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 Personal Injury Attorney Helping Bus Accident Victims

Posted Thursday, October 23, 2014 by Chris Thayer

alt text1Mass transportation can be an economical way to travel about the streets of Seattle, not to mention the environmental benefits to moving large quantities of people with one vehicle as opposed to several. However, buses are not without risk – and injuries occur every day as people move on and off Seattle’s King County Metro Transit. If you were recently injured while riding, embarking, or disembarking from a city bus, a Seattle personal injury lawyer can help you recover from the financial effects of your injuries, including lost wages and medical bills. For help with your claim, we encourage you to contact our law office right away.

Common concerns with city buses

In 2012, Seattle tourists and residents made a staggering 95,580,000 trips via city bus. With this many people in close proximity to one another, the risk of harm and injury is undoubtedly heightened. Some of the most commonly-reported bus-related injuries include any of the following:

Trips and falls getting on or off the busFalling within the bus due to insufficient seatingInjuries following a bus collision with another vehiclePedestrian injuriesProperty damage to bicycles and other items stored in the busAssaults from other passengersAccidents occurring due to driver fatigue or intoxication

Of course, your bus accident lawsuit can arise from any number of fact scenarios, and a Seattle personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether you have a strong likelihood for recovery.

Deciding who to sue

When commencing a bus accident lawsuit in Seattle, it can be difficult to determine which individual or entity to name as the responsible defendant. While it may seem obvious to name the bus driver as the responsible defendant, it may be more advantageous to also name the bus company employing the driver. If the accident involves the King County Metro Transit, you may be required to name the county in your lawsuit, which could create additional legal hurdles in light of Washington’s tort claim laws.

Contact a reputable Seattle personal injury attorney today

If you are experiencing the effects of a difficult personal injury involving a school bus, tourist bus or mass transit, we encourage you to contact Seattle personal injury attorney Chris Thayer by calling (206) 340-2008 today.

Victims of Severe Burns

Posted Sunday, October 19, 2014 by Chris Thayer

alt textEnduring the aftermath of a severe burn can be one of the most difficult and painful experiences a person can withstand. If you are a recent burn victim and believe another individual may be to blame for your injuries, we encourage you to contact a Seattle injury attorney right away to discuss your rights. A successful burn injury lawsuit can result in payment for medical expense, missed time from work and compensation for pain and suffering. What’s more, if you were left permanently disabled as a result of your burn injury, a lawsuit can help you recover the value of your future earnings you would have received if you could have continued working.

Burn Injuries and Product Liability

Burns are commonly associated with consumer household products, vehicles or workplace machinery. If your burn occurred as a result of your interaction with a manufactured product, it may be possible for you to recover from the product maker under the laws of product liability. In the realm of commercial manufacturing, companies are required to create goods which are reasonably safe for consumer use. Failure to adhere to this standard accompanied by the absence of a warning label could result in liability for the designer, manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer of the item.

Burn Injuries and Negligence

As your Seattle injury lawyer will explain further, burns can also occur as a result of negligence or intentional misconduct. One common example of negligence resulting in burn injuries involves the outdoor use of a grill or fire pit by a neighbor who does not take proper precautions to protect other homes from potential damage. If the fire source is left unattended or is not properly maintained and results in physical injury or property damage, the homeowner may be liable to the victim. Moreover, burn injuries occurring as a result of intentional conduct by the defendant, known as civil battery, are compensable under the laws of intentional torts and may also carry a possible punitive damages award as well.

Contact a Seattle Injury Lawyer Today

Burn injuries are some of the most catastrophic within the realm of personal injury, and a reputable Seattle injury attorney can help you recover from the financial devastation of your experience. For more information, call attorney Chris Thayer at (206) 340-2008 right away.

I Was Injured Tripping on a Sidewalk (Can I Sue?)

Posted Thursday, October 16, 2014 by Chris Thayer

Do you want to file a lawsuit after falling on a public sidewalk? Consult an attorney regarding the details of the incident to find out if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the city municipality.

Tips for Answering Difficult Deposition or Cross-Examination Questions

Posted Thursday, October 9, 2014 by Chris Thayer

When you attend your deposition or you appear at trial, you may be asked many difficult or confusing questions by the other side’s attorney. Before your appearance, review these 13 tips that can help you navigate your way through difficult questions posed to you in court. Then, discuss any concerns you have with your personal injury lawyer.

10 tips for answering difficult deposition or cross examination questions from James Publishing

Preparing to Present Your Personal Injury Claim

Posted Thursday, September 25, 2014 by Chris Thayer

alt textYou want to make your first meeting with your Seattle personal injury attorney as productive as possible. Following is a list of items that your attorney will ask you to bring with you so that you may be as prepared as possible for your consultation.

Medical

The first subject your Seattle personal injury attorney will discuss is your medical history. Bring a list of doctors you have seen, names and addresses of facilities where you were treated and any records and reports you have in your possession that you feel may be relevant to your case. Your Seattle personal injury attorney most likely will ask for permission to contact the health care providers to obtain copies of your records.

Insurance

Bring information about your medical insurance coverage. In addition, if your claim involves an automobile accident, provide information about your automobile coverage. If your claim involves an event that happened on your property, bring information about your homeowner’s insurance. If someone else was involved such as another driver, bring any information you have about their insurance.

If you have not reported the event to your insurance company, be prepared to explain the delay. Virtually all insurance policies require you to report potential claims promptly.

Provide your Seattle personal injury attorney with the names and contact information for insurance adjusters who have contacted you. Include copies of correspondence, e-mails and notes you have taken.

Physical Items

If your accident involves an automobile or dangerous conditions on property, your Seattle personal injury attorney will ask you to take pictures showing the damage to the automobile or the nature of the dangerous conditions. If a small item, such as a power tool was involved, your Seattle personal injury attorney will ask you to try to secure the item before it can be repaired or modified.

Other Attorneys

Your Seattle personal injury attorney also will want to know if you have spoken to other attorneys about your case.

Seattle personal injury lawyer Chris Thayer can help pursue your personal injury claim in the best manner possible. Contact him at 206-340-2008 to arrange for a case evaluation.