A Washington car accident victim seeking the full value of their damages must have compelling evidence that the other driver was 100% at fault. After a car accident, a victim may wonder, “Should I hire a private investigator?”
A dedicated Marysville car accident lawyer can help gather and preserve evidence needed to establish liability before reviewing the state’s comparative fault rules.
Under RCW 4.22.005, the law states the following:
“In an action based on fault seeking to recover damages for injury or death to person or harm to property, any contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages for an injury attributable to the claimant’s contributory fault, but does not bar recovery.”
In other words, if the at-fault party’s insurer assigns you a percentage of fault, it reduces your compensation by that percentage. A private investigator can promptly preserve crucial evidence of the other driver’s liability, starting from the moment you hire them.
What To Do After a Car Accident In Washington?
Depending on the seriousness of the crash and the severity of your injuries, you may be unable to take any intentional actions on your own behalf until some time later after a car accident, when you’ve had treatment for your injuries and you are in stable condition. However, if you or an uninjured companion can take action at the scene, preserving evidence may begin with the following:
- Taking photos of the accident scene and the damaged vehicles
- Gathering the contact information of the involved parties and eyewitnesses
- Photographing your visible injuries
Evidence from the accident scene quickly becomes obscured when emergency services move the vehicles from their resting positions. However, the accident report, together with your medical report, is key evidence in your claim. When this evidence isn’t enough, it may be time to hire a private investigator.
When Would I Need a Private Investigator After a Washington Car Accident?
Not every car accident case requires a private investigator, especially when an injury victim hires an experienced car accident attorney with access to skilled investigators and medical experts; however, there are times when taking immediate action by hiring a private investigator can protect your rights. For instance, a private investigator can benefit your case under the following circumstances:
- If the other driver’s story conflicts with yours, or they falsely accuse you of being responsible for the accident
- If the other driver’s insurance company has accused you of falsifying the severity and impacts of your car accident injuries
- If the other driver left the scene in a hit-and-run and hasn’t been apprehended
- If you suspect that the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or other substances, but there isn’t documented evidence from the accident scene
Together with your car accident attorney, a private investigator can defend you against being assigned an undue percentage of liability for the crash or the insurance company’s attempts to devalue your claim. As the claimant in a car accident case, the burden of evidence is on you to show that the other driver violated their legal duty of care to you and others on the road.
How Does a Private Investigator Help in a Washington Car Accident Case?
Hiring a private investigator to work alongside your Washington car accident law firm can help you support your case with strong evidence. A private investigator can take prompt action, such as photographing or video recording the accident scene as soon as possible after the crash, capturing details such as skid marks and debris. They may also canvass the area for security camera footage that could have captured the accident or the other driver’s erratic actions before it. Private investigators may also track down eyewitnesses who left the scene before leaving their contact information with the police.