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.

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Things to Keep in Mind in Personal Injury Cases

Posted Friday, February 8, 2019 by Chris Thayer

Alternative TextPersonal injury cases give an individual a legal avenue to seek compensation for injuries caused by another’s negligence or wrongful actions. It is a part of tort law. Filing a personal injury suit is not to find the other party criminally culpable for an injury, but to recover the damages caused by the other party’s actions, or lack of action. Personal injury law varies by state and meeting with a local personal injury attorney can give you the best chance of recovering damages. However, there are no guarantees with any lawsuit. As such, it is important to put forth the best argument and evidence possible. In order to do this, it is important to keep the following things in mind when navigating Washington personal injury cases.

*Statute of Limitations* In Washington, there is a statute of limitations that dictates when a personal injury suit can be brought. There is a three-year statute of limitations when it comes to any tort law case. This means that a person who has been injured only has three years to file documents in the court for seeking damages for personal injury. If a case is not filed within the three-year timeline, it is likely that it will be denied. There are exigent circumstances that could cause the court to decide the three-year statute does not apply, but these are limited and should not be relied upon. Talk with an attorney early so there are no issues with the timing of filing.

*Insurance Companies* After being in an accident, or being injured, it might seem innocent enough to talk to the other party’s insurance company in hopes of coming to an agreement. However, this could prove to be a costly mistake. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their aim is to reduce their liability to others, meaning they want to pay the least amount of money possible. They want to settle for the lowest amount possible, which very well could be less than the cost of your medical bills. Talk with an attorney before you discuss your injury with anyone else, especially an insurance company.

*Cases Take Time* The process of filing a personal injury case is not always the quickest. Cases that go to trial can take months or even years to come to a resolution. Settlements can be reached more quickly without having to go through an entire trial process. A personal injury suit is not a “quick fix” for financial difficulties faced after an injury. However, the results of a personal injury suit can drastically improve your financial situation. It is important to know that cases take time and to not expect a quick result.

If you have questions about filing a personal injury suit, contact the personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group. We are here to help you through every step of the case, from filing the case until a verdict is reached. Recovering from an accident can be difficult and an unexpected financial burden. If you have been injured from another’s neglect or wrongful actions, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It can be scary to consider filing a lawsuit, but contacting a personal injury attorney to answer your questions can help you choose the right course of action for yourself. Contact us today for a consultation.

(image courtesy of Saneej Kallingal)