A crash on I-405 or a fender bender on NE 8th Street can still leave you hurt, out of work, and dealing with an insurance company that won’t call back. Rich Martin is a Bellevue car accident lawyer with 28 years of experience and more than 2,000 injury cases. Our office is right here in Bellevue, at the Eastridge Corporate Center on NE 1st Street.
Bellevue: 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-405, I-90, SR 520, Bellevue Way NE, NE 8th Street
- Hospitals
- Overlake Medical Center (Level III trauma center)
- Population
- 158,300 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Bellevue office is in town, at 11811 NE 1st Street.
A local lawyer for Bellevue car crashes
When you call us, you’re calling a Bellevue firm. Rich knows the Eastside roads, the police departments, and the courthouse where Bellevue cases are heard.
- We’re close. Our office is at 11811 NE 1st Street, near I-405 and Main Street.
- You talk to Rich. Not a call center. He handles your case himself.
- We do the work. Insurance calls, evidence, medical records, and paperwork.
- No Win, No Fee. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Bellevue traffic safety by the numbers
Bellevue set a goal in 2015 to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030 (Vision Zero). The city isn’t there yet. In 2025, Bellevue had 3 traffic deaths and 38 serious injuries, the highest total in the past ten years, according to the city’s 2025 Vision Zero report.
Deaths and serious injuries on Bellevue streets
Most of these crashes happen on a small set of busy streets. The city calls it the High Injury Network: just 8% of Bellevue’s streets, but 68% of deaths and serious injuries. It includes 156th Avenue NE, BelRed Road, NE 20th Street near Crossroads, and the downtown loop of Main Street, NE 1st and 2nd Streets, and 108th Avenue NE.
Where Bellevue car crashes happen
Bellevue has some of the busiest roads in the state. These are some of the busiest.
- I-405. The Eastside’s main north-south freeway, with heavy stop-and-go traffic and express toll lanes.
- I-90 and SR 520. The two bridges to Seattle, and their busy interchanges with I-405.
- Bellevue Way NE and NE 8th Street. Downtown’s busiest streets, full of turning cars and people walking.
- 148th and 156th Avenue NE. Fast, wide streets connecting Crossroads, Overlake, and Redmond.
- Bel-Red Road and the Spring District. A growing area with new buildings, new lights, and construction.
- Factoria Boulevard and Coal Creek Parkway. Shopping traffic and freeway ramps in south Bellevue.
Who investigates depends on the road. Bellevue Police handle crashes on city streets. The Washington State Patrol handles crashes on I-405, I-90, and SR 520. We get the report either way. You can also look up crash data for any road in the WSDOT crash data portal.
What to do after a car crash in Bellevue
- Call 911. Get help and a police report, even for a crash that seems minor.
- Get checked. Overlake Medical Center is Bellevue’s hospital. Urgent care works for smaller injuries.
- Take photos of the cars, the street, signals, and your injuries.
- Swap information. Names, insurance, and plate numbers. Get witness phone numbers.
- Report it to your insurer, so PIP can start paying your medical bills.
- Call us before you talk to the other driver’s insurer.
More help: do I have to report a minor Bellevue car accident and urgent care after a crash in Bellevue.
Common crashes we handle in Bellevue
- Rear-end crashes in I-405 and downtown traffic. Read about Bellevue rear-end collisions.
- T-bone crashes at downtown intersections. See our T-bone crash guide.
- Head-on crashes on two-lane roads. Read about head-on crashes.
- Parking lot and garage crashes at shopping centers and office buildings. We won an $850,000 jury verdict in a parking lot case.
- Crashes with uninsured drivers. Read what to do when the other driver has no insurance.
- Merging crashes on freeway ramps. Read about merging lane crashes.
Who pays your medical bills
Washington is a fault state. The driver who caused the crash pays in the end. But their insurer usually pays only when your case settles. Until then, your own coverage helps.
| Coverage | Whose | When it pays | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIP | Yours | Right away, no matter who caused the crash | RCW 48.22.085 |
| Health insurance | Yours | For care PIP doesn’t cover | Your policy |
| Liability insurance | The at-fault driver’s | When the case settles | RCW 46.30.020 |
| UIM | Yours | When the other driver has too little insurance, none, or drove away | RCW 48.22.030 |
Basic PIP pays at least $10,000 in medical bills (RCW 48.22.095). Read more about who pays your car accident claim.
Common injuries after a Bellevue crash
- Neck injuries like whiplash. Read about delayed neck pain after a Bellevue crash.
- Back and disc injuries. See lower back pain settlements and herniated discs.
- Head injuries and concussions. Read about brain injuries.
- Stress and fear after the crash. See PTSD after a car accident.
- Broken bones in the wrists, ribs, and legs.
Serious injuries are often treated at Overlake Medical Center, a Level III trauma center, or sent on to Harborview in Seattle. Tell every doctor exactly how you were hurt. Your medical records are the backbone of your claim.
Partly at fault? You can still get paid.
How shared fault works: an example
The other driver’s insurer will try to blame you for some of the crash. Every percent they put on you lowers what they pay. We use the evidence to keep it fair.
Where a Bellevue car accident case is filed
Most cases settle without a lawsuit. If yours goes to court, a crash in Bellevue is heard in King County Superior Court in Seattle. King County’s rules put Bellevue in the Seattle case area (LCR 82).
| Deadline | What it means | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | File an injury lawsuit within three years of the crash, or settle before then | RCW 4.16.080 |
| Claim form + 60 days | If a city or county vehicle or road was involved, file a claim first and wait 60 days | RCW 4.96.020 |
Don’t wait for a deadline. Video from businesses and traffic cameras can be erased in days.
What your Bellevue car accident case may be worth
It depends on how badly you were hurt, how clear the fault is, and how much insurance is available. A claim usually covers medical bills, future care, lost pay, pain and suffering, and your car.
- $1.55 million jury verdict for a client with a brain injury from a car crash.
- $900,000 jury verdict for a client with a shoulder injury.
- $800,000 policy-limits settlement for a client with a disc injury.
Past results don’t guarantee future results. See all results and read about car accident settlements in Bellevue.
How your Bellevue case moves forward
- Free case review. In person at our Bellevue office, or by phone.
- We investigate. Police report, photos, video, and witnesses.
- You get treatment. We track your bills and records.
- We send a demand to the insurance company.
- We negotiate. Most cases settle here.
- We file suit if needed, in King County Superior Court in Seattle.
Read how long it takes to settle a car accident in Bellevue and what happens in a King County lawsuit.
Bus, light rail, and rideshare crashes
Bellevue has King County Metro buses, Sound Transit’s 2 Line, and plenty of Uber and Lyft cars. Each brings different insurance rules. A crash with a Metro bus is a claim against King County, which starts with a claim form and a 60-day wait (RCW 4.96.020). A rideshare crash can involve several policies, depending on what the driver was doing in the app. See our Uber and Lyft accident page.
Mistakes that can cost you money
- Waiting to see a doctor. A gap in care lets the insurer say you weren’t really hurt.
- Giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
- Signing a medical release that opens your whole medical history.
- Posting about the crash or your activities online.
- Taking the first offer before you know your full injuries.
Already made one of these? Call anyway. Many problems can be fixed early. Read should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident and reasons to get a lawyer after a car accident.
Getting the police report
The report is often the first thing an insurer reads. If Bellevue Police took the report, it comes from the city. If the Washington State Patrol handled a freeway crash, you can request a copy from the State Patrol online. We’ll get it for you.
Reports can have mistakes: the wrong lane, a missing witness, or a driver’s version written as fact. If yours is wrong, it’s not the end of your case. We gather other evidence to set the record straight.
The first 90 days of a Bellevue car accident claim
- Week 1: medical care, police report, photos, and a call to us.
- Weeks 1 to 4: we notify the insurers, save evidence, and set up your PIP claim.
- Months 1 to 3: you focus on treatment. We collect records and bills as they come in.
- After treatment: we send a demand and start negotiating.
Every case moves at its own speed. We won’t rush a settlement while you’re still healing.
Crashes in the I-405 express toll lanes
The I-405 express toll lanes move fast next to slow general lanes. Crashes can happen when drivers cut across the lane lines or brake suddenly. These are usually State Patrol cases. The same Washington fault rules apply, and the same evidence matters: video, damage, and witnesses.
Hurt while working?
If you were on the job when you were hurt, you may have two claims. Workers’ compensation through L&I pays some medical bills and lost wages. But if someone outside your company caused the injury, Washington law lets you also seek damages from that person or company (RCW 51.24.030). That second claim can cover losses L&I doesn’t, like pain and suffering.
These two claims affect each other, so the order and timing matter. Tell us right away if you were working when you got hurt.
Visit our Bellevue office
Our office is in the Eastridge Corporate Center at 11811 NE 1st Street, Suite 303, Bellevue, WA 98005. It’s close to I-405 and downtown Bellevue. Call ahead and we’ll set a time that works for you. If you can’t come in, we can talk by phone.
Why Bellevue drivers choose Rich Martin
- Local. A Bellevue office, minutes from wherever you crashed on the Eastside.
- Experienced. 28 years and more than 2,000 injury cases.
- Trial-ready. More than 30 jury trials.
- Personal. Rich handles your case himself.
Meet Rich Martin, read client reviews, or see our Washington car accident lawyer page.
Talk to a Bellevue car accident lawyer today
The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. Hurt in Seattle instead? See our Seattle car accident lawyer page.
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 →Questions about Bellevue car accidents
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 have to report a minor car accident in Bellevue?
If anyone was hurt, yes. Call 911. Even for minor crashes, a police report makes your insurance claim easier.
Who investigates a crash on I-405?
The Washington State Patrol usually handles crashes on I-405, I-90, and SR 520. Bellevue Police handle crashes on city streets.
Where would my Bellevue case be filed?
If it goes to court, in King County Superior Court in Seattle. King County puts Bellevue in the Seattle case area. Most cases settle first.
Can I meet you in person?
Yes. Our office is at 11811 NE 1st Street in Bellevue. Call ahead to set a time.
Who pays my medical bills right now?
Your own PIP coverage pays first, no matter who caused the crash. Using it doesn't stop you from going after the other driver.
How long do I have to file?
Usually three years from the crash (RCW 4.16.080). Claims involving a city or county need a claim form first.
Should I talk to the other side's insurance company?
Not before you talk to us. Don't give a recorded statement or sign anything. What you say can be used to pay you less.
Do I have to go to your office?
No. Many clients start with a phone call. If you'd like to meet, our office is at 11811 NE 1st Street in Bellevue. Call ahead to set a time.
What if I was hurt while working?
You may have an L&I claim and a separate claim against whoever caused the injury (RCW 51.24.030). The two affect each other, so tell us early.
Will my car insurance go up if I use PIP?
Ask your insurer about its own rules. Either way, PIP is coverage you paid for, and it pays your medical bills now. Using it doesn't hurt your claim against the other driver.
The police report blames me. Is my case over?
No. A police report isn't the final word. Video, witnesses, and the damage can tell a different story. We'll look at all of it.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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