The Importance of a Car Accident Attorney The first thing you should do in the event of an accident is call the police. They will investigate the incident and fill out an incident report. They will also note any injuries or losses. Negotiations with insurance companies should be handled by a professional car accident attorney washington state lawyer. They are aware of the tactics insurance companies use to deny or reduce the value of legitimate claims. Statute of limitations A statute of limitation is an act adopted by a legislative body. It sets the maximum time frame after an event in which a legal action can be brought. The laws are different based on the jurisdiction and nature however, they all contain provisions for criminal and civil cases. For example the statute of limitations is three years in most personal injury cases. If a person decides to file a lawsuit after the deadline has passed the case will be deemed not timely and is dismissed.