If you were hurt in an accident in Spokane, you are probably dealing with medical bills, missed work, and an insurance company that is already working against you. You need an attorney who knows Washington personal injury law and will fight to make sure you are fully compensated, not just quickly settled.
Spokane, Washington
Spokane Personal Injury Lawyer
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At Gilbert Law Firm, our team has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across Washington State. Bill Gilbert has been recognized by Super Lawyers for thirteen consecutive years, an honor reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in Washington. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys, and has recovered more than $780 million for injured clients across his career.
We do not push early settlements. We do not hand your case to a paralegal. And we do not get paid unless you do.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle?
Personal injury law covers a wide range of situations. If someone else’s negligence caused real harm, Washington law gives you the right to seek compensation. Whether your injury happened on the road, at work, or on someone else’s property, our attorneys have the experience to fight for maximum compensation.
- Car & Auto Accidents: Car accidents are the most common personal injury case in Spokane — and the most aggressively defended by insurance companies. We handle liability disputes, uninsured motorist claims, and trials when insurers refuse to pay what you’re owed. Washington’s pure comparative fault rules (RCW 4.22.005) mean insurers will look for any way to assign you partial blame and reduce your payout. We push back.
- Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents:Crashes involving semi-trucks and commercial vehicles are governed by federal FMCSA regulations in addition to Washington state law — meaning there are more liable parties, more evidence to preserve, and tighter deadlines for requesting black box data. We move fast on these cases because evidence disappears quickly.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Washington riders face a persistent bias from insurance adjusters who assume the motorcyclist was at fault. We know this tactic and we counter it with evidence — accident reconstruction, witness statements, and a thorough review of the other driver’s history.
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents: When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian or cyclist, the injuries are almost always severe. Washington law provides strong protections for non-motorists — we pursue the full scope of damages including long-term care costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
- Boating Accidents: Washington’s waterways see significant recreational boating activity — and the accidents that come with it. We pursue claims against negligent operators, vessel owners, and in some cases manufacturers under Washington’s maritime and personal injury statutes.
- Slip & Fall / Premises Liability: Property owners in Washington have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions (RCW 4.24.210). If a hazard caused your fall, such as wet floors, broken pavement, or inadequate lighting, we build the evidence-based case that the owner knew or should have known about the danger.
- Brain & Catastrophic Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic injuries require a different level of litigation — expert neurologists, life care planners, and economists who can project lifetime costs. We have built these cases before and we know what comprehensive compensation actually looks like.
- Construction Accidents: Washington has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country. Whether you’re an injured worker, a subcontractor, or a bystander, we identify every liable party — general contractors, equipment manufacturers, property owners — and pursue them all.
- Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect: Washington’s Abuse of Vulnerable Adults Act (RCW 74.34) provides specific protections and legal remedies for residents harmed by negligence or intentional abuse. These cases require sensitivity and tenacity — we bring both.
- Wrongful Death: Losing a loved one to another’s negligence is devastating. Washington’s wrongful death statute (RCW 4.20.010) allows surviving family members to recover for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. We handle these cases with the care and seriousness they deserve.
What Compensation Can You Recover Under Washington Law?
Washington personal injury law allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. There is no statutory cap on either category in most personal injury cases, which means the full scope of your losses is on the table.
Our results reflect the full range of what Washington law allows. Recent recoveries include a $3.5 million settlement in a commercial truck crash case and a $2.25 million settlement for a pedestrian accident victim. In total, Gilbert Law Firm has recovered more than $780 million for injured clients.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Every claim is evaluated on its own facts.
Economic Damages
Economic damages or documented financial losses include:
- Medical expenses (past and future), including hospitalization, surgery, therapy, medication, assistive devices
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your long-term ability to work
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair or replacement
- Future care costs including in-home nursing, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment
- Home modification costs if disability requires accessibility changes
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are real losses that are harder to quantify. This includes:
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Mental anguish and psychological distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life, such as hobbies, activities, relationships
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
- In rare egregious cases, punitive damages (applied narrowly in Washington)
Washington follows a pure comparative fault (RCW 4.22.005). You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were found 25% responsible and your total damages are $100,000, you recover $75,000.
Insurance companies use this rule aggressively to shift blame onto injured parties and reduce payouts. Having an attorney who knows how to counter that tactic makes a measurable difference in your outcome.
How Are Damages Calculated in Washington Personal Injury Claims?
Insurance companies use internal formulas to generate early settlement offers — figures that rarely reflect the real value of a claim. Here is how damages are actually established:
- Economic Damages: Calculated from hard documentation: medical bills, pay stubs, tax returns, and vocational evaluations. Future costs, such as ongoing treatment, lost earning capacity, are supported by expert testimony from medical professionals and economists. Every dollar needs to be traceable.
- Non-Economic Damages: Supported through your own testimony, statements from family and friends, and expert witnesses such as psychologists or life care planners. There’s no formula. These figures are argued based on the severity, permanence, and daily impact of your injuries.
We do not negotiate until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) — the point at which your medical team has determined the full extent of your injuries. Early offers are made before this point on purpose. Accepting one means releasing all future claims, even if your condition worsens.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Washington?
Every case moves at a different pace depending on the severity of the injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate in good faith.
Cases involving minor to moderate injuries with clear liability can sometimes resolve within a few months of reaching maximum medical improvement, while cases involving serious or catastrophic injuries more typically take one to three years.
Cases that proceed to litigation take longer still, though most resolve before trial. The most important factor in any timeline is acting early as evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and certain deadlines under Washington law, including the window to file a tort claim against a government entity, cannot be missed.
Washington Personal Injury Case Process: Step by Step
- Step 1 – Free Consultation: You tell us what happened, and we listen carefully. We provide an honest assessment of your situation, explain the legal process, and discuss potential next steps so you can make informed decisions moving forward.
- Step 2 – Investigation and Evidence Preservation: We begin gathering and reviewing important evidence related to your case, which may include accident reports, medical records, surveillance footage, photographs, and witness statements. In cases involving commercial vehicles or construction sites, acting quickly can be especially important as evidence and conditions may change over time.
- Step 3 – Medical Treatment and Case Monitoring: We stay informed about your medical treatment and monitor the progress of your recovery. Understanding the full extent of injuries and damages is an important part of evaluating any potential claim.
- Step 4 – Demand and Negotiation: Once the available evidence and damages have been fully reviewed, we communicate with the at-fault party’s insurance company and begin negotiations aimed at reaching a fair resolution whenever possible.
- Step 5 – Litigation if Necessary: If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, we are prepared to move the case into litigation and advocate for our clients through the court process.
- Step 6 – Resolution and Recovery: Once the case is resolved, we assist with the final steps of the process, including handling settlement documentation, resolving applicable liens, and distributing any recovery obtained.
What Our Personal Injury Clients Say
Why Choose Gilbert Law Firm for Your Personal Injury Case
After an injury, having the right legal team matters. At Gilbert Law Firm, we focus on providing steady guidance, responsive communication, and strong advocacy throughout every stage of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Washington?
Three years from the date of injury for most cases (RCW 4.16.080). Important exceptions: claims against a government entity require a formal tort claim notice within 60–180 days. Injuries to minors toll the clock until age 18. Don’t assume you have time, contact us early. Most Spokane cases are filed in Spokane County Superior Court.
The insurance adjuster called me right away. Should I give a recorded statement?
No, not without speaking to an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that elicit answers used to reduce or deny your claim. You’re not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Decline politely and call us first.
What if I was partially at fault?
You can still recover. Washington’s pure comparative fault rule (RCW 4.22.005) reduces your award by your percentage of fault, it doesn’t eliminate it. Even if you were significantly at fault, a claim may still be worth pursuing.
What if the at-fault driver had no insurance?
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may compensate you, even as a pedestrian or cyclist struck by an uninsured driver. We identify every available coverage source, including policies held by other household members.
How long will my case take?
Straightforward cases with clear liability and moderate injuries can resolve in a few months. Cases involving serious injury, disputed fault, or litigation typically take one to three years. We don’t push early settlements, we wait until the full extent of your damages is known before negotiating.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
Almost never, at least not without legal review. Early offers are made before the insurer knows the full scope of your injuries. Once you accept and sign a release, you give up any right to further compensation, even if your condition worsens. Let us evaluate it first.
Talk to a Spokane Personal Injury Lawyer Today — Contact Us For a Free Consultation
You don’t have to deal with insurance companies, paperwork, and uncertainty on your own. At Gilbert Law Firm, we understand that personal injury cases are about more than legal claims — they involve real people dealing with pain, stress, financial pressure, and uncertainty about the future.
Contact us today at (509) 321-0750, we work to help clients move forward with confidence and support throughout the process.
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