Accidents Happen!
Indeed they do! But accidents also cause injuries, financial damages, and many other negative consequences for accident victims. So, when someone negligently injures us, the law requires them to be financially responsible and fix our injuries and damages as best they can, just as we would do for them if the shoe were on the other foot. That is the essence of personal injury law, which is really just an embodiment of "The Golden Rule": To do unto others as they have done to us. This is why the law requires that we do our best to get back on our feet while those who cause us injury must do their best to help remedy the damage they caused by their negligence. Most of us embrace the responsibility to make things right for the people we injure and inconvenience through our own negligence. That is why the law mandates that we have insurance, and why we buy it: So when we hurt someone else, or they hurt us, we and they can get on with our lives while our insurance company or attorney handles the claims for, or against, us.
Experience Matters!
Since 1992, I have worked and advocated for personal injury victims, helping them restore their lives and recover monetary damages for their injuries. Prior to being admitted to the bar in 1995, I spent 2.5 years handling personal injury cases under the supervision of experienced personal injury lawyers, and was appointed as a Rule 9 Legal Intern, admitted to advocate and argue cases in Washington Courts and in Mandatory Arbitration hearings on behalf of injured clients. After 23 years - and counting - representing injured persons of all types, I have gained the experience and insights that lead to fair and substantial compensation for my personal injury clients.
"Do I really need to hire an attorney? The Insurance Company adjuster seems nice enough, and says an attorney will just take a third of my money? Is that true?"
In my 25 years (and counting) of handling cases for and representing injured persons, I've been asked those questions a lot. And after 25 years, I can confidently say that no person with a significant injury, such as requiring medical treatment of 2 weeks or more, should ever try to handle their own personal injury case with an insurance company. Insurance companies don't earn money by being generous. They earn it by driving as hard a bargain as possible. Insurers earn their revenue by keeping as much of the money they receive through premiums from their policy holders as possible, while paying out as little as possible on claims. Therefore, an insurer's job is to try to settle cases for the lowest possible cost, saving as much money for the insurance company as possible. That means a person who doesn't know their legal rights is easy prey for even the most ethical, honest adjusters in the insurance business. It's really this simple: Insurers and attorneys handle these cases by the hundreds, thousands, or even millions, every year. They know the laws. They know the "ins" and "outs" in every case. They know what juries award for similar cases. And, most importantly, they know that injured persons represented by an attorney get more money - a lot more money - for settlements and awards than those who "go it alone" without hiring an attorney. A well known internal study done by a major insurer - one who advertises a lot on national TV - confirmed that persons represented by attorneys get substantially more money in settlements than those unrepresented by an attorney in the claims process.
Take the Free Consultation! It could be the most valuable advice you ever get!
If you are seriously injured in any accident, always, always seek the advice of an attorney as soon as possible after an accident, before sharing information with another party's insurance company, or settling a claim for damages. Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations during which they can review the facts of your case, determine legal liability issues, and advise you of the initial steps you may wish to take to assert and protect your legal rights. There are many different insurance companies involved in personal injury actions, and how they all work together, which insurer is primary, secondary, etc., are all questions without simple answers. It can get very confusing, and even harmful, if the insurance coverage issues are not sorted out before your injury claims are up and running. So, no matter what, if you are injured, and have an opportunity to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney for free, then, for heaven's sake, DO IT!
If you decide to retain our firm to represent you in your claims, we have Contingent Fee Agreements available, which means that if we do not recover a judgment or settlement for you, the client, then we collect no attorneys fees on the case. Out-of-pocket costs incurred by our firm in handling a case, for items such as copying expenses, postage, court fees, etc., must be reimbursed by the client, but all matters of costs and fees are detailed up front for our clients so there are no surprises waiting at the end of the case.
We offer free consultations for all types of cases we handle, so do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in the greater Seattle area. Call 206-292-3064 x2 to schedule an appointment for your free consultation.
Indeed they do! But accidents also cause injuries, financial damages, and many other negative consequences for accident victims. So, when someone negligently injures us, the law requires them to be financially responsible and fix our injuries and damages as best they can, just as we would do for them if the shoe were on the other foot. That is the essence of personal injury law, which is really just an embodiment of "The Golden Rule": To do unto others as they have done to us. This is why the law requires that we do our best to get back on our feet while those who cause us injury must do their best to help remedy the damage they caused by their negligence. Most of us embrace the responsibility to make things right for the people we injure and inconvenience through our own negligence. That is why the law mandates that we have insurance, and why we buy it: So when we hurt someone else, or they hurt us, we and they can get on with our lives while our insurance company or attorney handles the claims for, or against, us.
Experience Matters!
Since 1992, I have worked and advocated for personal injury victims, helping them restore their lives and recover monetary damages for their injuries. Prior to being admitted to the bar in 1995, I spent 2.5 years handling personal injury cases under the supervision of experienced personal injury lawyers, and was appointed as a Rule 9 Legal Intern, admitted to advocate and argue cases in Washington Courts and in Mandatory Arbitration hearings on behalf of injured clients. After 23 years - and counting - representing injured persons of all types, I have gained the experience and insights that lead to fair and substantial compensation for my personal injury clients.
"Do I really need to hire an attorney? The Insurance Company adjuster seems nice enough, and says an attorney will just take a third of my money? Is that true?"
In my 25 years (and counting) of handling cases for and representing injured persons, I've been asked those questions a lot. And after 25 years, I can confidently say that no person with a significant injury, such as requiring medical treatment of 2 weeks or more, should ever try to handle their own personal injury case with an insurance company. Insurance companies don't earn money by being generous. They earn it by driving as hard a bargain as possible. Insurers earn their revenue by keeping as much of the money they receive through premiums from their policy holders as possible, while paying out as little as possible on claims. Therefore, an insurer's job is to try to settle cases for the lowest possible cost, saving as much money for the insurance company as possible. That means a person who doesn't know their legal rights is easy prey for even the most ethical, honest adjusters in the insurance business. It's really this simple: Insurers and attorneys handle these cases by the hundreds, thousands, or even millions, every year. They know the laws. They know the "ins" and "outs" in every case. They know what juries award for similar cases. And, most importantly, they know that injured persons represented by an attorney get more money - a lot more money - for settlements and awards than those who "go it alone" without hiring an attorney. A well known internal study done by a major insurer - one who advertises a lot on national TV - confirmed that persons represented by attorneys get substantially more money in settlements than those unrepresented by an attorney in the claims process.
Take the Free Consultation! It could be the most valuable advice you ever get!
If you are seriously injured in any accident, always, always seek the advice of an attorney as soon as possible after an accident, before sharing information with another party's insurance company, or settling a claim for damages. Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations during which they can review the facts of your case, determine legal liability issues, and advise you of the initial steps you may wish to take to assert and protect your legal rights. There are many different insurance companies involved in personal injury actions, and how they all work together, which insurer is primary, secondary, etc., are all questions without simple answers. It can get very confusing, and even harmful, if the insurance coverage issues are not sorted out before your injury claims are up and running. So, no matter what, if you are injured, and have an opportunity to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney for free, then, for heaven's sake, DO IT!
If you decide to retain our firm to represent you in your claims, we have Contingent Fee Agreements available, which means that if we do not recover a judgment or settlement for you, the client, then we collect no attorneys fees on the case. Out-of-pocket costs incurred by our firm in handling a case, for items such as copying expenses, postage, court fees, etc., must be reimbursed by the client, but all matters of costs and fees are detailed up front for our clients so there are no surprises waiting at the end of the case.
We offer free consultations for all types of cases we handle, so do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in the greater Seattle area. Call 206-292-3064 x2 to schedule an appointment for your free consultation.