Aggressive Kent, Washington car accident lawyers
- Your case deserves serious support from experienced attorneys
- Auto accidents are all too common in Washington state
- Hurt in a motor vehicle accident in Washington State? Here’s what to do
- Shouldn’t my car insurance cover my medical bills?
- What can I expect from the insurance claims process in my car accident case?
- Hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault? The Herschensohn Law team can fight on your behalf
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is stressful, especially if you’re injured. You need medical care. Your car needs to be repaired. You’re out of work. You’ve got piles of unpaid bills and you’re struggling to make ends meet. You have endless questions and no solid answers. To add insult to injury, the insurance company keeps pressuring you to accept an unreasonably low settlement offer—and you’re just about ready to cave in.
If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s dangerous behavior in Kent or the greater Seattle area, you don’t have to suffer alone.
Personal injury lawyer Zach Herschensohn devotes his time to people like you, making sure they understand their legal options. He delivers the highest level of legal representation while they recover from a serious injury.
According to the most recent data from the Washington State Department of Transportation, there were 86,272 crashes on our roads in 2020 — and about a third of those crashes resulted in someone getting hurt.
Interstate 5 (I-5) is the seventh most dangerous highway in the United States, with 43.9 deaths occurring for every 100 miles of road.
If you or someone you love was injured in a crash on I-5, or another road in our area, you are not alone. Just in King County in 2020, people were injured in over 500 motor vehicle crashes, and 101 fatal crashes.
Kent, Seattle, and King County, and Washington State residents deserve better.
People we’ve helped
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
After a car accident, the first thing you should do is take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Once you’ve made sure the scene is safe:
- Call 9-1-1 immediately and tell them you need an ambulance if anyone has been injured.
- Call the police and tell them you’ve been in a car accident. The responding police officer will create an accident report that will be a key piece of evidence in your claim.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver as well as any witnesses.
- Keep your comments at the scene brief, sticking to the facts of what happened. Do not say anything that could be construed as admitting fault, like saying “I’m sorry,” especially if you didn’t cause the crash.
- Take pictures of the scene and make your own notes about when, where, and why the accident occurred.
- Get checked out by a doctor within 24 hours. See your primary care physician or go to an emergency room or urgent care setting and tell the doctor you were in a car accident.
- Call an experienced car crash attorney who can help guide you through the insurance claims process. You shouldn’t have to pay for your medical expenses and other losses if you didn’t cause the crash.
RELATED: The car accident guide: What to do if you’re involved in a crash
Washington is a fault state, which means you should file a claim for damages with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If their insurance policy won’t cover all the costs of your accident, or the insurance company argues the accident was your fault, you can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the driver who caused the crash.
In addition to the at-fault driver, you can pursue compensation from any party whose dangerous or reckless behavior contributed to the accident. For instance, if a vehicle defect caused your injuries, you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible.
Washington law also allows for dram shop claims in drunk driving accidents. So, if the driver who hit you was knowingly over-served alcohol, you can hold the bar or establishment that provided the liquor accountable.
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
As you’re picking up the pieces after a crash, you will likely have questions about the car accident claims process. When you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you can expect to speak with an insurance adjuster, who will ask you to give a recorded statement about the car accident, your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and any other expenses you incurred as a result of the crash.
It’s wise to politely decline giving a recorded statement about the accident.
The insurance adjuster will be the one who decides whether to make you an offer to settle the claim, so anything you say to them could be used against you to reduce or deny paying you fair compensation. If you need to provide a statement, your best option is to work with an attorney to draft a written statement that will ensure your rights are protected.
Typically, initial settlement offers are much lower than what you are entitled to. That’s why it’s usually a good idea to let an experienced attorney negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If a lawyer can’t get the insurance company to increase the offer, then your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court on your behalf.
RELATED: The three biggest mistakes people make after a car accident
Zach Herschensohn is a skilled negotiator who knows how to deal with insurance companies to maximize the value of your claim. At the same time, if the insurance company won’t give you a settlement that’s fair and meets your needs, he isn’t afraid to fight for you in court. In fact, he thrives in that environment as a strong and aggressive trial attorney.
The Herschensohn Law Firm has secured millions in settlements and verdicts for injury victims throughout Kent and the Seattle metro area. Our skilled team of personal injury attorneys knows how to fight to get you the financial compensation you deserve—discover what an aggressive and experienced Kent car accident attorney can do for you today.
To get started, send us a message or call our office at 206-588-4344 to schedule your free consultation with our legal team today. In your initial consultation, we’ll meet with you, hear your story, and offer no-nonsense legal advice about what to do next.
We look forward to speaking with you.
Our results speak for themselves
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.
We’re proud to fight—and win—for injured people in Kent, Washington. View our case results to learn more.
References
- Washington State Department of Transportation. (2021). WA State Crash Data Portal. Retrieved from https://remoteapps.wsdot.wa.gov/highwaysafety/collision/data/portal/public#!
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.