Representing Injured Parties in Seattle Accidents
Van Law Firm is a full-service personal injury firm ready to assist Seattle accident victims and their families. We regularly work on a wide variety of cases, from premises liability incidents to defective products, motor vehicle accidents, and more. Our elite legal team as well as our dedication to top-notch client service make us one of the premier law offices in Washington state. We have a 5-star reputation across Google, Avvo, and more, so if our sentiments don’t convince you, our satisfied clients and excellent track record of case results will.
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Seattle, WA, call (360) 200-0000 for a free initial consultation.
We accept a broad range of case types in personal injury and other related practice areas, including but not limited to:
- Slip and falls
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents
- Car accidents
- Drunk driving
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Workers’ compensation
- Bad faith insurance claims
- Defective products, drugs, and medical devices
- Medical malpractice
- Premise liability claims, including dog bites
For a free legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer serving Seattle, call (360) 200-0000
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
While you can file a personal injury claim without the support of a lawyer, it is not recommended to go it alone. Obtaining legal services offers many benefits, including a much greater chance at full financial recovery with the help of one of the best Seattle personal injury law firms. An experienced lawyer has a deep understanding and knowledge of the legal system and local civil laws. They will apply this knowledge to build a strong case and prove the negligence of the opposing party.
Lawyers manage a wide range of time-consuming and complicated duties that your average person would have difficulty doing on their own. A lawyer will identify all liable parties, including persons, companies, manufacturers, and government municipalities who may have contributed to your injuries. They will also collect evidence, including police reports, phone records, video, witnesses testimonies, insurance communications, and other documentation that can prove the third party’s negligence. In addition, a lawyer will file your claim, process paperwork, and ensure that deadlines are met.
If you want a fair settlement, a lawyer is also essential. When negotiating with insurance companies, they can effectively counter common methods that insurers use to try and lessen the amount that injured victims are truly owed. A good lawyer will be able to negotiate a fair settlement that will cover the costs of medical care and other losses. On average, statistics show that having legal representation can yield settlements that are approximately three times higher.
Contact the personal injury lawyers at our Seattle office if you want to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. The people around us owe us a duty of care to protect us from injuries that could be otherwise avoided. If someone has infringed on your right to safety and caused you harm, we’ll fight for your rights and help you hold liable parties accountable.
Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (360) 200-0000
Should I Talk to the Insurance Company of the At-Fault Driver?
Recovering compensation in most accidents involves both parties’ insurance providers. Usually, the insurance provider of one party will contact the other shortly after the incident occurs.
However, it is important to know that the insurance provider of the liable party will likely reach out to you before any investigation into the cause of the accident has been completed.
They will offer a quick settlement to avoid having to pay a higher price down the line. The amount will almost always be much lower than what you are legally entitled to receive. As such, it is highly suggested to speak with a WA personal injury attorney before talking to an insurance company.
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Types of Personal Injuries
Accident victims can suffer many different types of injuries. Whether surgical or non-surgical treatments are required, medical costs can quickly add up. A personal injury lawyer will help win financial compensation to cover these and other damages, such as property damage in a car accident or loss of consortium in a wrongful death case. Examples of personal injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limb
- Hearing or vision impairment
These and other types of injuries are possible depending on the type of incident that has occurred. With severe or catastrophic injuries, long-term treatments like physical therapy might be needed or there may be life-long impairment.
Accident victims deserve financial retribution and a Seattle personal injury attorney at our law office can help. We have the resources to assist all clients no matter how severe the injuries are. Even when there is a death involved, we can help victims’ families recover compensation for the loss of their loved one.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Comparative Fault in Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury cases are categorized under a field of law referred to as tort law, which is where the majority of civil suits fall into. Essentially, the purpose of tort law is to offer relief to those who have been harmed by the behavior of another. In all personal injury cases, the plaintiff (injured party/claimant) must prove that the defendant (injurer) somehow acted wrongly, which resulted in financial and physical damages for the plaintiff. Each region of the United States has their own specific guidelines that govern who is and isn’t negligent in personal injury cases, but the state of Washington does follow a policy known as comparative fault.
Comparative fault means that more than one person can be deemed as being at fault. For instance, in a car accident, Driver A may be given 70 percent of the blame but Driver B still accounts for the remaining 30 percent. This percentage value will be deducted from your overall settlement. Using the same example, Driver B’s settlement will be reduced by 30 percent because that was determined to be his or her liability.
Personal injury victims may find themselves in a situation where the responsible party denies guilt or tries to minimize their level of liability. Under these circumstances, it is vital to have an experienced attorney if you want the best chance at receiving maximum compensation. If you’re looking for the best personal injury lawyer in Seattle, WA, our legal team has a superior track record and is licensed to practice throughout Washington state.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Washington State?
Washington has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In other words, you have 3 years to file a claim if you’ve suffered a personal injury in the Seattle area due to someone else’s negligence.
If your injury is related to medical malpractice, however, you may be able to extend this deadline if the injury or damage wasn’t discovered until after the initial incident.
Once you pass the 3-year deadline set by the statute of limitations, you won’t be able to receive the compensation you deserve, which is why it’s crucial to file your personal injury claims as soon as possible.
That’s where our team of highly qualified legal professionals steps in. Our experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers will work diligently to help you file a lawsuit and get your best possible case results—all before the statute of limitations expires.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The injuries sustained are unique to each case, and so is the reimbursement. The scope and scale of a potential settlement will depend on a few factors, such as the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries, the severity of the defendant’s negligence, and the parameters of the accident itself. Damages fall into two categories, compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are the most common, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damages
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
Punitive damages are much rarer by comparison and are only awarded in extremely violent or serious cases. They are heavy fines that go beyond normal compensation and are meant to set an example for extremely reckless behavior. To give an example, a millionaire CEO may be forced to pay punitive damages after drunkenly driving his Ferrari into a preschool.
With decades of experience litigating cases and negotiating with insurance companies, our Seattle personal injury attorneys can use their extensive resources and knowledge to handle the complexities of any case, from minor physical injuries all the way up to wrongful death. We do everything in our power to work out a favorable settlement, but if that just won’t happen, we are fully prepared to argue your case in a court of law to achieve your best possible outcome. Almost all of our experienced personal injury attorneys have years of experience working in insurance defense, so we are never caught off guard.
No obligation consultations are always free. You won’t be charged a penny unless we win.
Let us help you! Contact a qualified personal injury attorney to help you seek compensation in the aftermath of your serious injury.
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Connect With a Personal Injury Attorney in Seattle, WA
When you need help getting compensated for injuries sustained in an accident, consider contacting the Seattle personal injury lawyers from Van Law Firm today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We are proud to serve the deserving and resilient community in the Seattle area, and we’re hopeful to give you a place to seek justice for your injury. Call (360) 262 1792 now to experience our 5-star client service for yourself.
No obligation consultations are always free.
Let Us Help You! Call Now: (360) 200-0000