Seattle traffic is hard on everyone. When another driver’s mistake hurts you, they should pay for it. That means your medical bills, your lost pay, and the pain you live with. Rich Martin is a Seattle car accident lawyer with 28 years of experience. Our office is in Bellevue, about 11 miles from downtown Seattle.
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).
Were you hurt in a Seattle car crash?
Then you’re probably getting calls from an insurance adjuster. They sound friendly. They say they want to help. But their job is to pay you as little as possible.
We take those calls for you. We gather the evidence. We figure out what your case is really worth. Then we fight for it. You focus on getting better.
You’re not alone. In 2025, 30 people were killed and 221 were seriously hurt in Seattle traffic crashes, according to city data reported by KUOW. The city’s Vision Zero plan aims to end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. City leaders say Seattle isn’t on track to meet that goal.
Seattle traffic crashes in 2025
What to do after a car crash in Seattle
The first few days matter most. Here’s what to do, in order.
- Call 911. Ask for police and medical help. Washington law requires drivers to stop and help after a crash that hurts someone (RCW 46.52.020).
- Get checked by a doctor today. Some injuries, like concussions and neck injuries, show up hours or days later. A doctor’s record also links your injury to the crash.
- Take photos of everything. Both cars, the street, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries.
- Get names and numbers. The other driver, their insurance, and anyone who saw the crash.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Say you’ll call them back.
- Call a lawyer before you sign anything. A quick settlement offer can close your case for good.
Want more detail? Read our guide on what to do after a car accident.
Where Seattle crashes happen
Crashes happen all over the city. But a few roads carry a lot of Seattle’s traffic, and many crashes happen on them.
- I-5 through downtown. Heavy traffic, short merges, and sudden stops. Read about I-5 accidents and your rights.
- I-90 and SR 520. The two floating bridges between Seattle and the Eastside. Here’s what to do after a crash on I-90.
- Aurora Avenue North (SR 99). A long, busy highway with many driveways and crosswalks.
- Mercer Street. The busy link between I-5 and South Lake Union.
Where the crash happened matters. It tells us which police agency wrote the report, where cameras might be, and which court would hear your case. You can look up crash numbers for any Washington road in the WSDOT crash data portal.
Common causes of car crashes in Seattle
Most crashes come down to a driver who wasn’t careful. These are some of the most common causes.
- Phones. A driver looks down to text or check a map. Two seconds is enough to rear-end the car in front.
- Following too close. Stop-and-go traffic on I-5 and SR 520 leaves little room to stop.
- Running red lights. These crashes often hit the side of your car. Read about T-bone crashes.
- Left turns. A driver turns across traffic and misjudges the gap.
- Drunk or high drivers. These cases can bring extra claims. Read why a DUI crash is different.
- Rain and dark winter evenings. Wet roads need more stopping distance. Drivers who don’t slow down are still at fault.
Knowing the cause helps us prove fault. A phone record or a red-light camera can settle the argument fast.
Common injuries after a Seattle car crash
Some injuries are obvious right away. Others hide for days. These are the most common.
- Neck and back injuries, like whiplash and disc injuries. Pain can start a day or two later. Read about delayed neck pain and back pain after a crash.
- Head injuries, from a mild concussion to a serious brain injury. A headache after a crash is worth a doctor’s visit.
- Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and wrists.
- Shoulder and knee injuries, like torn ligaments and labrum tears.
- Stress and fear after the crash. Some people can’t drive again without panic. Learn about PTSD after a car accident.
Tell your doctor about every symptom, even small ones. If it isn’t in your records, the insurance company will say it didn’t happen.
How we fight the insurance company
Insurance companies use the same moves again and again. Here are the most common, and what we do about it.
A low first offer
The first offer often comes before you know how badly you’re hurt. We don’t settle until your doctors know the full picture. That way the offer covers your future care too.
Blaming you
The adjuster may say you were speeding or not paying attention. We get the police report, photos, camera video, and witness statements. Facts beat guesses.
Stalling
Some insurers drag things out, hoping you’ll give up or take less. We set deadlines. If they won’t be fair, we file a lawsuit. Insurers tend to take a case more seriously once a trial lawyer is on it.
Evidence we look for
- The police report and 911 calls
- Video from dash cams, buses, and nearby businesses
- Photos of the cars and the street
- Witness names and statements
- The car’s crash data, when it helps
- Phone records, when a driver may have been texting
Who pays your medical bills right now?
Bills start coming fast. The other driver’s insurance usually won’t pay until the whole case is settled. So who pays in the meantime?
PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is part of your own car insurance. It pays your medical bills no matter who caused the crash. In Washington, insurers must offer it, and you have it unless you turned it down in writing (RCW 48.22.085). Basic PIP pays at least $10,000 in medical bills. It can also pay part of your lost wages (RCW 48.22.095).
Basic PIP in Washington: the least it must pay
UIM (Underinsured Motorist) coverage helps when the other driver has no insurance, not enough insurance, or drives away. Insurers must offer it too (RCW 48.22.030). Using your own PIP or UIM doesn’t stop you from going after the driver who hit you.
| PIP | UIM | Other driver’s insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whose policy? | Yours | Yours | The driver who caused the crash |
| When does it pay? | Right away, no matter who caused the crash | When the other driver has no insurance, not enough, or drove away | Usually at the end of the case, once fault is settled |
| What does it pay? | Medical bills and part of lost pay | Your losses the other driver’s insurance doesn’t cover | Medical bills, lost pay, and pain and suffering |
| Can it be turned down? | Only in writing | Only in writing | No. Washington drivers must carry it |
Not sure what your policy covers? Send it to us. We’ll read it with you. You can also learn more from the Washington Insurance Commissioner, or read who pays your car accident claim in Washington.
Partly at fault? You can still get paid.
Washington lets you recover money even if you share the blame. Your payment just goes down by your share (RCW 4.22.005).
Here’s how it works. Say your losses add up to $100,000. A jury decides you were 20% at fault. You can still get $80,000.
How shared fault works: an example
That’s why the insurance company works so hard to blame you. Every percent they pin on you saves them money. Don’t guess about fault. Let us look at the evidence first.
What is your Seattle car accident case worth?
Every case is different. But the money you can get usually falls into two groups.
- Money you can count: medical bills, future treatment, lost pay, lost earning power, and car repairs.
- Harm that’s harder to count: pain, stress, lost sleep, and the things you can’t do anymore.
Three things move the number most. How badly you were hurt. How clear the fault is. And how much insurance is available. A serious injury with a small policy may need your own UIM coverage too.
We won’t promise you a number before we see your records. Anyone who does is guessing.
Learn more about the damages you can recover, or see our past results.
Bus, Uber, and hit-and-run crashes
Some Seattle crashes come with extra rules. Here’s what to know.
Hit by a bus
A crash with a King County Metro bus is a claim against the county. You file a claim form first. Then you wait before you can sue. The deadlines are strict, so call us early.
Hurt in an Uber or Lyft
Rideshare cases can involve several insurance policies. Which one pays depends on what the driver was doing in the app. See our Uber and Lyft accident page.
The other driver left, or had no insurance
Your own UIM coverage may pay. Report a hit-and-run to police right away. Read what to do after a crash with an uninsured driver.
Mistakes that can hurt your Seattle car accident claim
Small mistakes can cost you real money. Try to avoid these.
- Waiting to see a doctor. A gap in care lets the insurer say you weren’t really hurt.
- Skipping treatment. Go to every appointment. Follow your doctor’s plan.
- Posting about the crash online. Insurers look at social media. A smiling photo can be used against you.
- Signing a medical release for the other driver’s insurer. It can open your whole medical history.
- Taking the first offer. Once you sign, you can’t ask for more later, even if you need surgery.
Already made one of these mistakes? Don’t panic. Call us. Many problems can be fixed if we know about them early. A Seattle car accident lawyer can also tell you if you need a lawyer for a minor crash.
How long do you have to file?
Usually three years from the day of the crash (RCW 4.16.080). Miss it, and you may lose your case for good.
Some cases have shorter steps. A claim against the City of Seattle or King County needs a claim form first. Then you wait before you can sue (RCW 4.96.020). A city bus or a bad road can make that rule apply.
Camera video gets erased in days. Witnesses move. Call us before the evidence is gone.
Don’t wait until year three. Read more about the statute of limitations for car accidents in Washington.
How a Seattle car accident case works
Most cases follow the same six steps. Most settle at step five.
- Free case review. You tell us what happened. We tell you honestly if we can help.
- We investigate. Police report, photos, video, witnesses, and the insurance policies.
- You get treatment. We track your bills and records while you heal.
- We send a demand. It shows the insurer what you lost and what you’re owed.
- We negotiate. Most cases settle here.
- We file a lawsuit if we need to. Crashes in Seattle are usually heard at the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue (King County LCR 82).
Small cases can settle in a few months. If you need surgery, it takes longer. Here’s more on how long car accident settlements take. You can learn about the court itself on the King County Superior Court site.
Serious injuries need a lawyer who’s ready for trial
The most serious crash injuries in Seattle often go to Harborview Medical Center. It’s the state’s only Level I trauma center for both adults and children.
Brain injuries, spine injuries, and broken bones can change your life. These cases need doctors, experts, and a clear plan for your future care. Rich has taken more than 30 cases to a jury. Read about brain injuries caused by car accidents.
Some crashes involve a truck, a motorcycle, or a person on foot. We also help with truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and Uber and Lyft accidents. If you lost a loved one, see our wrongful death page.
Why people choose Rich Martin
- You work with Rich. Not a call center. Not a case manager you never meet.
- Real experience. 28 years, more than 2,000 injury cases, and more than 30 jury trials.
- An engineer’s eye. Rich studied mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. That helps when a case turns on how a crash happened.
- Close by. Our Bellevue office is about 17 minutes from downtown Seattle without traffic. We also have an office in Tacoma.
Meet Rich Martin, or read what our clients say.
What it costs to hire us
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 too. There’s no obligation. If we can’t help, we’ll tell you.
Talk to a Seattle car accident lawyer today
Evidence doesn’t wait. Camera footage gets erased. Witnesses forget. The sooner you call, the more we can protect.
Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. You’ll talk to a Seattle car accident lawyer who will handle your case himself.
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 Seattle 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.
Where will my Seattle case be filed?
If it goes to court, a crash in Seattle is usually heard at the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue. Most cases settle before trial.
I was barely hurt. Do I still need a lawyer?
Maybe not. But some injuries show up days later. A free call costs you nothing, and we'll tell you honestly.
Who pays my medical bills right now?
If you have PIP, your own insurance pays first, no matter who caused the crash. Using PIP doesn't stop you from going after the other driver.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
Not before you talk to us. Don't give them a recorded statement. What you say can be used to pay you less.
How long will my case take?
Small cases can settle in a few months. If you need surgery, it takes longer. We won't settle until we know how badly you were hurt.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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