Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Seattle, Washington
The firms in this guide
1. Davis Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, on-the-job injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial trucking accidents, impaired driving collisions, hit-and-run accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery
Background: Attorney Chris Davis has practiced personal injury law in Seattle for nearly 30 years. Firm named to Seattle Business Magazine’s 2024 “Best Companies to Work For” list. Licensed to practice in Washington. Serves clients throughout King County and Washington State. Experience with both settlement negotiations and jury trials.
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: (206) 727-4000 | https://www.injurytriallawyer.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available 24/7, contingency fee basis (no fee unless case is won)
2. Pendergast Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, burn injuries, dog bites, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial trucking accidents, hit-and-run accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical lien negotiations
Background: Attorney Joseph “J.P.” Pendergast has over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. Licensed to practice in Washington. Firm meets clients at Seattle office and at hospitals including Harborview when needed. Serves clients throughout Seattle and Washington State.
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: (206) 382-2250 | https://www.pendergastlaw.com
Consultation: Free case review available
3. Seattle Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, police excessive force cases, construction site accidents, commuter accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law in Seattle and surrounding regions. Named #1 Car Accident Attorney for 2023 and 2024 in Washington State and Oregon per firm reports. Team includes former insurance company employees who provide insight into claims processes. Licensed to practice in Washington.
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: (206) 538-8480 | https://seattleinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Brumley Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery
Background: Attorney Joshua Brumley is the founder and lead attorney. Named Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for three consecutive years. Recipient of Avvo’s Clients’ Choice Award. Serves on the board of directors for Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution. Licensed to practice in Washington. Serves Seattle, Tacoma, and Western Washington.
Location: Seattle, WA (also Tacoma)
Contact: (833) 832-2727 | https://www.brumleylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee basis
5. Bernard Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, semi-truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial trucking accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Attorney Kirk Bernard has been a civil litigator in Washington and California for over 30 years. Firm is rated “Superb” by Avvo. Attorneys listed in Super Lawyers of America. Firm reports record-breaking results including some of the largest personal injury settlements in Washington’s history. Licensed to practice in Washington.
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: (206) 298-9900 | https://www.4injured.com
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
Fault Allocation, State Claims and Insurance Proof in Seattle Car Crash Cases
A Seattle car crash claim in Washington is decided on a fault allocation that adds up to 100 percent across every responsible entity, including some who are not in the lawsuit. A crash involving a state vehicle adds a 60-day waiting period after the claim, and Washington’s insurance rules decide what coverage is there to pay.
Fault Shared Across Every Entity
Under RCW 4.22.070(1), the trier of fact determines the percentage of total fault of every entity that caused the claimant’s damages, including the claimant, defendants, third-party defendants, entities the claimant released and entities immune from liability, but not employers immune under Title 51, and the percentages must equal 100 percent. Judgment against each defendant is for that defendant’s proportionate share, subject to the acting-in-concert and fault-free-claimant exceptions.
A State Vehicle or State Road
Under RCW 4.92.110, no tort action may be started against the state or its officers, employees or volunteers until 60 calendar days after the claim is presented to the office of risk management in the department of enterprise services, and the limitation period is tolled during those 60 days. An action started within five court days after the 60 days is treated as timely.
Underinsured Coverage That Was Rejected
Under RCW 48.22.030(4), a named insured or spouse may reject underinsured coverage in writing, and once rejected it is not included in a renewal or supplemental policy unless a named insured or spouse later requests it in writing. Checking whether a rejection is on file is part of measuring the coverage available.
Proof of Insurance at the Scene
Under RCW 46.30.020(1)(c) and (d), failing to show proof of financial responsibility when a law enforcement officer asks creates a presumption that the person has no motor vehicle insurance, and failing to provide proof is a traffic infraction. Under (2), the citation is dismissed if the person shows the court written evidence of coverage at the time of the citation.
Seattle Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Seattle?
Three years under RCW 4.16.080(2), the period for any other injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed. A claim against the state or a local government must be presented before suit, and the 60-day waiting period tolls the limitation period.
Can I recover if I was mostly at fault?
Yes. Under RCW 4.22.005, contributory fault reduces compensatory damages in proportion but does not bar recovery. For example, imagine $50,000 in damages and 70 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $15,000.
Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Washington?
The personal representative, under RCW 4.20.010, for the beneficiaries RCW 4.20.020 lists: the spouse, state registered domestic partner and children, including stepchildren, or, if there are none, the parents or siblings.