Personal injuries are distressing, not just physically, but emotionally and financially as well.
Fortunately, Washington law provides remedies for those who have been injured or wronged due to another’s negligence. However, the laws, while designed to protect, can be complex. An experienced Everett personal injury attorney from Wells Trumbull can be your compass, guiding you to fair compensation and ensuring your rights are upheld. Contact us at (360)435-1663 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Wells Trumbull?
The experienced Everett personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull have great compassion for injury victims and understand the ripple effects of an injury on the victim’s family, ability to earn a living, and daily routines.
By choosing a Washington personal injury attorney from Wells Trumbull, your case will have the following advantages:
- A team of attorneys from a law firm with a strong track record in Everett who’ve won millions of dollars in compensation for our injured clients
- An attorney who takes the time to get to know you and your family to fully understand the impacts of the injury on your daily life
- Experienced negotiators to craft a compelling case for your full compensation and negotiate from an evidence-backed position of strength with the insurance company for a settlement
- Powerful litigators who are more than ready to take your case in front of a judge if it’s necessary to secure your compensation in a jury verdict rather than a settlement.
Litigating the case in court may take longer than a settlement, but jury verdicts are often larger than settlements. The attorneys at Wells Trumbull have won millions of dollars in damages in courts in Snohomish County.
Meet Attorney Ben Wells
Ben Wells, a seasoned veteran in personal injury law, reflects on his journey from humble beginnings to being honored with the prestigious 2020 Trial Lawyer of the Year award by the Washington State Association of Justice. Stressing the importance of mentorship and self-reflection, he highlights the value of authenticity, building rapport with jurors, and unwavering dedication to clients. His goal is to impart these essential principles to aspiring legal practitioners. To schedule a complimentary consultation with Ben Wells, contact Wells Trumbull at (360) 435-1663.
“His hard work and dedication to my case resulted in an outcome that was better than I had expected.”
“Ben Wells represented me for a personal injury claim resulting from a car accident. The accident happened when a road construction crew member tried to cross the road in front of my car. The construction company disputed that my injuries were caused by the collision, and disputed that my injuries were permanent. The case went all the way to a jury trial. Before the trial began, the insurance company had offered me $135,000 to settle my claim. Once trial was underway, they offered $150,000. Ben worked hard to learn the story of my case, and during trial always presented my case truthfully. Ben obtained a jury verdict for almost $940,000. I would highly recommend Ben Wells. His hard work and dedication to my case resulted in an outcome that was better than I had expected.”
Meet Attorney Joshua Trumbull
Joshua Trumbull, a seasoned personal injury lawyer, offers a breadth of knowledge acquired from varied industry backgrounds. His skill lies in synthesizing insights from different domains to tackle intricate problems in a nurturing setting. Joshua emphasizes the importance of building genuine connections, understanding their impact on both personal and professional domains. To arrange a complimentary consultation with Joshua Trumbull, reach out to Wells Trumbull at (360) 435-1663 today.
“They will go above, and beyond for their clients.”
“Highly recommend Wells/Trumbull law group! They will go above, and beyond for their clients. Great people, with a true drive to support you in your time of need. Local, Reliable, and Fair.”
Successful Case Result:
The Everett personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull have years of experience successfully handling a variety of personal injury cases. Our team of personal injury lawyers have received large settlements and recovered compensation for clients who have suffered from a severe accident injuries. Some notable case results include:
- $3 Million Settlement: In November 2022, a jury in Snohomish County delivered a verdict in favor of our client, a woman who sustained injuries from slipping and falling while working at a nursing home. Her injuries primarily affected her low back and hip, causing significant pain. Despite the insurance company’s highest offer of $600,000, we opted to proceed to trial. Ultimately, the jury awarded our client $3 million for her damages.
Everett Personal Injury Resources and Quick Links
- Understanding Personal Injuries
- How Does a Personal Injury Case Work?
- How to Prove a Personal Injury Case in Everett
- Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Everett
- How an Everett Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
- FAQ About Personal Injuries
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Everett Today
Understanding Personal Injuries
In simple terms, a personal injury refers to an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, typically due to the negligence or carelessness of another individual or entity. Common personal injury cases that we at Wells Trumbull handle involve:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Burn Injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Construction Accidents
In Washington, victims of personal injuries have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (RCW 4.16.080). If you miss this deadline, you risk losing your right to compensation. Because of this, time is of the essence. If you have lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, please feel free to reach out to an experienced Everett wrongful death attorney to obtain the justice you and your family deserve.
In addition, Washington follows a “pure comparative fault” rule (RCW 4.22.005). This means if you are partially at fault for your injuries, though you can still recover some damages, your compensation might be reduced by your percentage of fault. It is therefore important that you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Everett who can ensure that fault for the accident is assigned fairly.
Unless you’ve been through the process or know someone who has, you will likely know much about personal injury cases and how they work. Like all legal proceedings, they can be a long and complicated process that can add a lot of stress to someone’s life at a time when they may already be experiencing pain and suffering due to injuries.
Enlisting a personal injury lawyer can be one of the most effective ways of ensuring your case is taken care of. Using knowledge and experience of personal injury law, a dedicated lawyer will be able to handle the claim on your behalf to make the process as smooth as possible for you and your loved ones.
How Does a Personal injury Case Work?
Arrange a Consultation
A consultation with a personal injury lawyer is the first step towards figuring out if you have a claim. During the consultation, you will provide details of the accident and any supporting documentation you might have to help build a picture of what happened, who was responsible, and the impact it has had on you.
While you might have to answer a lot of questions at this stage, this is also a good opportunity for you to find out more about the process and ask your own questions. This can make you feel more confident about your case and give you the reassurance you need to proceed.
At Wells Trumbull, we provide our initial client consultations free of charge. We will advise if you have grounds for a claim, and help you progress your case from there. Getting in touch is an important first step, and you’ll receive nothing but friendly and professional service from us to help you feel at ease throughout the entire process.
File the Required Documents
If you decide to proceed with your case, your lawyer will be able to file the necessary court documents on your behalf. The defendant will have to respond to the complaint, which will determine the rest of the procedure.
Undertake the Discovery Process
Each party will take time to exchange evidence as part of the discovery process. This gives both sides the chance to explore what has happened and can involve interviews with those involved, and with an accident and medical experts.
Motions and Hearings
Before a trial takes place, motions may be carried out to help gather further evidence to help resolve the case without it having to go to a full trial. A lack of evidence, for example, could lead to a motion to have the case thrown out.
This stage can also lead to a motion for a summary judgment to be filed, which could lead the judge to settle the case without it resulting in a trial.
Negotiations for Settlement
A settlement is usually referred to as a trial for personal injury cases. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf, and you may be provided with a settlement figure from the defendant. A mediator may be brought in at this stage to help oversee the negotiation process.
Trial
While the majority of personal injury claims will be resolved at the settlement stage, some parties may be unable to reach a settlement and the request goes to trial. The verdict will then be decided by a jury.
The majority of personal injury cases are straightforward, so if the thought of going to trial is stopping you from making a claim, don’t let it. Most cases are settled at an early stage, allowing you to receive your compensation without having to attend court.
Decision and Settlement
If the case is settled or judged in your favor, your lawyer will then oversee the recovery of your settlement and help ensure you’re paid what you’re owed.
Potential Appeals
In the event that your case is unsuccessful, your lawyer may be able to lodge an appeal to have the case re-examined. If the defendant appeals, your lawyer will be able to assist you with defending your case.
How to Prove a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Washington
A successful personal injury case requires an investigation of the circumstances of the injury to document evidence of the at-fault party’s liability. Proving liability in a Washington personal injury claim requires proving the following legal points of liability:
- The party at fault owed a duty of care to take reasonable measures to prevent injury to others, such as a driver’s duty to follow traffic laws or a dog owner’s duty to prevent their dog from biting
- The at-fault party breached this duty by acting negligently, recklessly, or with intentional wrongdoing
- The breach of duty directly caused an injury
- The injury victim suffered significant damages from the injury, including economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering
In most cases, your attorney’s evidence sent in a demand package to the liable party’s insurance company is enough to obtain a settlement offer. The Everett personal injury lawyers at Wells Trumbull are skilled negotiators to maximize your chances of recovering an ample settlement for your damages.
Steps to Take After an Accident That Caused Your Injuries
If you’ve been suddenly injured in a painful accident, it can be difficult to keep a clear head. In cases of severe injury, you may be incapacitated and unable to do anything except wait for help. However, if you can use your cell phone, or hand it to a loved one to use for you, it becomes a critical tool to protect yourself physically and financially. Take the following steps after a preventable injury caused by someone else’s actions:
- First, call 911 and ask for emergency services and the police if you were injured in a car accident or by a violent crime
- Take photos of anything relevant to the injury, like a loose handrail on hotel stairs or the damaged vehicles in a car accident
- Take photos of your visible injuries
- Add the contact information of anyone involved and any eyewitnesses
- Record a statement of what you remember about the accident in case the trauma fades your memory later
You should always go to the hospital immediately after sustaining an injury. Ask the doctor for a complete medical exam and tell them about every symptom, even if it’s mild. Obtain a copy of your medical report and call the attorneys at Wells Trumbull to discuss your Washington personal injury case in a free consultation.
How an Everett Personal Injury Attorney Can Make a Difference
Knowledge of the Law: The legal system can be complicated for those not schooled in the law. Having someone who knows the ins and outs can help you present your case in the best light. An experienced Everett personal injury lawyer knows which laws apply, how to interpret them, and how to strategize based on local and state law and legal precedents.
Navigating Liability and Damages: Determining liability is critical to the success of any personal injury claim. An experienced personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the incident, review your medical records, and consult with experts to establish negligence. Once liability has been determined, your attorney will pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf, factoring in all of your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Negotiating with the Liable Insurance Companies: Insurance companies have one primary goal – to pay as little as possible for your injury claim. But when you are represented by a seasoned personal injury attorney in Everett, you have someone who can negotiate on your behalf, and ensure you get a fair deal. In addition, having an attorney allows you to focus on your physical recovery with peace of mind, knowing that an experienced legal professional is diligently working on your behalf.
FAQS About Personal Injury Lawsuit
It’s natural to have questions about personal injury lawsuits. There is a lot of information out there that can be confusing and could even prevent you from making a claim. Take a look at our frequently asked questions to learn more about personal injury lawsuits.
Who Can File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you’ve been in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may be able to make a personal injury lawsuit. The first step is to approach a personal injury lawyer so that they can assess the details of your case and decide if it’s worth pursuing.
You have up to three years after an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. You may have longer if the injuries develop later. Our lawyers will be able to advise you on your case to determine if it has the grounds to go ahead.
What Sort of Costs Can I Recover?
‘How much is my claim worth?’ is a common question that clients ask, and the answer varies depending on the details of your case. Some of the costs you could claim include:
- Medical expenses and related costs including medication and treatments.
- Loss of earnings due to being unable to work because of the injuries sustained.
- Damages for pain and suffering.
- Damages for permanent or life-changing injuries.
- Damages for emotional pain caused by the accident and its consequences.
An exact figure will be calculated by your personal injury lawyer based on all of the information you provide.
What is the Benefit of Using a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Using a lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases means you get the expertise and experience of a lawyer who understands how personal injury lawsuits work. If your lawsuit has grounds to go ahead, Wells Trumbull will be able to take care of all of the hard work for you, completing paperwork and ensuring all the necessary steps are followed.
When you’ve had an accident and are dealing with your recovery, having a personal injury lawyer can save you a lot of stress and ensure that things are taken care of. Your focus should be on getting better, so we’ll do what we can to make that happen.
How Do I Make a Claim?
The first step towards making a claim is by contacting us today. You can call Wells Trumbull on 360-435-1663 for a free case evaluation or contact us by email, mail, or our online contact form. We’ll be able to discuss the details of your claim and decide if you have grounds to move forward with your lawsuit. If you decide to proceed, we will work on the claim on your behalf.
What Happens if My Claim is Unsuccessful?
If your claim is unsuccessful, there may be grounds to appeal your case. We specialize in appeals and have helped many clients successfully receive compensation following an appeal.
When we take on a case, we’re confident it has grounds for a settlement. This is why we’ll only recover fees for your case if it is successful. If you have questions about our fees, please get in touch, and we’ll be happy to discuss these with you.
Contact the Everett Personal Injury Lawyers at Wells Trumbull for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a personal injury in Everett, knowing your rights and legal options is crucial. A skilled and experienced Everett personal injury attorney can demystify the legal intricacies for you, ensuring that you are well-informed and well-represented every step of the way. Seeking counsel promptly can significantly enhance your prospects of securing the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.
Contact Wells Trumbull today for a free consultation. We are here to help. Do not face this journey alone. Reach out and let us be your guiding hand.