Maximizing Your Settlement: How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help After Serious Crashes in Washington, Oregon & Utah

1. Why You Need a Lawyer After a Crash

After a serious collision, medical bills and insurance calls pile up fast. Hiring a car accident attorney ensures you don’t get short-changed. Insurance companies may offer a lowball settlement hoping you won’t know better. An experienced lawyer knows how to gather evidence, estimate future medical costs, and negotiate from a position of strength.

In fact, studies show injured victims who hire a personal injury lawyer recover significantly more—often up to 3x as much—as those who don’t.

2. State-by-State Snapshot: WA, OR, UT Liability Rules

Comparative Fault in Washington

Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation can be reduced based on your share of the blame—but you can still recover damages even if you’re 99% at fault.

Learn more about how liability works in Washington here.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Oregon

Oregon uses a modified comparative negligence standard. You can recover damages only if you’re less than 51% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Explore your rights under Oregon law.

Utah No-Fault Limitations

Utah is a no-fault state for car accidents, meaning your own insurance covers your injuries first. You can only sue the other driver if your injuries exceed certain thresholds—usually serious or permanent damage.

Get help understanding Utah’s PIP laws.

3. Catastrophic Injury Attorney vs. General PI Lawyer

Not all personal injury lawyers have experience handling catastrophic injury cases. These include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord damage
• Amputations
• Severe burns

Catastrophic cases often involve lifelong care, medical experts, and economic loss modeling. Choose a law firm with a proven track record handling complex, high-stakes claims.

4. Step-by-Step Claim Checklist (Downloadable PDF)

Need to know what happens after the crash?

Download our free Car Accident Claim Checklist, which covers:

• What to say (and NOT say) to insurance adjusters
• Deadlines for filing in WA, OR, and UT
• What documents you’ll need
• How to preserve digital and physical evidence

Click here to get your free checklist ➝

5. How Lawyers Prove Truck Accident Liability

If you were hit by a commercial vehicle, liability can get complicated. Our attorneys use:

• Driver logs and dash cam footage
• Black box data
• Vehicle maintenance records
• FMCSA regulation violations

This level of investigation is especially important in places like Eugene, where I-5 sees heavy truck traffic.

6. Typical Settlement Ranges

Settlement values vary, but here’s a rough breakdown based on case type:

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a lawyer if the other driver was clearly at fault?
A: Yes—insurance companies may still minimize your payout. A lawyer protects your rights.

Q: How long do I have to file?
A: Statutes of limitation vary: Washington (3 years), Oregon (2 years), Utah (4 years). So act fast.

Q: What does it cost to hire Strong Law?
A: We work on contingency—you don’t pay unless we win.

Q: Will my case go to court?
A: Most cases settle, but we prepare every claim like it’s headed to trial. That’s how we maximize leverage.

Conclusion & Next Steps

If you’ve been in a serious crash, time matters. Evidence disappears. Medical bills grow.

At Strong Law, we’ve helped clients across Tacoma, Eugene, and Midvale secure millions in compensation.

📞 Tacoma Office: (253) 444-5444
📞 Eugene Office: (541) 555-2299
📞 Midvale Office: (385) 746-1803

Let’s help you get what you deserve. Schedule your free consultation today ➝

External Source: Read the latest NHTSA crash report.