Personal Injury Lawyers in Greater Seattle, WA Area
Serious accidents can profoundly impact lives. The road to healing is not often as quick and easy as victims and their loved ones hope it to be. Trying to cope with life after a traumatic experience requires so much more physical, mental, emotional and financial stamina than an injured person may have anticipated. It involves significant adjustments to daily routines, such as attending regular physical therapy sessions and confronting the possibility of a permanent disability that can limit everyday mobility and impede future employment.
Our Dean Standish Perkins & Associates personal injury lawyers in Seattle understand the immense challenges of affected individuals struggling to move on from devastating losses and doing everything they can to prevent their situations from worsening. We know what is at stake and what needs to be done to pick up the pieces for a fresh start. Whether for injured survivors striving to recover or surviving family members enduring a loved one’s death, our law firm is committed to helping rebuild lives.
With decades of legal experience, our Issaquah-based personal injury attorneys cater to the Greater Seattle, Washington area. We have a solid grasp of the law when handling cases, ranging from premises liability to vehicular accidents, such as minor crashes, and catastrophic truck and motorcycle collisions.
How Washington’s Comparative Negligence Rule Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim
In Washington State, the comparative negligence law considers the degree of fault of all drivers involved in the crash. This rule means that, regardless of the percentage of liability, both drivers can recover damages. However, the amount each party can receive reduces based on how much they are to blame for the accident.
Let’s say you sustained injuries resulting in $100,000 worth of damage. If it is proven that you are partially at fault, possibly due to speeding or breaking a traffic law, you may be 30% to blame for the incident. So, instead of a full $100,000 in damage, you are only eligible for $70,000.
Other states follow the modified comparative negligence law, which is different because it operates with a certain threshold for the degree of fault. For example, if you are found to be at least 50% at fault, you may not recover compensation. Unlike comparative negligence, if you are 99% at fault, you may still seek damage even at 1%.
While the comparative negligence rule may sound straightforward, it often complicates personal injury claims. Instead of waiting for the situation to get out of hand, our law firm’s Seattle personal injury attorneys have the necessary knowledge, tenacity and resources to advocate for you as you face your legal battle.
Why Choose Us To Fight With You For The Compensation You Deserve
As a responsible Seattle driver, you likely take driving seriously. So, when an accident happens, you would not think you share any liability. Unfortunately, the other party may also see themselves as the victim and assert their rights as fiercely as you do. At this point, the legal fight can become intense and technical, possibly resulting in a trial.
As personal injury attorneys serving Seattle, WA residents and communities, we have processed and won countless cases, thoroughly investigating and skillfully seeking fair compensation for each claim until we recover millions of dollars in damages. Our competent team has a reliable history of results that are sensitive to your needs and considerate of your rights.
Further, we accommodate several kinds of personal injury cases:
- Other vehicle accidents, such as bicycle and boating collisions
We recognize the critical nuances of each type of claim. Thus, we dedicate significant time and effort to customizing our approach depending on the details surrounding your case.
How Insurance Subrogation Plays A Role In Your Personal Injury Claim
Part of our commitment to serving you as a team of personal injury attorneys is ensuring that we cover all our bases, taking every opportunity to maximize your compensation. As an integral part of our personal injury practice, we also take on claims involving insurance subrogation.
In Washington State, drivers can carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in their insurance policy, which can pay medical and funeral bills, and other relevant expenses following an accident. Suppose you are a PIP policyholder who collided with a negligent driver. In that case, subrogation action happens when your insurance company steps in to pay for your claims and later recoups the amount they paid from the at-fault party or their insurer. In other words, your insurance company has the legal right to receive the settlement we can recover for you from the accountable party.
When your insurance company upholds its subrogation rights to get much of your compensation, we will be there to safeguard your rights and prevent crippling financial impact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle Personal Injury Lawsuits
Unless you have filed a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit before, you are probably unfamiliar with what to expect from the legal process. Many individuals and families simply allow their insurance agents to handle their claims, while others fail to act altogether. Our award-winning Seattle personal injury attorneys are here to guide you through the process of filing and recovering damages for your personal injury claim.
What is the statute of limitation for Washington personal injury claims?
If you were injured by another driver’s negligence or wrongful act, you have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. Washington State generally provides three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you fail to file within this time frame, your claim will be permanently barred by law.
What is involved in investigating personal injury claims?
While three years may seem like a long time to file a lawsuit, it is important to take prompt action when collecting evidence, identifying and interviewing witnesses, and investigating to prove liability. The earlier you begin working with one of our Seattle personal injury attorneys, the sooner we can start preserving essential proof for your case. We thoroughly evaluate each client’s claim to identify all responsible parties and potential bases in pursuing compensation.
How much do you get for personal injury claims?
There is no blanket amount for what you can receive for your personal injury claim. Every case often depends on several factors, such as the severity of injuries or extent of losses, the degree of liability of both parties and the willingness of every person involved to negotiate the terms.
What is the ideal way to negotiate with insurance companies?
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. So much so that they intend to minimize payment on claims to maximize their gains. They have highly trained adjusters and insurance defense attorneys on their side whose job it is to negotiate for the lowest possible settlement amount in your case.
Thus, securing one of our law firm’s accomplished personal injury attorneys in Seattle in your corner is paramount to level the playing field and give you the best possible opportunity to recover fair compensation for your injuries. We can leverage our combined legal experience to effectively and aggressively counter the tactics used by insurance companies to limit your compensation.
When to hire a personal injury lawyer?
The critical decision to hire a Seattle personal injury attorney requires thorough consideration of a lot of things. Are there severe injuries or significant damage sustained? Is there a chance the case will go to trial? Are the relevant laws too complex to understand? If your answer to all these questions is yes, then as soon as possible, consult with a legal representative to uphold your interests and rights. However, take note that even seemingly minor accidents can suddenly take a turn for the worse without proper legal supervision.
What can you expect if you retain our team of personal injury attorneys in Seattle, WA?
We value the trust you give us. With us by your side, you can expect that we will put in the work to lead you as closely as possible to favorable outcomes. We will gather and evaluate medical information to prove the extent of your injuries and other losses, investigate the accident, gather evidence to establish liability, and explain your options and chances for success. We will also go the extra mile, submitting your claim to the insurance companies and other responsible parties. If needed, we will file your claim in the proper Washington court.
The Dean Standish Perkins & Associates personal injury lawyers in Seattle have helped injured victims and families in Seattle and throughout Washington State recover the compensation they deserve for decades. You are not just a number to us. We’re here to hear your story and help you on your journey to complete healing.
Your Legal Needs Are Our Priority
To speak with one of our Dean Standish Perkins & Associates personal injury attorneys catering to Seattle, WA, schedule your free case assessment today. We have assisted negligence victims since 1986, and are committed to providing the best possible representation to help you obtain full compensation for your losses. Call 206-981-5043 or email us now for your free consultation.