It occurs in an instant. One minute you’re driving home from work on South Hill or merging onto I-90, and suddenly you’re dealing with a world turned sideways. The crunching metal, the smell of airbags, the consequent pain; it is a disorganized and frightening ordeal.
The aftereffects of an automobile accident are overwhelming, and the pressure builds from increasing medical costs and days away from work. Your car may also be destroyed beyond repair. To make things worse, an insurance representative starts trying to call you. This person will probably be attempting to trick you into saying something untrue during a recorded conversation.
You are not alone in this.
At Russell & Hill Law Firm, we are more than just file pushers. We are fighters. As an experienced traffic accident law firm, we understand that each police report number represents a life that has been turned upside down. The insurance companies are multi-billion-dollar corporations with one purpose in mind: protecting their bottom line by giving you as little money as possible. We will stop this.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in Spokane or the Eastern Washington area, call us today. We’ll carry the burden of the legal process so that you can do what matters most to you, like your recovery.
Many victims of an accident believe that the insurance company will do the right thing. The culture of the insurance industry is primarily based on the concepts of Deny, Delay, and Defend.
Adjusters are carefully trained to spot inconsistencies in your treatment, question the extent of your pain, and blame you for the accident. While they may present a quick settlement, or a “nuisance value” payment, many times they will only offer something like $2,000 to get you to settle, when you may actually need $50,000 at a later date. Working with a skilled car accident lawyer in Spokane ensures you don’t have to suffer the consequences of these schemes alone. These are facts that you probably don’t know:
“The average claims payments are 3.5 times higher in the case of those who hired a car accident lawyer attorney compared to those who did not.”
— Source: Insurance Research Council (IRC), “Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims”
We don’t merely profess to be tough; it’s as much a confirmation in the legal profession that we are tough. Since our law firm has a strong reputation in Spokane and Washington State in particular, it leaves no choice but to treat you fairly with your insurance claim.
Our head lawyer, Shaun Huppert, was a defense lawyer for car accidents claims in the insurance sector. Having been on the inside, he knows exactly how the insurance industry operates. He has a very good understanding of how claims adjusters handle claims, what computer program they are using (which can be Colossus), and what data they need to get a higher settlement for a claimant.
Russell & Hill is one of the select few law firms that have been rated positively by A.M. Best, the most prestigious global source of information regarding insurance. It is indeed a great honor and recognition of our expertise in insurance law, which is incredibly beneficial for us in ensuring that your concerns with insurance companies are adequately addressed.
Our auto car accident lawyers receive a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo, which is the leading independent rating service within the legal community. The perfect rating is achieved through many years of clean or disciplined behavior, peer ratings, and winning cases..
This case also highlights the relevance of our insurance defense knowledge to the case.
The Scenario: A client of Spokane Valley was struck from behind while waiting at a red light. There was some damage to the bumper of the vehicle, but his back was seriously injured, requiring surgery due to a herniated disc.
The Insurance Trap: The insurance adjustor’s defense is based on a commonly used argument called “Low Impact.” They say that because no serious damage occurred to the car, it’s impossible that any injury occurred to the client. Consequently, they made a settlement offer in the amount of $3,500 to the client.
The Russell & Hill Difference: We have the advantage of having been trained in the field of insurance defense, which allows us to see through the “low-impact” defense as a mere legal strategy and not a medical fact.
The infrastructure in Spokane is unable to keep pace with the growing population. We not only know the law; we know the roads on which these accidents are occurring. We train our inspectors to sense any irregularities on our arterials.
Winter Weather Hazards: The very first hazard that can be witnessed in the winter season every year is the increase in the number of accidents. Motorists aren’t factoring in the black ice that is on the Monroe Street Bridge and the South Hill.
Note: When the condition of the roads is icy, and the other car ends up hitting you, their first reaction is always to blame the weather. We know how you can prove that the other car was “speeding for the conditions,” which puts the blame squarely on their shoulders for the harm you suffered.
A variety of car accidents occur across Eastern Washington. These include:
Even though Spokane follows extremely stringent E-DUI legislation, the main cause of car accidents there is still “drivers and pedestrians being distracted.” The driver’s distraction is usually referred to as texting, but there is more to driver distraction than texting. Eating, looking at your GPS, or just getting back at your kids, among many other things, can also refer to driver distractions. For instance, if a driver looks away from the road for five seconds while traveling at 55 mph, then the driver has traversed a whole football field without looking at the things on the road. The records from the driver’s cell phone will evidence whether his eyes were on the road.
We also do not tolerate drivers driving while intoxicated. But an increase in cases of driving while high from the use of marijuana has also been emerging. It would also be difficult to prove that one was under the influence of THC. This is especially the case considering the 5 ng level and the time that passed from the time of the test to the time of driving. Additionally, Spokane car accident lawyers also scrutinize toxicology screens as well as field sobriety tests.
Tailgating occurs very commonly on I-90. Following another car too closely deprives a driver of the time needed to come to a stop. We also represent cases of road rage and weaving in and out of traffic.
These are what are commonly referred to as the “T-Bone” accidents. They occur at a 4-way stop intersection or when making a left turn at a green light without watching for oncoming traffic. These types of side-impact collisions are especially hazardous, as there is less surrounding motor structure to save you.
What happens if you were riding in the car that caused the crash? This is a common scenario, and it puts victims in an awkward spot. You might be injured, but the at-fault driver is your friend, your neighbor, or a family member. You don’t want to sue them and ruin their life.
The truth is this: You’re actually suing your friend’s insurance company. This is why having the absolute best car accident lawyer Spokane has to offer is crucial, so that this claim is pursued the right way. This is precisely why they pay premiums, among other reasons. At the end of the day, you should never have to pay out thousands of dollars’ worth of medical bills out of fear that you’re going to tick off your friend. Our team of Spokane Washington car accident lawyers works closely with a client in the diplomatic handling of each claim to ensure that all bills are processed professionally, and no issues arise between you and your loved ones as a result of this process.
The amount of energy generated during car accidents is tremendous and far beyond what the human body was designed to handle. Medical professionals help us determine the extent of your injuries.
The range of severity of TBI is vast, from a mild concussion to severe mental impairments. Traumatic brain injury can happen after a direct hit to the head or when the brain collides with the skull due to the impact of the accident (coup-contrecoup injury). Symptoms such as memory problems, personality disorders, and tension headaches do not always manifest.
Spinal Cord & Back Injuries
We typically view injuries to the chest where seat belts break the bones in the chest area, the air bag breaks the breastbone, and then fractures in the hips/legs.
Warning: Your adrenaline is probably spiking right now following a crash. You may not realize that you are suffering from pain in your spleen injury or internal bleeding. This is why you should go to the hospital right away. You know well these “Silent killers” can be deadly if not treated right away.
In some instances, the tragedy can be not only an injury but the loss of a loved one. If your husband, son, daughter, or father was killed in a car accident, no amount of money can bring them back. We understand that completing legal paperwork is the last thing you want to do when your emotions are filled with sorrow.
However, the state of Washington has laws that allow the family members to seek justice in the form of a Wrongful Death claim. This does not pertain to exploiting the tragedy but rather to the future financial security that the family has to look forward to. We battle to recover:
Our personal injury lawyers are sensitive to these cases and deal with them with utmost compassion for you and utmost aggressiveness towards the insurance company of the negligent party.
No two accidents are the same. We don’t use a “calculator.” We use economists and life-care planners to determine what this accident will cost you over your lifetime.
| Economic Damages (Financial Losses) | Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life) |
| Past Medical Bills: Ambulance, ER, Surgery, X-Rays. | Pain & Suffering: Physical agony and chronic discomfort. |
| Future Medical Costs: Physiotherapy, future surgery, and medications. | Mental Anguish: Lack of self-control over anger, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and fear of driving. |
| Lost Wages: Pay lost during the recovery period. | Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to hike, ski, bike, or play with kids. |
| Lost Earning Capacity: In case you are unable to work in the same employment. | Loss of Consortium: The effect of injuries on your marital connection with your husband or wife. |
| Property Damage: Repairs, rental cars, and diminished value. | Disfigurement: Damages for scarring that is permanent. |
Even if the repairs are done flawlessly on your car, you will still have an accident history on your vehicle, which can depreciate its value. We strive to obtain that value.
Here’s some legal advice for car accident that you need to know about the Washington legal framework:
Many victims don’t call auto attorneys because they think they might be partially to blame. Do not let this stop you. Washington follows the Pure Comparative Negligence rule.
The Math: If a jury decides you were 20% at fault for the crash and the other driver was 80% at fault, and your damages are $100,000, you are still entitled to receive $80,000. We fight to minimize your percentage of fault to maximize your payout.
Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to meet this deadline, your case will be closed. EXCEPT in one significant circumstance, explained below:
If you are hit by a government car, such as a City of Spokane car, police cruiser, or STA bus, you only have a very, very short period of time-60 days in which to file a valid Tort Claim Form. Don’t wait.
The following might be the timeline in the car accident lawsuit:
If there is an accident, this is what to do:
While your health is the priority, we know that not having a car is a massive headache. How do you get to work? How do you pick up the kids?
While many advocates only want to talk about the injury, our experienced car accident lawyer defense team in Spokane at Russell & Hill Law Firm also helps you navigate the property damage mess, too.
Why You Need the Best Auto Injury Attorney Near Me: We handle everything about communication. Every document will be reviewed thoroughly by our professionals to avoid such predatory methods.
Each type of vehicle accident below has its own distinct set of guidelines and laws.
The rideshare accident can be complicated when it comes to liability. Liability will depend on what “stage” of the application the rideshare driver is in at the time of the accident. Is the rideshare driver waiting for the passenger? Is the rideshare driver picking up the passenger? Is the rideshare driver transporting the passenger? We know how to file a claim to get insurance coverage for one million dollars through Uber or Lyft.
Even in a hit-and-run accident, there are ways of being compensated. In addition to filing a claim with your automobile insurance company, we can help submit your claim for damages under your own Uninsured Motorist (UIM) insurance policy. Your rates generally should not go up for a not-at-fault accident.
Crashes involving semis or commercial delivery trucks involve Federal (FMCSA) regulations. We will analyze all documentation maintained by the truck driver or the trucking company, including but not limited to their records of vehicle maintenance, shipping manifests, and logs.
Walking and biking are excellent Spokane experiences, especially around the Riverfront Park area, the Centennial Trail area, and the University District area; however, these areas are also where the problem of pedestrian and bicyclist safety is arising.
In every car accident involving a pedestrian or a bicyclist, such an incident automatically ends in death. The reasons offered by the car drivers that the pedestrian “darted out” in front of the car without giving them any time, as well as the bicyclist not being visible, are the factors that one would expect.
The days following a car accident are dark and confusing. But you don’t have to walk this path alone. When you work with a trusted car accident lawyer Spokane, WA, you gain an advocate who understands the legal system, the insurance tactics, and the challenges you’re facing. At Russell & Hill Law Firm, we have the experience, resources, and determination to ensure justice is served for those who deserve it.
We will assist you with fixing your car, settling your medical expenses, and securing your financial future.
Take the first step towards justice.
Contact us today at (800) 529-0842 or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation.
It costs you nothing out of pocket. We work on a contingency fee. We pay for the investigators, the medical records, and the filing fees. We only get paid a percentage of the settlement we win for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Yes. “Minor” pain often becomes chronic pain in a couple of days. Then, if you wait to go to the doctor, it will work against you when the insurance company says, “You’re just trying to blame the system, and we know you injured yourself somewhere else, since obviously, no one was hurt in the accident.”
Yes. You used a benefit that you earned. You are entitled to be reimbursed for the sick leave or vacation time you were forced to burn due to the accident.
This is common. We will look to your own UIM policy coverage. We can also investigate if other parties (like the city for a dangerous road design, or a bar for over-serving a drunk driver) might be liable.
Thank you so very much for all your hard work on my accident claim. Sara Baca was amazing and so helpful. The whole office staff was always helpful in helping me, they where always positive and encouraging, especially when insurance companies tried to not pay there part. I cannot thank you enough, Russell and Hill Law Firm and everyone on the Office staff, Thank you so much.
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If you would like more information or would like to talk to us about how we could help you.
Have questions or need personalized legal assistance? Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll discuss how we can support you every step of the way.
9212 E Montgomery Ave Suite 401-5, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
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