Washington Personal Injury Lawyer

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

A personal injury attorney helps injured people recover compensation from responsible parties. Many people picture personal injury lawyers arguing cases before a courtroom. But the vast majority of personal injury cases settle outside of court.

The process of building a case is far more complex than many people realize. These are some of the main duties a personal injury lawyer has while on a case:

• Investigating your injury
• Consulting expert witnesses
• Accurately valuing your case
• Communicating with the insurance company
• Negotiating with the other side
• Representing you in court if needed

Insurance companies often try to get injured people to accept low settlement offers. Personal injury lawyers see through these tactics and try to maximize a client’s chances of fair compensation.

What to Look for When Choosing Washington Personal Injury Attorneys

Not all Washington personal injury lawyers are created equal and your choice of attorney can make or break your case. These are some of the most important factors to look for:

• Experience with cases similar to yours
• Experience with your local court system
• A strong track record of verdicts and settlements
• Consistent communication
• Working relationships with expert witnesses

Many personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning there is only a fee if you win. Before making any decisions, make sure you fully understand the payment arrangement.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in Washington

There are many types of potential personal injury claims, but these are some of the most common:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common types of personal injury claims. Even seemingly minor car accidents can lead to painful, costly injuries.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists and pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable to injury. A skilled pedestrian and bicycle accident lawyer will know what evidence you need to build a strong case.

Truck Accidents

Because of the massive size difference between passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, truck accidents can be uniquely devastating.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries in crashes. However, because insurers often view them as reckless, recovering compensation can be harder than it looks.

Slip and Fall Accidents

If you suffer an injury because a property owner failed to maintain safe premises, a slip and fall lawsuit could help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases are a unique subset of personal injury cases. Because of their complexity, they’re only handled by some personal injury lawyers.

Dog Bites

Dog attacks and bites can cause painful injuries, lifelong scarring, and severe emotional trauma. Your attorney can help you hold negligent owners accountable.

Workplace Accidents

Injuries in the workplace may or may not involve workers’ compensation, but your attorney can help you make that determination.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

The only way to truly know if you have a strong case is to consult a Washington personal injury lawyer. However, if you suffered a serious injury as a direct result of someone’s carelessness or negligence, you likely have a case.

In Washington, you may recover damages after an injury even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will likely be reduced by your percentage of fault.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

The sooner you can consult a personal injury firm, the better. Personal injury cases can take months or years to be finalized. Getting started as early as possible may help you recover compensation sooner.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Washington?

In Washington, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years. In most cases, that means you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

Don’t make the mistake of waiting until the statute of limitations has almost run out to consult a Washington personal injury lawyer. The sooner you schedule a consultation, the easier it will be to collect relevant evidence.

Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

If you win your case, you may recover both economic damages (compensation for monetary losses) and non-economic damages (compensation for intangible losses). These are some of the most common types of compensation:

Medical Bills

In many cases, you can receive compensation for both existing medical bills and anticipated future medical costs.

Property Damage

If your car (or other property) was damaged or destroyed, you may receive funds for repair or replacement.

Lost Income

If you can’t work while you’re healing, you could lose thousands of dollars in income. Most personal injury settlements include compensation for lost wages.

Lost Earning Capacity

If your injuries have diminished your ability to earn income in the future, you might receive compensation to offset future losses.

Pain and Suffering

Compensation for pain and suffering is an attempt to make up for the profound physical and mental consequences of a serious injury.

Loss of Consortium

If your injuries have severely impacted your relationship with your spouse or partner, they may receive compensation as well.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Washington

Whether you live on a quiet country road or in the middle of a big city, ConsumerShield can help you find the right lawyer for you. These are some of the cities we serve:

• Seattle
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• Vancouver
• Bellevue
• Kent
• Everett
• Renton
• Spokane Valley
• Federal Way
• Pasco
• Olympia
• Yakima
• Kirkland
• Kennewick
• Auburn
• Pasco

Don’t see your city listed? Don’t worry — we can pair clients with lawyers all across Washington.

Connect With Experienced Washington Personal Injury Lawyers

When you have the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can learn about your options and determine whether legal action is the best way forward.

Not sure how to find a Washington personal injury lawyer? ConsumerShield focuses on matching people like you with experienced lawyers in your area. Fill out our contact form to start with a free case review!