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Your Lake Stevens Personal Injury Attorney
The short answer. In Washington most injury claims must be filed within three years (RCW 4.16.080(2)). The trial court for Snohomish County sits in Everett, at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, MS 502, Everett, WA 98201-4046. To talk it through, send the form on this page and we will work to connect you with an attorney in our network.
Nobody plans for the call that follows an accident. Whether you were hurt in a crash, a fall or something else in Lake Stevens, the weeks afterward bring decisions that feel bigger than they should. Here is what Washington law says, in plain terms, so you can ask better questions.
Nothing on this page is legal advice, and NeedAnAttorney.net is not a law firm. It is a service that connects injured people with attorneys. The rules described here are quoted or summarized from Washington’s own statutes so that you can check them yourself.
Before You Hire: Questions For A Lake Stevens Attorney
Bring these to your first call, whoever it is with:
- The date. Ask for the specific last day to file in your case. The general rule is three years (RCW 4.16.080(2)).
- Limits on damages. Ask whether any rule restricts the amount you could recover in Washington.
- Your share of fault. Ask how a finding that you were partly responsible would change the numbers (RCW 4.22.005).
- The people. Ask who will be in touch with you and how quickly they return calls.
- The money terms. Ask how fees are calculated and which costs come out of a recovery.
Personal Injury Types of Cases
Motor Vehicle Accidents
As long as the person that was operating the vehicle that injured you was negligent in some way, you can could have a claim for compensation. This can include.
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- 18 wheeler Accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Drunk Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Aggressive Driving
- and other types of motor vehicle accidents
Work Place Accidents
These types of personal injury lawsuits involve more that just a employee and employer. If you feel like your place of employment was negligent in some way, you might have a claim for compensation. These types of accidents can include.
- Slip and Fall
- Unsafe working conditions
- Unmaintained equipment
- Auto Accidents
- Death
- Electrical Hazards
- Occupational illnesses like COPD, contagious diseases, and asbestosis
- personal injuries at work
Premises Liability
Many premises liability claims are from a property owner’s duty to maintain a property in the way that does not endanger others. There are may ways a property owner can violate this duty.
- Broken Stairs
- Unlit alleyways
- Slippery Floors
- Surfaces that are uneven
- Places to receive burns
- Places to receive chemical exposure
- Dog bites
- and other dangerous conditions
Wrongful Death
When negligence leads to fatal injuries, a wrongful death suit can help the surviving family members hold the negligent company, persons, and or person accountable for what was done. A wrongful death case can involve different types of compensation from other personal injury claims. After a fatal accident, family members can ask an attorney to review what compensation the surviving loved ones may have a right to. These types of accidents can include.
- Auto Accident
- Maritime Accident
- Drowning
- Electrocution
- Falls
- Helicopter Accident
- Fire
- Firearm
- and other types of wrongful deaths
Injured in Lake Stevens? Get matched with an attorney now.
When You Were Partly At Fault
Washington does not shut the door on someone who shares the blame. RCW 4.22.005 sets the rule.
Your own share of the fault reduces your award in proportion to that share, and no fixed percentage ends the claim by itself, though a few narrow statutory exceptions can still bar a claim (RCW 4.22.005). Photographs, witness names and medical records help show where the fault lies.
Filing Deadlines For Injury Claims
Washington allows three years to file most injury claims (RCW 4.16.080(2)). Extra time can be available for a child and in some other limited situations (RCW 4.16.190).
A claim against a government body usually has its own claim or notice steps that must be followed before you sue, so ask early (RCW 4.92.090, 4.92.100, 4.92.110). If someone died, the personal representative brings the claim and the general three year period of RCW 4.16.080(2) applies (RCW 4.16.080(2)). Write down the date of the injury now so the count is never in doubt.
The Court and Hospitals Behind a Lake Stevens Claim
Lake Stevens lies in Snohomish County, according to Census Bureau place and county names. For Snohomish County, the Washington court directory shows the superior court in Everett, at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, MS 502, Everett, WA 98201-4046. The state list of trauma centers names Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in Everett, in Snohomish County, as a Level II trauma center. That list also names Swedish Edmonds in Edmonds, in Snohomish County, as a Level IV trauma center.
Measured in a straight line from Lake Stevens, the nearest hospitals in the federal Hospital General Information file are Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in Everett, 5.2 miles, an acute care hospital, then Evergreenhealth Monroe in Monroe, 10.7 miles, an acute care hospital, then Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington, 13.1 miles, an acute care hospital. Providence Regional Medical Center Everett is at 1321 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201.
Road distance from Lake Stevens is longer than a straight line. Wherever you were treated, ask for the full records and an itemized bill, and keep a list of every visit.
Fourth and fifth on the list are Swedish Edmonds Hospital in Edmonds, 17.7 miles, and Evergreenhealth Medical Center in Kirkland, 20.2 miles. Within 10, 25 and 50 miles of Lake Stevens the file shows 1, 5 and 24 hospitals, by straight line.
Other places this site covers near Lake Stevens: Everett at 5.7 miles southwest, Edmonds at 17.7 miles southwest, Bellevue at 28.1 miles south. The reference cities are 29 miles southwest (Seattle) and 217 miles east (Spokane).
How The Intake Process Works In Lake Stevens
Fill in the form at the top of this page. NeedAnAttorney.net reviews your details and works to match you with an attorney in our network who may handle cases in Washington. The form is free to use, and sending it does not mean you have hired anyone.
While you wait, write down what happened and when, who saw it, what treatment you have received and how many days of work you missed. Put bills, letters and insurance messages in one folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon must I file a claim for an injury in Lake Stevens?
For most injury claims, three years (RCW 4.16.080(2)). A child may have more time, and a few other limited situations extend the period too (RCW 4.16.190). A wrongful death claim is brought by the personal representative under the general three year period of RCW 4.16.080(2) (RCW 4.16.080(2)).
How does Washington treat an injured person who shares the blame?
Short answer: your own share of the fault reduces your award in proportion to that share, and no fixed percentage ends the claim by itself, though a few narrow statutory exceptions can still bar a claim (RCW 4.22.005). Ask how the rule would be argued in your case. Raise it early with any attorney you speak with.
Is there a limit on damages for an injury in Washington?
It depends on the bills, the missed work and the lasting effects, and an attorney can tell you whether any rule limits the amount. Special rules can apply to particular kinds of claims. Keep every bill, because the economic part of a claim is proved by records.
Is the other driver’s policy enough to cover my injuries?
At least $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to two or more people in one accident and $10,000 for property damage (RCW 46.30.020(1)(a) and RCW 46.29.090(1)). Several policies can apply to one crash. Before you accept a payment, check for every policy that may apply.
What is the nearest hospital to Lake Stevens?
On the federal list the nearest hospital is Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in Everett (5.2 miles, straight line), then Evergreenhealth Monroe in Monroe (10.7 miles) and Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington (13.1 miles). In an emergency call 911; not every hospital has an emergency room.
Which nearby places does this site cover besides Lake Stevens?
Closest by straight line are Everett (5.7 miles southwest), Edmonds (17.7 miles southwest) and Bellevue (28.1 miles south).
Are there special steps for claims against the government?
There are special steps. Special claim or notice steps can apply (RCW 4.92.090, 4.92.100, 4.92.110). Different entities can have different steps. Keep every letter you receive from a public agency.
How should I begin after I am injured?
Treat the injury first. Make sure the incident is reported. Write down names of witnesses and keep every record in one place.
Serving Injured Clients Across Washington
If your injury happened outside Lake Stevens, one of these pages may fit better.
