Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident in Washington?

You can pursue compensation for two types of losses in a Washington car accident claim. First, you can seek reimbursement for any financial costs, or economic losses, including the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Future diminished earnings
• Property losses

You can also seek compensation for the effects your injuries have had on your quality of life, including the following non-economic losses:

• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Dismemberment
• Disfigurement

These losses don't have an inherent value. Instead, the average settlement for car accident pain and suffering depends on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your daily life.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Seattle, Washington?

Most Seattle car accident lawyers work on a "contingency" fee basis for personal injury cases. They take a percentage of any settlement or award they recover for you rather than charging you an hourly rate. After you hire an attorney, they can often help delay collection efforts from your medical providers, easing your financial burden and providing some immediate relief.

Contingency fee agreements allow individuals to access legal services without paying an up-front "retainer" for legal fees. These arrangements motivate attorneys to work diligently on your case and aim for a swift resolution since their payment depends on securing a favorable settlement or outcome for you. A set percentage also prevents them from overcharging.

Carefully read the terms of a lawyer's proposed fee agreement before signing it. Pursuing a case can involve many different costs, such as fees for postage and couriers, filing and court costs, medical record retrieval, expert witnesses, court reporting and more. These can amount to thousands of dollars. Discuss who will be responsible for paying the costs related to your case and whether they will be paid as the case progresses or deducted from the settlement.

How to Hire a Seattle, Washington Car Accident Attorney

If you're looking for a lawyer, the biggest problem may be an abundance of choice! The Washington State Bar Association's Legal Directory provides comprehensive listings of attorneys practicing in Seattle. While there are many experienced Seattle car accident law firms, finding the right one for your situation can help reduce the stress and uncertainty of pursuing your claim. Here are some tips to make the process easier.

• Your lawyer will be your partner in a stressful and deeply personal undertaking. You'll need to work closely with them and feel comfortable telling them the whole truth, sharing personal medical information and discussing confidential matters. Choose someone you feel comfortable interacting with in this manner.
• Don't feel pressured to choose the first lawyer you interview. Schedule several initial consultations and explain that you want to get several different perspectives on the strength of your case and your options for proceeding.
• Choose a lawyer who communicates well with you in the language and method you prefer (via text, telephone call, video chat, written status reports or other methods). Many law firms offer virtual consultations and communications, reducing the amount of time and disruption to your life. However, if you prefer in-person meetings, choose an attorney that is convenient and available when you need them.

In the end, trust your instincts. You need to be able to trust and confide in your attorney without reservations. The best accident attorney in Seattle is the one who strikes the right balance between comfort, confidence and expertise.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Seattle

Your actions after a car accident can affect your insurance claim or lawsuit. You should document your accident by taking photos of the crash scene and gathering eyewitness names and contact information.

Additionally, you should seek medical care appropriate for the severity of your injuries. This will help you recover physically and supply you with medical records that document when and how your injuries occurred.

Another important step is requesting a copy of the police crash report. In Washington, you can obtain collision reports through the Washington State Patrol's WRECR system (Washington Requests for Electronic Collision Records) online. These reports contain valuable information about contributing factors, road conditions, and officer observations that can strengthen your case.

Common Injuries From Car Accidents in Seattle

Car accidents are highly energetic and traumatic events. The crash energy generated by a collision can fracture bones and tear soft tissues. The worst car accident injuries affect the nervous system, producing brain damage and paralysis. However, these injuries are relatively rare. More common ones include:

• Neck strain, commonly called whiplash
• Facial fractures and other airbag injuries
• Chest bruises from the seat belt
• Herniated disc
• Concussion

Although many of these injuries will heal within a few months, you may still incur significant costs during your recovery.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Seattle, Washington

Many factors influence the value of a car accident settlement. These include the severity and permanence of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident and the determination of fault. The strength of the evidence and how the case will play to a jury can also factor into the value of a settlement.

For example, imagine an impaired driver runs a red light on Aurora Avenue, hits another car and flees the scene. Although the accident was minor and the victim has no physical injuries, she now suffers from PTSD and is unable to work at her previous job. These factors increase the value of her claim, and a jury will likely disapprove of the other driver's dangerous actions, which may support a punitive damages award.

Unlike jury verdicts, many settlements are confidential, making it difficult to determine average settlement values for car accidents. The value of each case depends on the specific circumstances, injuries sustained, and other individual factors.

An experienced Seattle auto accident attorney can draw on their years of relevant knowledge from handling and settling numerous cases to assess the value of your case and its settlement potential. They can help you negotiate a settlement that accurately reflects the full scope of your damages, using detailed medical records, expert opinions and accident reports to demonstrate the true extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Seattle, Washington

Washington is an at-fault state for auto insurance claims. Victims must file claims with the other driver's insurance company. If the company accepts its insured was at fault, it is responsible for paying damages to the victims. However, companies often contest liability or challenge the scope of the victim's claimed damages. In this situation, it may be best to file a lawsuit.

In Washington, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. Most car accident claims fall into this category. However, some types of claims (like those against public agencies) have much shorter time limits, while others (like defective product claims against car manufacturers) have longer statutes of limitations. Even if the time to file a claim has expired, you should consult with an experienced Seattle car accident lawyer.

If you don't file a lawsuit within the time allowed by law, you will lose your right to recover compensation. It's best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to ensure evidence is preserved and build the most robust case. Most Seattle car accident attorneys offer injury victims free, no-obligation initial consultations.

Understanding Comparative Negligence in Washington

Washington uses a legal doctrine called pure comparative negligence. This allows you to recover compensation after an accident you partially caused, regardless of your percentage of fault. However, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of the fault.

This doctrine is meant to ensure fairness. For example, suppose you were texting while driving through a yellow light in downtown Seattle. The other driver incorrectly assumed you would stop and turned left across your path. If you are found 25% at fault for distracted driving, you can still recover 75% of your losses. Unlike many states, Washington has no threshold that would bar recovery even if you were 99% at fault.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Seattle?

All drivers have a responsibility to try to prevent causing harm to others on the roadways. You can file a Seattle car accident lawsuit if someone else is legally responsible for a car accident that causes you to suffer damages. This may include an at-fault driver, the employer of someone at fault for an accident or a third party who shares legal liability (such as the manufacturer of a defective vehicle part or the City of Seattle for failing to maintain a roadway safely).

Many types of damages are recoverable in a car accident lawsuit. These include economic damages (such as medical bills, vehicle damage and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering). A Seattle car accident lawyer can help you calculate the full value of your claim and how to pursue compensation for your damages.

While you can file a lawsuit without a lawyer, pursuing a case on your own is not recommended. There are many procedural requirements that litigants must comply with. Failing to do things correctly can result in your case being dismissed, ending your opportunity to recover compensation. Hiring an attorney with experience in the King County court system is highly recommended to prevent this situation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Seattle

The most common cause of car accidents in the U.S. is driver error. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022, 3,308 people were killed and an estimated additional 289,310 people were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. The behaviors that commonly result in car accidents in Seattle include the following:

• Speeding
• Failing to yield
• Driving while distracted
• Following too closely
• Impaired driving

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reports that in 2023, 400 fatalities involved a drug- or alcohol-impaired driver, representing a 4% increase from 2022.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Seattle?

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the state maintains comprehensive crash data through its crash data portal. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported that statewide in 2024:

• 731 people were killed in traffic crashes on Washington roads, a 9.6% decrease from 2023
• However, this represents a 36% increase compared to 2019 numbers
• Pedestrian fatalities declined slightly to 155 in 2024, compared to 160 in 2023
• Driver impairment remains the most common risk factor, involved in 348 traffic deaths (48% of all fatalities)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that nationally, 40,901 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023, a 4.3% decrease from 2022.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Seattle, Washington

Seattle is working toward its Vision Zero goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. The city launched Vision Zero in 2015 and continues to implement safety initiatives. Unfortunately, many different types of car accidents still occur in the Seattle metro area. The Seattle Department of Transportation provides access to real-time traffic incident reports on its website. Common types of Seattle car accidents include:

• Company Cars: Many Washington companies provide their employees with temporary or permanent vehicles. If the driver is "on the clock" when involved in an accident, their employer may also be liable. A Seattle company car accident lawyer will look carefully at the circumstances and pursue all potential claims to recover the compensation you deserve.
• Rideshare Accidents: If an accident occurs while you are riding in an Uber or Lyft or if you are in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, a rideshare accident lawyer can help you find out who is responsible and hold them accountable.
• Truck Accidents: If you're involved in an accident with a semi-trailer, commercial truck or other Seattle delivery vehicle, accident lawyers with experience pursuing trucking claims can help you sort out liability and pursue your claims. These complicated cases can involve multiple insurance companies and defendants based all over the U.S.
• Driving Under the Influence: Driving under the influence is illegal, but victims injured by an impaired driver aren't automatically compensated when a drunk driver goes to jail. A Seattle auto accident attorney can help you pursue compensation if you were injured by a drunk or impaired driver.
• E-scooter Accidents: Under Washington state law, electric scooter operators must follow the same rules as bicycles. However, the City of Seattle also regulates how and where e-scooters can be used. E-scooter accidents can result in serious injuries requiring medical attention. If you've been in an e-scooter accident, contact an attorney to discuss your options.

If you've been in any type of vehicle accident in the Seattle area, contact a Seattle car accident attorney. They will help you understand your options and pursue a claim for your damages.