You Deserve an Advocate!

How large of a settlement should I expect?

The total amount you receive for you pedestrian accident depends on the severity of your injuries and recovery time. Pedestrian accidents are both rare and rather serious. Pedestrians are far more vulnerable since they don’t have the benefit of seat belts and air bags to protect them like car accident victims do. Due to these factors, pedestrian accident victims can expect settlements anywhere in the range of 4 to 7 figures. Settlements are based on medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How long will my pedestrian accident case take to resolve?

The short answer is anywhere between 4 months to several years. If your case is clear cut and there are no questions about liability, the at-fault party’s insurance may just settle out of court since they know they lose if a judge or jury gets involved. If your case does go to trial proceedings could be dragged out for years thanks to various legal maneuverings. This is why hiring an attorney is essential for making sure you receive fair compensation for your losses and injuries. Contact The Advocates Law today for a free case evaluation.

How will I pay my medical expenses if the driver who hit me is uninsured?

Unfortunately, you may be out of luck if you’re a pedestrian who was hit by an uninsured motorist. You do have the option of filing a civil lawsuit against the uninsured driver. But oftentimes the reason drivers do not have insurance is because they can not afford it, so they might not have assets to sue over. One option you have to prevent such a nightmare scenario is to get Uninsured Motorist insurance added to your own automobile insurance. This will help you pay your medical bills and cover your lost wages if you are one day struck by an uninsured motorist.

Why should I hire an Advocate to represent me instead of an ordinary pedestrian accident lawyer?

An attorney with the Advocates is not your average pedestrian accident lawyer. What separates the Advocates from other personal injury law firms is our dedication and determination to help our clients make the best recovery possible after they’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident. We take pride in being a voice for our clients in a legal system that too often favors insurance providers over regular people. Our attorneys are experts in Washington State pedestrian accident law and know how to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and losses at the hands of another. Unlike other pedestrian accident attorneys, the Advocates will fight for your case until all other legal options have run out. Where other law firms call it a day if they are unable to negotiate a fair settlement for your claim, the Advocates refuse to give up. We will take your case all the way to a jury to get you the compensation you deserve. Why settle for second best? Call our office today at (206) 452-4200 or chat online right now with a live attorney from our homepage. Your pedestrian accident case deserves an Advocate!

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:

How does the billing process work?

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.

What if you can’t afford treatment?

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:

How long before you must decide whether to hire a lawyer?

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.

What happens if you retain an attorney?

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!

Do you have to sue?

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.

Will you have to go to trial?

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.

How long is the process going to take?

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.

What if you need money now?

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!

Dealing with an insurance company, or multiple insurance companies, can be intimidating and confusing. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about insurance coverage and how it relates to a personal injury claim:

How will policy limits impact your injury claim?

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.

How do insurance companies address the pain and suffering associated with your accident?

Pain and suffering will be documented throughout your case, and again when we get ready to close your case. Our team will work with you to tell your story to the insurance company. This will give them a full understanding of how your accident has affected your day-to-day life and allow them to provide the appropriate total compensation for your injuries.

Items that might be included in pain and suffering include overall inconvenience, inability to perform specific activities, and ongoing impact to your daily life.

Is your insurance involved even when you’re not at fault?

Even if you’re not at fault for the accident, you will always want to open a claim with your insurance company. There may be benefits on your policy that you can use for your claim. If you do not have benefits on your policy, it’s still good to open a claim so your insurance company is aware of the accident. They will eventually be made aware one way or another, so it’s best to be proactive by opening the claim yourself.

What happens if you’re partially at fault for the accident?

If you are found partially at fault, you probably still have a claim. Consult with an attorney and they will advise you on how to best proceed depending on the circumstances. Your insurance premium may go up due to your partial responsibility for the accident.

What happens if you’re hit by an uninsured driver?

You may have what is called Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage on your auto insurance policy. This coverage protects you if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance. You can submit a claim with your own insurance for your injuries. Washington State does not require you to have this coverage and it does cost extra, so check with an attorney to discuss your options.

Will your rates go up following an accident?

Unfortunately, your insurance rates can go up following an accident. In most instances, your provider will not raise your rates. If you feel like your rates have been raised unfairly, we encourage you to get quotes from several other insurance companies to see if you can get a better rate.

What happens if your necessary treatment exceeds the policy limits?

While in the pre settlement stage, we often do not know the policy limits of the other insurance company. The insurance company is not obligated to disclose the policy limits unless there are specific concerns that the coverage might not be adequate. For this reason, we monitor bills and treatment closely to be sure that you are not in the red. If you do end up in this situation there are many ways your attorney can help.

Treatment and medical billing look different for every case, so your attorney will communicate any concerns with you to develop the best plan for your circumstances.

Questions about an injury? Call for a free consultation!