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

Red Flags That May Subject You to Surveillance by the Insurance Company

Posted Thursday, August 21, 2014 by Chris Thayer

Insurance companies often engage in surveillance of injury claimants. As your personal injuryalt text lawyer in Seattle WA will explain, this is done to prevent insurance fraud. Certain indicators may raise red flags and prompt the adjuster to order surveillance. Suspicious indicators may include the following:

Premeditated or “Planned” InjuriesAdjusters look for any evidence that a claimant may have staged an accident or is trying to “game the system.” Your personal injury attorney in Seattle WA knows that an adjuster will immediately grow suspicious of letters received by plaintiff’s lawyers or union representatives on the same day as your claimed accident. Even worse, is when the adjuster receives a lawyer’s letter before an injury takes place. Pro-plaintiff treating doctors (aka “Dr. Whiplash”) also raise red flags. A reputable personal injury lawyer in Seattle WA will also be suspicious of these actions.

Anonymous TipsterAdjusters will become immediately wary if they receive a tip from someone else that a so-called injured claimant is working another job or playing sports. Sometimes these calls are bogus. Tell your personal injury attorney in Seattle WA if anyone in your life may hold a grudge against you (your ex, in-laws or former employees, for example).

Drama King/Queen ClaimantsAdjusters can sense if your disabilities/symptoms seem out of whack with the type of injury you suffered. A personal injury attorney in Seattle WA will also note if you limp into the office but sprint out.

The Smell TestExperienced adjusters and your personal injury attorney in Seattle WA will sometimes get a feeling that something is off about a claimant. If so, your personal injury lawyer in Seattle WA may expect the company to begin private surveillance.

For legal help in dealing with your accident claim, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Seattle WA. Call Chris Thayer right away at (206) 340-2008.

Common Do's and Don'ts From a Personal Injury Deposition

Posted Thursday, August 14, 2014 by Chris Thayer

Clients of a Redmond personal injury lawyer often have questions about the do’s and don’tsalt text when giving a deposition in their case.Do’s for Giving a Deposition in a Personal Injury CaseYour Redmond personal injury lawyer will give the following advice for do’s during the deposition:1) Be attentive and listen closely to the questions.

2) Be certain that you fully understand the question being asked.

3) Be brief when giving the answer and then stop speaking.

4) Be truthful.

5) Make sure you speak loudly enough to be heard and recorded.

Don’ts for Giving a Deposition in a Personal Injury CaseA Redmond personal injury attorney will give you the following advice for don’ts during the deposition:

1) Do not lie.

2) Don’t make exaggerations.

3) Don’t try to provide justifications for your response.

4) Don’t speak when another person is speaking.

5) Don’t continue speaking when your attorney is making an objection.

6) Don’t share what your attorney has said to you.

7) Don’t try to alter the question. Simply answer the question you are asked.

8) Don’t let silence inspire you to speak to break it.

9) Don’t argue.

10) Don’t ask questions.

11) If you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to say so.

12) Don’t say negative things about your treating medical professionals.

13) Don’t show up to the deposition dressed shabbily.

14) Don’t use the words “never” or “always” unless you are completely sure.

15) Don’t use swear words.

16) Don’t make comments that could be described as witty.

17) Don’t engage in chitchat.

It is also important to remember that the truth can damage a plaintiff’s case, but a lie will destroy it completely. The deposition will be the time for the establishment of credibility.Speak to an Experienced Redmond Personal Injury AttorneyIf you need help with the do’s and don’ts of a deposition, contact Chris Thayer at (206) 340-2008 today.

Settlement, Trial, and Appeal: a Few Key Facts Every Plaintiff Should Know

Posted Thursday, August 14, 2014 by Chris Thayer

Were you aware that you can settle your personal injury case with the assistance of a Seattle personal injury law firm? And this can prevent you from having to go to trial or asking for a retrial if you are not successful the first time? Here are a few facts that plaintiffs need to know about their personal injury case.

4 Factors That Influence Jurors (And Insurers) In Auto Accident Cases

Posted Thursday, August 7, 2014 by Chris Thayer

Your Seattle personal injury lawyer is well aware that the jury in your auto accident case will not be influenced based on just one or two element of the case. You and your attorney should have a discussion about the many factors that will affect their thinking. You can start by learning about these 4 factors.

Redmond Personal Injury Attorney Explains Negotiation Tactics

Posted Thursday, July 24, 2014 by Chris Thayer

Insurance companies attempt to obtain favorable results in personal injury claims by alt textimplementing several negotiation tactics. Since a person who has suffered injuries in an accident often needs to receive compensation as soon as possible, insurers may delay negotiating a reasonable settlement so that the individual will agree to an amount that is substantially less than the value of the claim. An experienced Redmond personal injury attorney knows how to effectively present your claim and will be prepared to file a lawsuit, if necessary.

Strategies Used by Insurance Companies to Delay Negotiations of a Settlement The insurance adjuster carefully analyzes the claimant’s injuries, cost of medical bills and other financial losses to determine how much the case is worth. Even though the insurance company has already decided the amount of compensation it is willing to pay for a case, the adjuster may try to delay the proceedings by stating that he doesn’t have the authority to approve a settlement.

Sometimes, the insurance adjuster may not respond to an attorney’s demand letter or avoid other requests to discuss the status of the case. The adjuster’s failure to follow-up with the attorney in a timely manner could be caused by the following reasons:

• The adjuster is trying to slow down the negotiations;

• The adjuster thinks the attorney wants too much money;

• The insurance company lost or misplaced the demand letter and other documents associated with the claim;

• The adjuster hasn’t had an opportunity to contact the lawyer due to a high volume of cases; or

• The insurance company doesn’t intend to reach a fair settlement.

How the Redmond Personal Injury Attorney Can Respond to Delay TacticsWhen an insurance adjuster refuses to communicate with the attorney within a responsible time frame, the attorney can contact the adjuster’s supervisor or manager regarding the case. It’s also possible to schedule an appointment so that negotiations can be handled in-person. If both parties still can’t reach a settlement, it may be in the best interests of the claimant to file a lawsuit against the insurer.

Consult a Redmond Personal Injury LawyerIf you have been injured in an accident, it’s important to understand your legal options when you are dealing with an insurance company. Chris Thayer is an experienced Redmond personal injury lawyer who aggressively fights to protect the rights of his clients. Call (206) 340-2008 today to schedule a confidential consultation.