The law says that an injured party can be made “whole” by the tort feasor, but obviously they will never be the same in some cases. Damages are how injured people are made “whole” in an auto accident.

1. WINTER 2013
Your Rights To Recovery and
Compensation Following a Motor
Vehicle Accident
When injured in a tort accident (motor vehicle accident), the injured party is entitled to damages from the
at fault party or tort feasor. Some people never fully recover from a motor vehicle accident and live with
permanent injuries. The law says that an injured party can be made “whole” by the tort feasor, but obviously
they will never be the same in some cases. Damages are how injured people are made “whole” in an auto
accident. You are fully entitled to be put back into the position you were in prior to your injury, to the extent
that can be done with money. The following are some different damages that are allowed:
In this issue
• Property Damage
You are entitled to the full repair or replacement cost of your vehicle, as well as diminished value if
applicable.
• Medical Expenses
Page 2 When your case settles, you are entitled to have your medical bills to date paid in full if they are
» Teen Driving Tips related to the auto accident.
» Client testimonies • Future Medical Expenses
You are entitled to a sum of money which will be sufficient to pay future medical bills, if any. This is
part of the evaluation stage in your injury case.
Page 3 • Lost Wages To Date
» Upcoming Local This is just a matter of data collection and relatively easy to prove.
Events
• Lost Future Earning Capacity
» Helping Hands If you are temporarily or permanently, partially or completely unable to work, you are entitled to
a lump sum settlement representing the difference between the amount you could have earned
before the injury and the amount you can earn presently. This is simple if you have a long term,
Page 4 full time job that you can no longer do; however, if you are self-employed, a fisherman, or a realtor,
it is more difficult. It is also more difficult if you suffer only a partial loss.
» Pocket reference for
When handling your claim, we will take your medical records to experts in physical capacity evalu-
auto accidents, tear
ation and vocational rehabilitation, quantify the impact of the injury on employment, and then
out put it into your obtain a written opinion from an expert in economic loss.
glovebox
To recap, you are entitled to a lump sum of money representing the difference between the
amount you could have had the capacity to earn prior to the injury and the amount you can cur-
rently make.
• General Damages For Pain, Suffering, Disability, and Disfigurement
This is often the most difficult damage to evaluate, but you are entitled to be compensated for the
injury you have sustained. At Jacobs & Jacobs, we use our expertise as well as past jury verdicts
and arbitration awards to evaluate the general damages portion of your bodily injury claim.
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Jacobs & Jacobs | (253) 845-0577 | (253) 845-9060 fax | www.jacobsandjacobs.net

2. Driving Tips “I highly recommend Jacobs &
for Teens: Jacobs who recently handled
my accident case. They kept
Not many people enjoy being told what to
do, especially teen drivers; however, you the stress off me, treated me
shouldn’t disregard the advice you receive
from more experienced drivers. They’ve with kindness and respect, and
been in your shoes before, and they know
what they’re talking about. allowed me to treat and heal
Take these tips into consideration when
from my accident.”
practicing to become a responsible, safe
driver:
A. Miller
• Pay attention to safety belt laws. Most
often you can’t have more passengers
than your vehicle has safety belts. Make You all know the saying,
sure you and your passengers always “referrals are the best form of
wear safety belts.
flattery.” Well, we really mean
• Inspect your vehicle before you get into it when we say that. Without
the car, and adjust your seat and mirror • Pay attention to weather and road
before you take off. Always remember conditions. Don’t be ashamed to pull your referrals, we would not
over if it’s raining too hard for you to
to check your gas gauge, too. have the opportunity to help
properly see the road.
• Follow the rules. This includes speed those deserving individuals
limits, traffic lights, traffic signs, and • Keep your vehicle up-to-date with
get fair and honest legal
signaling to the vehicle behind you regular maintenance. If you can’t do
when you plan to make a turn. This also this by yourself, enlist the help of your representation. We sincerely
includes never drinking and driving, dad, your older brother, your sister, thank you for continuing to
and never riding with anyone who your neighbor, or the local garage.
trust our family firm to serve as
has been drinking or using any kind of
• Remember, when the car is in motion
drugs. your legal advocates.
it’s time to concentrate. It’s not time
• Expect the unexpected. Always have to put on makeup, fix your hair, talk on
some way to contact your parents in the phone, eat, or pretend you’re in the
the event of an emergency, i.e., carry a middle of an American Idol audition.
cell phone, calling card, or extra money Put everything away and turn the music
for payphones. Keep extra money for down. You are entitled by law to
gas, and make sure you have directions
Driving is a privilege, and like all privileges
compensation if you have suffered
to your destination. an injury that was not your fault
it can be taken away if you abuse it. If you
• Pay attention to others. This includes drive responsibly and safely, you can hang within the last three years.
the vehicles behind, beside, and in on to your driving privilege—and your life.
front of you, as well as motorcyclists, (courtesy of the Department of Motor Whether the injury was whiplash,
bicyclists, and pedestrians. Vehicles)
bruising, minor cuts or burns
or more serious long term
injuries, we will help you claim
compensation.
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3. Local Upcoming Events March 9th 8:00am – 10:30am
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Photo Tour
With times being as tough as they are and Location:
jobs are scarce, the City of Puyallup will be South Meeting Room Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
hosting a 3 (three) part “Expert Interview” Puyallup Public Library 11610 Trek Dr. E., Eatonville WA, 98328
324 S Meridian (360) 832-6117
workshop. The first one will be taking place
Puyallup, Washington 98371 Enjoy the perfect opportunity for photographers
on March 19th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
of all levels, on an amazing tour that allows you
The second workshop will be held in April Space is limited! To reserve your seat call or to go where others cannot. This tour will provide
and the third will be held in May. visit the Library’s 2nd floor Reference desk at optimal conditions for you to take action shots
253.841.5454. of the animals in the freeroaming area. From the
tram you may see moose, mountain goats, bison,
bighorn sheep and more in their natural habitats.
Helping Hands Finish with a continental breakfast at the Hellyer
Natural History Center. Ages 18 and up, so go
to ww.nwtrek.org or call Northwest Trek Wildlife
The team at Jacobs & Jacobs loves to give back to the community and this year we chose to Park, (360) 832-6117 to reserve your spot today.
volunteer with a local organization called the Helping Hands House. We had the wonderful
privilege of working together to do yard clean-up for one of the Helping Hands homes. The
programs at Helping Hand House enable families living in poverty in Pierce County to
March 16th 9:00am – 12:00pm
overcome challenges and obstacles that have kept them financially vulnerable. To be Point Defiance Marina Beach
eligible for their programs, families must reside in Pierce County, have one child (age 17 or Clean Up
under) living with them and be homeless or nearly homeless. Each of their programs is tai-
lored to the specific needs, barriers, culture, and location of the families. Point Defiance Marina
5912 N. Waterfront Dr., Tacoma WA, 98402
• Diversion/Rapid Re-housing provides housing relocation and stabilization services and (253) 591-5325
short-term and medium-term rental assistance from 3-12 months to assist families with Free
children who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to quickly regain stability
Get hooked on helping! Join the Point Defiance
in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.
Marina and help with the beach clean up event.
• Emergency/Interim Housing stabilizes families with children under the age of 18 who Keep our beaches beautiful.
are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, and help them obtain permanent
housing as quickly as possible.
March 23rd 10:00am – 4:00pm
• Transition-In-Place provides single-family housing and intensive, individualized case
management for up to with a strong emphasis on financial literacy (budgeting and sav- Celtic Faire Downtown Puyallup
ing money), life-skills, and workforce training. Leases are in the client family’s name, to
Downtown Puyallup
support continuity in that location. Program locations throughout eastern Pierce County.
107 N. Meridian, Puyallup WA 98371
• Permanent Supportive Housing provides single-family housing support, life-skills (253) 840-2631
training, and intensive case management that decreases gradually as financial resources Free
and skills improve to enable independence. Strong emphasis on workforce training and
Come to downtown Puyallup and share your
financial literacy. Program locations in Sumner.
Celtic heritage. The faire will have a new twist
• The Employment Program benefits families in their Rapid Re-Housing and Emergency, on the tradition of wearing green. The Celtic
Transitional, and Permanent Supportive Housing programs. Employment, wage progres- tradition is celebrated by music, good food and
sion and financial literacy are key elements of their mission to end family homelessness. community... all of our favorite things. Featured
Helping Hand House has a full time Employment Specialist who works with adult family events: clan uprising, pet parade, musical
members who are unemployed and underemployed. performances, “Great Kilt” demonstration and
plenty of great Irish and Scottish dishes.
• The Women In Nature (WIN) Program benefits women in the Transition in Place, and
Permanent Supportive Housing programs by providing monthly opportunities for out-
door experiences in nature, including hikes, beach clean-ups, and snowshoeing. Studies April 13th 10:15am
have demonstrated the positive effects of such programs in addressing PTSD and other 80th Annual Daffodil Festival
traumatic experiences experienced by many of the clients in their programs.
Grand Floral Street Parade
This is a great organization that provides wonderful opportunities for homeless families in our
community. Consider donating your time or resources to help their cause! Downtown Tacoma
Helping Hands House: 1516 Pacific Ave., Tacoma WA, 98402
(253) 840-4194
Mailing Address: Free
PO Box 710
The Annual Grand Floral Street Parade is the
Puyallup, WA 98371 highlight of the Daffodil Festival Week. The
Physical Address: parade travels through the four cities of Tacoma,
4321 2nd St SW Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. It consists of
approximately 40 float entries and more than
Puyallup, WA 98373
80 other entries, including bands, marching and
Phone: (253) 848-6096 mounted units. The floats are decorated with
thousands of freshcut daffodils.
Page 3 |

4. P.O. Box 513
114 East Meeker
Pocket Guide for Auto
Puyallup, WA 98372 Accidents
Phone: 253-845-0577
Toll free 1-866-289-HELP
The Three Most Important Steps
Fax: 253-845-9060 to Follow After an Accident
E-mail: lkroupa@seanet.com
1. Contact your insurance company to report the accident. If you don’t report the
Free Consultation accident to the company in a timely manner, it may try to deny you coverage.
No Recovery- No Fee
2. Call 9-1-1 and file a police report. You should file a police report if you are
injured or if damages to either your vehicle or the other party’s exceed $200.
Refer a friend or family member and 3. Get follow-up medical care. Be sure you continue to be treated for all your
you will receive a FREE simple will. injuries and all medical conditions.
Value at $1200! After the accident it is also a good idea to consult with a personal injury
(limitations Apply: One per family and coupon is not transferable into attorney who can advise you on your possible claims, analyze your coverages
another person’s name. Your appointment may be set after your friend/family
and guide you through the next steps. The highly qualified personal
member has hired Jacobs & Jacobs to handle their claim. Your WILL must be
injury attorneys at Jacobs & Jacobs Law Firm will provide you with a FREE
scheduled and complete
prior to the referred person’s
consultation, at no obligation to you. Simply contact us about your injury or
case settling). call toll free at 1-866-289-HELP.
Put this reference sheet in your glovebox
Get These Facts Diagram the Accident
Other Driver’s Name & DL#: ________________________________________the direction your vehicle was travelling and the direction
Indicate
Address: _______________________________________________________ driver was travelling before the incident. Identify what
the other
cross street you were on or near, and write a description of what
Phone Number: __________________________________________________
happened.
Other Driver’s Insurance Name & Number: _____________________________
Policy Number: __________________________________________________
Other Car Owner’s Name: _________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________________________
Street or highway name
Other Car’s Make/Model/Year/License Number: ________________________ NORTH BY
INDICATE
ARROW
Diagram The Accident:
Date and Time of Accident: ________________________________________
Weather Conditions: ______________________________________________
Road Conditions: _________________________________________________
Location: _____________________________________________
Notes:
Street or highway name
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