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.
Although many people associate whiplash with a minor injury, a Seattle car wreck attorney can explain that this medical injury can be quite serious in nature. It involves the muscles, tendons and ligaments quickly expanding due to a sudden jolt, which is common in car accidents. While neck and back pain are often linked with this injury, motor vehicle accident victims can suffer much serious injuries that are the result of whiplash.
Legal Assistance
If you would like more information about whiplash injuries, watch the following video. Then contact a Seattle car wreck attorney from Chris Thayer by calling (866) 884-2417.
A Tupelo Personal Injury Lawyer on the Importance of Depositions
A deposition is an important discovery tool that is employed in most personal injury cases. Often, what transpires during the depositions in the case is instrumental in determining whether a quick settlement can be reached, if a trial is necessary and ultimately the value of the case.
General Considerations
As uncomfortable as you may be in testifying at a deposition, it is not voluntary; it is required by law. If the attorney for the other side deems your deposition is necessary, you have no choice. You can be compelled to attend a deposition by subpoena if you do not voluntarily do so. The deposition most typically occurs in the office of one of the lawyers involved, is recorded by a court reporter and a transcript is created that you will be able to review.
A Deposition as an Opportunity
Although not identical to trial testimony, a deposition is good practice for learning how lawyers ask questions. Additionally, opposing counsel will be paying close attention to your performance; if you appear to make a good impression as a strong witness, this can be very advantageous in achieving a positive settlement.
The Dangers
The fact that you provide your testimony under oath means that any testimony you subsequently may make at trial must be substantially the same as your deposition; otherwise, you face the risk of perjury charges. At the very least, any discrepancy will make you appear quite unreliable and untrustworthy as a witness, which will severely damage your case.
Contact a Tupelo Personal Injury Attorney for Legal Advice
Understanding your role as the plaintiff in your personal injury case can have a major impact on the final outcome. For questions at any stage of the proceeding, call Chris Thayer, a Tupelo personal injury lawyer, at (866) 884-2417.
Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
When an insurance adjuster is reviewing a personal injury claim to determine the initial settlement strategy, there are certain factors that an accident lawyer Seattle WA knows that they specifically look for.
Some of these are not surprising, such as the claimant’s past medical bills related to the injury or the claimant’s lost wages from having to take time off to recover. Most claimants would expect the insurance adjuster to take these into account. However, there are some more obscure factors that you might not assume would be taken into account.
It’s important to understand that personal injury claims are complex, and any piece of information might be relevant to the insurer’s strategy.
Amount of time between the accident and injury report. This might seem irrelevant to you, but adjusters (and often juries) care about how long it took a claimant to report to a hospital after sustaining an injury. A gap of a few days or longer will be scrutinized closely.
Your prior medical history: Yes, even your medical records and claim history from before the current incident might be looked at.
Adjusters are on the lookout for serial claimants who have a habit of filing expensive personal injury claims and demanding large settlements. If the insurer suspects it is dealing with such a claimant, it may arrange to have surveillance done on you to determine if you are as affected by your injuries as your claim. Many insurers even have in-house investigation units for just this purpose. Make sure you can explain any prior injuries you have sustained or personal injury claims you have filed.
Talk to an Accident Lawyer Seattle WA
Finding out what is important in a personal injury claim and what is irrelevant can be difficult. Talk to an accident lawyer at Chris Thayer for any questions you have about making an injury claim.
Posted Wednesday, October 14, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
Clients sometimes ask our auto accident lawyer Seattle about the pros and cons of mediation.
Mediation offers several advantages as it is quicker, less expensive and less risky than taking a case to trial. In addition, the mediator can point out the strengths and weaknesses of both parties, and they have the opportunity to work out creative solutions outside the confines of court. However, the parties might waste time or even fight if one of them is antagonistic toward the other. Some facts are better disclosed at a trial instead of in a mediation discussion.
Call Chris Thayer, a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer Seattle, at (866) 884-2417 if you have questions about mediation.
