
Make sure you pick a lawyer who’s worked on unknown driver cases in the past. Some attorneys may lack the procedural knowledge and nuanced approach to these kinds of cases if they tend to work on semi-truck collision cases or slip and fall accidents.
When reaching out to any attorneys about what you’ve gone through, don’t hesitate to ask if they’ve worked on hit-and-run claims before and what they bring to the table. Ask about specific cases and what they think about your case.
Look Up Client Reviews and Testimonials to Gauge Reputation
As you’re searching for a local injury attorney, be sure to read reviews and check client testimonials. This is a good way to learn what a law firm values and how they work with clients.
Consider what’s mentioned in the positive and negative reviews for a firm. While you’ll want to take each opinion with a grain of salt, you may notice patterns in the reviews that provide a sense of the firm’s overall quality.
Discuss How the Investigative Process Will Work
Identifying the reckless driver can be challenging in hit-and-run cases. A reliable attorney for these cases will be able to investigate the collision, often seeking any security camera footage or video of the incident.
Ask the lawyer about how they’ll investigate the accident and any past cases in which a driver has fled the scene they’ve worked on. This can give you real insight into how the attorney will approach your claim.
Ask About Communication and Updates
It can take time to resolve an accident lawsuit. Getting regular updates and communication can offer a sense of certainty and confidence during a protracted negotiation or litigation process.
Ask a collision lawyer about how they’ll keep you updated as your case progresses. You should also ask if they can provide you with a direct line of communication during the process, just in case you have an urgent question, concern, or issue that comes up.
How Legal Guidance Can Support Your Recovery
Don’t go it alone after a serious hit-and-run car wreck or pedestrian accident. Having an attorney on your side can help you avoid costly errors and major setbacks.
- Help with Identifying and Locating the Driver: A good attorney can assist with the investigative process, gathering video or photographic evidence as well as witness testimony that may help identify the driver.
- Help with Insurance Company Communications and Negotiations: Your lawyer can handle all communication with your insurance company. If you receive a low settlement offer, your attorney can negotiate a better offer that properly accounts for your injuries and other changes to your life caused by the accident.
- Help with Maximizing Compensation After an Accident: When the reckless driver cannot be found after an accident, your lawyer can discuss various options for compensation through your insurance policy and other sources. Your attorney can also help negotiate a better settlement to assist with recovery.
- Legal Representation If Your Case Goes to Trial: Most accident cases are settled before they go to trial. If your crash investigation case does proceed to trial, having a good attorney on your side will be essential for seeking damages and presenting your case in court.
- Peace of Mind So You Can Recover from Your Injuries: When you work with a lawyer you can trust, you can feel assured that your fleeing driver case is getting the attention it deserves. While your attorney focuses on your claim, you can devote your time to recovery, rehabilitation, and focusing on what the future has in store.
You Have Limited Time to Act in Hit-and-Run Cases
Per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 4.16.080, you typically have three years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Once this three-year statute of limitations has expired, you will no longer be able to take legal action.
There are some exceptions to this three-year time limit, including if a local, state, or federal government employee or entity was involved in the unidentified driver crash.
It’s always best to speak with a hit-and-run accident lawyer as soon as possible. Meeting with an attorney can ensure you meet these important deadlines and avoid costly setbacks that could undermine your claim.
Why Choose Walton Injury Law for Your Hit-and-Run Accident Case
People throughout Whatcom County know that Walton Injury Law is on their side after a hit-and-run or other kinds of serious accidents. Here are a few reasons why locals put their trust in our lawyers:
- Free and Confidential Legal Consultations: You shouldn’t have to pay a fee just to speak with an attorney about your injuries. That’s why we offer free case evaluations. During a free case review, you can share what happened, and our lawyers can let you know what steps you need to take next.
- Clients Don’t Pay Unless We Win: As we mentioned earlier, Walton Injury Law operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay any legal fees unless we can secure a settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Our law firm is in this together with you, and our attorneys are prepared to fight.
- Available to You 24/7: Accidents can happen at all hours of the day in and around Bellingham. We also know that clients can have concerns that keep them up at night. Our law firm takes messages 24/7, and our lawyers will get back to you as soon as we can.
- We Won’t Settle Early: At Walton Injury Law, we won’t accept a quick settlement that’s less than the true value of your claim. If the insurance company won’t pay what your accident is actually worth, we will negotiate from a position of strength to secure a better offer. We are also prepared to take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Walton Injury Law for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been seriously hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you need skilled lawyers on your side who are prepared to advocate for you and understand the dangers of local roads in and around Bellingham. Our attorneys are here to help you and your family navigate a difficult situation.
To request a free and confidential consultation, contact our law firm today. We want to hear your story and offer help in whatever way we can.