1. Stritmatter Law
Focus Area: Catastrophic injury, civil rights, complex litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, medical malpractice, dangerous dog attacks, police misconduct, construction accidents, wrongful death
Background: The Stritmatter name first appeared in the firm in 1945, giving it nearly 80 years of history in Washington State. The team includes 16 practicing personal injury attorneys and a professional support staff. Karen Koehler, known as “The Velvet Hammer,” served as lead counsel in the Ride the Ducks case that resulted in a $123 million verdict. The firm secured a $21.5 million settlement in a dangerous dog mauling case against King County. Andrew Ackley and Lisa Benedetti have been recognized on the Forbes Advisor list of personal injury attorneys.
Location: 901 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98164 (also Hoquiam office)
Contact: (206) 448-1777 | www.stritmatter.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
2. Davis Law Group
Focus Area: Car accidents, serious personal injury
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, impaired driving collisions, dog bites and animal attacks, on-the-job injuries, wrongful death
Background: The firm has nearly 30 years of experience helping injured people in Washington State. Davis Law Group was honored with Seattle Business Magazine’s 2024 “Best Companies to Work For” Award. Founder Chris Davis is recognized as one of the most respected civil litigation lawyers in Washington State and regularly appears on local and national news programs to discuss legal issues. The firm employs experienced investigators on staff to identify insurance policies and liable parties.
Location: 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98121
Contact: (206) 727-4000 | www.injurytriallawyer.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation legal consultation. 24/7 availability. Contingency fee basis.
3. Seattle Injury Law
Focus Area: Auto accidents, catastrophic personal injury
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, pedestrian collisions, slip and fall incidents, dog attacks, police excessive force, construction accidents, insurance bad faith, commute-related injuries
Background: The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients. Seattle Injury Law was recognized with the Car Accident Attorney Award for 2023 and 2024 in Washington State and Oregon. Team members include former insurance company employees who bring insider knowledge to claim negotiations. The firm employs investigators, negotiators, and paralegals alongside attorneys.
Location: Seattle, Washington (serving Seattle and neighboring regions)
Contact: Available through website | www.seattleinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered.
4. Bernard Law Group
Focus Area: Serious injury cases, record-breaking results
Practice Areas: Car accidents, semi-truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall, workplace injuries
Background: Kirk Bernard has been a civil litigator in Washington and California for over 30 years, receiving his law degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1981. The firm’s attorneys are rated superb by AVVO and listed in Super Lawyers of America. Bernard Law Group has achieved record-breaking settlements and jury awards in Washington State history. The firm maintains resources to pursue both large and small cases.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Contact: (206) 298-9900 | www.4injured.com
Consultation: Free case review. 24/7 availability for semi-truck accidents.
5. Khan Injury Law
Focus Area: Personal injury, immigrant communities
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall, wrongful death
Background: The firm serves as a local Washington State practice with attorneys speaking multiple languages including English, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Khan Injury Law operates from offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, and Tukwila. The firm maintains a commitment to serving immigrant communities and their families. Attorneys work on contingency fee basis with no payment required unless compensation is recovered.
Location: Seattle, WA (near Kubota Garden); additional offices in Kent, Tacoma, and Tukwila
Contact: Available through website | www.khaninjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free, zero-obligation case evaluation.
Personal Injury Laws in Washington
Statute of Limitations
Washington provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (RCW § 4.16.080). This deadline begins on the date of the injury or accident. Wrongful death claims also have a three-year deadline starting from the date of death. Medical malpractice cases have a three-year limit from the negligent act or one year from discovery of the injury, whichever is later. Intentional torts such as assault and battery have a shorter two-year statute of limitations.
Negligence Rule
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence system (RCW 4.22.005). Under this rule, you can recover damages even if you were 99 percent at fault for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 60 percent responsible for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, you can still recover $40,000. This differs from many states that bar recovery if you are more than 50 percent at fault.
Damage Caps
Washington does not impose general caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. There are no limits on compensation for medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering in typical personal injury claims. However, medical malpractice cases against certain entities may have specific limitations. The absence of damage caps makes Washington one of the more favorable states for injured plaintiffs seeking full compensation.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Washington requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage (25/50/10). Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which helps cover immediate medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault, is optional in Washington. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also available.
At-Fault System
Washington operates under a traditional fault-based insurance system. The driver who causes an accident is legally and financially responsible for the resulting damages. Injured parties may file claims directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a lawsuit. Washington’s pure comparative fault rule allows recovery even when the injured party shares responsibility for the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Washington’s pure comparative fault rule differ from states like Indiana or Oregon?
Washington’s pure comparative fault system allows injured parties to recover damages regardless of their percentage of fault, even up to 99 percent responsibility. This contrasts sharply with Indiana’s modified comparative fault rule, which bars recovery if you are 51 percent or more at fault. Oregon also follows a modified system with a 51 percent bar. Washington’s approach provides greater protection for injured parties who may share some responsibility for their accidents.
What are the specific requirements for filing a personal injury claim against King County or the City of Seattle?
Claims against Washington government entities require filing a claim with the appropriate government body before filing a lawsuit. For Seattle city claims, you must file with the City Clerk within the applicable statute of limitations. King County claims follow similar administrative procedures. Government liability may be limited under RCW 4.92 (state) and RCW 4.96 (local governments). These claims have specific notice requirements and procedural rules that differ from private party claims.
Can I still recover compensation if I was injured as a jaywalker in Seattle?
Washington’s pure comparative negligence system allows pedestrians to recover damages even if they crossed outside a crosswalk or violated traffic laws. Your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. Washington courts have held that drivers still owe a duty of care to pedestrians, even jaywalkers, and must use reasonable care to avoid collisions. Evidence about visibility, speed, and whether the driver could have avoided the accident becomes crucial in these cases.
What happens if my injury symptoms do not appear until months after a car accident in Seattle?
Washington recognizes the discovery rule, which can delay the start of the statute of limitations when injuries are not immediately apparent. The three-year clock may begin when you discover, or reasonably should have discovered, your injury and its connection to the accident. Soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries commonly have delayed symptom onset. Documenting all medical treatment and maintaining records from the accident date is essential even if symptoms seem minor initially.
How do Washington courts handle personal injury claims involving commercial trucks operating under federal regulations?
Commercial truck accidents in Washington often involve both state law and federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Federal rules govern driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading. Violations of these federal standards can serve as evidence of negligence per se in Washington courts. Potentially liable parties may include the driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and vehicle manufacturers. Washington’s pure comparative fault system applies, and there are no damage caps limiting recovery in these cases.