In Washington State, when one person's negligence causes harm to another, the at-fault party is responsible for the damages. This system of accountability is designed to keep our roads, workplaces, and public spaces safe. When someone is injured, the responsible party's insurance is supposed to cover the costs, from medical bills to lost income, making the injured person whole again.
But there is a gap between how the system should work and how it actually functions. Insurance companies are businesses, and like any business, they must balance paying claims with protecting their financial health. This may result in settlement offers that don't fully account for the long-term physical, emotional, and financial toll an injury may take on a person and their family.
This is where an experienced legal advocate makes a difference. As Puyallup personal injury lawyers, our team at Pendergast Law steps in to ensure your rights are protected. We manage the legal process and handle all communications with insurance adjusters, giving you the space to focus entirely on your recovery.
For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case, call Pendergast Law today at 425-228-3860.
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Why Choose Pendergast Law for Your Pierce County Case
A History of Legal Advocacy in Washington
Pendergast Law has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, having served injured people across Washington for over 30 years. Our firm has grown from a single practice into a multi-location firm committed to providing accessible, high-quality legal representation to communities throughout the region, including Puyallup and greater Pierce County.
Led by Former Deputy Prosecutor J.P. Pendergast
Our firm is led by founder Joseph J.P. Pendergast, who began his career as a King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. From 1993 to 1998, he handled serious criminal cases, gaining invaluable trial experience.
This background gives our firm a distinct advantage; he understands how the other side builds a case and anticipates their strategies. He now applies that same prosecutorial diligence to constructing compelling personal injury claims for our clients.
A Proven Track Record of Success
The attorneys at Pendergast Law have recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for those harmed by negligence.
This history of success has earned J.P. Pendergast a life membership in the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor reserved for trial lawyers who have secured multi-million dollar outcomes for their clients.
Serving Puyallup from Our Tacoma Location
To best serve our clients in Pierce County, our Tacoma office is conveniently located just a 20-minute drive from Puyallup. You will find us at 1145 Broadway, Suite 1380, Tacoma, WA, near the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Our local presence means we are familiar with the Pierce County court system, its judges, and its procedures, allowing us to effectively handle your case.
Award-Winning Representation
The legal community and our clients have consistently recognized our dedication. Our firm's accolades include:
- Selection to the Super Lawyers list every year since 2022.
- Named Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report (2018-2021).
- Recipient of the Avvo Clients' Choice Award for outstanding client satisfaction.
- An A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Our Client Guarantees
We built our practice on a foundation of trust and client-focused service.
- Helping You Heal While We Recover: Our goal is to manage the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations so you can concentrate on getting better.
- No Win, No Fee: Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
- 24/7 Availability: Accidents don't keep business hours, and neither do we. Our team is available to take your call anytime.
- Bilingual Services: We are proud to offer full legal services in Spanish to better serve our diverse community.
Recovering Full Compensation for Your Injuries
The purpose of a personal injury claim is to restore you to the financial position you were in before the accident. This means accounting for every cost and loss you have suffered and will suffer in the future because of your injuries.
Compensation is typically divided into two categories.
Economic Damages (Tangible Costs)
These are the verifiable financial losses you have incurred. We work to document every expense, including:
- All medical bills, from the initial emergency room visit to surgery, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.
- Lost wages from being unable to work.
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all.
- Property damage, such as the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescription medications, medical devices, and transportation to appointments.
Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life)
Not all losses come with a receipt. Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal harm you have experienced, such as:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of consortium, which addresses the impact the injuries have on your relationship with your spouse.
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement.
How Contributory Fault Affects Your Check
Washington uses a legal doctrine known as pure comparative fault. This rule, codified in RCW 4.22.005, means that if you are found to be partially responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Unlike in some states, you may still recover damages in Washington even if you are found to be 99% at fault. However, insurance companies might try to assign you an unfair percentage of blame to reduce their payout. Our job as personal injury lawyers is to build a strong case to protect you from being assigned more fault than is fair.
How Personal Injury Claims Work in Puyallup
Washington is an at-fault state, which means that to secure compensation, we must prove that another party was negligent. This involves establishing that they owed you a duty of care (such as the duty to drive safely), that they breached that duty, and that their breach directly caused your injuries and subsequent damages.
Common Accidents We Handle
Our firm has deep experience handling a wide variety of injury claims in the Puyallup area, including:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: From rear-end collisions and T-bone crashes at busy intersections to difficult highway merger accidents on SR 512.
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Incidents: Accidents involving vulnerable road users are unfortunately common in downtown Puyallup, especially near the Sounder Station and local schools.
- Premises Liability: These cases involve injuries caused by unsafe conditions on someone else's property, such as slip and falls in retail stores or trip and falls in poorly maintained apartment complexes.
- Wrongful Death: We provide compassionate legal guidance to families seeking justice after losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence.
Common Injuries
We represent clients who have suffered a wide range of injuries, including:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Severe fractures and other orthopedic injuries
Relevant Legal Concepts
- Statute of Limitations: In Washington, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss this window, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
- The Practical Deadline: While the law allows three years, the practical deadline is much shorter. Evidence like traffic camera footage, skid marks, and witness memories may fade or disappear within weeks. The sooner you involve an attorney, the better our chances of preserving the evidence needed to build a strong case.
Who May File?
The person who was injured is the primary party who may file a personal injury claim.
In cases of wrongful death, the personal representative of the deceased's estate may file a lawsuit on behalf of the beneficiaries. These beneficiaries are typically the spouse, domestic partner, and children. If none exist, parents or siblings may be able to file.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
After an accident, the at-fault party's insurance adjuster may seem friendly and helpful. Remember that their primary loyalty is to their employer's shareholders, not to you. Their job requires them to resolve your claim for the lowest amount possible.
Strategies to Watch Out For
- The Quick Lowball Offer: They might offer you a fast check before you know the full extent of your injuries. Accepting this offer may prevent you from seeking further compensation if, for example, an MRI later reveals a serious disc herniation that requires surgery.
- Requesting a Recorded Statement: The adjuster may ask to record your conversation. The goal is usually to get you to say something that could be used against you, such as downplaying your pain or unintentionally admitting partial fault. It is best to decline this request until you have spoken with an attorney.
- Medical Authorization Fishing: They may ask you to sign a broad medical records release form. This allows them to search through your entire medical history for pre-existing conditions they might use to argue that your current pain is not related to the accident.
The Delay Tactic
In some situations, the claims process may be slow and filled with paperwork. As medical bills accumulate and you lose income, the financial pressure becomes intense. This pressure might lead some people to accept a lower settlement than they are entitled to simply to get some relief.
Having Pendergast Law on your side solves this problem.
- We take over all communication with the insurance company.
- We field the calls, handle the paperwork, and protect you from having your words misinterpreted.
- Our involvement signals to the insurer that you are serious about recovering fair compensation.
FAQ for Puyallup Injury Victims
What if the driver who hit me on SR 512 didn’t have insurance?
This is where your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage comes into play. This is a part of your auto insurance policy that protects you in this exact situation. We will help you file a claim with your own insurer. By law (RCW 48.22.030), making a UM/UIM claim should not cause your rates to increase.
Do I have to go to court for my personal injury case?
The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, if the insurance company is unwilling to make a fair offer, our trial-ready team will not hesitate to take your case before a jury to pursue the compensation you need.
How long does a personal injury claim take in Pierce County?
The timeline for a personal injury claim varies widely depending on the difficulty of the case and the severity of your injuries. A minor case might resolve in a few months, while a complicated claim involving serious injuries could take longer. We never rush to settle before your long-term medical prognosis is clear. An attorney may give you a rough estimate based on the specifics of your case.
Can you handle cases involving rideshare accidents in Puyallup?
Yes. Accidents involving Uber and Lyft have unique insurance complexities. We have experience handling these cases and understand how to deal with the multiple layers of insurance policies that may apply.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Dictate Your Future
Feeling overwhelmed by medical bills, lost income, and the uncertainty of a legal claim is completely normal. Washington law provides you with the right to seek compensation for your losses, and our firm has the experience and resources to protect that right.
Call Pendergast Law today at 425-228-3860 for a free, confidential case review with our dedicated team.