Personal Injury Attorney in Vancouver

A personal injury lawyer specializes in tort law, a branch of law that focuses on civil wrongs. This area includes injuries caused through negligence, intentional acts, and the wrongful conduct of other individuals or entities. Your personal injury lawyer will have specialized knowledge and experience that will assist in reaching a positive result for your legal matter. For example, they will be familiar with legal theories and common defenses used in personal injury cases. They'll also be able to determine the types of damages available to you, such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, depending on the unique aspects of your case.

A personal injury lawyer should also be a pro, working with insurance companies and understanding the nuances of insurance policies. This is critical in negotiating a fair settlement. Here are some specific examples of what you can expect from your personal injury attorney in Vancouver, WA:

Evaluation of your Case - One of the first things your lawyer will do is review the facts, available evidence, and any medical records related to your case. The initial evaluation is for the purpose of determining the strength and validity of a legal proceeding.

Investigating the Case - After evaluating and accepting the case, your personal injury attorney will begin an investigation. This may include collecting evidence, reviewing police or incident reports, contacting and interviewing witnesses, and analyzing medical records, among other methods.

Offering Legal Advice - Explaining your legal rights and options is a crucial aspect of the lawyer-client relationship. With a better understanding of what's available, you can make an informed decision on how to proceed with the insurance company, how to handle medical bills, and other issues related to your legal concerns.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies - One of the most critical jobs of a personal injury is negotiating with an insurance company to get a beneficial result for their client. A skilled negotiator can influence whether your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages are sufficiently addressed.

Filing a Lawsuit - The next option is to pursue a lawsuit after a fair settlement could not be reached. It can help considerably to work with an attorney willing to take it to the next level if that's the only recourse to get fair compensation. When considering whether to team up with a personal injury attorney in Vancouver, WA, try to learn about their prior courtroom successes. Suppose they've never presented evidence to a jury, cross-examined witnesses, or argued before a judge. In that case, they may not be your best option, especially if yours is a high-value case. You can be confident in knowing that your Morgan and Morgan attorney will be willing and prepared for a courtroom battle.

Looking for legal help? Discover the wide range of legal issues Morgan and Morgan can assist with to help resolve yours successfully.

Morgan and Morgan have a wide variety of legal divisions that specialize in detailed areas of personal injury law. Here are a few of the more common legal matters we have helped resolve for clients in the Vancouver, Washington, area:

Motor Vehicle Accidents - One of the most familiar personal injury claims involves motor vehicle accidents caused by negligent drivers. In 2022, there were 2,312 reported crashes in Vancouver. 13 involved fatalities, and 55 involved suspected serious injury. If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident, we can help you understand your legal options, compile evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and take the next steps toward compensation if necessary.

Slip and Fall Accidents - Hazardous conditions on someone else's property cause a surprisingly high number of slip and fall accidents every year. Injured parties may be able to hold negligent property owners accountable for damages through a premises liability claim. Slip and fall claims are notoriously difficult because of the standard of evidence required. Morgan and Morgan are equipped to do the hard work to enable you to recover the compensation you deserve.

Medical Malpractice - Washington State insurers and medical providers closed 3,507 claims for medical malpractice between 2017 and 2021. Medical malpractice is a surprisingly common issue that warrants holding wrongdoers accountable. These types of claims may require access to expert medical witnesses, which Morgan and Morgan can provide through our vast network of professionals.  

Workplace Accidents - Although injured workers can't typically sue for workplace injuries, they may need help getting their workers' comp claim approved or may need help preparing for or appealing hearing decisions. You have the right to have your medical bills paid and should have access to wage benefits when you've been injured on the job.

Defective Products - Faulty and misrepresented products can do untold damage to unsuspecting consumers. Morgan and Morgan can help you understand the cause of the defect to hold the appropriate parties accountable. Businesses that are linked to a defective product are legally responsible for ensuring their products are reasonably safe. Failure to uphold this obligation can make them liable for any harm.

Dog Bites - Washington laws concerning dog bites are quite clear. Owners are liable to pay for the victim's damages regardless of whether the bite occurred on public or private property, even if the owner didn't know the dog was dangerous. The only exceptions are trespass or provocation. City and county laws could factor into your claim, though, so it makes sense to engage with a Morgan and Morgan attorney who will understand applicable laws.

Wrongful Death - When a loved one's death is caused by wrongful, negligent, or default actions of another person or entity, the surviving personal representative of the deceased can pursue damages sustained by their beneficiaries. Wrongful deaths don't necessarily include a criminal element. It's defined as an unnatural death resulting from an injury or accident. In Washington, parents and siblings may now file wrongful death cases, even if the deceased were an adult. Wrongful death damages can include economic loss as well as loss of love, relationships, and companionship. If you've lost a loved one, our compassionate lawyers can help you secure compensation.

Not seeing your specific legal concern? Check out this expansive list of our practice areas.

A deep-rooted knowledge of local laws is essential for any personal injury lawyer, as it can profoundly affect the decisions rendered in your case. Distinctly, your attorney must understand the specific laws that will shape your argument against the other party and influence your legal options. Here are just a few Washington state laws that personal injury attorneys must take into account depending on the legal issue at hand:

Statute of Limitations - The Washington statute of limitations will apply to all personal injury lawsuits. The law mandates that all personal injury lawsuits be filed within three years of the incident that precipitated the cause of action. This means you have three years to file from when your personal injury occurred. It's important to note that filing a claim through insurance and filing a lawsuit are very different things. The statute of limitations refers to legal actions through the court system. If the deadline passes, the law offers no recourse for compensation, regardless of evidence or admission of responsibility.

Comparative Negligence - Washington is a comparative negligence state, meaning that any damages you're awarded by a jury can be reduced proportionately to your degree of fault. Here is an example of how this works. Suppose you sue for $100,000 in damages and are awarded the full amount. However, the jury also finds that you are 20% at fault for the accident. In this instance, your award will be reduced by the same, leaving you with $80,000 instead of $100,000. Because of this law, it's critical to work with a personal injury attorney that can develop an argument that highlights the responsibility of the other party while downplaying your own.

Seat Belt Laws - Washington has mandatory seat belt laws which can impact a car accident case. For example, suppose you were severely injured by a negligent driver. However, you weren't wearing your seatbelt during the accident. In that case, the other party can argue that your injuries were made worse as a result. Most likely, they will have an expert medical witness to attest to this. It will be vital that you work with a law firm like Morgan and Morgan that also has access to professional medical witnesses that can offer an alternative opinion.

Medical Malpractice - The laws that govern Washington medical malpractice cases require injured parties to prove causation that links negligence to the subsequent injury. To prevail in a medical malpractice case, you'll be responsible for establishing the expected standard of care and skill level for the physician that harmed you. Additionally, you'll need to show how the doctor failed to meet the standard of care and how it's connected to your injury. Here again, you'll be up against an insurance company that will come armed with expert medical witnesses, so it's crucial to have equally convincing experts arguing your side. Morgan and Morgan maintain a strong network of professionals that can assist in tough medical malpractice claims.

Premises Liability - Injuries that occur on someone else's property do not automatically make the property owner liable. However, the Washington State Supreme Court recently expanded protection for injured parties by amending the depth of responsibility property owners have to anticipate and correct dangerous conditions that might lead to an accident. Previously, property owners could be held liable if they had knowledge of or should have known of a dangerous condition and failed to correct it. Now, premises liability plaintiffs only need to prove the danger was reasonably foreseeable. With Washington weather as it is, this effectively puts property owners on notice that slip and fall injuries due to wet, slippery floors can have expensive consequences.

If you've suffered a personal injury caused by negligence or other wrongdoings, the understanding team at Morgan and Morgan is here for help and guidance. Our law firm has been recovering justified compensation for individuals suffering harm and injury for nearly 35 years. In that time, we've witnessed the fallout clients and their families have to endure, such as the physical, emotional, and financial toll of substantial injury. We are here to help get your life moving forward again.

Don't wait any longer to take the first step toward a brighter future. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.