After a car accident in Spokane, you have one shot to get this right. Gilbert Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured drivers, passengers, and families across Eastern Washington. Call 509-321-0750 — 24/7, free, no obligation.
Spokane is the third most collision-dense city in Washington State. With nearly 11,000 crashes recorded across recent years, high-risk corridors like Division Street, Sprague Avenue, and the I-90 interchange send hundreds of people to emergency rooms every year — and not all of them know what to do next.
If you were injured in a Spokane car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. But Washington’s insurance system is designed to pay you as little as possible, as fast as possible. The adjuster who calls you within 24 hours of the crash is not on your side.
Gilbert Law Firm is. We are Spokane personal injury attorneys with a proven record of taking on insurance companies and winning. Our car accident lawyers include attorneys with backgrounds in insurance defense, which means we know exactly how insurers build arguments to reduce your claim and how to dismantle those arguments.
Call 509-321-0750 — Available 24/7
Spokane Car Accidents: The Numbers Behind the Risk
Car accidents in Spokane are not just common, they are trending in the wrong direction. Data from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) shows:
- Spokane recorded nearly 11,000 crashes between 2021 and 2024, ranking it third among Washington cities, behind only Seattle and Tacoma
- Fatal and suspected serious injury crashes in Spokane have trended upward over recent years, peaking at 26 in one year and remaining dangerously high
- In 2024 alone, 629 Spokane crashes were linked to driver distraction, while 183 were alcohol-related, resulting in six fatalities
- Spokane saw 154 pedestrian crashesand 48 bicycle crashes in 2024, with multiple fatalities
- The city’s most dangerous corridors include North Division Street, East Sprague Avenue, and West Sprague Avenue
- High-crash intersections include Division and Monroe streets and 31st Avenue and Fremont Avenue
Behind every statistic is a real person, someone who went to work, ran an errand, or picked up their kids and never made it home safely. If that happened to you or someone you love, Gilbert Law Firm is ready to help.
Why Insurance Companies Don't Play Fair And What We Do About It
Insurance adjusters are trained to close claims quickly and cheaply. After a Spokane car accident, you may face:
- Lowball settlement offers made before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Recorded statement requests designed to get you to say something that minimizes your claim
- Fault disputes where the insurer argues you were partially or fully responsible
- Claim delays that create financial pressure to settle before you’re ready
- Medical cost disputes where the insurer challenges whether your treatment was necessary
Attorney Mark King at Gilbert Law Firm spent years on the other side of these cases — in insurance defense. He knows every tactic in the playbook. When we take your case, we take over all communications with the insurance company immediately. You don’t talk to them. We do.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle in Spokane
No two crashes are the same, and neither is every legal claim. Our Spokane car accident attorneys handle the full range of collision types, including:
Distracted Driving Accidents
Texting, GPS use, eating, or adjusting the radio are all forms of negligence when a driver causes a crash. With 629 distraction-related crashes in Spokane in 2024 alone, this is one of the most common causes of serious injury accidents in the city.
Drunk and Impaired Driving (DUI/DWI)
183 alcohol-related crashes in Spokane in 2024 resulted in six deaths. When someone chooses to drive impaired, they bear full liability for the harm they cause — and victims may be entitled to additional damages beyond standard compensation.
Rear-End Collisions
Often caused by tailgating, distraction, or sudden stops, rear-end crashes are the most common type of collision in Washington. Despite appearing minor, they frequently cause whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries that aren’t immediately apparent.
T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
Side-impact collisions at Spokane’s notoriously dangerous intersections are often fatal or catastrophic. Proving fault requires expert investigation of traffic signals, sight lines, and driver behavior.
Head-On Collisions
Among the deadliest accident types. Frequently caused by wrong-way drivers, passing errors on two-lane roads, or impaired drivers crossing the centerline.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Washington law gives you options even when the at-fault driver flees. We work with your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and investigate every available lead to identify the responsible party.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accidents
Washington has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. If the driver who hit you doesn’t carry adequate coverage, your own UM/UIM policy may be the key to your recovery — and insurers will fight hard to pay you as little as possible under it.
High-Speed and Reckless Driving Crashes
Aggressive driving, excessive speed, and road rage incidents are all forms of negligence. These crashes often cause catastrophic injuries and strong liability cases.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups and Chain-Reaction Crashes
Sorting out liability in a multi-car accident, especially on I-90 during icy conditions, requires forensic-level investigation. We bring in accident reconstruction experts and dig through all available evidence.
Senior Driver and Teen Driver Accidents
Both demographic groups are statistically over-represented in Spokane crashes. Each requires a different legal approach depending on licensing, supervision, and applicable negligence standards.
Rideshare Accidents (Uber and Lyft)
Uber and Lyft accidents involve layered insurance coverage that changes depending on whether the driver was on-trip, waiting for a ride, or off-duty. These cases require specific expertise in rideshare insurance law.
Common Injuries We See After Spokane Car Accidents
Car accident injuries range from the obviously severe to the dangerously hidden. We represent victims suffering from:
Brain and Head Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — including concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries — can permanently affect memory, personality, motor skills, and the ability to work. Even a “mild” TBI can be devastating over time.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage can cause partial or complete paralysis. These injuries typically require lifetime medical management.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
Often dismissed by insurers as minor, whiplash and soft tissue damage can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and long-term disability. We document these injuries thoroughly so insurers can’t minimize them.
Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries
Complex fractures often require surgery, hardware implants, and extended rehabilitation. We account for all future orthopedic care in your claim.
Internal Injuries
Organ damage and internal bleeding are life-threatening and may not be immediately apparent after a crash. ER visits are critical and so is having an attorney who accounts for all treatment costs.
Burn Injuries
Vehicle fires, friction burns, and airbag deployment can cause severe burns requiring skin grafts and extensive reconstructive care.
Psychological Trauma
PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias related to driving are real, compensable injuries. We work with mental health professionals to document and value your psychological damages.
Wrongful Death
When a car accident takes a life, the surviving family members — spouses, children, parents — have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. We handle these cases with the gravity and care they deserve.
What You Can Recover: Full Compensation After a Spokane Car Accident
Washington law allows car accident victims to recover every category of harm the crash caused. A strong claim includes:
Economic Damages (things with a dollar figure):
- All past medical bills — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, imaging, medications
- Future medical costs — surgeries, physical therapy, specialist care, adaptive equipment
- Lost wages — the income you missed while recovering
- Lost earning capacity — if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation
- Property damage — vehicle repair or replacement, personal items damaged in the crash
- Out-of-pocket expenses — rental cars, home modifications, transportation to appointments
Non-Economic Damages (very real, but harder to quantify):
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life — activities you can no longer do
- Loss of consortium — impact on your marriage and family relationships
- Disfigurement and permanent impairment
Wrongful Death Damages:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Loss of the deceased’s financial support
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and parental care
- Grief and emotional suffering of surviving family members
We do not settle for first offers. We build the full value of your case, including future damages, before any settlement is signed.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Spokane
Your actions in the hours following a crash directly affect your ability to recover full compensation. Here is what our attorneys recommend:
1. Call 911 immediately.
A police report is essential evidence in your case. Even if you feel fine, request medical evaluation at the scene.
2. Get medical attention — even if you feel okay.
Many serious injuries — TBI, internal bleeding, soft tissue damage — don’t show symptoms for hours or days. Delaying treatment gives insurers ammunition to argue your injuries weren’t caused by the crash.
3. Document everything at the scene.
Photos and video of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, your injuries, and any debris. Get wider shots to show the overall scene.
4. Collect information.
The other driver’s name, contact information, license plate, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Get names and contacts for all witnesses.
5. Do NOT admit fault — not even casually.
“I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you” can be used against you. Say nothing about fault to the other driver or their insurer.
6. Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
Not before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters use recorded statements to look for inconsistencies and minimize claims.
7. Report the accident to your own insurance company.
You are required to report the crash, but you can do so through your attorney.
8. Call Gilbert Law Firm.
The sooner we are involved, the more evidence we can preserve. Surveillance footage disappears. Witnesses forget. Physical evidence changes.
Washington's Statute of Limitations
Under Washington law (RCW 4.16.080), most car accident injury claims must be filed within three years of the date of the crash. This sounds like a long time — but investigations take time, and waiting puts your case at risk.
Important exceptions that can shorten your deadline:
- Claims against government entities (city, county, or WSDOT) require filing a formal notice of claim first — often within 60 days to 3 years depending on the entity, with strict preliminary notice requirements
- Wrongful death claims begin running from the date of death, not the accident
- Minor victims may have extended deadlines until they turn 18, but this varies by circumstance
Important: insurance settlement negotiations do not pause the clock. Do not let the other side string out negotiations until your filing window closes.
Washington's Comparative Fault Rule: You Can Still Recover Even If You Were Partly at Fault
Washington follows a pure comparative fault system. Even if an insurer or jury finds you were partially responsible for the crash, you can still recover compensation — reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example: If your total damages are $200,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you recover $160,000.
Insurers often try to assign more fault to injured victims than is warranted. Having an attorney who can aggressively challenge those fault assignments is one of the most direct ways a lawyer increases the value of your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spokane Car Accident Claims
How much is my car accident case worth?
Every case is different. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, whether you were partially at fault, the limits of available insurance coverage, and the quality of your documentation. We will give you an honest, evidence-based assessment — not a number designed to get you to sign up.
How long will my car accident case take?
Straightforward cases where liability is clear and injuries have fully resolved may settle within 4 to 12 months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or litigation can take 1 to 3 years. We pursue the fastest resolution that delivers full — not rushed — compensation.
Do I have to go to court?
Most car accident claims settle before trial. However, having an attorney who is prepared and willing to take your case to a Spokane County courtroom is the single biggest leverage point in forcing fair settlement offers from insurers. Gilbert Law Firm is a litigation firm. We try cases. Insurers know it.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Washington requires you to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage unless you specifically waive it in writing. If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, we pursue your own UM/UIM policy — and if your insurer acts in bad faith in handling the claim, there may be additional legal remedies available.
What if I was partially at fault?
Under Washington’s comparative fault system, partial fault does not bar your recovery. We investigate the full picture to make sure your percentage of fault is calculated accurately and fairly — not inflated by the other side’s insurer.
What does it cost to hire a Spokane car accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Gilbert Law Firm handles all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless and until we win. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict. There is no financial risk to calling.
What if the accident happened in Spokane Valley, Cheney, or another nearby city?
We represent clients throughout Eastern Washington, including Spokane Valley, Cheney, Deer Park, Airway Heights, Liberty Lake, Colbert, Medical Lake, Mead, and surrounding communities.
Why Spokane Injury Victims Choose Gilbert Law Firm
Gilbert Law Firm is not a national call-center firm with a 1-800 number and an intake team that farms cases out to local counsel. We are Spokane’s law firm — based at 421 West Riverside Avenue in the heart of downtown, committed to Eastern Washington clients.
What sets us apart:
- Insurance defense background — Attorney Mark King spent years defending insurance companies. He knows their playbook from the inside.
- Over 70 years of combined experience among our legal team
- National Law Journal Top 100 Verdicts — one of the most selective litigation honors in the country
- Super Lawyers recognition — awarded to the top 5% of attorneys in Washington State
- American Trial Lawyers Top 100
- No fee unless we win — zero upfront cost, zero financial risk
- 24/7 availability — you can always reach us
We Serve All of Eastern Washington
Gilbert Law Firm represents car accident victims throughout:
- Spokane
- Spokane Valley
- Spokane County
- Cheney
- Airway Heights
- Liberty Lake
- Deer Park
- Colbert / Mead
- Medical Lake
- Post Falls, Idaho
- Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- All surrounding Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho communities
Contact a Spokane Car Accident Lawyer Today — Free Consultation
You have three years to file — but the clock starts the day of your crash, evidence disappears fast, and waiting only helps the other side.
Call Gilbert Law Firm at 509-321-0750. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your consultation is free, your case review is confidential, and you will not owe us anything unless we win.
📞 509-321-0750 📍 421 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 1400, Spokane, Washington 99201
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