Experienced And Aggressive Personal Injury Representation
Serious accidents and injuries can happen in a matter of seconds. The time after a serious accident can be filled with pain – both physical and emotional – as well as significant financial losses.
If you have been seriously injured due to the fault of another person, business or corporation, call Menzer Law. Our attorneys have the experience, knowledge and skills to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries.
We Handle All Types Of Accidents And Injuries
At Menzer Law, we are prepared to handle serious injury claims arising from all types of circumstances, including:
- Car crashes caused by negligent drivers
- Collisions and accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists
- Injuries to motorcyclists caused by other drivers
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Injuries to the brain and spine
- Injuries resulting from playing organized sports
We are here to help with the most serious of injuries. We have many years of experience handling cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, disfiguring injuries and much more.
When An Accident Leads To A Personal Injury Claim
Not all accidents lead to valid personal injury claims for compensation. Sometimes, an accident is no one’s fault. However, you may have a claim for compensation if you have been injured because of the negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct of another person or business.
Negligence arises when someone fails to uphold their duty of care. An individual should act as an ordinary, reasonable person would under the same or similar circumstances. When an individual fails to act reasonably, and this negligence causes an accident in which you get seriously hurt, you should talk with an experienced lawyer about your legal rights and options.
Recklessness, also known as gross negligence, is more serious misconduct. When an individual behaves recklessly, they intentionally disregard the risk they create to other people’s safety. If you believe that your injuries are the result of someone else’s recklessness, call us right away for a free case evaluation.
You may have been hurt because another individual acted intentionally or maliciously. For example, you may have been the victim. If you were the victim of intentional, harmful behavior, contact Menzer Law to discuss whether you may have a good claim for compensation.
Seeking Personal Injury Damages
When you are injured as the result of another person’s negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct, then you can pursue compensation for your physical, emotional and financial injuries. The legal term for compensation awarded for these injuries is “damages.”
Depending on the type, extent and permanency of your injuries, you may be able to pursue compensatory damages for your:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future emotional distress and mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Disabilities
- Reduced earning potential
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium (includes the loss of a marital relationship)
- Property damage
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I am in an accident?
If you are in a motor vehicle accident, even if you do not think you have an injury, you may risk your health by delaying a visit to the doctor. Seeking medical care also helps your case by starting the documentation of your injury and health care. This way, you reduce the risk of an insurance company arguing that your injury was not caused by the accident.
If I was partially at fault, will that affect my claim?
Being partially at fault after a car accident will impact your claim. Washington uses the standard of contributory negligence in personal injury cases. This means that the amount of responsibility assigned to you will reduce the damages you receive. For example, if you are 50% at fault in your accident, you would receive 50% of the damages.
How much time do I have to file a claim?
In Washington, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim is three years. This means that you have three years from the day of your accident to file a claim. If you are injured, we suggest contacting our firm as soon as possible after your accident.
Do I have to go to court to resolve my case?
Most personal injury cases settle before a trial through negotiations with the insurance company. However, every case is different. If settlement is not an option after multiple rounds of negotiations, then we will take your case to trial and present it to a jury or judge.
Talk With Us About The Value Of Your Claim
It is important to discuss your injuries and damages with a lawyer. You will benefit from an experienced personal injury attorney identifying and calculating your full and fair compensation.
At Menzer Law, we work closely with you and your medical providers to identify all your physical and economic damages, including medical bills. We also hire any necessary expert witnesses to calculate the cost of future medical care or your reduced earning potential because of a disabling injury.
Often, a significant portion of any personal injury settlement or court award is for mental, emotional and physical pain and suffering. These are referred to as your “general damages” and can be difficult at times to establish. We will work with you, your medical providers, and your family and friends to gather evidence and maximize the value of your claim for pain and suffering damages. Evidence of pain and suffering may include your medical records, photos of your injuries, videos of your capabilities or limitations, diary entries and the personal testimonies of your friends and family.
How We Will Help You Obtain Compensation
There are typically two avenues with which you may obtain compensation for your injuries. Most personal injury claims are resolved through the settlement of an insurance claim. For example, if you were injured in a serious car crash, we will file a claim on your behalf against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
We will handle the insurance claim process for you. We communicate with the insurer, including providing the necessary proof of the policyholder’s fault and your injuries. We will prepare a comprehensive written demand package, and then we will review any settlement offers with you. In our experience, settlements of such insurance claims usually take place after several rounds of negotiations. Extensive negotiations are usually required because most often, your claim is worth more than the initial offer, and the insurance company needs to understand that you will not accept less than your claim is worth.
Insurance companies and their lawyers try to pay out as little as possible on each claim. That is their job. It is our job to protect you and fight for your right to full and fair compensation for your injuries.
The other main option for obtaining compensation is through a personal injury lawsuit. When settlement negotiations break down because the insurance company is not willing to pay a full and fair amount for your damages, then the only option is to take your case to court by filing a lawsuit against the party that caused your accident and injuries.
A personal injury lawsuit typically takes 12 months or more to resolve. Some of these litigated cases resolve sooner in a settlement. There are several parts to any lawsuit with the last part being a trial, during which we will present your case to a jury. The jurors will decide if the other party is liable for the accident and your injuries and, if so, how much compensation you should receive. If both sides waive a jury trial, then a judge will listen to and decide your case.
Contact Us For A Free Consultation
If you were seriously injured in an accident, you probably have questions about what you should do. Please do not hesitate to call Menzer Law, at 206.903.1818 or reach out online. We offer free case reviews during which you can obtain accurate legal information and advice regarding your rights and legal options.