Here to Help You Get Life Back On Track

Were You Injured In A Car Accident?

A serious car accident in Seattle causes not only physical limitations but also setbacks in your personal life, from relationships to employment. When faced with these difficulties, you deserve full and fair compensation. You deserve the help of a Seattle, Everett or Tacoma car accident attorney, so you can have the means to begin the healing process.

An experienced lawyer can help you deal with the legal concerns following your wreck so you can focus on getting better and getting life back to normal. They will look at the facts from every angle and determine the maximum compensation you are able to recover. They will serve as your advocate, protecting your rights at every stage of the legal process.

What To Do Immediately After An Accident

Taking the right actions immediately after an accident can significantly impact your recovery and legal claim. Here’s what we recommend:

Seek Medical Care

Even if you feel okay initially, some injury symptoms don’t show up until later. We urge you to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. A thorough medical examination can identify hidden injuries and provide essential evidence for your case. It can also allow you to seek appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Gather Evidence At The Scene

If you can, take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries on yourself or other victims. Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident and other drivers. These types of evidence can be crucial in building a strong claim.

File A Police Report

A police report can provide critical details that may be useful in pursuing your claim. Contacting law enforcement as soon as you can is crucial. The faster you get a hold of them, the easier it is to provide them with accurate information regarding the accident.

Car Accident Lawyers In Seattle With Decades Of Combined Experience Throughout Western Washington

At the Dubin Law Group, our Seattle car accident lawyers provide skilled, vigorous representation for car accident victims and families who have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident. Seattle car accident lawyer Matthew D. Dubin has more than 25 years of experience in personal injury law, and the attorneys of the Dubin Law Group have over 100 combined years of experience. When you have Matthew D. Dubin and his team on your side, you know that you’re getting:

Legal professionals with a strong track record of success, having helped thousands of people obtain compensation
Attorneys who are passionate about helping their clients and holding negligent parties accountable
A team that is available to address your questions and concerns around the clock
A team that will handle the tough stuff for you, including insurance disputes, doctors’ bills and auto repairs

To arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your injuries, please call 206-800-8000. Our attorneys make home and hospital visits and serve clients across the state of Washington.

If you suffered whiplash, broken bones, back injuries, a herniated disk or other serious injuries in a car accident, you need to focus on your health, not the law. Our car accident lawyers in Seattle strive to free our clients from worry about the legal aspects of an accident.

We Can Fight For The Full Damages You Deserve

Whether your case can be resolved through negotiation or can only be resolved in court, we have the knowledge and skill necessary to help you seek the compensation you need and deserve. We can help you pursue car accident damages, including for the factors listed below.

Current And Future Medical Bills

Medical treatment for car accident injuries can be particularly expensive. In some cases, you may have to endure treatment for a long time.

Physical Pain And Suffering

This can include payments for any physical discomfort, pain or distress you endured after an accident.

Lost Wages And Lost Future Earnings

If the injury you suffer from a car accident is so critical that you are unable to do your job or earn more money in the future, you can pursue compensation to cover either of these circumstances.

Permanent Disability Or Disfigurement

Compensation may be able to supplement a portion of your weekly wages if the accident leaves you permanently disabled and disfigured and these ailments prevent you from doing your job.

Emotional Pain And Lost Services (Companionship, Parenting)

Compensation can be sought for any stress or anxiety the car accident and its aftermath caused for you. It can also account for any losses you experience in your friendships, relationships or the experiences you have as a parent.

Property Damage And Deductibles

You can get compensation for any damage to your vehicle or property. Drivers in Washington should have at least $10,000 in property liability insurance coverage.

Economic Damages

These can cover quantifiable financial or monetary losses due to the car accident.

Non-Economic Damages

This can include compensation for damages that don’t hold tangible economic value, such as loss of companionship or the ability to enjoy life.

Punitive Damages

This can include compensation for if the negligent party was found to be extremely careless in their actions when causing the accident, such as if they were driving distracted or under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

If your child was injured in a car accident, there are special considerations to discuss. Child injuries are different, and we know how to handle them.

Car Accidents And Insurance Issues In Washington

Negotiating with auto insurance can be one of the most stressful parts of a car accident case. There are many nuances to how insurance coverages come into play.

Getting Adequate Medical Coverage (PIP)

Your initial medical bills are covered by your own PIP (no-fault) insurance. If your insurer balks at covering your expenses, our attorneys can step in to make sure the company fulfills its obligations. The insurance company can require an independent medical exam by its own doctor, in which case an employee of our firm may accompany you to keep the doctor honest.

Don’t Get Stuck With The Blame For The Crash

Liability in Washington is based on who was at fault for causing the crash. Often police officers are more focused on making sure everyone is safe than on determining fault. Both insurance companies will likely also conduct their own investigations, but they can be biased and self-serving.

Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side early in the process can help make sure the investigation is done properly. At the Dubin Law Group, we often retain an independent investigator to interview witnesses, review the scene and vehicle damage, and examine all other relevant evidence.

Let Us Protect Your Rights When Talking To Insurers

When you contact car crash attorney Matthew D. Dubin, he will advocate for you in discussions with your insurance company. Do not give a statement to your insurance company without an attorney on your side. The insurance company may prevent your recovery if you make one wrong statement. Our law firm team knows how to protect your rights after an accident and preserve your personal injury insurance claim.

Dangerous Roads And Intersections In The Seattle Area

According to data from the Washington State Patrol, these are some of the deadliest roads in the SeaTac area:

Aurora Avenue (SR-99)
The I-5 express lanes
Pacific Highway
SR-181
SR-167

Some of the most dangerous intersections include:

Pike Street and Boren Avenue downtown
Sixth Avenue and James Street downtown
Holgate Street and Fourth Avenue in Sodo
Rainier Avenue and S Walden Street in Mt. Baker
Rainier Avenue S and 23^rd Ave S in North Beacon Hill
Thomas Street and Dexter Avenue N in South Lake Union
Lake City Way NE and NE 130th Street in Lake City

Of course, accidents can happen anywhere, but these roads and intersections are particularly hazardous based on the number of accidents that happen there.

Common Causes Of Seattle Car Accidents

Drunk driving is a leading cause of car accidents in Seattle, especially fatal accidents. It’s tragic that so many people get behind the wheel while intoxicated and end up causing significant harm to innocent people.

Other frequent causes of car accidents include:

Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for the road conditions
Not paying attention – Inattentive driving, distracted driving and texting while driving
Breaking traffic rules – Failing to signal turns, making improper lane changes and tailgating
Impaired driving – Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other mind-altering substances
Reckless driving – Cutting off other drivers, road rage or aggressively speeding
Weather conditions – Driving in foggy, rainy or otherwise stormy weather, which can cause drivers to make quick, reckless and impulsive decisions

Mechanical issues such as brake failure or blown tires can also contribute to serious accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle Auto Accidents

After an accident, it’s normal to have a million questions. You’ve probably never been in an accident before. Navigating the legal impacts of an accident can be daunting.

Here are answers to common questions about car accidents in the Seattle area.

What should I do after an accident?

At the scene of the accident and immediately afterward, take these steps to protect yourself:

Stay safe at the accident scene: Leave the car where the accident occurred unless it is unsafe to do so. If you cannot leave your car where the accident happened, safely pull to the side of the road and remain in your car after an accident. Additional injuries can occur if precautions are not taken after an accident.
Call the police: Contact emergency personnel right away after an accident. The police will take statements and preserve evidence and witnesses. If the police refuse to come out because the accident was in a private parking lot or there were no injuries, get the insurance information, address and phone number from the other driver, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
Seek medical attention for your injuries: Go to the emergency room, if necessary, or see your primary care physician as soon as possible after an accident regardless of whether your injuries are serious injuries or minor injuries.
Contact the Dubin Law Group: Speak to a Seattle car crash lawyer who will protect your rights after an accident. Attorney Dubin focuses on the details of the accident so that you can focus on your recovery.

What kinds of documentation should I keep?

Thorough documentation is a critical part of any car accident case. Make sure you keep invoices, bills and receipts for all of your accident-related expenses, including medical care. You should also keep track of days you’ve missed work and lost income due to the accident.

Hang onto any insurance documents and notices you receive. When you work with us, you can entrust all of these documents to us so you don’t have to keep track of them all.

What steps can I take to preserve evidence from my car accident case?

After a car accident, it’s important to take steps to preserve evidence that will be critical to your claim against your insurance company and the other driver. Try to obtain:

Photos of both cars, even if you take them on your cellphone
Photos of visible injuries, such as bruising, fractures and back injuries

Additionally, consider keeping a daily journal of your pain and injuries. You can record your level of pain each day (from 1 to 10) and make notes about how the pain or injuries are affecting your daily life, including your social engagements, work schedule, household chores and relationship with family members.

These items can play a big role in proving your case and getting you a solid financial recovery.

What pitfalls should I avoid?

It’s easy to make costly mistakes when dealing with auto accident claims. Some of the most common pitfalls include:

Not calling the police at the accident scene
Failing to get contact information for the other drivers
Admitting fault, whether at the accident scene or when dealing with insurance adjusters
Giving a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster
Accepting an initial lowball settlement offer from the insurance company
Not keeping detailed records
Failing to follow through on medical treatment recommendations
Missing deadlines associated with the auto accident claim
Not getting an attorney

Enlisting a proven Seattle car accident lawyer is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself through the process.

How is fault determined in Seattle car accident cases?

Fault plays a big role in auto accident cases. However, it’s not always clear who was at fault.

When determining fault, insurance adjusters will look at:

Police reports
Any photos from the scene
Traffic cam footage
Witness statements
Statements from all of the parties involved

Because it’s so easy to admit fault even if you weren’t truly at fault in the accident, it’s important to talk with a lawyer before giving any kind of statement to the insurance company.

Our lawyers have the investigative capabilities and resources to gather further evidence of fault. That might involve gathering opinions from accident reconstruction experts, conducting more detailed interviews with eyewitnesses and taking a more thorough approach to reviewing the physical evidence.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Washington is a comparative fault state, which means even if you are partially at fault for causing the collision, you may be entitled to compensation. For example, if a jury determines that your injuries are worth $100,000 but you were 20% at fault for causing the collision, you could still recover $80,000 at trial.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If the other driver is uninsured, underinsured or flees the scene, our car accident lawyers in Seattle can help you recover compensation from your own insurance company, if you have the right coverage. These are called uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims.

Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out under UM/UIM policies. We will make sure the insurance company doesn’t shortchange you.

Will I have to go to court?

Not every car accident case goes to court. In many cases, we can obtain favorable settlements outside of court that will provide the compensation you need without the delays and headaches of trial.

What’s the deadline for a car accident case in Seattle?

In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident to pursue a car accident claim. However, you shouldn’t wait that long. The sooner you get legal help, the sooner you can secure the financial recovery you need.

Waiting too long can also make it challenging to gather the right evidence and build a strong case.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

At the Dubin Law Group, we represent all of our clients on a contingency fee. That means we don’t get paid unless you win. The consultation is absolutely free, and after you hire us, there are no out-of-pocket expenses. If you’ve been injured and it was someone else’s fault, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact Dubin Law Group 24/7. Our team represents clients throughout Seattle and the Puget Sound area, including Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, and other communities in King County, Snohomish County, and Pierce County.

Contact A Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Today

To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your car accident with a dedicated Seattle car accident lawyer, call 206-800-8000. You can also contact our law office online. Mr. Dubin makes home and hospital visits when needed.

Our car accident attorneys handle all personal injury cases on a contingent-fee basis, meaning you will pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.