If you were injured in an accident in Auburn, Washington law gives you the right to seek payment for the harm someone else caused. But knowing that and getting a check in hand are worlds apart. How do you get from a hospital bed to a fair settlement? This is often the point when many people reach out to an Auburn personal injury lawyer to understand the steps ahead and avoid mistakes that could hurt their claim.
The system isn't built for you. It's built for insurance companies, red tape, and tight deadlines that can easily sink a valid claim.
That's where we come in. We handle the paperwork, the investigators, and the lowball negotiating tactics so you can focus on one thing: healing. For decades, Pendergast Law has helped people in Auburn secure the resources they need to put their lives back together. If you're hurt, worried, and unsure what to do next, we have answers. Call us for a straight-forward, no-cost case evaluation at (425) 228-3860.
Why Is Pendergast Law The Right Choice For Your Auburn Case?
A Long History of Advocacy
For over 30 years, our firm, formerly Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., has been a constant for personal injury victims across the Seattle region, including Auburn. Our name may have changed, but our legal team, our leadership, and our commitment to our clients are exactly the same. We have a long and successful history of standing up for individuals against large corporations and insurance companies, giving each personal injury case the focused attention it deserves.
Our Record of Success
Our founding attorney, J.P. Pendergast, has personally secured well over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We have been named a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report for multiple years and belong to the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums—a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. attorneys.
We Are Always Prepared for a Fight
Insurance companies know us as tough negotiators who build every case as if it’s going to trial. This reputation frequently encourages more reasonable settlement offers from the start because they know we won’t back down from a legitimate claim. They understand we are ready to present your case to a jury if their offer isn't fair.
Our Commitment to You
- A Free, No-Pressure Consultation: We’ll review your case and explain your legal options with no strings attached.
- The "No Fee Promise": You owe us nothing unless we win or settle your case. This is also known as working on a contingency fee basis.
- Direct & Personalized Attention: You will work directly with our legal team. We make sure you are heard, informed, and respected every step of the way.
What Is My Auburn Personal Injury Claim Worth?
The purpose of a personal injury claim is to recover payment for every single loss the accident caused, both the obvious and the hidden. In Washington, these losses are separated into two categories. Our first step is to identify and calculate everything you’ve lost to ensure the demand we make is complete and fair, which is why it’s important to file a personal injury claim with a full accounting of both current and future damages.
Calculating the Hard Costs: Economic Damages
These are the straightforward losses with a clear dollar value. Think of them as anything you have a receipt or an invoice for. We meticulously document these costs to build a strong foundation for your claim.
- Current and Future Medical Bills: This covers everything from the ambulance ride and emergency room visit to physical therapy, medications, and any surgeries you might need down the road.
- Lost Wages: Payment for the work you missed because of your injuries.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries keep you from returning to your old job or limit what you can earn in the future.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle or any other property damaged in the crash.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This includes smaller costs that add up, like paying for rides to the doctor, modifying your home, or renting a car.
The Hidden Costs: Non-Economic Damages
These damages are for losses that don't come with a price tag but deeply affect your life. Calculating a fair value for these harms requires a thorough understanding of how insurance carriers and juries look at the real-world impact of an injury.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused.
- Emotional Anguish: This can include anxiety, depression, fear, or nightmares that stem from the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Payment for being unable to do the hobbies, activities, or simple daily routines you once enjoyed.
- Disfigurement or Permanent Scarring: For physical changes that alter your appearance and affect your confidence.
How Could Washington’s "Comparative Fault" Law Affect My Compensation?
Washington uses a pure comparative fault rule, detailed in RCW 4.22.005. It's a legal concept that means your final compensation is reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault for the accident. For instance, if you were 10% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 10%.
Insurance companies conduct their own investigations, looking for any evidence to argue you were partly to blame. Our role is to build a strong case that protects you from being assigned an unfair share of fault, keeping the focus on the other party's actions.
Where Do Accidents Happen Most in Auburn, WA?
An accident can happen on any street, but some roads and intersections in and around Auburn are well-known trouble spots. Heavy commuter traffic heading to Seattle and Tacoma, mixed with major commercial routes, creates daily congestion and risk, which is why it matters to choose the right personal injury lawyer who understands how these local factors shape the strength of your claim.
We Frequently See Accidents At:
- WA-167 and WA-18 Interchange: This major junction is a hotspot for high-speed collisions, especially during rush hour. Merging lanes and sudden speed changes frequently cause rear-end and side-swipe crashes.
- Auburn Way N: As a main artery through the city, this road is dense with businesses. The constant stop-and-go traffic and cars pulling in and out of parking lots lead to a high risk of T-bone and pedestrian accidents.
- SR 164 (Auburn Enumclaw Road): This route can be deceptive. As it moves into more rural stretches, changes in speed and fewer protections increase the danger of head-on collisions.
- The Outlet Collection Seattle Area: The sheer volume of cars, distracted drivers searching for parking, and pedestrians create a perfect storm for parking lot accidents and fender-benders.
Local Factors That Contribute to Accidents in King County
- Weather: The Pacific Northwest’s frequent rain and fog are a constant factor, reducing visibility and slicking the roads. While common, bad weather is rarely an acceptable legal excuse for causing a crash.
- Time of Day: Rush hour, from 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM, sees a predictable spike in accidents.
- Commercial Traffic: Auburn's proximity to warehouses means a high number of large commercial trucks on roads like WA-167, which can result in much more serious accidents.
- Statistics Note: According to the Washington State Department of Transportation crash data portal, intersection and rear-end collisions are two of the most common types of crashes in urban areas like Auburn.
We Handle a Wide Range of Personal Injury Cases
Our firm is dedicated to helping people who have been hurt because of someone else's carelessness. We have years of experience handling the unique details and challenges that come with all types of injury claims.
Types of Accidents We Handle:
- Car Accidents: The most common type of personal injury claim, involving passenger vehicles.
- Truck Accidents: These cases are much more difficult due to complex federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and powerful corporate insurance policies.
- Motorcycle Accidents: We understand the unfair bias riders sometimes face and work to make sure the facts—not stereotypes—decide the outcome.
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents: We represent victims struck by vehicles, who often suffer catastrophic injuries.
- Wrongful Death: We guide families through the unimaginable process of losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence.
- Dog Bites: Washington law holds owners strictly liable for bites, and we help victims recover payment for their physical and emotional scars.
What are Common Injuries in These Cases?
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Though insurers sometimes dismiss them, these injuries can cause chronic pain and long-term limitations.
- Broken Bones: Fractures that may require surgery, casting, and months of rehabilitation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): From concussions to severe brain damage, these injuries can have lifelong effects.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These catastrophic injuries can result in partial or full paralysis and require a lifetime of medical care.
Is There a Deadline to File a Claim in Washington?
Yes. In Washington, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury, as stated in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080. But that's the legal deadline. The practical deadline is much shorter.
The longer you wait, the harder it is to build a strong case. Witness memories fade, security footage gets deleted, and physical evidence disappears. Acting sooner gives us the best chance to gather everything needed to prove your claim.
Dealing With the Insurance Company After an Auburn Accident
Soon after an accident, you will likely get a call from an insurance adjuster. It's important to understand the dynamic of that conversation. The insurance company is a business, and it must balance paying claims with protecting its bottom line. This means their financial interests are not aligned with yours, and the way an accident affect your personal injury claim often depends on how quickly insurers try to control the narrative in these early conversations.
An adjuster's job is to resolve your claim for the lowest amount possible. It doesn't matter how friendly or concerned they seem; they are not on your side. The entire claims process is long, tedious, and filled with procedural hoops. As medical bills pile up and savings evaporate, it's easy to feel pressured into accepting a low offer just to get some relief.
What to Look Out For:
- Requests for a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to provide one. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to get you to say something that could harm your claim. Let us handle all communications on your behalf.
- A Quick Settlement Offer: An early offer may seem tempting, but it usually comes before the full extent of your injuries is known. If you accept, you give up your right to ask for more compensation later if your condition worsens.
- Requests for Broad Medical Authorizations: They might ask you to sign a form giving them access to your entire medical history. They are fishing for pre-existing conditions to blame for your pain. We will make sure they only receive records directly related to the accident.
What Can I Do to Help My Case From Home?
While we manage the legal work, there are simple things you can do to strengthen your claim and protect your right to compensation.
Important Steps to Take:
- Follow Your Doctor's Treatment Plan: Go to all medical appointments and follow through with your prescribed care. If you don't, an insurer may argue your injuries weren't that serious.
- Keep a Pain Journal: Every day, jot down your pain levels, physical limitations, and how the injuries affect your daily life. This creates a detailed record of your suffering that is more powerful than memory alone.
- Track All Your Expenses: Keep every bill and receipt related to the accident. This includes co-pays, prescription costs, and even the mileage for trips to your doctor.
- Stay Off Social Media: Do not post about the accident, your injuries, or your activities. Insurance companies hire investigators to look at your social media, searching for anything they can use out of context—even a photo of you smiling at a family dinner could be used to argue you aren't really hurt.
- Don't Talk to Their Insurer: Refer them to us. Let us handle all communication to protect you from their tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions for an Auburn Personal Injury Lawyer
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
If you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company. This is coverage you pay for specifically to protect yourself in this exact situation.
Should I take the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
Almost never. The first offer is typically a lowball amount made before the full extent of your injuries and financial losses are known. It's a tactic to settle the claim quickly and cheaply. It’s best to discuss any offer with an attorney before you even consider it.
My injuries seemed minor at first, but now the pain is getting worse. Is it too late?
No, this is very common. Adrenaline from an accident masks pain, and some injuries, like whiplash or herniated discs, take days or even weeks to fully appear. See a doctor immediately to document your symptoms, and then call us. As long as you are within the three-year statute of limitations, you can still pursue a claim.
What if I was hurt in a friend's car in Auburn? Do I have to sue my friend?
You aren't suing your friend; you are filing a claim against their insurance policy. That insurance exists for exactly this reason: to cover damages when an accident happens. Your friend's rates might go up, but it is not a personal lawsuit against them.
How long will my personal injury case take?
It varies. A straightforward case might settle in a few months, while a more involved one could take a year or more. We cannot resolve your case until you've reached "maximum medical improvement," because only then will we know the full value of your damages. Anyone who promises a quick payout is not being honest with you.
Take the Next Step to Protect Your Rights
Don't let an insurance company decide what your health and future are worth.
Our job is to lift the legal burden from your shoulders so that your only job is to get better. We will handle the paperwork, the adjusters, and the negotiations.
- The consultation is free.
- The advice is free.
- There is no pressure to hire us.
Find out what your rights are and what your claim might be worth. Contact Pendergast Law today to speak with our team at (425) 228-3860.