Hurt because someone else was careless? You shouldn’t have to pay for their mistake. Rich Martin is a Seattle personal injury lawyer with 28 years of experience and more than 2,000 injury cases. Our Bellevue office is about 11 miles from downtown Seattle. When you call, you talk to Rich.
Seattle: local facts
- County
- King County
- Court
- King County Superior Court, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle (crashes in the Seattle case area)
- Major roads
- I-5, I-90, SR 520, SR 99 (Aurora Avenue North), Mercer Street
- Hospitals
- Harborview Medical Center (Level I trauma center for adults and children)
- Population
- 823,400 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Bellevue office is about 11 miles away (about 17 minutes without traffic).
How we help people hurt in Seattle
After an injury, you have enough to deal with. Doctor visits. Missed work. Bills. We take the rest off your plate.
- We deal with the insurance company. You don’t have to take their calls.
- We gather the proof. Police reports, video, witness statements, and medical records.
- We add up everything you lost. Not just today’s bills, but the care you’ll need later.
- We push for a fair result. If the insurer won’t be fair, we’re ready for court.
Injuries on Seattle streets, sidewalks, and buses
Seattle is a busy city. In 2025, 30 people were killed and 221 were seriously hurt in traffic crashes here, according to city data reported by KUOW. Most of those killed were people walking.
We help with every kind of injury case. These are the most common in Seattle.
- Car crashes on I-5, I-90, SR 520, and Aurora Avenue. See our Seattle car accident lawyer page.
- People hit while walking. Crosswalks, parking lots, and bus stops. Read about pedestrian accidents and jaywalking rules in Washington.
- Bike crashes, including car doors opened into bike lanes. See bicycle accidents and stop-sign rules for cyclists.
- Motorcycle crashes. Riders often get blamed unfairly. See motorcycle accidents.
- Truck and delivery van crashes. Trucking companies have their own lawyers on day one. See truck accidents.
- Uber, Lyft, and bus crashes. Several policies may cover you. See rideshare accidents.
- Slips and falls on wet floors, icy steps, and broken sidewalks. Read what to do after a slip and fall.
- Wrongful death. When a careless act takes a life, the family can bring a claim. See wrongful death and who can file.
What to do after you’re hurt in Seattle
What you do in the first few days can make or break a claim. Here’s a simple plan.
- Get medical care right away. Tell the doctor exactly how you got hurt.
- Report it. Call 911 after a crash. After a fall, tell the store or landlord and ask for a copy of the report.
- Take photos. The scene, the hazard, your injuries, and any damage.
- Keep everything. Bills, receipts, pay stubs, and the shoes or clothes you wore.
- Write it down. What happened, who saw it, and how you feel each day.
- Call a lawyer before you talk to the other side’s insurer.
Seattle is working to make streets safer through its Vision Zero plan. Until then, crashes and falls still happen every day, and the law gives you a way to recover.
Where a Seattle injury case goes
Most cases settle without a lawsuit. But if yours goes to court, it matters who caused the injury.
| Who caused the injury | Where the claim goes | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| A driver, store, landlord, or company | King County Superior Court, usually the King County Courthouse at 516 Third Avenue | King County LCR 82 |
| The City of Seattle or King County (a city road, a Metro bus) | A claim form first. Then a 60-day wait before you can sue | RCW 4.96.020 |
| A Washington state agency or state highway | A claim with the state’s Office of Risk Management. Then a 60-day wait | RCW 4.92.110 |
What a Seattle personal injury claim can cover
Washington law lets you recover money for what you lost. Here’s what that usually includes.
| Money you can count | Harm that’s harder to count |
|---|---|
| Hospital, doctor, and therapy bills | Pain |
| Care you’ll need in the future | Stress, fear, and lost sleep |
| Lost pay and lost earning power | Things you can’t do anymore |
| Car repairs and other property | Scars and disability |
The most serious injuries in Seattle are often treated at Harborview Medical Center, the only Level I trauma center in Washington for both adults and children. Long hospital stays and rehab are part of what a claim should cover.
How much is your case worth? It depends on your injuries, the proof of fault, and the insurance available. We won’t guess before we see your records. You can see our past results, read about typical settlements, or learn about spinal cord injury claims and brain injury claims.
Washington rules that can help or hurt your case
Three years to file
Most injury claims must be filed within three years (RCW 4.16.080). Claims against a city, county, or the state have extra steps that start sooner. Read more about filing deadlines.
Shared fault doesn’t end your case
If you were partly to blame, you can still recover. Your payment just goes down by your share (RCW 4.22.005). The insurer will try to raise your share. We use the evidence to keep it fair. Read about fault in Washington car accidents.
Your own insurance can help now
After a car crash, your PIP coverage pays medical bills first, no matter who was at fault (RCW 48.22.085). If the other driver has too little insurance, your UIM coverage may pay the rest (RCW 48.22.030).
Talk to us before you give the other side a recorded statement. What you say can be used to pay you less.
What a Seattle personal injury lawyer costs
Nothing up front. No Win, No Fee. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
The first call is free. There’s no obligation. If we can’t help, we’ll tell you.
Why Seattle clients call Rich Martin
- One lawyer, start to finish. Rich handles your case himself.
- Trial-ready. More than 30 jury trials. Insurers know he’ll go to court.
- Proven results. Including a $9.25 million settlement for a cyclist with a spinal injury.
- Close to Seattle. About 17 minutes from downtown without traffic. Our Tacoma office serves the South Sound.
Meet Rich Martin, read client reviews, or browse our injury law blog.
Talk to a Seattle personal injury lawyer today
Evidence fades fast. Video gets erased and witnesses forget. Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message for a free case review. You’ll talk to a lawyer, not a call center.
Your attorney: Rich Martin
28 years. More than 2,000 injury cases. More than 30 jury trials. When you call, you talk to Rich, and he handles your case himself.
About Rich Martin →Injury cases we handle in Seattle
Car Accidents
Rear-ended on I-405 or hit at a light? We take over the calls with the insurance company.
Truck Accidents
Trucking companies call their lawyers the same day. We start working on your case just as fast.
Motorcycle Accidents
Insurers often assume the rider was speeding. We find the proof of what really happened.
Pedestrian Accidents
Hit in a crosswalk or a parking lot? These injuries are serious. So is the way we handle them.
Bicycle Accidents
Hit by a car or a car door? We know Washington's bike laws and use them for you.
Uber & Lyft Accidents
Several insurance policies may cover you. We find every one of them.
Wrongful Death
Lost someone you love? We hold the people responsible to account, so your family doesn't have to.
Slip & Fall
Fell because a store or landlord ignored a hazard? They may owe you for your injuries.
Questions about Seattle injury cases
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. No hourly bills. No retainer. If we don't win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
How do I know if I have a personal injury case in Seattle?
If someone else's carelessness hurt you and you have medical bills, lost pay, or pain, you may have a case. A free call is the fastest way to find out.
How long does a personal injury case take?
Small cases can settle in a few months. Serious injuries take longer, because we wait until doctors know your full recovery.
Do I have to go to court?
Probably not. Most cases settle. If yours doesn't, it's usually heard at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle.
Can I still get paid if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Washington lets you recover even if you share the blame. Your payment goes down by your share (RCW 4.22.005).
Do you have an office in Seattle?
Our offices are in Bellevue and Tacoma. The Bellevue office is about 11 miles from downtown Seattle, about 17 minutes without traffic.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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