Anyone who has been involved in a serious car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accident in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, or anywhere in Western Washington, knows how frightening and traumatic the experience can be. And for a fatality collision, the shock and trauma for all people involved can be unimaginable.

After an accident, as the shock of the accident wears off, reality sets in. Pain from injuries, missed work, lost wages, medical bills, and endless doctor appointments are often the new reality for an accident victim. And for anyone involved in a serious or fatality accident, the reality is, they are going to need to help of a lawyer.

Go to the State of Washington Insurance Commissioner's site to get general information about auto insurance coverage.

A personal injury attorney helps people recover financially from an accident. While minor accidents can often be handled without the assistance of a lawyer, any major accident or injury requires professional help to manage the resulting insurance claim.

Go here to learn more about the insurance claim process.

Personal injury attorneys help clients in the following ways, so that accident victims can concentrate on healing:

• Attorneys gather all documents to support an insurance claim, including police reports, statements to insurance adjusters, photos, and vehicle-repair estimates.
• Lawyers manage all communications with insurance companies and adjusters throughout the entire claim process.
• Lawyers collect and document all costs, both current and future, related to a personal injury client’s injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
• Attorneys handle negotiations with adjusters to present the claim as completely as possible and to obtain a full settlement.
• When a full settlement is not offered, an injury attorney will take the claim into litigation.

For serious or fatal accidents in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, or anywhere in Western Washington, contact a personal injury attorney. The process to effectively manage a major insurance claim is challenging and best left in the hands of an experienced attorney. Most Seattle personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency-fee basis, so there is usually no initial cost, and all fees are paid at the end of the claim from the settlement or verdict funds.