A car crash can turn your life upside down in a few seconds. Medical bills pile up. You miss work. And the insurance company starts calling. Rich Martin is a Washington car accident lawyer who has handled more than 2,000 injury cases in 28 years. He works from offices in Bellevue and Tacoma and helps people across King, Pierce, and Snohomish County.
This page explains how car accident claims work in Washington. Pick your city below for local details, like which court hears cases there.
Washington car crashes by the numbers
Washington roads are getting a little safer. But hundreds of families still lose someone every year, and thousands more are hurt.
People killed in traffic crashes in Washington
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reports 659 traffic deaths in 2025. That’s down from 809 in 2023, the highest count in 33 years. Each of those numbers is a person with a family.
Car crashes we handle
We handle every kind of car crash. These are some of the most common.
- Rear-end crashes. The driver behind is usually at fault, but not always. Read about rear-end collisions.
- T-bone crashes. A driver runs a light or turns across traffic. See our T-bone crash guide.
- Head-on crashes. Often on two-lane roads. These cause some of the worst injuries. Read about head-on crashes.
- Hit-and-run and uninsured drivers. Your own policy may pay. Read what to do when the other driver has no insurance.
- Drunk and drugged drivers. These cases can bring extra claims. See why a DUI crash is different.
- Merging and lane-change crashes. Busy highways see a lot of these. Read about merging lane crashes.
- Parking lot crashes. They seem minor. But we won an $850,000 jury verdict in one.
- Night crashes. Dark, wet roads make crashes more likely. Read about crashes at night.
Was a truck, motorcycle, bike, or rideshare car involved? Those cases have their own rules. See our pages on truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and Uber and Lyft accidents.
Washington car accident law in plain words
You don’t need to know the law. That’s our job. But a few rules shape every Washington case, so here they are.
You can be partly at fault and still get paid
Washington uses a rule called pure comparative fault (RCW 4.22.005). If you were partly to blame, your payment goes down by your share. It doesn’t go to zero.
What you can still get from $100,000 in losses
That’s why insurance companies argue so hard about fault. Every percent they put on you saves them money. We push back with the evidence.
Deadlines are strict
| Who caused the crash | What you must do | Law |
|---|---|---|
| A driver, person, or company | File a lawsuit within 3 years of the crash (or settle before then) | RCW 4.16.080 |
| A city, county, or other local agency | File a claim form first. Then wait 60 days before you can sue | RCW 4.96.020 |
| The State of Washington | File a claim with the state’s Office of Risk Management. Then wait 60 days | RCW 4.92.110 |
Don’t wait until the deadline is close. Camera video and phone records disappear long before then.
Which insurance pays, and when
Washington is a fault state. The driver who caused the crash pays in the end. But their insurer usually pays only when the case settles. Until then, your own coverage helps.
- Your PIP pays first. It covers medical bills no matter who caused the crash (RCW 48.22.085).
- Your health insurance may cover what PIP doesn’t.
- The other driver’s insurance pays at the end. Washington requires drivers to carry it (RCW 46.30.020).
- Your UIM pays if theirs isn’t enough, or if they had none (RCW 48.22.030).
Kids in the car? Insurers often pay to replace a car seat after a crash. Read about replacing a car seat after an accident. And see who pays your car accident claim in Washington, or the Insurance Commissioner’s auto insurance guide.
What to do in the first 72 hours
- Get medical care. Go today, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline hides pain.
- Report the crash. Call police from the scene. Get the report number.
- Save proof. Photos, names, phone numbers, and the other driver’s insurance.
- Tell your own insurer. Your policy requires it, and PIP needs a claim number.
- Say less to their insurer. Don’t give a recorded statement. Don’t sign anything.
- Stay off social media. Posts about the crash can be used against you.
Neck or back pain that starts a day or two later is common. Read about delayed neck pain and back pain after a crash.
Common injuries from car crashes
Some injuries are easy to see. Others take days to show up. These are some of the most common in Washington car accident cases.
- Whiplash and neck strain. The most common crash injury. See delayed neck pain.
- Back and disc injuries. A herniated disc can mean months of therapy or surgery. Read about herniated discs after a crash.
- Concussions and brain injuries. You don’t have to hit your head to hurt your brain. Read about brain injuries from car crashes.
- Broken bones, especially wrists, ribs, legs, and hips.
- Stress and fear after the crash. It’s real, and it can be part of your claim. See PTSD after a car accident.
Tell your doctor about every symptom, even small ones. Your medical records are the backbone of your claim.
What your car accident case may be worth
There’s no formula. The value depends on how badly you were hurt, how clear the fault is, and how much insurance there is. We look at all three.
- Medical costs: ER visits, surgery, therapy, and care you’ll need later.
- Lost income: missed work now, and less earning power in the future.
- Pain and suffering: the pain, stress, and lost joy that bills don’t show.
- Property: your car, a rental, and things inside the car.
See the damages you can recover and how long settlements take.
Handling it yourself vs. hiring a lawyer
Some small claims don’t need a lawyer. If you were hurt, here’s what changes when you hire a Washington car accident lawyer.
| On your own | With R Martin Law Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance calls | You take every call | We take them for you |
| Evidence | You track it down | We get reports, video, witnesses, and records |
| Deadlines | You keep track | We keep track |
| The value of your claim | The insurer sets the number | We build it from your records |
| Cost up front | None | None. No Win, No Fee |
Not sure you need a lawyer? Read should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident. Or just call. It’s free.
Why people choose Rich Martin
- You work with Rich. He handles your case himself.
- Trial experience. More than 30 jury trials. Insurers know he’ll go to court.
- Results. Past results include a $1.55 million jury verdict for a client with a brain injury from a car crash.
- Two offices. Bellevue and Tacoma. We also help people in Seattle, Everett, and the cities in between.
Meet Rich Martin or read what clients say.
Car accident help in your city
Local pages cover car crashes in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Kent, Redmond, Renton, Kirkland, Federal Way, and Issaquah. Each one covers the busiest roads, the local court, and how to file a claim against that city.
Talk to a Washington car accident lawyer today
The call is free. No Win, No Fee. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs. Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message.
Car Accidents: results for our clients
Past results don't guarantee future results. Every case is different. See all results →
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 →Find help in your city
Common questions
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.
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in Washington?
Not always. If you weren't hurt, you may not. If you were hurt, missed work, or the insurer is blaming you, a free call can help you decide.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Washington?
Usually three years from the crash (RCW 4.16.080). Claims against a city, county, or the state need a claim form first, so start sooner.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Your own UIM coverage may pay. Washington insurers must offer it, and you have it unless you turned it down in writing.
Can I see my own doctor?
Yes. You choose your doctor. PIP pays for reasonable and necessary care, up to your policy limit.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle. But Rich prepares every case as if it will go to trial, and insurers know it.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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