The Seattle Personal Injury Blog
Posted Wednesday, October 7, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
Washington personal injury attorneys know that when it comes to dealing with insurance carriers, one tactic does not fit all. Some insurance carriers rely on mass marketing and a large customer base to stay profitable, which allows them to take a rather frugal approach to settling claims. Other carriers take a smaller, more regional approach, which often makes them more amenable to reasonable settlement offers. Discuss with your attorney what approach might work best for your insurer.
Carriers that are smaller and do not rely as much on advertising often are more likely to resolve cases out of court or through mediation. This can be beneficial because your attorney might be able to approach the insurer with that knowledge in mind instead of assuming they are always going to play hardball.
It is usually in your best interest to try to extract a reasonable settlement offer from the carrier instead of going through the expense and trouble of going to court. Lawsuits are expensive, time-consuming, and by no means a sure thing, no matter how good of a case you think you have. This is why larger carriers are often reticent to settle and instead prefer to take questionable claims to court – because they can afford to lose. If you are dealing with a larger national carrier, you may have to adjust your expectations as to what you will be offered.
Keep in mind that an insurance carrier that is unresponsive might not necessarily be doing so to play hardball. In some cases, adjusters from mid-size carriers are overworked or constantly behind and it may be difficult to get a timely response from them. However, if your attorney approaches them in good faith with this in mind, they may be more likely to make a reasonable offer.
Contact Washington personal injury attorneys
For more information on how settlement negotiations might go, contact Washington state personal injury lawyers. Call Chris Thayer at (866) 884-2417.
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Posted Sunday, October 4, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
Expenses That Aren’t Included in Your Attorney’s Fees
If you’re working with a personal injury attorney in Seattle, you have probably made arrangements to cover the legal fees. You must also agree to pay additional costs that your attorney incurs. Here are some of the most common expenses.
Medical Records
Doctors and hospitals charge to print and mail medical records. Some agencies will bill you by the page. Reports and medical opinions can cost more than $100 if they need to be written by your doctor.
Photocopies
Insurance companies and courts require multiple copies of important documents, including medical records, bills, police reports, pay stubs and witness statements. Your lawyer will invoice you for each page that needs to be printed or photocopied. Photographs Photos are invaluable evidence in a personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney may charge you to reprint and enlarge photos.
Telephone Calls
You must reimburse your attorney for telephone bills as well as time spent on calls. If long-distance communication is required, you will be charged by the minute.
Expert Witnesses
Medical professionals, accident reconstructionists and other experts can be paid to present their opinions. If an expert is required, you will pay for reports, travel time and other expenses.
Court Costs
You must pay actual filing fees and court costs if your case goes to trial. These fees are determined by the court system. When do I pay out-of-pocket expenses? Even if your attorney accepted your case on contingency and you don’t receive a settlement, you must pay for out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements. Usually, your attorney will ask you to stay current on ancillary expenses as the case progresses.
Contact a Seattle Injury Lawyer
If you have questions, an attorney can assess your case and advise you on the best way to proceed. To speak with a qualified personal injury attorney in Seattle, contact Chris Thayer at 866-884-2417.
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Posted Wednesday, September 30, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
A personal injury attorney Washington state can explain that as the plaintiff in the case, you will most likely have to testify if your case goes to trial. One of the difficulties of testifying is that you will be subject to cross-examination from an experienced defense lawyer. Your own personal injury lawyer can provide you with tips about how to provide effective testimony and how to maintain your cool while in this vulnerable position. He or she can also practice with you.
Legal Assistance
After reviewing the following infographic, contact a personal injury attorney Washington state such as Chris Thayer by calling (866) 884-2417.
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Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
What to Expect During Your Initial Consultation
Most Seattle personal injury lawyers use similar methods to evaluate potential accident cases. During your initial meeting, the lawyer may ask these questions.
- What was the date of the accident?
- Was the accident caused by another motorist or a commercial vehicle?
- What did you do in the time leading up to the accident?
- Do you have a clean driving record?
- Did you sustain property damage or physical injuries?
- Do you have pictures of the damage? Do you have repair bills?
- If you were injured, do you have medical bills and records?
- Did you miss work while recovering? What is the value of your lost wages?
- Were you able to resume work, or did you lose your earning capacity?
- Does your insurance policy include uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
- Are you facing charges? Was the other driver charged with a violation?
- Do you have contact information for witnesses?
- Will you be a reliable witness?
- Will the defendant be a reliable witness?
- Are passengers or family members available to testify?
- Will you be able to prove liability?
- Will you be able to collect damages from the defendant, an insurance company or a third-party vehicle owner?
- Who caused the accident? Did the other driver fail to avoid the accident? Did you and the other driver both contribute to the accident?
- Did your car have a problem with overall design, crashworthiness, the fuel system or recalls?
Contact Our Seattle Personal Injury Law Attorneys
If you’ve been involved in an accident, call 866-884-2417 to schedule a free case evaluation. Christopher L. Thayer works with a team of experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers and will be glad to answer your questions.
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Posted Saturday, September 19, 2015 by
Chris Thayer
All vehicle crash claims are not alike; although clearly it is the highest priority in any accident on the roadway to attend to the injured parties and work towards as complete a recovery as possible, the manner in which the claim is pursued varies depending on who the responsible party is. Bus accidents can be quite complex.
Basic Considerations
Statistically, riding in a bus is safer than riding in a car, but when a bus accident occurs, the bus passenger is exposed to a greater risk of serious injury or death. There is some logic to this, as the number of passenger cars on the road far exceeds the number of buses, but the sheer size of a bus portends danger for those unfortunate individuals who are involved in an accident either as a passenger in the bus or driver or rider in another vehicle.
Liability on Part of the Driver of the Other Vehicle
In cases where the bus driver is not liable, the matter is fairly routine; the injured bus passenger may file a third party liability claim against the other driver’s insurance company.
Liability on Part of the Bus Driver
This situation often becomes complicated. The majority of buses are owned and operated by some government entity or quasi-government agency, such as a city, county or school district, for example. Tort claims brought against government entities work differently than against private parties in such areas as:
- Time in which to bring the claim
- Notification of the intent to file a claim
- The government entity itself may make the initial determination of its own liability
A failure to follow proper procedure can result in the loss of the ability to recover.
Contact an Accident Attorney 98366 for Legal Advice
If you have been injured in a bus accident, it is important to retain experienced counsel. For a full understanding of your rights, call Chris Thayer, an accident attorneys Seattle law group, at (866) 884-2417.
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