Car Accident Attorneys
An auto accident may result in you being injured and/or unable to work. You are likely to be dealing with car repairs and frustrated while trying to sort it all out with insurance companies, medical offices, and employers. Along with physical headaches, you may also suffer logistical headaches pertaining to getting kids to school, getting a rental car, or dealing with your general household obligations. All of these added burdens are tough enough as it is, but when you add the physical pain and discomfort of your injuries to the equation, the situation can become unbearable. At Becker Franklin Rovang, our firm has successfully represented thousands of auto accident victims.
We offer free consultations and meet our clients in our office or at a location convenient for them. We have met clients in hospitals when necessary and will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our clients are treated with respect and compensated fairly for their damages.
Common defenses employed by insurance companies include credibility attacks against you, attacks against your medical providers, and claims that all your symptoms are imagined or stem from something other than the motor vehicle accident. At Becker Franklin Rovang, all attorneys have significant prior experience defending personal injury lawsuits on behalf of insurance companies, so we are very familiar with how these defenses are utilized and how to effectively fight them.
Schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our team by calling us at (360) 800-3009 today or filling out our online contact form.
our case results Our Clients Always Come First
-
$4,700,000 Recovery - Negligence
Recovery for disabled man neglected in Kitsap County Jail who suffered brain damage and quadriplegia.
-
$750,000 Rear End Auto Accident - Settlement
Settlement for a 32 year old female rear-ended on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a multicar accident involving road rage.
-
$500,000 Work Injury - Settlement
Settlement for a workplace injury (Navy Shipyard) for a “temporary” worker.
-
$430,000 Auto Accident - Settlement
Settlement for auto accident victim with fractured ankle sustained in T-bone accident.
-
$368,000 Pedestrian Accident - Settlement
Settlement for high school girl running to school bus when hit by a car (school bus failed to stop across from her residence per district rules).
-
$274,000 Recovery - Sexual Abuse
Recovery for two girls groomed and sexually abused by Church pastor who was criminally convicted. Settlement included proceeds from insurance, sale of church property, and sale of pastor’s personal residence.
If you or a loved one have an injury case in Kitsap, Pierce or Thurston counties, contact our office for a NO COST consultation. (360) 800-3009 or, complete our online contact form to get started.
Settlement & Timing
Timing in a case can be a critical factor. Insurance companies often want to settle your claim soon after an accident. This is because once you sign a release, you can no longer pursue your claim, even if your injuries and treatment continue. Your case is effectively closed.
There are far too many cases where injured people settle their cases early in exchange for a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, only to realize the nature and extent of their injuries were far worse than originally thought. Even worse, the money they obtained as compensation for their damages was not reasonable for their case to begin with.
It is vital to be cognizant of timing issues and not consider settlement until your case is “ripe” and also not wait so long that your claims are “stale.” We discuss these issues with you during your free case evaluation.
-
“Steve Franklin was caring and extremely helpful during the traumatic time.”
- KCI never left a review after the incredible services this law firm provided me. I was in a car accident. Steve Franklin was caring and extremely helpful during the traumatic time. I was new to living in the area and felt so comfortable and supported by him. Five years later…. They still send me birthday cards. I know, I know…. It may seem silly, but this is such a sweet gesture! 10/10 Recommend.
-
“The team I got to work with was fantastic!”
- Stephanie W.The team I got to work with was fantastic! They are very responsive, kind, and understanding. I was lucky enough to get their help for a complicated situation and am very glad I found them and chose to work with them on my case. Highly recommend!
-
“Set realistic expectations and delivered.”
The whole team helped resolve my suit as expeditiously as possible with an ultimately acceptable outcome. Good communication and wonderful people to work with, set realistic expectations and delivered. 10/10 would not advise getting in a car wreck, but if you do these are the people to call!- Colin S. -
“They handled my case so meticulously and didn’t miss a thing!”
I worked with Steve for over a year and him and his team are absolutely amazing! They handled my case so meticulously and didn’t miss a thing! When he explained things to me he always broke it down so I understood exactly what was happening and of- Lauren R.
Common Causes of Car Accidents & Types of Injuries
The most common automobile accident is a rear-end accident involving minimal to moderate property damage, in which the vehicle occupant sustains a “soft tissue” injury. The visible property damage in these accidents is often minimal and out of sync with what the accident felt like.
In addition to the rear-end accident, other common auto accidents requiring legal representation include:
- Failure to yield incidents where someone fails to yield when turning. Most commonly it is the failure to yield while making a left turn.
- Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light.
- Parking lot accidents are frequently hotly contested because regular statutes do not apply
- Distracted driving accidents where someone was talking on their phone, texting, or doing anything other than keeping their eyes on the road.
- Impaired drivers who are either drunk or high and have no business being on the roadway.
- Both controlled and uncontrolled intersection accidents.
- Accidents where there are disputes about who has the right of way. These include lane change accidents and accidents in traffic circles or roundabouts.
- Road rage incidents escalating into injury.
- Snow and ice accidents where it is claimed that roadway conditions were to blame for the accident.
- Vehicle defects where it is claimed brake failure, sudden acceleration, inoperable brake lights, or other mechanical issues caused the crash.
- Single-car accidents where a driver left the roadway or struck an object.
- “Phantom vehicle” accidents where the crash was caused by a vehicle that left the scene and nobody can identify who it was.
- No insurance car accidents where the victim or the at-fault party doesn’t have any insurance.
Typical injuries sustained are sprains and strains to the head, neck, back, and shoulders. These injuries might be treated with physical therapy, chiropractic, and/or massage treatment, and typically x-rays are taken. Frequently, victims will be prescribed muscle relaxers and/or painkillers at an emergency room or urgent care facility and are told to follow up if their problems do not otherwise resolve. These cases are referred to in the industry as MIST cases (minor impact soft tissue) and are the most aggressively defended claims in the insurance industry. Some people can manage these injuries and get back to work and activities with some limitations, while others might be knocked out of their normal routine for weeks or even months and, in some cases, years. We have had many cases where one person in the car is severely injured, and another person in the same car might not be injured at all.
where you can find us Our Office Locations
-
Port Orchard1730 Pottery Avenue
Suite 210
Port Orchard, WA 98366 -
Poulsbo19307 8th Avenue NE
Suite C
Poulsbo, WA 98370
Primary Issues in an Auto Accident Case
In an auto accident claim, as well as most personal injury claims, the two central questions are:
- Who is at fault? The term “liability” refers to this question.
- What is the claim worth? Often referred to as “damages.”
Answering these questions sensibly requires a complete understanding of the applicable laws and regulations and a detailed analysis of the facts. At Becker Franklin Rovang, we evaluate these questions to obtain the best possible results for you.
Washington’s Statute of Limitations
In the legal world, a “statute of limitations” is a law that sets a time limit on your ability to go to court and seek legal relief after you suffer some kind of harm. Every state carries these laws, and there are different time limits depending on the kind of case you’re filing.
In Washington, a person who is injured or suffers property damage after a car accident has three years, starting with the date of the crash, to go to court and file a lawsuit.
The three-year limit applies to when a lawsuit needs to be filed, not when it needs to be resolved. Also, this three-year time limit doesn’t apply to uninsured or underinsured motorist claims. The rules are also different for those under the age of 18 when the accident occurred. There are also different legal wrinkles that apply to statutes of limitations depending on specific factual circumstances. These are all matters we are happy to discuss with you when we evaluate your case. In our experience, the earlier we can get involved with representing our clients, the better.
At Becker Franklin Rovang, all of our clients’ cases are big cases to us. We have successfully represented auto accident victims with injuries ranging from soft tissue injuries that resolve in a relatively short period of time to catastrophic permanent injuries requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Don’t leave your case to be decided by chance. Call us at (360) 800-3009 or contact us online today to speak to knowledgeable auto accident attorneys who are committed to helping you achieve your goals.