Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

How can a personal injury attorney help you? 

Our law office will help you handle all aspects of your personal injury case, regardless of whether this is a big or small accident. In fact, there are cases where a relatively small impact has caused severe injuries to people. We will aggressively fight for your rights. Note that we do not get paid unless and until you get money from the insurance company thus it is to our interest to help you get as much as possible. As part of our service, we can help you

• Find caring and professional doctors in your area 
• Make insurance companies pay your medical bills
• Obtain compensation for your pain and suffering
• Avoid financial difficulty when unable to work
• Recover property damage. 

Why hire our law office?

We have the experience, compassion, history of successive negotiations and litigation. We have been victims of auto accidents ourselves. Thus, besides knowing the law, we know what problems you are facing and have the solutions for you. We regularly deal with State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, American Family, GEICO, GMAC and many others and we know how to take your case from point A to point Z.

How much is your case worth?

The total compensation depends on a number of factors: nature of injuries caused by the accident, how well injuries are documented (objectively and subjectively), prior injuries (if any), total medical expenses, duration of medical treatment, your age, type of treatment received, evidence showing pain and suffering, regularity of treatment, etc.

When should I stop getting treatment for the accident?

This is not a question for an attorney. Unless an attorney is a licensed medical provider, this is not up to an attorney to advise on a medical issue. Talk to your doctor to see if you need any other treatment. Importantly, do not let your or opposing insurance company to tell you how much treatment you need for your injuries - insurance companies want to save their money but you have yourself and your family to take care. A word of caution: Many attorneys do not immediately close claims after the person received treatment as the victim of the car accident may have the pain come back. We have seen numerous situation when the person did not finish his/her treatment and the pain came back months after the end of initial treatment but the subsequent medical evaluation showed that (I) further treatment is needed at that time and (ii) the future treatment was anticipated for years to come. Thus it is very important for you to talk to your doctor before you decide to close your claim.

Why get a lawyer and pay him/her anything?

Attorney Siprin has not seen a single case where the opposing insurance company offered what we think is fair compensation to a non-represented victim. This is consistent with often seen insurance company's tactics to make sure that it pays as little as possible under the circumstances. That is NOT to say that the adjusters are in any way dishonest - simply, they have their insured's and/or company's interests to protect. The key to remember is to talk to a personal injury attorney before you accept any settlement offer from the insurance company.

How do I receive an adequate compensation for my damaged car?

In WA, you can choose the shop and you are entitled to the diminished value ("DV") of your vehicle. This DV is the difference between what your car was worth prior the repairs and after the repairs. For example, if your car's frame was damages, your car will not be the same as it was when it was manufactured (without the damage to the frame).

What is a PIP insurance?

Personal Injury Protection ("PIP") coverage provides payments of special damages following an automobile accident, regardless of which party is at fault. PIP covers medical expenses, wage loss, loss of services and funeral expenses. The medical expenses must be Reasonable, Necessary, Related to the accident and Incurred within three years of the auto accident.

How do I know if I have a PIP or other medical coverage though my auto insurance company?

You need to ask your insurance company if you have a PIP. If you do not, ask your insurance company for a copy of the signed PIP waiver. If you did not waive the PIP, you can get PIP retroactively (e.g., pay $50 to get $10,000 in PIP coverage).

What happens if my PIP insurance says that I do not need any more medical treatment but I am still hurting?

You can sue PIP. If you prevail, you will get reasonable attorneys fees and may get triple damages. Call us for your first free consultation ASAP.

Can I demand that the PIP pays my medical bills?

Yes, such expenses must be Reasonable, Necessary, Related to the accident and Incurred within three years of the auto accident.

What happens if I used up my PIP insurance (or Med coverage) but still in need of  additional treatment?

See if there is another PIP available (e.g., if you have a PIP and you were a passenger in the vehicle that had PIP, you might have additional PIP coverage) or use your health insurance.

Can my health insurance cover for the injuries I sustained in the car accident?

Of course, but PIP or Med coverage is primary liable. Later, your insurance that paid out benefits is likely to subrogate against the recovery.

Do I have to pay back any money to the PIP or my health insurance after I close my personal injury claim?

Later, PIP, Med coverage or health insurance is likely to subrogate against the recovery. If you are represented by an attorney, you are legally entitled not to pay back a portion this amount. You need to talk to your attorney regarding Mahler and other relevant cases that may apply. If you have not been made whole by the settlement, in some cases insurances are not entitled to repayment in whole or in part.

What is a Settlement Statement?

Your attorney should account to you regarding how every cent of settlement proceeds is distributed. You have a right to know how every cent is allocated.

What is a Release?

An insurance company often requires you to sign a Release. Be careful what you are signing. Do not sign anything unless attorney reviews it.

What is a Hold Harmless Agreement?

An insurance company often requires singing Hold Harmless Agreement. Do not sign anything unless attorney reviews it.

What do I do if third party's insurance limits are not enough to cover my injuries?

You need to see if you can go after UIM insurance and third party personally. Talk to your attorney if the BI and/or UIM policy limits are not enough.

What happens if I got hit by someone who does not have car insurance or does not have adequate policy limits?

Check if you have the UIM insurance and see what assets at-fault party has.

What is the UIM insurance?

Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM) is often the only coverage available. With the UIM insurance, claims that exceed your own PIP policy limits and the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits will be covered up to the limits of your UM/UIM policy. For example, you get rear-ended by someone whose Bodily Injury policy is only 50K but your damages are 100K. If you have a UIM policy for 25K, you can get this 25K in addition to 50K available as per Bodily Injury policy.

What happens if opposing adjuster does not want to give any more money?

Get an attorney asap.

How does one normally approach a basic case (under 50,000 in damages)?

If you do not get what you think you deserve, do not waste time and file a complaint. If the requested amount is under 50K, consider moving your case to arbitration to get results done faster.

Last question - How do we know all this?! - A Simple Answer: We have been doing this for many years, we love this and we care about our clients.

Call now 425-644-5484

Yan Siprin represents clients in King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County.