Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Spokane, Washington
The firms in this guide
1. Crary & Domanico, P.S.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, civil lawsuit filing
Background: Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is one of the most established personal injury and criminal defense law firms in the Spokane area. The firm has been voted one of Spokane’s “Best Law Firms” since 1948. Attorneys Robert Crary, James Domanico, and Aaron Crary together offer more than 65 years of combined experience handling complex cases. The firm has recovered millions for clients including a $2,025,000 pedestrian injury case, a $1,010,000 pedestrian accident case, and a $750,000 motor vehicle collision case. Attorney Robert Crary has specific expertise in brain injury cases.
Location: Spokane, WA
Contact: Contact via website | https://ccdlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Sweetser Law Office
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, defective product injuries, dangerous property conditions
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Sweetser Law Office has served the Spokane community for generations as a well-known personal injury law firm. The firm has helped thousands of clients across Spokane, Eastern Washington, and North Idaho. The attorneys have extensive trial experience and are prepared to force insurance companies to pay for the harm they cause. The firm focuses on protecting injured people and ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect throughout the legal process.
Location: Spokane, WA
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.sweetserlawoffice.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
3. Maurer Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction site accidents, public transport injuries, civil rights, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, construction injuries, premises liability, dog bites, wrongful arrest claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, civil rights claims
Background: Attorney Joshua Maurer has over a decade of experience litigating a variety of personal injury claims in Spokane and the surrounding areas. The firm handles motorcycle accidents, public transport injuries, construction site incidents, and civil rights matters. Attorney Maurer provides personal attention to each case and is dedicated to seeking just compensation for clients who have suffered due to negligence.
Location: Spokane, WA
Contact: (509) 838-9111 | https://personalinjurylawyer-spokane.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys
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 pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Russell & Hill has extensive experience representing car accident victims throughout Washington state. The firm’s attorneys work one-on-one with clients during all phases of claims. Due to their extensive trial experience, attorneys representing insurance companies have a high regard for the firm’s lawyers. The firm is prepared to take cases to trial if satisfactory settlements cannot be reached. The Spokane office provides services to clients throughout Eastern Washington.
Location: 1212 North Washington Street, Suite 132, Spokane, WA 99201
Contact: (800) 529-0842 | https://russellandhill.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Paukert & Troppmann, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Attorney Kathleen H. Paukert is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable trial attorneys in Eastern Washington in the area of personal injury law. The firm has been working with clients for over 15 years and has built a reputation as a professional and successful legal team. The attorneys are known for providing honest assessments of cases and fighting hard for clients regardless of case size. The firm operates on a contingency-fee model, covering all case expenses from start to finish.
Location: Spokane, WA
Contact: Contact via website | https://paukertlawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Insurance Requirements, Underinsured Coverage and Shared Fault for Spokane Car Crashes
A Spokane car crash claim in Washington starts with the other driver’s insurance: state law requires $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 liability limits and makes underinsured coverage part of every auto policy unless it is rejected in writing. Washington also splits liability among defendants by their share of fault and sets felony penalties for a driver who leaves an injury crash.
The Insurance Every Driver Must Carry
Under RCW 46.30.020(1)(a), no person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration in Washington without a liability policy, self-insurance, a certificate of deposit or a bond meeting the RCW 46.29.090 amounts, which are $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more persons and $10,000 for property damage in one accident. Proof must be shown on a law enforcement officer’s request.
Underinsured, Hit-and-Run and Phantom Vehicles
Under RCW 48.22.030(2) and (3), an auto liability policy must include coverage for insured persons legally entitled to recover from underinsured, hit-and-run and phantom vehicles, in the same amount as the third-party liability coverage, unless under (4) a named insured or spouse rejects all or part of it in writing.
How Liability Is Split Among Defendants
Under RCW 4.22.070(1), the trier of fact assigns a percentage of fault to every entity that caused the damages, and each defendant’s liability is several only. Two exceptions apply: a party answers for another who acted in concert with it or as its agent or servant, and if the claimant was not at fault, the defendants against whom judgment is entered are jointly and severally liable for the sum of their shares.
A Driver Who Leaves an Injury Crash
Under RCW 46.52.020(4), a driver who fails to stop or to give the required information and aid after a crash resulting in injury is guilty of a class C felony, and after a crash resulting in death a class B felony. Under (3), the required information includes name, address, insurance company, policy number and vehicle license number.
Spokane Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Spokane?
Three years under RCW 4.16.080(2), which covers an action for any other injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed. Under RCW 4.16.190, if the person was under 18, incompetent or disabled to the point of being unable to understand the proceedings, or imprisoned on a criminal charge before sentencing when the claim accrued, that time is not counted.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Under RCW 4.22.005, contributory fault reduces compensatory damages in proportion but does not bar recovery. For example, imagine $120,000 in damages and 35 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $78,000.
What if a Spokane city vehicle hit me?
Under RCW 4.96.020(4), no tort action may be started against a local governmental entity until 60 calendar days after the claim is first presented to the entity’s appointed agent, and the limitation period is tolled during those 60 days. Confirm with counsel which agent and claim form apply before the three-year period runs.