A serious car accident can have you dealing with injuries that require treatment for months or even years. This can leave you with questions about whether the compensation you receive will cover these expenses.
Does Washington law cover future damages?
The state follows a fault-based system, meaning the driver who caused the crash bears responsibility for the harm that follows. That responsibility extends well beyond your immediate bills.
The law allows you to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover losses you can measure, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, includes non-tangible costs such as pain and suffering that affects your daily life.
Projected damages fall within these same categories, provided your injuries from the crash give rise to them. Courts require any projected costs to rest on solid evidence rather than guesswork.
Which future cost can you include?
The expenses that apply to your claim depend on the severity of your injuries and your expected recovery timeline. Some of the most common examples include:
- Ongoing medical treatment such as surgeries, follow-up visits and prescription medications
- In-home care or help with daily tasks
- Projected pain and suffering that medical professionals expect to persist
- Diminished earning capacity or future lost income
- Necessary modifications to your home or vehicle
Because estimating these long-term needs can be complex, attorneys often collaborate with medical and vocational experts to build a comprehensive life care plan. This detailed evaluation translates your prognosis into concrete financial figures, helping it reflect the full lifetime cost of your recovery.
What deadlines are involved in your claim?
Usually, your case begins with an insurance claim. An attorney will submit a formal demand package that outlines your injuries, current treatment costs and projected expenses, backed by supporting medical documentation.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, you may need to proceed to litigation. Washington generally gives you three years from the date of the injury to file your case, and missing that deadline means that you will not be able to sue the other party altogether.