Personal Injury Claims Process in Federal Way & Tacoma

Name: Park Chenaur Injury Lawyers
Telephone: (253) 345-4044
Price range: Free Consultation

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

The first and most important question is: do you have a strong case for a personal injury claim?

According to the Washington State Laws on fault and negligence, anyone who is injured or has property damaged due to the negligence of another party potentially has a personal injury case.
If, for example, you are injured in a car accident where the at-fault party ran a red light, you would have a strong personal injury case as the other driver's negligence should be relatively easy to prove if there were cameras and/or witnesses on the scene. However, other incidents resulting in personal injury or damage to property are less clear-cut. In some cases, two or more drivers may share the fault and therefore any awards for a personal injury claim will be reduced according to the percentage of fault of each party (this is termed "contributory fault"). Bear in mind that negligent behavior (the failure to exercise a duty of care) can occur anywhere - on the roads, in public places, in private establishments, in factories during the product manufacturing process, and so on. So, personal injury claims take many forms. For instance, at Park Chaenur, our personal injury attorneys have represented people injured from:

Bicycle accidents
Faulty products

Poorly lit establishments
Unmarked hazards in public spaces

We hold negligent parties responsible for the injuries and losses caused to clients. Like most personal injury law firms, we work on a contingency basis. This means that we only get paid (according to a pre-agreed percentage) if we win the case. So, generally, for a lawyer to take your personal injury case, it will need to be of significant enough value to warrant the time invested in settling with the insurance company. There is no threshold for this. The only way to know is to talk to us about your case.

What is the personal injury claims process?

Insurance adjusters may start calling you immediately after the accident in an attempt to get you to settle. They are aiming to save money for their employers. As desperate as you may feel your situation is, beware of these tactics. The extent of many injuries is not known until well after the accident and it will take time to evaluate these injuries. It's best not to say anything to the insurance company. Engage a personal injury lawyer, who will handle all communications and fight for your best interests.

A personal injury lawyer prepares for litigation in the knowledge that most insurance companies want to avoid that route if at all possible. Insurance company lawyers are often poorly equipped for trials and allowing a court to adjudicate may result in higher payouts and few insurance companies want to risk that. Lawsuits, therefore, rarely make it to trial. However, filing a lawsuit with the appropriate Washington State court and serving papers to the defendant is part of the process. This must be done in the county in which your accident occurred.

Your lawyer will carefully calculate your losses and gather evidence (medical, financial and otherwise) to support the claim. A demand package will be sent with your medical records to the insurance company. A response will usually be forthcoming with three to six months. Your lawyer may also file a lawsuit and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf from a position of strength. If a settlement is agreed, payment will be made by the insurance company directly to you within weeks. If no out-of-court settlement is possible, we will proceed to trial.

client smiling at papers that are being handed to him

How much are personal injury payouts in Washington state?

If you suffer injuries and losses due to the negligence of another party, you are entitled to claim for two types of damages:

Special damages, which are quantifiable financial losses including:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Repair and replacement of damaged property (e.g. a car or other vehicle)
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Loss of irreplaceable items

General damages, which is compensation for the non-economic aspects of an accident, such as:

Pain and suffering
Disability
Loss of quality of life
Disfigurement, etc.

Your potential payout will depend on many factors, including the quality of your legal representation. Experienced and skilled personal injury lawyers are better positioned to maximize claims. Your payout will depend greatly on whether the insurance company settles out of court, which is most common, or goes to trial and lets a jury decide.

How do I pay my medical bills?

Medical expenses can mount up very quickly. However, until your claim is resolved, don't expect to receive any money from the at-fault party's insurance company to cover the bills. If you have PIP coverage, it should cover your medical expenses regardless of fault in a car accident.

You could also be covered by your health insurance package. If neither of these applies to you, try reaching an agreement with your medical provider to arrange payment after your case is resolved.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Free Case Consultation Call Park Chenaur Injury Lawyers on the phone at Call Us Now: 253-INJURED

Is there a deadline to file a personal injury claim in Washington?

The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of your accident or injury in Washington State. This provides plenty of time to prepare but it is best to start as soon as possible while events are fresh in your mind and the minds of witnesses. The negotiation process can be time-consuming.

How long does the personal injury claims process take?

The length of time it takes for the personal injury claims process to be completed depends on:

Whether the initial insurance company offer is acceptable to you - if so, it may be settled within a few weeks (but the offer is often unacceptable)
Whether the insurance company settles for what you request - again, if this can be agreed without litigation, the process may be completed relatively quickly
If litigation is required - in which case it could take around 12 months for a jury to hear your case and decide
How much your case is worth - if it is under a certain value, civil arbitration may be used, which can complete the process in around six to eight months (but the outcome can be appealed and the case can still go to trial)

Do you need help with a personal injury claim in the Federal Way area?

Mounting medical bills from personal injury claims can cause severe financial difficulties for victims and their families, adding to the stress at this difficult time. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence of another party, contact Park Chenaur for a free initial consultation. If you can't make it into our office, we'll come to you.

Client Reviews

Highly recommend! I was in a car accident in November of 2023 and my insurance didn’t do much to help me so I contacted Park Chenaur Law to see if I can get someone that will help me out. Paty and Natalya were working on my case and were very helpful and communicative throughout the whole case. Thank you guys again for ...

Bri

I was in a car accident and tried to deal with the other insurance company on my own. The person I was dealing with was very aggressive and not easy to work with. She offered me a settlement that was very low and didn't include much for my medical expenses. I reached out to a law firm and was lucky to be connected with Nataly...

Max Terterov

Lola is a great person/paralegal to work with. She helped me with my case few years back and she did a fantastic job. I recommended my husband to Park Chenaur because of the great service I got from this firm.

Suze

Not only did the team (multiple people- very hands on!) get me the maximum insurance settlement for a car accident I was in, but they went above and beyond to stay engaged and work for me. They helped me find effective, compassionate chiro care, and were helpful in discussing case details along the way. I highly recommend Pau...

Arianna S.

I use this firm for the first time on 2012 and over the years I had an excellent experience but, I have to say is thanks to Lola. She goes above and beyond, twice I had cases that they couldn't help me with, but she always takes her time to talk (at least an hour), she listen and finally always comes with something to help, i...

James G.

Kimberly was so reliable, honest and helped me with integrity. I recommend to contact her to anyone who is looking for great help when you go through unexpected car accident. I was really frustrated when the accident was happened. Kimberly always took the time to answer any questions I might have, went throu...

Hye C.

This is my second time coming back to Park & Chenaur. I came back because Lola was an amazing Team member And unfortunately, she had gone to retirement. But reassured me that I would be Taken good care of and put in good hands with colleagues of Park & Chenaur Talia was one that I would communicate with more and I'm p...

B. Cruz

I’ve been incredibly pleased with the support and dedication from Komo Thiara and Marco Martinez as they work on my personal injury case. Even though my case is still ongoing, I’ve been impressed by their professionalism and commitment. Komo Thiara is attentive to every detail and has been proactive in keeping me ...

Jasmin T.

This is a great firm to work with. I’ve been working directly with Lola Serna and Mr. Kim. They’ve been working diligently on my case and keeping me up to speed each step along the way. Lola has been extremely communicative of the entire process. When I’ve mentioned to others that they are working on my case...

C. Rhzie

Lola and her team are incredible! Top notch law firm with a deep, rich knowledge of the system and how to best take care of their clients.

Preston D.

Gina Kim is a great attorney! She is very experienced and explained the process every step of the way. I was very pleased with the outcome of my case. I highly recommend her!!

Donna G.

After I had my auto collision, I reached out to Park Chenaur and Lola quickly reached out and immediately took my case. Since hiring the law firm, and working with Lola, I have been able to concentrate on my healing knowing that my claim is in good hands. Lola has been super responsive throughout this process which I apprecia...

Jacob L.

I have been so impressed with the level of care this group has provided in my auto accident case. Especially Lola, who on the first meeting made me feel at ease. She explained everything throughout the process and kept me informed every step of the way. The value of peice of mind is beyond anything I could have expected. I wo...

Trina P.

I got into a bad accident where I lost my car back in 2017, I was young, scared and anxious. I contacted Park Chenaur & Associates when I was offered $500 from the other driver’s car insurance…let’s just say that was a spit in the face compared to what I actually received thanks to their help. They took...

Chels

Park Chenaur Law Offices was great helping me navigate everything after a MVA in 2016. They were recommended to me several months after and I wish I had contacted them sooner!

They listened to my concerns, patiently explained next steps, figuratively held my hand through mediation, and helped calm me as I expressed my ...

인정

In the summer of 2022, I found myself in a stressful situation after a car accident. Despite it not being my fault, dealing with insurance was intimidating. A friend recommended Parks Chenaur & Associates LLP, and it turned out to be a lifesaver. They not only guided me through the insurance process but ...

Hyuna J.

I highly recommend Park Chenaur for assisting me with my case. I was involved in an accident and Lola made the process very easy for me and my family.

She was very understanding, she listened to all our concerns. I can't say thank you enough.

Kristy C.

I cannot thank Kimberly and her team enough. Between two accidents that were very complex, Kimberly and her team helped me get settlements for both. I couldn’t have gotten through this without her dedicated work. I highly recommend using Kimberly and her team - I will be recommending them to anyone I personally know. I ...

Morgan G.

Senior Manager Yoon and her team took care of my two traffic accident cases and achieved satisfying results. Highly recommend this legal group.

Minwoo L.

I would like to thank Park Chenaur Lawyers for helping my Son with his injury claim. Lola has been very helpful and supportive in this process. It’s good to know that my Son is being treated well and we appreciate all the help! The Hutchinson family.

Tamara H.

Kimberly Yoon helped me resolve my car accident. She helped me a lot during difficult times. She was very accurate in her work and always responded. I think she is the best.

Yunmi L.

Angel Chenaur & Rick Park are very good excellent lawyers because of unstoppable care and energy to win your case. They are a Team that are professional and asure a thorough understanding of the processes throughout the wait for the results of your claim. They've been my lawyers for my claims and &...

Linda C.

I appreciate the phone call back first of all. The case taken was two years old. Something was gotten out of it. Appreciated, but I will Never understand how 40 percent of $15,000 leaves me with $4,600 and No explanation good enough Can be given Even with the so called breakdown. Make it make sense. But still I appreciate eve...

Annaray H.

Paula Burger is wonderful! She is a person I go to when I know things will get done. Her communication skills are excellent and anyone who works with her can expect nothing but the best.

Annette T.

A Case Manager Gina Kim, she was always kind and considerate when my wife and I had a car accident. Usually people panic when they have a car accident. And there are many cases where we don't know how to handle it. After this traffic accident, my family has learned a lot about how important experienced lawyers and experienced...

Jay