Auto Accidents Can Permanently Change Your Life In An Instant.
In a single moment, major auto accidents can irrevocably alter the course of your life. During these challenging times, we extend our heartfelt support, offering compassionate assistance and leveraging our expertise to ensure you receive the justice you rightfully deserve. Our firm has handled thousands of auto accident cases.
Our track record includes securing settlements and verdicts for victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths arising from all sorts of automobile accidents. Navigating the complexities of such claims, especially concerning intricate insurance matters, is our forte, backed by decades of experience in addressing insurance-related challenges and establishing accountability.
Before You Speak To An Insurance Company
It is advisable to consult with an attorney before engaging in any discussions with insurance companies. The opposing driver's insurance company may attempt to shift the responsibility onto you. A skilled attorney will assess if you have the right to seek compensation for any injuries or property damage and will adeptly handle negotiations with the other driver's insurance company. Call us first and let us help you deal with the insurance nightmare. We can help you open up your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims with your own auto insurer. FMM will make sure your medical bills are paid by the correct insurer and coordinate benefits between PIP and your health insurer. We will follow your case while you focus on getting well. We will gather your medical records and work with you to assess your case value. We will work to either resolve or file suit in your case to obtain justice.
Potential Compensation
You are entitled to be “made whole” for your auto accident loss. If you are not at fault, you can recover 100% of your losses from the at-fault party. You are often limited, however, by the insurance available. In Washington, auto drivers are only required to carry $25,000 of per person liability insurance. That is rarely enough to make a person “whole” following a serious injury. For that reason, we often look to your own Under Insured Motorist (UIM) coverage to combine with these limits to help you recover from your losses.
Further, in the State of Washington, the law operates in a way that diminishes the amount of compensation you can receive based on the degree of fault you bear in an accident. To put it simply, if you are found to be 25 percent responsible for the accident, a jury verdict will be reduced by 25 percent. This is known as “comparative fault.” This is why it is important to hire a lawyer right away to be certain facts are accurately established that prove you are not at fault for the accident.
You are entitled to recover “compensatory damages.” Compensatory damages cover various aspects such as medical expenses, lost income, the pain and suffering endured, disfigurement, disability, lost earning capacity, and future suffering. In cases of severe accidents, individuals may also be eligible for damages related to emotional distress, including sleep deprivation or anxiety. Additionally, if your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities you enjoy, you may be entitled to damages for loss of enjoyment of life. These calculations are complex, and a qualified lawyer is needed to help you determine what a fair settlement is based on the unique facts of your case.
In the unfortunate event of a family member's death due to an accident, your family may be eligible for wrongful death damages. While no amount of money can ever truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, these damages aim to cover lost wages, funeral costs, and the lost relationship caused by an unexpected and premature death. To learn more, visit our page on wrongful death.
Our Successes
Our reputation and hard work have paid off. Dozens of our auto cases have resulted in six and seven-figure settlements, many in the multi-million-dollar range. We are proud of our record.
In addition to our settlements, we have tried many auto accident cases successfully to juries in Benton County and Franklin County. We are proud of our automotive collision lawsuit that resulted in the highest-ever soft tissue injury jury award in Benton County, totaling $675,000 in the 1990s. In 2023, our firm also obtained one of the highest auto accident personal injury verdicts ever in Benton County of $2,000,000, against a local municipality.
Our notable auto cases include pedestrian deaths at crosswalks, cars hit by negligent commercial long-haul truck drivers, and express delivery drivers running red lights.
