1. Schauermann Thayer
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death cases
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, construction accidents, watercraft accidents, wrongful death
Background: Schauermann Thayer has served clients in the Vancouver and Portland metropolitan area for over 70 years. Attorney Scott A. Staples joined as a clerk during law school in 2006, became an associate in 2007, and partner in 2010. He graduated cum laude from Washington State University Vancouver with a BA in English and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law with cum laude honors.
Location: 7302 NE Highway 99, Vancouver, WA 98665
Contact: (360) 695-4244 | https://www.stlaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultations offered with contingency fee agreements available
2. NW Injury Law Center
Focus Area: Motor vehicle accident representation and premises liability cases throughout Washington and Oregon
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, animal attacks, brain injuries, premises liability
Background: NW Injury Law Center has over three decades of experience in personal injury law. The firm has won jury trials throughout Oregon and Washington and has recovered verdicts exceeding one million dollars for injury victims in both states. The firm uses a team approach to ensure comprehensive representation for each client.
Location: 204 SE Park Plaza Drive, Suite 109, Vancouver, WA 98684
Contact: (360) 693-2119 | https://www.nwinjurylawcenter.com
Consultation: Free legal consultations available in Vancouver
3. Gehrmann Injury Law
Focus Area: Personal injury representation with emphasis on complex cases including medical malpractice
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, catastrophic injuries
Background: Grant A. Gehrmann has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury claims. The firm has successfully pursued numerous medical malpractice cases and provides personal attention throughout the litigation process. The firm evaluates each case individually to determine fit for their expertise.
Location: 1014 Franklin Street, Suite 108, Vancouver, WA 98660
Contact: (360) 253-3667 | https://vancouverinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluations offered at no cost to potential clients
4. The Law Office of Gregory E. Price, P.S.
Focus Area: Personal injury and wrongful death litigation in Washington and Oregon
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, animal attacks, construction site accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, premises liability
Background: Attorney Gregory E. Price has been litigating personal injury cases throughout Washington and Oregon for more than 33 years. He is a long-time member of the Washington Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice.
Location: 1112 Daniels Street, Suite 200, Vancouver, WA 98660
Contact: (360) 989-9900 | https://www.gregoryprice.com
Consultation: Free consultations available for injury victims
5. Buckley & Associates
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation with emphasis on insurance negotiations and trial advocacy
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: Buckley & Associates has proudly served the Pacific Northwest for over 30 years. The firm focuses exclusively on representing injury victims rather than corporations. Their attorneys work to assist clients in recovering fair financial settlements and are prepared to take cases to trial when necessary.
Location: 408 E Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver, WA 98660
Contact: (360) 694-8100 | https://buckleylaw.net
Consultation: Free consultations available to schedule with a personal injury attorney
Personal Injury Laws in Washington
Statute of Limitations: Washington law provides a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits under RCW 4.16.080(2). The deadline typically begins on the date of injury. Intentional torts such as assault and battery have a shorter two-year deadline under RCW 4.16.100(1). Medical malpractice claims must be filed within three years of the negligent act or one year from discovery of the injury, whichever is later, with an absolute limit of eight years.
Negligence Rule: Washington follows a pure comparative negligence system under RCW 4.22.005. This means a plaintiff can recover damages as long as they were not 100% at fault for the accident. The damages award is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% at fault and has $100,000 in damages, they can recover $70,000.
Damage Caps: Washington does not impose statutory caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Both economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering are recoverable without statutory limits.
Government Claims: If filing a claim against a state or local government entity in Washington, the injured party must submit written notice of the claim within the limitations period. The government then has 60 days to evaluate and respond before a lawsuit can be filed.
Auto Insurance Requirements: Washington is a fault-based auto insurance state. Drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. The at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for paying damages caused by the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am partially at fault for my accident in Vancouver?
Washington uses a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can still recover compensation even if you contributed to the accident. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 25% responsible and your damages total $80,000, you would receive $60,000. Unlike some neighboring states, Washington does not bar recovery at any specific fault threshold.
How does the three-year statute of limitations work if I did not immediately know I was injured?
Washington recognizes a discovery rule that may delay the start of the limitations period in certain cases. If your injury was not immediately apparent, such as with some medical conditions or latent injuries, the clock may begin when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury and its cause. However, this does not apply to all case types, so consulting with an attorney promptly is advisable.
Can I file a personal injury claim if I was injured by a City of Vancouver employee or at a city-owned property?
Yes, but claims against government entities in Washington have special requirements. You must file a written notice of claim with the appropriate government agency before suing. The government has 60 days to investigate and respond. Additionally, the procedural requirements are strict, and deadlines may differ from standard personal injury claims, making early legal consultation important.
What types of damages can I recover in a Washington personal injury case?
You may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. Washington does not cap these damages in standard personal injury cases, though medical malpractice cases involving government healthcare providers may have different rules.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer after a car accident in Vancouver?
Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers before the full extent of injuries and damages is known. These early offers may not account for ongoing medical treatment, future lost wages, or long-term effects of injuries. Most personal injury attorneys recommend waiting until you have completed treatment or reached maximum medical improvement before accepting any settlement. A contingency fee attorney can evaluate whether an offer fairly compensates your losses.