Personal Injury Claims

Your priority is safety. If you can, move out of traffic and call 911.

Washington law requires drivers to stop and exchange information after an accident, and a police report can be critical later—even if the crash seems minor.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel “okay.” Many injuries, especially soft-tissue and head injuries, do not show symptoms right away.

Finally, document the scene if you can: take photos, gather witness information, and avoid discussing fault at the scene.

If the accident involves injury, death, or significant property damage, a police report is strongly advised and often required.

Even when not legally required, a police report creates an independent record of what happened. Insurance companies give significant weight to police reports, and the absence of one can make a claim harder to prove.

In most cases, Washington’s statute of limitations for car accident injury claims is three years from the date of the crash.

This deadline is strict. Missing it usually means losing the right to recover compensation.

Claims involving government vehicles or road conditions may have shorter notice requirements, which makes early investigation especially important.

Washington follows a pure comparative fault system. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident.

However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to overstate a driver’s fault to minimize payouts, which is why careful evidence gathering matters.

The other driver’s insurer is not on your side. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can later be used to dispute your injuries or assign fault to you.

You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, and doing so without advice can harm your claim.

You should seek medical care appropriate to your symptoms as soon as possible. This may include emergency care, urgent care, or follow-up with your primary doctor.

The most important factors are prompt treatment and consistency.

Insurance companies frequently argue that delayed or inconsistent care means the injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.

This is extremely common. Adrenaline and shock can mask symptoms for hours or days. Neck, back, and head injuries often worsen over time. The key is to seek medical care as soon as symptoms appear and to clearly tell providers that the symptoms started after the accident.

There is no formula.

Case value depends on medical bills, lost income, future treatment needs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and how the injuries affect your daily life.

Two people with similar injuries may have very different claims depending on age, occupation, and long-term impact. Be wary of anyone who promises a specific dollar amount early on.

Yes.

You can recover income lost because you were unable to work due to your injuries. This includes missed work, reduced hours, and sometimes loss of future earning capacity if your injuries permanently limit your ability to work.

Documentation from employers and medical providers is critical.

Pain and suffering covers the human cost of an injury: physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, sleep problems, loss of enjoyment of life, and disruption to normal activities and relationships.

These damages are real, even though they do not come with invoices. Insurance companies often try to minimize them.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient, your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply.

UIM coverage is one of the most important protections Washington drivers carry, but these claims are often heavily contested. Despite being your insurer, the company may dispute fault or damages.

If the other driver has no insurance, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply.

These claims still require proof of fault and damages, and insurers often scrutinize them closely. Prompt investigation is essential.

It depends on the circumstances, including fault and claim history.

However, fear of premium increases should not stop you from seeking medical care or pursuing a legitimate claim after a serious accident. Insurance exists for precisely these situations.

Not every accident requires a lawyer, but many do.

If you suffered significant injuries, missed work, face ongoing treatment, or are dealing with an insurance company that is disputing or delaying your claim, having a lawyer can make a meaningful difference. Insurance companies are sophisticated repeat players; injured people usually are not.

Some cases resolve in a few months.

More serious cases often take a year or longer, particularly when future medical care is still uncertain. Rushing to settle before the full impact of injuries is known can permanently undervalue a claim. Patience often leads to better outcomes.