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

Goals Of Depositions

Posted Wednesday, February 10, 2016 by Chris Thayer

A personal injury lawyer Kitsap County can explain that many personal injury lawsuits involve depositions. These are out-of-court proceedings in which a witness testifies under oath. When a lawyer conducts a deposition, it is because he or she has a specific objective, such as:

Discovering Information About The Case

A deposition gives a personal injury attorney in Seattle the chance to observe the other party and witnesses. He or she can see if the witness seems credible or evasive. Additionally, he or she can see how the individual would likely appear in front of a jury.

Narrowing The Issues

Another objective of conducting a deposition is to help narrow the issues. By determining the issues that both parties agree to, more time and effort can be expended on issues that are being contested. In personal injury cases, this can often make the process much easier for the insurance adjuster.

Making Predictions

By going through a deposition, a personal injury lawyer can get a better understanding of what the witness will say at trial. By receiving this information early in the process, the lawyer can attempt to discover evidence that will show that the witness is not being truthful and can use this evidence to impeach the witness at trial. Even if the witness is being honest, depositions allow a lawyer to consider the type of information that will be necessary to rebut the witness’s testimony.

Legal Assistance

If you would like more information about depositions, contact a personal injury lawyer Kitsap County such as Chris Thayer by calling (866) 884-2417.

Prepare for a Slip-and-Fall Deposition

Posted Tuesday, February 2, 2016 by Chris Thayer

During your deposition in a slip-and-fall case, our personal injury lawyer North Seattle will provide you with guidance in your case. The following overview will help you prepare for court by reviewing some of the questions that you can expect to be asked in a deposition.

Actions Before the Accident

What were you doing right before you slipped and fell? For example, we will want to emphasize that you were not texting and walking, running near a pool or engaging in some other type of reckless behavior that contributed to the accident

Additional People and Items

  • What else was going on?
  • Were other people around? Who were they? How were they involved?
  • Were any items involved? What items were these? How did they affect your fall? For - example, did you trip over boxes at the grocery store

Lighting

  • What time of day did the accident occur?
  • If it happened at night, were any lights burned out?
  • Were you inside or outside?
  • Was there enough light to help you feel safe or to continue moving forward?
  • If another person would have been with you, would he or she have been afraid to move forward?
  • Could you see your hand or see your fingers? Could you read a newspaper title or a - newspaper story?

Carrying an Object at the Time of the Accident

  • Were you carrying anything when you fell?
  • What were you carrying and for how long did you carry it?
  • Demonstrate how you were carrying the item(s)?

Handrail and Safety Measures

  • Did the steps or stairs have a handrail?
  • Did you use the handrail? Why not?
  • Was the step marked with yellow paint?

Call Our Seattle Personal Injury Law Firm at (866) 884-2417

For help with preparing for a deposition in your slip-and-fall case, speak with Chris Thayer, our personal injury lawyer North Seattle.

Evaluating A Case

Posted Thursday, January 28, 2016 by Chris Thayer

A Washington Personal Injury Attorney Discusses How An Injury Case Is Evaluated

The facts and circumstances surrounding your personal injury case are unique, but experienced counsel understands there are some common factors that can be analyzed to help determine what the value of the case may be and whether or not to take the case at all.

When Did The Incident Occur?

Initially, the sooner a lawyer is on the case, the better. Investigation of the facts of the case and the accounts of the parties and witnesses is made more difficult with the passage of time. Secondly, if you have tried to handle the case yourself or another attorney was involved, mistakes could have been made that may be impossible to undo. Finally, too long a delay is pursuing a claim can place it outside the statute of limitations.

How Did The Incident Occur?

This question goes primarily to the issue of liability; that is, who is responsible? If there seems to be ambiguity or lack of certainty, this does not bode well for a positive resolution of the case.

The Nature of the Damages

If you are complaining of injuries but have not seen a doctor, that may be problematic. Specific medical diagnoses and treatment are necessary to establish proof of damages. Additionally, if you are still receiving treatment, the full extent of your damages will not be known. Witnesses Independent corroboration of allegations you have made reinforce the strength of a case, as do the character of the witness and any relation he or she may have with you.

Contact a Washington Accident Attorney for Legal Advice

If you have been injured through the negligence of another person, it is important to explore the options you may have. Call Chris Thayer, a Washington personal injury attorney, at (866) 884-2417.

When will my Washington accident attorney receive my insurance settlement check?

Posted Wednesday, January 20, 2016 by Chris Thayer

Determining the Time from a Settlement until Payment

Accident victims who work with Washington injury lawyers are more likely to reach a favorable insurance settlement, but it still takes time for the funds to be distributed. In most cases, you’ll get a check one month after the settlement is accepted. You won’t see the money right away because your attorney must sign papers, wait for the insurance company and determine how much of the settlement will be awarded to each person.

Things That Need to Be Done

  1. First, the insurance company will ask you and other claimants to sign a release form. This document says that you are waiving your right to sue for any reason in exchange for a monetary settlement.
  2. Once the settlement papers are signed and the check is issued, your lawyer will pay any medical bills that were delayed by a letter of protection. This includes hospital bills, insurance co-pays and third-party payments.
  3. Then, your lawyer will deduct legal fees and other out-of-pocket costs. Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency basis, which means that you do not pay anything unless you receive a settlement.
  4. After all of these expenses are deducted, your attorney will distribute the remaining funds to you and any other beneficiary on the claim. The entire process usually takes four to six weeks in a perfect situation, but it may take longer if there are outstanding medical expenses and bills that have not been issued. Your attorney should advise you on the particulars that will affect your settlement.

Contact Our Washington Injury Lawyers

If you would like to learn more about the process or need legal advice from an attorney, we can help. Call 866-884-2417 to arrange a private consultation with Washington accident attorney Chris Thayer.

Fees You Will Pay Seattle Injury Lawyers For A Case Going To Trial

Posted Monday, January 11, 2016 by Chris Thayer

Your Seattle injury lawyers will explain the fees that you will have to pay if the case goes to trial.

Understanding Facts About Settlements And Trials

It is not possible to come to an accurate prediction as to which cases will be settled and which will go to trial. If a lawsuit is necessary, it is imperative that you do the following:

  1. Maintain contact with your attorney.
  2. Let your attorney know if any of your personal information such as your address, employment status, injuries or anything else has changed.
  3. Answer your lawyer’s correspondence if you are asked to do so.
  4. Provide documents your lawyer requests immediately.
  5. Keep a record of all medical expenses and income you have lost.
  6. Do not get into any trouble that could cause you problems in your case. This includes driving under the influence, stealing or any other illegal acts.
  7. Continue to work as normal and do not have any confrontations with your employer that can damage your case.

How Your Attorney Charges You For The Amount Of Work Done

A concern for clients is whether extra work for the lawyer from a case going to trial means it will cost extra. Some agreements require a higher percentage if a lawsuit is filed. You will be informed of this from the outset. Litigation can be difficult and take a lot of time. Preparing documents, taking depositions, preparing witnesses and doing research will all be part of the process. Because of that, there is a chance that you will have to pay extra for a lawsuit.

Call Experienced Seattle Injury Lawyers

If you have questions about fees for a lawsuit, call Seattle injury lawyers at (866) 884-2417 to speak to Chris Thayer today.