Bellingham Car Accident Lawyer

When Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

After a car accident, you may be unsure if hiring an attorney is necessary. In straightforward cases with no injuries, handling the situation directly or through insurance may make sense; however, seemingly minor accidents can quickly become complicated, especially if injuries emerge later or insurance companies begin applying pressure to settle promptly.

You should strongly consider hiring a car accident lawyer if:

You’ve suffered serious or long-term injuries The fault for the accident is disputed

The insurer or other party won’t offer fair compensation

A government entity is involved, triggering special legal procedures

The compassionate Bellingham car accident lawyers at Narwal Injury Law are experienced in handling vehicle crash cases. Call today to begin working with a skilled personal injury attorney who could help you pursue compensation.

What Should You Avoid After an Accident?

To protect your rights and strengthen your claim, avoid these common mistakes:

• Do not admit fault or apologize—these can be interpreted as admissions of guilt
• Avoid guessing or speculating when speaking with law enforcement or insurers
• Seek medical attention immediately—delays can undermine your claim
• Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice
• Never accept a settlement before consulting an attorney

Working with a Bellingham attorney could help you avoid errors that may hurt your chances of recovering compensation following your car accident.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident?

Following these steps can significantly impact your safety and legal rights:

• Call 911 and move to safety as soon as possible
• Cooperate with police, providing only clear, factual details
• Document the scene—gather witness info and take photos if you can
• Seek medical care promptly, even for minor symptoms
• Consult a personal injury lawyer to understand your legal options

Having a Washington State Trooper or local police officer arrive at the scene ensures there is appropriate documentation about the accident and can be instrumental in assessing conflicting versions of the accident. Similarly, working with a Bellingham car accident attorney could ensure you do not make common mistakes that could hurt your chances of recovering compensation.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Even low-impact accidents can cause:

• Brain and spinal cord injuries (including TBI and paralysis)
• Whiplash, nerve damage, and musculoskeletal injuries
• Internal organ damage and broken bones
• Facial, dental, and soft tissue injuries, including cuts and scarring

A lawyer could help ensure your claim accounts for all of the ways your injuries will affect your life following your Bellingham car crash.

Car Crash Data

• In Bellingham alone, there were 1,313 car crashes, and 2,720 crashes in Whatcom County as a whole, in 2024.
• In Washington State, there were 672 fatalities and 104,214 car crashes in 2024.

(Source: WSDOT)

Contact an attorney in Bellingham to learn more about the statistics regarding car accidents in the area.

Understanding the Car Accident Legal Process

The legal process following a car accident involves several key steps:

Filing a Complaint

Your attorney files a complaint detailing your injuries, damages, and legal claims. In Washington, this usually must happen within three years of the accident date.

Serving the Defendant

The complaint is formally delivered to the defendant, who is then legally notified about the lawsuit.

Defendant’s Response

The defendant answers the complaint by admitting or denying allegations and raising legal defenses.

Discovery Phase

Both parties exchange evidence, conduct depositions, and gather critical information supporting their case.

Trial

If a settlement isn’t reached, the case proceeds to trial, where a judge or jury determines liability and compensation. However, most cases settle before trial.

Handling car accident lawsuits requires considerable skill and expertise. Engaging a qualified car accident attorney in Bellingham significantly improves your chances of obtaining fair compensation.

Types of Compensation Available

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and related medical treatments
• Lost wages, or reimbursement for income lost due to injury-related inability to work
• Property damage and the cost to repair or replace your vehicle
• Pain and suffering, or compensation for emotional and psychological trauma

Consult with a Bellingham lawyer from Narwal Injury Law for more information on what compensation you could expect to receive through your car accident injury claim.

What If You’re Partially At Fault?

Washington follows “comparative fault” rules, meaning you can recover compensation even if partially at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% responsible, you’d receive $80,000. Consulting an experienced car accident attorney in Bellingham helps determine your liability accurately.

Workplace Car Accidents

If your accident occurred while working, you might be eligible to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and a separate personal injury claim against third parties responsible for the accident. Our experienced attorneys handle both workers’ compensation claims and car accident lawsuits in Bellingham, ensuring comprehensive representation.

Can I Pursue a Claim If I’m Undocumented?

In Washington, immigration status cannot be used against you in a personal injury claim. Our Bellingham lawyers protect your rights and privacy vigorously and utilize skilled interpreters to ensure your voice is accurately heard following your car accident.

Common Types and Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents vary widely, and some common types include:

• Rear-end
• Head-on
• Side-swipe
• T-bone
• Merging
• Failure-to-yield collisions

These accidents can involve vehicles such as buses, cars, trucks, SUVs, bikes, motorcycles, and large commercial vehicles. Common causes include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and adverse weather conditions.

Contact a Bellingham Lawyer for Help After Your Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, our experienced Bellingham car accident lawyers are ready to advocate for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.