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

Seattle Accident Attorneys Recommend that You Document Emotional & Financial Loss

Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2015 by Chris Thayer

In order to assist clients with trial preparation, Seattle accident attorneys may recommend that you keep a journal that details your emotions and feelings while you are recovering from your accident. They may provide you with the following tips:

Avoid Negativity

While you will certainly experience bad days and may have negative feelings, accident attorneys Seattle may recommend that you avoid taking a consistently negative attitude. Additionally, avoid making phrases that are conclusive, such as “never” and “can’t.” Instead, focus on providing more accurate descriptions, such as stating that you have limited ability or that you have difficulty sleeping. Also, try to have a more positive attitude in the journal. Accident attorneys in Seattle may recommend that you focus on how you are attempting to overcome the pain or cope with it. Include examples that showcase your attempts and your hopes for the future.

Document Financial Losses

Seattle accident attorneys also recommend that you document financial losses. This includes any actual loss of income and the loss of earning capacity. Keep your payroll stubs, W-2 forms and other important tax information. You may need to provide your attorney with authorization forms to gather documents if you do not have them in your possession. Keep an accurate list of days that you missed work because of seeking treatment or the pain making it impossible for you to perform your job. Include this information in your journal.

Legal Assistance

For more information on what you should include in your journal, contact Chris Thayer at (206) 340-2008.

Mediation

Posted Monday, February 16, 2015 by Chris Thayer

These Seattle injury lawyers explain that, instead of taking your case to court, you can opt to mediate. If you prefer not to take the time and money required to go to trial, mediation might be a good option for you.

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Having Your Damages Estimated by a Seattle Injury Attorney

Posted Monday, February 9, 2015 by Chris Thayer

In order to determine the damages that may be available in your case, a Seattle injury attorney may inquire into details of your life. While you may feel that this information is private, a personal injury attorney Seattle WA can explain that this information is vital in providing you with competent legal representation.

Marital and Family Questions

You may be asked if your marriage has been negatively impacted since the accident. In particular, you may be asked whether you have struggled with maintaining relationships with your spouse and other members of your family. You may also be asked if your sexual relationship with your spouse has been affected because of the injury in anticipation of a loss of consortium claim. If your children have been affected because you can no longer play with them or participate in favorite pastimes, this information is also relevant for evaluating your damages.

Medical Questions

You can expect your personal injury attorney Seattle WA to ask you a number of medical questions. For example, he or she may ask you what medical expenses you have incurred and what medical expenses you anticipate you will incur in the future. If you have hired a nurse or medical aide, it is important that you give this information to your Seattle injury attorney. Likewise, inform your attorney if you have purchased medical equipment or prescription medications for the treatment of your injuries. Also, provide details about what doctors have told you regarding future care and expenses.

Legal Assistance

For more information on this topic, contact Chris Thayer at (206) 340-2008.

Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers and Negotiations

Posted Thursday, February 5, 2015 by Chris Thayer

While each insurance company has a different philosophy, Seattle personal injury lawyers can point out factors that affect these philosophies. Seattle injury lawyers may discuss the following aspects of insurance companies with you.

The Relationship between the Claims Adjuster and Defense Lawyer

Many inexperienced Seattle injury lawyers overlook the relationship between the insurance company and the defense counsel. They may believe mistakenly that the insurance company will be scared of a lawsuit. However, many insurance companies have superior defense attorneys that they can rely on, so such a fear may not exist. A plaintiff’s case may weaken once it is handed over to defense counsel. A defense attorney may be able to find a weakness in the case that will decrease its value.

Negotiation with the Claims Adjuster

Seattle personal injury lawyers know to pay particular attention to how a claims adjuster reacts during settlement discussions or earlier communications. For example, if the claims adjuster focuses on weaknesses in the case, such as questionable liability, pre-existing injuries or the client’s conduct, the offer will likely be low. A personal injury attorney will consider the statements that adjusters make, as well as make an independent assessment of the validity of these statements. Then, the attorney will determine how close the two parties are to a settlement. If there is a wide difference, the attorney may recommend mediation or litigation. If the two parties are close, the attorney will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement.

Legal Assistance

If you would like more information on this topic, contact Chris Thayer by calling (206) 340-2008.

FAQ Spine and Soft Tissue Injuries

Posted Saturday, January 31, 2015 by Chris Thayer

Get all your questions about spine and soft tissue injuries answered by these Seattle injury lawyers.

FAQ spine and soft tissue injuries from James Publishing