Suffering a debilitating injury can turn your world upside down. If your injuries were caused by hazardous conditions and occurred on public or private property, you may have grounds for a legal claim. With the support and guidance of a respected Spokane premises liability lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen, you can explore your legal options and recover the fair compensation you are entitled to.
The process can be entirely overwhelming while you are still healing from the trauma of your accident. Our firm has successfully recovered over $1.2 billion for our clients since 1990, so you can rest easier knowing your case is in our hands.
When you are ready to demand justice but are unsure of where to begin, contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a leading Spokane personal injury lawyer today.
What to Do After an Accident on Someone Else’s Property
When you are injured in an accident on someone else’s property, it may be considered a type of premises liability case. Here, property owners assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of their invited guests and patrons. If you are critically injured, here are some of the most important steps you should take in the aftermath of your accident:
- Call 911 for help and request an ambulance to the scene – Even if you do not believe your injuries are serious, get law enforcement officials and medical professionals to the scene as soon as possible. You are going to want an accident report filed and treatment for any invisible injuries you might have sustained.
- Contact a reputable Spokane slip and fall lawyer – Our legal team at Siegfried & Jensen is prepared to meet you at your home, hospital room, or the accident scene to take on the legalities of your case immediately after the accident.
- Do what you can to collect and preserve evidence – While you wait for officials to arrive, start to collect and preserve evidence. You should take photos of your injuries and any hazardous conditions on the premises and request the names and contact information of any witnesses to the incident.
- Get medical attention and treatment for your injuries – As soon as possible, get medical help. These medical records could be invaluable as we seek to prove the value of your economic and non-economic damages.
After taking on your case, we will need to organize and start determining who is responsible for your injuries. We may be able to file a renters, homeowners, or general liability insurance claim against the property owner or other liable parties. If you receive a settlement but it is not enough, filing a premises liability lawsuit in civil court could be your next best option.
For a free legal consultation with a premises liability lawyer serving Spokane, call (801) 266-0999
Which Types of Accidents Qualify as Premises Liabilities
Countless types of accidents qualify as premises liabilities. Essentially, any incident that happens on property other than your own could be considered a premises liability accident. However, that does not necessarily mean everywhere you go, property owners can be sued for accidents that happen.
Some types of accidents are more common than others. For instance, if your neighbor’s dog attacked you, you might need a Spokane dog bite lawyer to help you hold the dog’s owner accountable. Another example could be if you suffered devastating injuries outside your apartment building, partially because your landlord failed to take necessary security precautions.
These are just a couple of examples of accidents that qualify as premises liabilities. Slip and fall accidents, amusement park accidents, hotel accidents, swimming pool drownings, and any other incident involving dangerous property conditions may apply. You can find out whether you have grounds for a claim when you contact our legal team to discuss the specific details of your case.
Spokane Premises Liability Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Washington State Premises Liability Laws You Need to Know
Going into the claims process, there may be several legal nuances we need to contend with along the way. Your premises liability lawyer in Spokane, WA, will know more about which tort laws apply to your case after reviewing the details of your accident and resulting injuries.
Some of the most notable personal injury laws that often apply in premises liability claims include:
Open and Obvious Rule
The open and obvious rule applies to openly dangerous conditions. If a property owner has carefully marked hazardous conditions as such, they may not be 100% at fault if you suffer injuries.
A good example of the open and obvious rule in action is when you are at a store, and workers have placed a bright yellow wet floor sign near areas that could be a slip and fall hazard.
The open and obvious rule states that if any other person considers the hazardous conditions open and obvious, the property owner should not be found responsible.
However, Washington follows pure comparative negligence laws, as described under RCW 4.22.070. This means that even with the open and obvious rule, the property owner could still be partially responsible for compensating.
Trespassing
The property owner is not responsible for the safety or well-being of those trespassing on their property. If you were committing a crime or were not supposed to be on the premises when you were injured, the property owner is unlikely to be found at fault. However, if there is some question as to whether you were trespassing, we may still have the grounds to sue.
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Meet With a Premises Liability Lawyer in Spokane, WA for Help Today
Premises liability accidents can be complex since there are so many moving parts. Make sure you have a legal advocate on your side who takes a balanced and strategic approach to your insurance and civil claims.
Our team is not afraid to go up against insurance companies or bring at-fault parties to court if that is what it takes to get you the justice you deserve.
This is your chance to regain control of your life and future. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a committed premises liability attorney in Spokane, WA, from Siegfried & Jensen. You can reach us through our quick contact form or by phone to get started on your case as soon as today.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
