Central Washington Auto Accident Lawyer
Serving Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Grant, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas & Adams counties
Auto Accident Injury Attorney
No Fee
Unless We Win
Free
Consultation
Remote Meetings Available
Licensed Since 2003
Free Consultations
Serving 8 Counties
Gonzaga Law Graduate
You Deserve an Attorney Who Knows These Roads
and These Courtrooms
A car accident can change everything in an instant. One moment you are driving home to your family in Yakima, heading over Vantage Bridge toward Ellensburg, or running errands in Moses Lake. The next, you are dealing with injuries, mounting medical bills, a damaged vehicle, and an insurance company that is not on your side.
At the Law Offices of Brian Chase, we understand what Central Washington families go through after a serious auto accident. Our office is located right here in Quincy, in the heart of Grant County. We are not a Seattle firm stretching into your community from across the mountains. We live here. We drive these highways. We know the icy conditions on I-90 through Kittitas County in winter, the blind curves on US-97 in Chelan County, and the heavy agricultural traffic on rural roads throughout Grant and Douglas counties.
That local knowledge matters when building your case. We know the judges in the superior courts across Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Grant, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas and Adams counties. We know which medical providers give our clients the attention they deserve. And we know how to hold negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable under Washington law.
Your first consultation is completely free.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no risk in calling us to learn about your options.
Types of Auto Accident Cases We Handle
Car Accidents & Rear-End Collisions
From fender benders on Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima to high-speed collisions on I-82, we handle all types of passenger vehicle accidents. Rear-end collisions are among the most common and can cause serious whiplash and spinal injuries.
Commercial Truck & Semi Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Uber & Lyft Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
We also handle cases involving SUV rollovers, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, intersection collisions, I-90 pileups, and accidents caused by road hazards or defective vehicles. If you are unsure whether your case qualifies, call us. The consultation is free.
Types of Auto Accident Injuries We Handle
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and closed head injuries
Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
Whiplash and soft tissue neck injuries
Road rash and severe lacerations
Shoulder, knee, and joint injuries
Amputation and loss of limb
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Herniated and bulging discs
Broken bones and fractures
The severity of your injuries directly affects the value of your case. We work with medical professionals across all five counties to document your injuries thoroughly and connect you with specialists who can provide the treatment you need.
GET A FREE Injury CASE REVIEW.
Call (509) 787-9000
Washington State Auto Accident Laws
You Should Know
Understanding the legal framework is critical to protecting your rights after an accident. Here are the key Washington laws that affect your auto accident case:
3-Year Statute of Limitations
(RCW 4.16.080)
Under Washington law, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case and you will lose your right to sue permanently.
There are limited exceptions. For minors, the clock does not start until they turn 18. If the injury was not immediately discoverable, the discovery rule may extend the deadline. Claims against government entities — such as accidents caused by poorly maintained state roads — require a formal tort claim notice, which may significantly narrow the window in which to file your lawsuit.
Pure Comparative Negligence
(RCW 4.22.005)
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a jury determines your total damages are $100,000 but finds you were 25% responsible — perhaps you were slightly exceeding the speed limit — your recovery could be reduced to $75,000. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate your share of fault to minimize what they pay. An experienced auto accident attorney can counter these tactics and protect your recovery.
Washington’s Minimum Insurance Requirements
Under RCW 46.30.020, all Washington drivers must carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage.
While Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is not mandatory in Washington, it is strongly recommended. If you were offered PIP coverage and declined it in writing, you may still have other options available. We can review your policy and identify every possible source of recovery.
In addition to a PIP policy, we highly recommend that every Washington driver get at least $100,000 underinsured / uninsured motorist coverage as part of their auto insurance. This is because PIP policies only pay for your medical expenses. PIP polices do not pay for your lost wages, pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or loss of consortium (for your spouse and/or minor children).
Do not sign anything from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after an accident with a settlement offer that seems generous in the moment. It is almost always far less than what your case is worth. Once you accept, you cannot go back and ask for more — even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you initially thought.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Central Washington
Step 1: Call 911 and Check for Injuries
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Move to a safe location if possible. Washington law requires you to stop and remain at the scene of any accident involving injury or significant property damage.
Step 2: Document the Scene
Take photos of all vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and your visible injuries. Collect the other driver’s name, insurance information, license plate number, and contact details. Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Step 3: File a Police Report
If a police officer responds to the scene, they will file a report. If no officer responds, you are required under RCW 46.52.030 to file a Motor Vehicle Collision Report with the Washington State Patrol within four days if the accident caused injury, death, or $1,000 or more in property damage.
Step 4: Seek Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine
Many injuries suffered in auto accidents, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, do not show symptoms immediately. In fact, in the vast majority of auto accidents, most persons feel perfectly fine for 6 to 24 hours after the accident (this is due to the body going into shock as a result of the tremendous sheering forces involved in auto accidents). It is normally in your best medical and legal interests to take an ambulance directly from the accident scene to the nearest ER. You should always do so if the EMTs or first responders advise you to do so. If you did not take an ambulance, then you should definitely see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours in order to create a medical record linking your injuries to the accident. Delaying care gives insurance companies an excuse to deny your claim.
Step 5: Do Not Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer or to even speak to them Anything you say can and will be used to minimize or deny your claim. You should ALWAYS politely decline and tell them your attorney will be in touch.
Step 6: Call an Experienced Central Washington Auto Accident Attorney
Contact the Law Offices of Brian Chase at (509) 787-9000 for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights, and begin protecting your interests immediately. The sooner you call, the more we can do to preserve evidence and build a strong case. Insurance companies will never take you seriously until you have an attorney representing you. So, get one as soon as possible. If not us, then another attorney. You will be glad you did.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Medical
Expenses
This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing or future medical care related to your injuries.
Lost Wages and Income
Compensation for the time you have missed from work while recovering. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or reduce your earning capacity long-term, you may also recover future lost earnings.
Property
Damage
The cost to repair or replace your vehicle, rental car expenses while yours is being repaired, and the value of any personal property damaged in the crash.
Pain and
Suffering
Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and reduction in quality of life caused by your injuries. Washington law recognizes that these non-economic damages can be just as real and significant as your financial losses.
Loss of Consortium
Your spouse and your minor dependent children may also have a right to their own separate compensation due to secondary effects on them because of the injuries you suffered from the accident.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one was killed in a car accident, surviving family members may recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering of the deceased person before death.
Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment required, the impact on your ability to work, and the degree of the other party’s negligence. We evaluate each case individually and give you an honest assessment during your free consultation.
What Clients Say
★★★★★
“Very helpful to me in my case. Trustworthy and honest.”
– Dominic R.
★★★★★
“I’m so grateful for his expertise and compassion. From our first meeting, Brian made me feel heard and guided me through every step with professionalism.”
★★★★★
“Brian Chase is a steady, reliable attorney known for his clear communication and no-nonsense approach.”
– Ted E.
What is your lawsuit worth?
Calculate your potential compensation
One of the first questions people ask after a car accident is: “How much is my case worth?” While every case is different, there is a straightforward formula that personal injury attorneys commonly use to estimate a reasonable settlement amount.
Enter your numbers below to get a ballpark estimate of what your claim may be worth.
This estimate does not include loss of consortium, which is a separate claim available to spouses or domestic partners for the loss of companionship, affection, and support caused by your injuries.
This calculator provides a general estimate only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual settlement and verdict amounts vary significantly based on the specific facts of each case, the severity of injuries, available insurance coverage, the jurisdiction, and many other factors. The multiplier used in this calculator is a simplified approximation and may not reflect the multiplier applied to your individual case.
No attorney-client relationship is created by using this calculator. The results should not be relied upon as a prediction, guarantee, or promise of any particular outcome. Past results do not guarantee future performance. If you have been injured in an accident, you should consult with a qualified personal injury attorney to obtain an accurate evaluation of your claim. Contact the Law Offices of Brian Chase, PLLC at (509) 787-9000 for a free consultation.