Car Accident Attorney in Seattle, Washington

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, there were approximately 111,636 total traffic crashes statewide in 2019, including 23,537 possible injury crashes and 500 fatal crashes. Being involved in a car accident can be a physically and emotionally traumatic experience. If you or someone you know has been hurt in an auto accident caused by the negligent actions of another, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries.

For over a decade, I have been committed to offering reliable legal services and compassionate representation to car accident victims and their loved ones. As a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Seattle, Washington, I will investigate the details of your case and outline an effective legal strategy for your personal injury claim. I will fight vigorously to protect your rights and help you exhaust all of your legal options as you pursue fair financial compensation to cover medical costs, any future medical treatments, lost income, and any pain and suffering you’ve experienced.

My firm, The Law Office of Dan N. Fiorito III, is proud to serve clients throughout the Seattle area, and all of Western Washington, including the Puget Sound Area, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Everett.

Understanding Liability and Insurance
Requirements in Pennsylvania

Washington is considered a fault state, meaning that when there is an accident, the at-fault party (i.e. the driver responsible for the accident) will pay for any injuries, medical costs, and other damages suffered by the victim of the accident. According to Washington State laws, in order to pursue compensation, auto accident victims are required to prove that the other driver's negligence caused the accident. Your available options to recover damages include:

• Filing a claim with your own insurance

• Filing a claim against the at-fault driver

• Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver

What Are The Insurance Requirements in Washington?

Washington requires all licensed drivers in the state to carry liability insurance with a minimum coverage of:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in a single accident

• $50,000 for bodily injury or death to two or more people in a single accident

• $10,000 for property damage in a single accident.

State Laws Addressing How
Long You Have to File a Claim

Pursuant to Revised Code of Washington section 4.16.080, an action for injury to the person or rights of another shall be commenced within three years of the accident occurring. In essence, victims who sustain an injury or property damage in a car accident in the state must file any claims against the defendant within three years from the date the accident occurred.

Comparative Negligence in Washington State

Washington follows what is known as the "pure comparative negligence" laws. Pursuant to Revised Code of Washington section 4.22.005,

"In an action based on fault seeking to recover damages for injury or death to a person or harm to property, any contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages…, but does not bar recovery."

For example, if the court awarded you a $100,000 settlement after an accident, and it was determined that you, the plaintiff, was 20% at fault for the auto accident, then the final amount that you can recover would be $80,000. Under the pure comparative negligence principle, an injury victim may still recover damages even if they were 99% responsible for the accident.

Understanding Cases
Involving a Wrongful Death

The purpose of the wrongful death lawsuit is to compensate the surviving loved ones of a decedent whose death was caused by a negligent party. According to the Revised Code of Washington section 4.22.010,

"When the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, his or her personal representative may maintain an action against the person causing the death for the economic and non-economic damages sustained by the beneficiaries."

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit?

According to the Revised Code of Washington section 4.22.020, the following individuals can file a wrongful death action:

• The personal representative of the decedent

• The spouse or state-registered domestic partner of the decedent

• The child, children, or stepchildren of the decedent

• The parents, sisters, or brothers of the decedent (if the decedent had none of the above)

Work With an Experienced Car Accident
Attorney in Seattle, Washington

The period after a car accident can often be confusing and overwhelming. If the accident was serious, such an incident can cause devastating, long-lasting consequences on your financial, emotional, and physical well-being. Regardless of the unique circumstances of your situation, you shouldn't have to go through this process alone. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, hiring a knowledgeable Washington State personal injury attorney is a crucial step you can take to ensure your rights are protected from start to finish.

For over a decade I have been handling personal injury cases, including car, truck, and motorcycle accident matters. As your legal counsel, I can help with the following:

• Fight compassionately to protect your rights and represent the interests of you and your loved ones

• Provide a detailed case review and conduct a comprehensive, private investigation into the details that led to the accident

• Gather and document all important information, including any required evidence, witness statements, and medical documentation

• Work to prove fault and establish liability

• Determine and estimate the value of your case

• Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies and any opposing legal counsel

• Work to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company and/or opposing legal counsel

• File all of the necessary paperwork for your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit