Our firm is experienced in assisting victims of car accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, commercial truck accidents, and all other injuries resulting through no fault of your own. We will answer all of your legal questions during a free consultation and help you determine the best path forward for your particular situation. When you hire The Advocates Seattle office to represent you, you’re choosing one of the most experienced legal teams in the city.
The Advocates assist people injured in car accidents, collisions involving uninsured drivers, dog bites, slip-and-fall incidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury cases, wrongful death cases, and e-scooter accidents.
When you sign up for insurance coverage, there are different limits to choose from. The minimum limit in Washington State for bodily injury liability coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This means that if you are injured in an accident, your policy limit should allow for at least $25,000 to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many people have insurance policies with limits above the state minimum.
Because limits vary between policies, your attorney will advise you on the specific coverages available and alert you of any concerns regarding the adequacy of the available policy limits.
With any significant injury there are likely to be medical bills. Having a firm capable of guiding you through the billing process can go a long way in alleviating stress and allowing for a faster recovery. Here are the most commonly asked questions relating to personal injury billing:
There are four things we look for when it comes to handling your medical bills. The first thing we will check is whether you carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your auto insurance. If you have PIP, then it will start paying your medical bills as you incur them.
If you do not have PIP, we can bill to your health insurance, but you might be on the hook for your deductible or copays.
If you do not have PIP or health insurance, you can always pay out of pocket.
Lastly, for those who can’t afford to pay out of pocket, we are sometimes able to get providers to put bills on hold and delay payment until the end of your case.
Once you’ve retained an attorney, your team will assist with billing and advise you on your best options for taking care of your bills.
As treatment is very important for your recovery after an accident, some medical providers may offer to treat you on a lien. A lien is an agreement between you and your medical provider that allows you to delay payment until your case is settled.
Not all medical providers will provide this service, so be sure to consult with your attorney first.
Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!
Navigating the personal injury claims process can be overwhelming. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about how personal injury cases typically unfold:
In the state of Washington, the statute of limitations on a negligence claim is generally 3 years, with some minor exceptions. If you feel you need legal representation, we recommend securing an attorney as early as possible, since it can often be difficult to find representation when nearing the expiration of the statute of limitations.
When retaining an attorney, you leave most of the work to your attorney and their team. We will first notify all involved parties (insurance carriers, medical providers, etc.) that we are representing you. We will make sure all your bills will be taken care of. Once your treatment is complete, we will begin working to get you a fair, reasonable bodily injury settlement. We take care of your case so you can concentrate on getting better!
At The Advocates, we do our best to settle your accident claim fairly and equitably before resorting to filing a lawsuit. However, we will always do what’s best for you, to be sure you’re appropriately compensated for your injuries. This may include filing a suit or litigating your case if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair offer.
Some cases do go as far as a trial, but not without exhaustive efforts by our firm to settle your case first. Your legal team will be in full communication with you through every step of your case. We will discuss your options with you as the case proceeds. In many instances, pushing for a trial when it’s in your best interest will lead to a higher settlement offer before the trial even starts.
Although it’s a last resort, going to trial is one of the best tools available when the insurance company refuses to do what’s right.
While you are still being treated, we usually don’t move your case toward the settlement process. This is to ensure your request for compensation includes all relevant medical treatments and that no additional or unexpected bills will arise after closing out your injury claim. Once your treatment is complete, we can then start moving your case forward.
Once care is complete, we begin gathering information such as medical bills and medical records, which can take around 8-12 weeks. Once the information is forwarded to the insurance company for settlement purposes, your case may be completed in 60-90 days. However, it can take much longer if litigation is needed.
Your attorney will be in direct contact with you throughout the settlement process to discuss offers and recommendations.
We know sustaining injuries in an accident can come with considerable financial ramifications. If you need money urgently before your claim is settled, there are legal loans that can be taken against your future settlement. However, these loans typically come with significant penalties and high interest rates, so we tend to discourage our clients from taking them. Because everyone’s circumstances are unique, we are happy to discuss your options with you should the need arise.
Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!
When seeking assistance with handling your injury claim, there are several commonly asked questions about hiring a personal injury lawyer. Here’s a brief rundown of what it is likely to cost, whether you should hire an attorney, and what separates a skilled personal injury lawyer from the rest of the field:
We do everything we can to help you avoid paying out of pocket. We will check for any medical coverage (i.e., PIP and MedPay) available on either your own policy or the other party’s insurance. If that is not an option, or becomes exhausted, we will move to your personal health insurance. If copays and deductibles become an issue, we will work with your medical providers directly to do everything we can to get those balances held until settlement. If there is no medical coverage and no health insurance, we will find providers who will treat you on a lien and hold all costs until settlement.
While we can’t guarantee that there will be zero out-of-pocket expenses, we will do everything we can to find a solution.
There is almost never any up-front cost to hire a personal injury lawyer. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. When we recover a settlement for you, we retain 1/3 of the total amount as our fee. If we have to file suit, the fee goes up to 40%.
In almost all instances, we only retain clients when we believe we’ll be able to add value to their injury claim. If it’s a straightforward matter and injuries are minor or nonexistent, we’ll typically suggest that you try to work with the insurance company directly. For more complex matters, injured parties tend to receive 350% more in total compensation when represented by an attorney than when handling their claim independently.
Since consultations are always free, it’s beneficial to talk with an attorney as early as possible to determine the best course of action for your circumstances.
When looking for a personal injury attorney, you should look for someone with a history of success, a team well-versed in how the claims process works, and a serious litigation team that’s willing to push the insurance company when necessary.
By selecting a firm that’s not afraid to litigate, you guarantee the insurance company takes you seriously from the start. This increases your chances of obtaining a favorable result early in the process.
In situations where there are little to no injuries, it may be beneficial to handle your claim on your own. Similarly, property damage claims tend to be relatively straightforward, and attorneys are frequently unable to add sufficient value to your claim.
Fortunately, consultations are always free, and you can speak with an Advocate to determine whether hiring an attorney is likely to increase your total settlement.
During this process, your attorney will expect you to follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations, be honest about your injuries, and be open to the advice and suggestions your attorney gives you. We’re on the same team and your best interests are always our number one priority.
Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!
Severe personal injuries can have a lasting effect on your life, necessitating support that goes beyond traditional legal assistance. Our team is skilled in negotiating with insurance companies, medical entities and with your own workplace to ensure your normal remuneration during the time that you cannot return to work. We even make sure you can find a temporary replacement in case your vehicle needs repairs. Whatever the complexity of your case, we can do something for you.
The Advocates in Seattle understand how overwhelming life can feel after a serious accident. From the busy streets of downtown Seattle to the highways leading out to Tacoma, crashes and injuries happen every day. Our team is deeply familiar with the local courts, insurance adjusters, and medical providers, which allows us to guide clients through each step of their recovery with confidence.
When you have been injured through the negligence of others, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Suddenly you’re in pain and have a list of additional problems to deal with. The list includes property damage issues, lack of transportation, non-stop phone calls from insurance adjusters, complications and frustration at home, loss of the ability to work, financial instability, etc. The consequences of an accident can dramatically change your life. It is daunting and doesn’t feel fair.
The Advocates understand and are here to help you get through it.
Two Accidents, Two Years Apart
After being rear ended in 2017, AJ suffered from neck, back, and hip pain. He enlisted The Advocates to assist with recovering medical expenses along with general damages resulting from the negative impact the injuries had on his life. The firm secured a favorable settlement and AJ was able to move on. In 2019, AJ was once again rear ended while stopped at a red light, this time s... Read More
- Arnold “AJ” MacEachern
Our award-winning attorneys at The Advocates are ready to assist in any way possible. Our team of experienced lawyers take pride in providing the knowledge and resources to help anyone who has been injured to determine the best path towards recovery. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, you shouldn’t have to handle it on your own.