The personal injury lawyers at Brett & Coats help their auto accident clients receive prompt, fair and just compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of others. We will serve as your voice in the justice system, dealing with insurance adjusters, medical billing departments and others involved in the compensation process. Contact our office today so that our legal team can protect your interests while you concentrate on the challenge of healing.

We practice throughout Washington State and can meet with clients in:
          Bellingham or Vancouver, British Columbia,
          Mount Vernon, Anacortes, or Friday Harbor,
          Seattle, Tacoma, or Eastern Washington.

Brett & Coats has been helping personal injury auto accident victims collect substantial settlements and verdicts for over 33 years. We understand that as an accident victim you may be overwhelmed and suffering from emotional, physical and financial burdens. It may be difficult for you to defend your own rights while going through the stressful recovery process. Brett & Coats strives to return victims of personal injury to the life they led prior to their injury. While monetary compensation cannot change the past, it can help victims and their families worry less about the economic side of their future.

To learn what we have been able to recover for victims of auto accidents, please see the case details of a $1.75 million settlement obtained by Brett & Coats PLLC for a physician injured in a high-speed, roll-over, freeway accident.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6 million reported motor vehicle crashes in 2004. While the majority of accidents involved only damage to property, thirty-eight thousand lives were lost and almost 2 million people were injured. Even minor accidents can produce injuries that are disproportionate to the event and symptoms may not arise until well after the original accident.

People involved in motor vehicle accidents include:

• Drivers of vehicles involved in accidents where another driver was at fault,
• Passengers in vehicle accidents whose driver or the driver of another vehicle was at fault,
• Pedestrians hit by vehicles, and
• Cyclists and motorcycle riders hit by motorists.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

Under the law, people injured in auto accidents caused by the negligence or recklessness of others are entitled to be compensated for their losses by the insurance company of those who caused the harm. The injured person must prove that the person who caused the injury was negligent or reckless. The negligent person's insurance company must then pay monetary damages, including medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of future earning capacity, and general damages for pain and suffering. In order for the injured person to recover damages, a skilled attorney must prove the critical elements of negligence: 1) the defendant had a duty to the injured party, 2) the defendant failed in that duty, and 3) the injured party's injuries and damages resulted from the defendant's breach of duty.

While insurance is designed to address an accident victim's economic issues, it is important to remember that insurance companies are in business to maximize their profits. The job of the insurance adjuster is to settle the claim for the lowest possible payment. Insurance companies have a ready team of adjusters, investigators and attorneys whose focus is to minimize the amount of money paid to innocent accident victims. Should you choose not to be represented by a qualified attorney, you will face the considerable resources of a powerful insurance company alone. Insurance companies pay almost triple the amount of money in cases where the victim is represented by a lawyer. As you are recuperating from the accident, the person who caused your injury may have already notified his insurance company which is already busy trying to minimize their payout.

At Brett & Coats, our attorneys give proactive attention to the needs of each client. We help by coordinating medical payments, organizing documentation and supporting each client through the sometimes difficult claims process. Since insurance companies know our firm's determination to litigate cases when a settlement offer is inadequate, we are usually able to resolve personal injury claims through negotiation. Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats PLLC today at 360-714-0900, 1-800-925-1875, or contact us via our online form.

Click here for frequently asked questions about Auto Accidents.

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