Personal Injury Attorney in King County, WA

Dedicated Advocacy for Personal Injury Claims

Most personal injury victims never imagine that one day they will be harmed by someone else’s negligence. Yet accidents attributable to others’ negligence occur every day in King County. These accidents leave victims struggling to pay unforeseen medical bills, dealing with lost wages, and pain and suffering. No matter the circumstances, you need effective personal injury representation to deal with the insurance company and maximize your compensation.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries, the most effective way to try to recover compensation is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can assist you with filing a claim. Contact our King County law firm today to schedule a free consultation to determine what legal options best suit your needs.

What are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Claims?

Most accident victims suffer injuries when they least expect them. Some of the most commonly reported accidents in King County include:

  • Slip-and-fall
  • Medical malpractice
  • Workplace injuries
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Product liability cases

In wrongful death cases, accident victims succumb to their injuries, and their families are left to try to deal with the emotional and financial fallout of losing their loved one.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Nonetheless, the most widely reported personal injury stems from motor vehicle accidents. In an age where many drivers are distracted by their cell phones, GPS, and in-vehicle entertainment systems, car accidents happen every day. Distracted driving often leads to dangerous T-bone accidents and rear-end collisions.

Sadly, in many personal injury cases, insurance companies often try to blame the victims to challenge or deny compensation. No matter how you were injured, you need a skilled Seattle personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the complex legal process involved with filing a claim.

Why is it Best to Allow My Attorney to Communicate With the Insurance Company?

Contrary to what is often portrayed in their advertising, insurance companies work hard to minimize payouts and preserve their profitability. If you have been injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, the best strategy is to have experienced personal injury representation. Washington law prohibits insurance providers from negotiating directly with injury victims once they have hired a personal injury lawyer.

Recorded Statements

One of the most common tactics of insurance adjusters is to ask injury victims to agree to make a recorded statement providing details of how the accident occurred. Although the adjuster may seem friendly and sympathetic to your case, their job is to look for ways to save the insurer money. The insurance provider has the right to use your statement against you to try to lower or deny your claim.

When you hire a personal injury attorney, they will work to protect your interests by preventing you from making accidental admissions that could jeopardize your ability to receive a fair settlement.

Early Settlement Offers

Insurance carriers often push for fast settlements before the full extent of injuries and damages is known. Although it may seem tempting to accept the first offer the insurance company provides, it is most likely not in your best interests. Initial offers are intentionally low and do not account for future medical bills or pain-and-suffering damages. An experienced attorney can accurately determine the value of your damages to help you obtain maximum compensation for your claim.

What Kind of Damages Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me Try to Recover?

The question that we hear the most at Curtis Firm is: “What kind of damages can I recover after being injured in an accident?” Most accident victims injured by another person’s negligence are left to try to figure out how they will pay for medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses, but struggle financially due to their inability to return to work.

Washington state law allows accident victims to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are intended to reimburse injured individuals for financial losses directly caused by the accident. Some of the expenses that economic damages may cover include:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Property damage

Your personal injury lawyer may also be able to help you receive compensation that covers the cost of physical therapy, rehabilitation, or modifications to your home or vehicle.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are awarded for intangible losses that lack a set monetary value. Because every personal injury case is different, any non-economic damages that are awarded will also vary. Some of the most commonly awarded non-economic damages in personal injury cases include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring

One of the most significant advantages of hiring a personal injury attorney is that they have the knowledge and skills needed to maximize compensation, based on the facts involved.

Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Help Me Try to Recover Compensation?

If you have suffered a serious injury, you may be unsure what steps to take to try to recover compensation. Due to the legal complexities that may be involved, having an attorney on your side is the best way to protect your rights and be treated fairly by the insurance company.

Insurance companies have legal teams whose sole task is to find ways to lowball or deny claims. When you seek legal representation, your attorney will first assess your case to accurately determine the value of your claim to help you receive a fair settlement.

A knowledgeable attorney is familiar with personal injury law and how it can affect your claim. Including making sure your claim is filled out correctly and filed on time. Your injury lawyer and their team have the resources to gather critical evidence, including witness statements, police and accident reports, and accident reconstruction experts who will build a robust case that withstands legal scrutiny.

Even more importantly, having an attorney assist you with your case significantly reduces stress and allows you to focus on your recovery.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

Filing a personal injury claim on time is essential to recover compensation. Washington state allows personal injury victims up to three years from the date of their accident or injury to file a claim. But, state law also allows accident victims to pursue compensation up to one year from the date they discovered the injury. The same rules apply to individuals who have been injured as a result of medical malpractice.

Minors

State law allows the three-year statute of limitations to be paused for minors until they turn 18. Once they turn 18, an individual has three years (up until their 21st birthday) to seek compensation for their injuries.

Government Entities

If you were injured on government property, you must file a written notice of claim within 60 to 180 days of the incident before you can initiate a lawsuit. After you file the claim, you will then have to wait 60 days before you can file the lawsuit in court. Due to the complexities of filing a personal injury claim against a government entity, it is best to seek help from legal professionals who understand the nuances of the case.

Wrongful Death Claim

If you have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, you can file a wrongful death claim. In most instances, you generally have three years from the date of the decedent’s death, not the date of injury, to pursue compensation. Washington law dictates that a wrongful death lawsuit can only be filed by the estate’s personal representative.

What Happens if I Was Partially At-Fault for the Accident?

Washington state follows a pure comparative fault doctrine, meaning that your percentage of fault can reduce your compensation. Unlike other states, which do not allow accident victims to recover compensation if they are 50% or more at fault, Washington allows you to recover damages even if you are 99% at fault.

For example, if you are awarded $200,000 in damages and found to be 25% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by $50,000, and you will receive $150,000.

Insurance companies try to use the state’s pure comparative negligence law to reduce compensation, so having an attorney act as your legal advocate is essential to receive the compensation you deserve. Your attorney can build a strong case that challenges the insurer’s arguments to help you recover a fair settlement.

Contact The Curtis Firm Today to Get Started on Your Case

The Curtis Firm is dedicated to helping King County clients with their legal needs. Our personal injury lawyer and legal team take pride in giving each client personalized attention and an unwavering commitment to holding the at-fault party accountable for their actions.

We believe in providing those who choose us for their legal needs with client-focused representation as we help them through one of the most challenging times of their lives. If you have been injured, contact our King County personal injury lawyer today at 253-649-2426 to schedule a free strategy session to get started on your case.