Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

The Seattle Personal Injury Blog

Yet Another Washington Restaurant Damaged by a Negligent Driver in Kent

Posted Friday, July 15, 2022 by Chris Thayer

We recently highlighted a terrible accident in Renton, which involved a car driving straight into a restaurant and injuring eight people. Well, this seems to be something of a trend in Washington, as a similar accident has occurred in Kent. It is not exactly clear why so many people are crashing into restaurants these days, and perhaps the two incidents share virtually no common contributing factors.

If you have been injured while dining at a restaurant, you should get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney at your earliest convenience. The good news is that our legal professionals can guide you toward a fair settlement for your injuries. You can then use this settlement to pay for medical expenses, missed wages, and many other damages. Without a settlement, it is difficult to pay for the medical attention you need and deserve.

*Car Drives into Kent Restaurant*On July 9th, it was reported that a vehicle had driven into a Kent restaurant. The vehicle smashed a number of glass windows and jutted into the seating area, injuring two individuals who were trying to enjoy a quiet meal. After the accident, firefighters were quick to arrive, and first responders quickly transported the two injured patrons to a nearby hospital. In addition, a building inspector was sent to inspect the damage.

*When Can You Sue a Restaurant?*If you were injured by a vehicle while sitting in a restaurant, you may be able to sue the restaurant or the driver. The driver would be the more obvious option, and Washington’s “tort-based” system allows you to sue negligent motorists directly for your damages. However, there is no guarantee you will receive enough money to cover your expenses, because the driver may be uninsured.

A second option is to file a claim with your own auto insurance provider, assuming you have insurance. A third option is to sue the restaurant, although this can be tricky. Technically speaking, restaurants only have a duty to protect you against foreseeable events, such as burns, slips, food poisoning, assaults, and so on. Since a car crashing into a restaurant is a rare event, a restaurant usually is not expected to prevent this from happening. That being said, it seems as though car crashes involving restaurants are becoming more common in Washington State.

*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for an experienced personal injury attorney in Kent, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. With our assistance, you can get the compensation you need to pay for medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and much more. Remember, internet research can only get you so far. In addition, the statute of limitations can prevent you from suing if you wait too long, so get in touch today to get started.

Can You Sue for a Motorcycle Crash in Renton?

Posted Friday, July 8, 2022 by Chris Thayer

Motorcyclists are often reluctant to take legal action after crashes because they believe the law is set against them. While it is true that motorcyclists assume a certain degree of risk when they take to the road, that does not give other drivers the excuse to crash into them and cause serious injuries. The truth is that the law is impartial in Washington State, and motorcyclists who have been injured by negligent drivers are fully within their rights to take legal action. But how exactly do you accomplish this?

Your first step should always be to get in touch with a personal injury attorney in Renton. Our legal professionals can guide you toward a fair settlement. You can use your settlement to pay for medical bills, missed wages, emotional distress, and much more. During your initial consultation, your attorney can assess your unique situation and determine the best route forward. It is best to book your first consultation as soon as possible.

*Renton Motorcyclist Dies in Crash*On August 1st of 2022, it was reported that a motorcyclist had lost their life during a crash near Coulee City. This individual was later confirmed to be a resident of Renton. According to the official police report, the motorcyclist rear-ended an SUV when it suddenly slowed down to turn into a rest area. The State Troopers later confirmed that the motorcyclist was traveling too close to the SUV. None of the SUV’s occupants were harmed, and it is not known whether drugs or alcohol were involved.

*How to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Crash in Renton*The basic principle behind filing a personal injury lawsuit is proving negligence. This is required in the State of Washington because the state follows an “at-fault” or “tort-based” system. Because of this system, you will need to prove that another party was at-fault for your crash before you can recover compensation.

*To prove negligence, you will need to establish four elements:* - Duty of Care - Breach of Duty - Causation - Injuries

In simple terms, you will first need to prove that the motorist who caused your crash owed you a duty of care. All motorists owe each other a duty of care, so this should be simple. Next, you will need to show that the at-fault party breached this duty in some manner. For example, they might have been speeding – or perhaps they were intoxicated. The third element is causation, which means you need to establish a direct link between the beach of duty and your injuries. Finally, you will need to show that your injuries are legitimate with your medical records.

*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in Renton, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs in Renton and throughout the Washington State area. We know that motorcycle crashes can be especially severe and life-altering. The good news is that you are not alone in this battle. Reach out today, and you can take decisive legal action while striving for the settlement you deserve.

Car Crashes Straight into Renton Restaurant, Injuring Eight People

Posted Saturday, July 2, 2022 by Chris Thayer

Going to a restaurant should be a lovely experience. You sit down, order a drink, browse the menu, chat with loved ones, and order a fantastic meal. But what happens if a car crashes through the wall – right when you are about to take that first bite? This situation might sound ridiculous, but it is exactly what eight people experienced when they went to dine at a restaurant in Renton. All of these people suffered serious injuries.

So what should you do if you have been injured due to a car crashing into a building? What if you were injured by some other hazard during a meal at a restaurant? Whatever the case may be, your first move should be to get in touch with a personal injury attorney in Renton as soon as possible. Our legal professionals can help you recover a considerable settlement that you can use to pay off medical expenses, cover missed wages, and much more.

*Car Crashes Into Renton Restaurant*On July 2nd, it was reported that a car had crashed into a restaurant in Renton, injuring at least eight people. All of these victims reportedly suffered “serious” injuries and required immediate medical attention. One employee required stitches, but few other details were released to the public. It is also not known why the driver crashed into the restaurant, although an investigation is ongoing.

The restaurant owner is understandably distraught, having just barely survived during the restrictions of COVID-19. Now, he is forced to repair the damage, which will take about three days.

This is not the first time a car has crashed into a building in the Seattle area – and it won’t be the last. In fact, there seems to be an unexplained rise in these types of accidents in recent years.

*Who Should I Sue?*If you were injured in a restaurant, your first instinct might be to sue the restaurant owner for not protecting you from harm. But things can get a little tricky if your injuries were caused by an automobile, since technically this kind of situation falls under Washington’s “at-fault” car accident laws. This means that if you want to recover a settlement, you must prove that the at-fault party was negligent.

However, there may be certain situations in which the restaurant can also be held liable. For example, their car park may be designed in such a way that makes it more likely for cars to crash into the side of the building.

*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in Renton, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs in Renton, and we know how traumatic these kinds of incidents can be. Fortunately, you can recover compensation for both physical injuries and psychological damages, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more. Book your consultation today to review your full range of legal options.

Suing for Disfigurement in Mercer Island

Posted Friday, June 24, 2022 by Chris Thayer

Disfigurement is one of the worst possible injuries you can sustain after an accident. Broken bones may heal with time, but a disfigured face or body often stays with you for life. This situation is even more life-altering if you know someone else was to blame for the accident. If you wish to hold the guilty party accountable for their negligence, you should consider suing. But how exactly do you sue for disfigurement in Mercer Island?

The first step is always to get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney in Mercer Island. Our legal professionals can help you receive compensation for medical expenses, missed wages, and any other damages you may have sustained. It is best to book your consultation as soon as possible, as the statute of limitations can prevent you from suing if you wait too long.

*How Might Disfigurement Occur?*Disfigurement can occur in a number of different ways. The most common forms of disfigurement are as follows:

All of these injuries can occur in various types of accidents, including car crashes, premise liability accidents, mishaps involving defective products, and much more.

For example, a car crash may result in a fiery collision that leaves you with burns on your face. Or perhaps the car accident left you with lacerations across your face or an amputated limb.

Theme park accidents can also result in similar injuries – as can mishaps involving defective products.

*How Do You Sue for Disfigurement?*The silver lining is that suing for disfigurement can result in a significant settlement. This is because disfigurement is considered a non-economic damage as well as an economic damage. In other words, disfigurement causes emotional losses and financial losses. On the one hand, you may incur considerable medical bills and lost wages as you take time off to receive expensive treatments. On the other hand, your self-confidence and general quality of life might take a major blow due to your disfigurement. A settlement can take both of these factors into account and provide you with a fair level of compensation.

It is very important to get medical treatment as soon as possible after your accident. You can use these medical records to prove that your injuries are in fact legitimate. Truth be told, genuine disfigurement will not require much proof because of its obvious nature. This means it is usually easy to receive a considerable settlement if you have suffered this type of injury.

*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching the Mercer Island area for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured victims strive for the best possible outcomes with great efficiency. With our assistance, you can pursue a fair settlement and hold at-fault parties accountable for the damages they have caused. Remember, internet research can only get you so far – so book your face-to-face consultation today.

How Does the Statute of Limitations Work for Personal Injury Claims in Renton?

Posted Friday, June 10, 2022 by Chris Thayer

If you are considering pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, you may have heard the term “statute of limitations.” If you have absolutely no legal experience whatsoever, this phrase might seem like just another complicated example of “legalese” – the language spoken by lawyers that the rest of us struggle to comprehend. As it turns out, however, the statute of limitations is actually a fairly simple concept. If you gain a basic understanding of this phrase, it becomes easier to move forward and find success with your lawsuit.

Of course, you will also need help from a qualified personal injury attorney in Renton if you want to experience success. Our legal professionals can explain virtually all concepts related to a personal injury claim, from the statute of limitations and damages to depositions and evidence. The most important thing is that you get in touch with a lawyer and file a lawsuit as soon as you are able. As you will see, time is of the essence when it comes to legal action.

*What is the Statute of Limitations?*Think of the statute of limitations as a time limit of sorts. Once you suffer injuries in an accident, the clock starts ticking so to speak. If too much time elapses, the statute of limitations will expire, and you will be prevented from filing a lawsuit. This means that you will have no chance of recovering compensation from at-fault, negligent parties that caused your injuries.

*Why is the Statute of Limitations in Place?*There are statutes of limitations for all types of legal actions, including criminal cases. The logic behind this is quite simple. First of all, the court system needs to address cases in a timely manner. If cases from half a century ago were continuously brought forward, it would cause untold delays and administrative issues in a system that is already backlogged.

Secondly, the government typically agrees that evidence and witness testimony becomes increasingly unreliable with the passage of time. Documents can get lost, witnesses can move out of the state, and people can simply forget what happened.

*What is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Renton?*The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in the state of Washington is three years – a fairly typical number across the United States. This means that if three years pass from the time of your accident, you will be unable to sue. Note that the official wording of this law states that the clock only starts ticking once you become “aware” of your injuries.

*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for an experienced personal injury attorney in Renton, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. With our help, you can strive for the best possible results and overcome any obstacles that might be presented by the statute of limitations. Remember, it is always a good idea to file your lawsuit as quickly as possible due to these laws. Reach out at your earliest convenience to begin the process.