Injured in an accident? The Washington & Oregon car accident lawyers at Telaré Personal Injury Attorneys have been fighting for car accident victims for 25 years. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have secured over $100 million for our clients in just settlements and verdicts. Our impressive record of results is why clients refer their family and friends to us, why adjusters negotiate with us, and why defense lawyers respect us. When we do settle a car accident case, we are often able to secure a much higher award because insurance companies know we ALWAYS prepare your case for trial.
How Can We Help?
- What Types of Car Accident Cases Do You Handle?
- What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
- What Injuries Do Car Accident Victims Suffer?
- Treating a Catastrophic Injury
- Who Is Liable for a Car Accident?
- How Much Is My Washington & Oregon Car Accident Claim Worth?
- Evaluating Your Case and the Legal Process
- What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?
- Is There a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?
- Washington State Car Accident FAQs
What Types of Car Accident Cases Do You Handle?
Our Washington & Oregon car accident lawyers handle claims that cause catastrophic injuries. The type of accident is a strong indicator of how catastrophic the injuries are likely to be.
We regularly handle the following types of car accidents:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end-collisions
- Broadside accidents
- Multiple-vehicle accidents
- Single-car accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Rockslide accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Car vs. Truck
- Car vs. Motorcycle
We work with investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts, and product safety professionals to show how the accident occurred and why the defendants should pay for your damages.
What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Drivers know the traffic laws. They know the difference between safe driving and unsafe driving. When they cross these lines and act negligently, they deserve to be held accountable. Some of the many reasons car accidents happen include:
- Driver intoxication
- Driver distraction (texting, etc.)
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Not obeying traffic signals
- Failure to yield
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Defective and confusing roadways
Top 5 Car Crash Causes (U.S. Nationwide – preliminary data from 2022-2024)
We researched several government sources to compile a report with evidence showing the top five causes of car accidents nationwide. Since 2025 data has not yet been released, we analyzed data from 2022–2024. Here is what we found:
Cause | Key 2022–2024 Statistics (Nationwide) |
Distracted Driving | ~13% of all crashes involve driver distraction (source: crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov). In 2022, 3,308 deaths and 289,000 injuries resulted from distraction-affected crashes (source: nhtsa.gov). |
Speeding | A factor in 29% of 2022 traffic fatalities (source: nhtsa.gov). In 2022, 12,151 people killed and ~300,600 injured in speeding-related crashes (source: nhtsa.gov). |
Alcohol-Impaired Driving | Involved in ~30% of crash deaths (12,429 fatalities in 2023) (source: nhtsa.gov). 13,524 deaths in 2022 (~32% of fatalities) (source: safetrec.berkeley.edu) – illustrating persistent risk. |
Adverse Weather | Contributes to ~12% of all crashes (~745,000/year) (source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov) . Annual average ~3,800 killed (9% of deaths) and 268,000 injured in weather-related crashes (source: ops.fhwa.dot.govops.fhwa.dot.gov). |
Failure to Yield / Traffic Violations | Among top human errors: ~8% of fatal-crash drivers in 2023 had failure-to-yield or similar violations (source: injuryfacts.nsc.org). Major cause of intersection collisions (e.g. red-light running caused ~900+ deaths in recent year). |
Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data and research notes; National Safety Council (NSC) Injury Facts (injuryfacts.nsc.orgnhtsa.govnhtsa.govnhtsa.govops.fhwa.dot.gov); Governors Highway Safety Association and FHWA reports.
Of course, not all car crashes are the result of driver negligence. A car accident lawyer in Washington & Oregon could also file claims when accidents are due to defective car parts, faulty roadway design, and other causes.
What Injuries Do Car Accident Victims Suffer?
Telaré Law represents victims who suffer catastrophic injuries in a car accident – the types of injuries that may take years to heal or may never fully heal at all. We have the skills, resources, and experience to handle complex claims involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/limb loss
- Internal organ damage
- Multiple broken bones
- Permanent vision and hearing loss
- Chronic pain
- Nerve damage
We are skilled at representing children who are injured in car accidents, and families when a loved one dies in a car crash.
Treating a Catastrophic Injury
Most car accident victims begin their treatment with a visit to the emergency room. In truly catastrophic cases, the accident victims require surgeries, including skin grafts or even organ transplants. They may need ongoing care from a physical therapist, who focuses on strength and mobility, or from occupational therapists, vocational therapists, psychologists, and many other healthcare professionals. In many cases, families require life planners to help them chart a path forward for their children, their spouses, and even themselves.
At Telaré Law, we understand what kind of financial burden lifelong medical care can create. Our Washington & Oregon car accident lawyers work with your doctors. George and Andrea Telquist have built a network of the best doctors around Washington and Oregon who can review your injuries when you work with Telaré Law. By the time your case is ready for a settlement discussion or trial, we will know your diagnosis, prognosis, the full range of treatment options, and all the ways your injuries affect your ability to function, work, and enjoy life – and every single insurance company knows it. Our team won’t let you settle for less than what you need and deserve.
Who Is Liable for a Car Accident?
In an at-fault state, in order to recover damages for your injuries, you need to show that a driver or someone else caused your accident. You need to show more than how the accident happened; you need to show why the accident occurred. We work aggressively to establish how and why the defendant’s actions caused the accident which led to your injuries.
At Telaré Law, we file car accident claims against every responsible party. Defendants can include:
- The negligent driver
- The owners of the car (if different than the driver) if they gave permission to the driver to operate the vehicle
- An employer
- The manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of defective auto parts such as defective brakes, airbags, and fuel lines
- A seller of alcohol, if the driver is a minor or someone who was visibly intoxicated, and that driver causes the accident
- The Department of Transportation, or other state or local entities/ agencies, when applicable
Our lawyers are skilled at handling complex cases which involve multiple defendants. In addition to our work with accident reconstructionists and, when necessary, members of law enforcement, we thoroughly question the defendants to determine everything they did and failed to do immediately before the accident. We also use all phone, repair, and insurance records to help build your claim.
How Much Is My Washington & Oregon Car Accident Claim Worth?
Each case is different depending on the type of injuries you have, the severity of the injuries, and how your injuries are affecting your daily life. Insurance adjusters often base settlement offers on how much similar cases have settled for, or what juries awarded in similar situations.
At Telaré Law, our Washington & Oregon car accident lawyers demand just compensation based on the value of all your economic and non-economic losses including:
- All medical bills (past, present, and future) for hospital care, doctor visits, therapy, assistive devices, and medications
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Any scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (marital support and intimacy)
- Property losses
Our experienced trial lawyers often settle cases for more than the insurance company’s first offer – including over $100 million in settlements and verdicts since 2007. Our success at trying cases is a major reason insurance companies make fair settlement offers. Our seasoned lawyers are respected for our ability to persuasively try your case in court.
Evaluating Your Case and the Legal Process
After a serious accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by medical bills, missed work, and constant calls from the insurance company. That’s why the first step we take at Telaré Law is simple: we listen to your story. In a free consultation, we’ll go over how the crash happened, the injuries you’re dealing with, and how it has impacted your daily life. From there, we’ll review the facts, any documents you already have, and the available insurance coverage. Every case is different, so we don’t give cookie-cutter answers. Instead, we explain your legal rights in plain English and outline what options make the most sense for you.
If you choose to move forward, we handle the hard part from day one. That means taking over all communication with the insurance company, gathering police reports, medical records, and witness statements, and building the strongest case possible. You will not have to worry about saying the wrong thing to an adjuster or missing a crucial deadline. We also explain each step of the legal process as we go, so you always know what’s happening. Whether your case settles quickly or requires filing a lawsuit, you’ll have a clear picture of what to expect.
Most car accident claims in Washington are resolved through settlement, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This approach shows the insurance companies that we are serious about getting you full compensation. And if they refuse to play fair, we are ready to fight for you in court. We also make sure your case stays on track with Washington’s legal deadlines. In most situations, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit – and we’ll make sure no deadline is missed. From start to finish, our goal is to take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on healing while we pursue the maximum recovery you deserve.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?
While you generally have three years to file your claim under RCW 4.16.080, you shouldn’t wait. The best course of action is to contact our Washington & Oregon car accident lawyers immediately. We need to move quickly to investigate your claim. We need to work with your doctors now to understand your medical condition. You need the strongest recovery possible to move forward with your life.
Is There a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Telaré Law serves clients across Washington and Oregon with multiple office locations:
If your injuries make it difficult to travel, our attorneys can meet with you at your home or in the hospital.
Why Choose Telaré Law For Your Car Accident
When your life is never going to be the same due to a crash help, you need trial lawyers with the track record to help you get justice. Telaré Law only represents injury victims. We take the cases other lawyers think are too hard to handle. We calmly answer all your questions and guide you through the litigation or settlement process.
To assert your right to compensation, contact our car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
Washington State Car Accident FAQs
Q: How Do Our Accident Lawyers Establish Liability?
Our Washington car accident attorneys establish liability by investigating the scene, reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts. We also analyze whether the other driver violated Washington traffic laws, since breaking safety statutes often proves negligence. Because Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule (RCW 4.22.005), your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. Our goal is to show the other party bears the majority of responsibility so you recover the maximum possible. With strong evidence, we build a case that clearly demonstrates who was at fault.
Q: What Types Of Damages Can Be Pursued In A Car Accident Lawsuit?
In Washington, you may recover both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property repair, and future care costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, or loss of enjoyment of life). Unlike some states, Washington does not cap non-economic damages, meaning juries can award fair amounts based on your suffering. Loss of consortium claims may also apply if your injuries impact your family relationships. Punitive damages are generally not available unless a statute allows them, which is rare. Our lawyers document every loss to pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Q: Should You Speak With The Opposing Party’s Insurance Company Without A Lawyer?
It’s not advisable to speak with the other driver’s insurance company without legal counsel. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may use your words against you. Even polite comments like “I’m fine” can be twisted to suggest your injuries are not serious. You are not required to give recorded statements or sign documents without advice from a Washington car accident attorney. Having your lawyer handle communication ensures your rights are protected and your claim is valued fairly.
Q: How Long Does It Take To Resolve A Car Accident Case?
The timeline to resolve a car accident case in Washington varies from a few months to several years, depending on complexity. Straightforward claims with clear liability may settle in six to twelve months. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed fault, or multiple parties often take longer, especially if litigation or trial becomes necessary. Your attorney may also wait until you reach maximum medical improvement to ensure all future costs are included. Washington’s statute of limitations (RCW 4.16.080) gives you three years to file, but starting early helps build the strongest case.