Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions

At Fang Law Firm, we receive many common questions about personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about our services, our claims, and their processes. If you have additional questions or wish to speak to a Seattle personal injury lawyer directly, contact us online or call us.

Why Choose Fang Law Firm?

• If we do not win your case, you do not have to pay.
• We are always available to answer questions from our clients.
• We have over 10 years of experience in Seattle and a 98% success rate.

What is Personal Injury?

Personal injury refers to any physical or mental injury a person sustains as a result of another person’s harmful actions, recklessness, or negligence. All types of accidents can constitute a personal injury case, including motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, defective products, and medical malpractice. The most common type of personal injury accident is car accidents.

What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death refers to any death that occurs as a result of a wrongful, negligent act of another person. Many wrongful death cases involve the same types of accidents as personal injury cases. To file a wrongful death claim in Washington, you must be the spouse, child, or parent of the deceased. Our Seattle lawyers can help your family during this difficult time.

What is the Difference Between an Insurance Claim and a Lawsuit?

Usually, the first step to receiving compensation for injuries sustained in an accident is to file an insurance claim. If you are involved in a car accident, Washington is a fault insurance state. The at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay for your injuries. You will file a claim with the insurance company and your Seattle car accident attorney will enter into negotiations with the company.

If you do not receive an adequate settlement offer, the second step is to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington civil court. During this process, your attorney will argue for your right to compensation in front of a jury. The jury will then determine if you will receive damages and the amount of your settlement. The insurance company typically negotiates a settlement.

You can skip straight to the lawsuit process if you choose to do so. If you have severe injuries that require compensation beyond the insurance company’s policy limits, filing a lawsuit can provide the best pathway to maximum potential compensation.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in Personal Injury Cases?

You can claim both economic and non-economic damages in Washington personal injury cases. Economic damages refer to tangible, out-of-pocket losses that you can calculate. Non-economic damages are not tangible and are difficult to quantify. You can recover many forms of compensation in Washington personal injury cases.

• Medical expenses, including surgeries, doctor bills, medications, hospitalization costs, mobility equipment, physical therapy, and any other costs related to treating your injuries
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement and scarring

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in Wrongful Death Cases?

If you are an immediate family member, such as a spouse or a child, you can claim compensatory damages for a loved one’s wrongful death.

• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of insurance benefits
• Mental anguish
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering

How Long Does It Take to Reach a Settlement?

We cannot provide a definitive answer to this question. The settlement process varies based on the circumstances of the case, the at-fault party’s defense strategy, the amount of damages you seek, and other issues that may appear along the way. In many cases, insurance companies settle out of court and you can receive a settlement relatively quickly. It can take as little as a few months and as long as a few years to receive compensation.

What Legal Fees Does Your Firm Charge?

Fang Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis. If we do not secure a settlement on your behalf, we do not charge any legal fees. If we do secure a settlement, we will take an agreed-upon percentage of the settlement as our final payment.