Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the Risks of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: Protecting Yourself on the RoadEvery time we get behind the wheel, we face a certain degree of risk on the road. Accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of how cautious we are as drivers. While most motorists understand the importance of having auto insurance, it is a reality that not everyone on the road carries the necessary coverage. What are the risks associated with uninsured and underinsured motorists? How you can protect yourself in such situations? Uninsured Motorists: The Silent ThreatDespite legal requirements in many jurisdictions, a significant number of drivers still…

Personal injury is a legal term that refers to harm suffered by a person due to someone else’s negligence, intentional action, or strict liability. Larson Griffee Pickett has built a team of experienced professionals, top attorneys and staff, to serve personal injury matters involving severe injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. The consequences of these injuries can be devastating, affecting every aspect of the victim’s life, from physical pain and suffering to financial hardship and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is essential to seek…

There are few accidents more traumatic than a burn injury. Not only can these tragedies be excruciatingly painful, but many burn injuries are caused by preventable accidents. Whether a burn injury was the result of a drunk driving accident, a defective product or machine, or a workplace accident, burn victims may require both physical and emotional therapy to regain their quality of life. In some cases, burn injuries can result in a wrongful death, leaving family members to pick up the pieces of their loved one’s former life. Yakima, Washington, catastrophic injury law firms—like us—can help car crash burn injury victims…

At the exact moment of an accident, the reason for the crash doesn’t matter too much. Instead, your safety and well-being should be a priority Once everyone is safe, that’s when cause begins to matter. In Yakima, Washington, we know how stressful and overwhelming these accidents can be. Reckless driving and negligent driving can cause the same problems out on the roadways, but there are a few differences between the two to which you should be aware. What Constitutes Reckless Driving? Recklessness consists of unlawful and unsafe driving with a disregard for the safety of others. Reckless drivers are aware of…

In the immediate moments following a car accident—after checking to see if everyone is healthy and safe—the likely next question for everyone involved will be: “Whose fault was this?” Every situation is different, and even if you believe yourself to be at-fault, the first thing you should do is ensure you are remaining calm. There is no need to panic because that will only make matters worse. Fault can be tricky, but it is an extremely important aspect of the accident that will need to be determined in the future. I think the accident my fault, now what? First of…

If you’re involved in a personal injury case,  in Yakima, Washington, can help you get the settlement you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys know how taxing these situations can be. We will do everything we can to award you with your settlement as a lump sum and put this stressful time behind you. Most personal injury cases receive settlements as a lump sum and there can be great payout options. There are some things you should keep in mind, however: How much does my lump sum settlement have to be? You are only going to receive your settlement once. It is…

Losing a limb can be an extremely traumatic experience, even when it occurs in the relative safety of a hospital. When a limb is lost—either surgically or in a catastrophic accident—many survivors struggle with a lifetime of physical and emotional consequences. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries in the U.S., but that’s just one of the ways Americans lose limbs. Today, about 2 million Americans are living with limb loss, which can be caused by diabetes, traffic accidents, product liability cases, fires, and workplace accidents. If you or someone in your household lost a limb…

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an attorney who can assist you at the time of the accident and throughout the legal proceedings. The experienced attorney at  in Yakima, Washington, knows how stressful these events can be and the team is there to help you. Accidents can happen to anyone at anytime. Knowing what to do and—more importantly—what not to do in the moments after these accidents is imperative. Here are some frequently asked questions for those involved in accidents around Yakima: I was just involved in an accident, what’s my first step? Contact a Yakima,…

When deciding upon a personal injury attorney, the possibilities can seem endless. As you weigh your options, make sure the attorney you choose is the right one for you. Here we highlight some of the most important aspects of a quality personal injury attorney. Consequently, we strive to help our clients heal and restore and will work tirelessly to ensure each client’s experience is comfortable and positive. By working with , you can rest assured Bill Pickett will walk hand-in-hand with you through this journey, treating you with dignity, respect, kindness, and compassion from the initial consultation to the resolution…

When you are the victim of medical malpractice or medical negligence, the difference in these two legal terms may not mean much to you; however, to your attorney they should mean quite a bit. Your personal injury attorney must understand the difference between medical malpractice and medical negligence in order to obtain a successful outcome in your malpractice claim. If the attorney you choose does not understand the difference between these two legal theories and understand the various elements that must be present in each situation to win, you could lose your case or your compensation could be reduced. The…

Personal injury can be a difficult practice area because a person must prove that they were harmed due to the negligence of another. When it comes to personal injury cases, there are two major components that you’ll need to prove. These components include liability and damages. Liability When someone has a responsibility to act as a reasonable person, and then fails to do so, liability arises. In order to prevail in a personal injury case, an injured person must prove that another person/corporation/government was at fault for their injuries and that they could have been prevented had different decisions been made.…

A common question that prospective and current clients have is, “how soon will this be over?” It’s a fair question to want to know how long the legal process is going to take. The answer to this question is not as simple as telling you that it takes a specific number of months. The time it takes to go through the legal process is dependent upon the actions of insurance companies, especially when it comes to personal injury cases. If the insurance company wants to prolong a claim, you may have to fight for a lengthy time. We know and…

If you’re involved in an out-of-state accident, there are a couple options you can explore, legally. First, if there were injuries caused by the accident, you would have most likely already received medical treatment in the state of the accident. Once stable, you would be cleared to continue back to your home state. At that point, you should contact an attorney. It’s important to do your research when looking for an attorney, and look specifically to see if they practice law in multiple states. At , for example, Bill Pickett is licensed to practice law in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.…

Putting a numerical value on a personal injury case is difficult to achieve without diving in deeper. If you go into an attorney’s office and they attempt to tell you immediately how much your case is worth, you should consider seeing another attorney. There is no way to know exactly how much you could receive by having one brief conversation about the situation. Lawyers need to understand the complete nature of a case and the extent of the harm done before legal losses can be determined. A careful analysis of the medical documentation, research regarding where the accident took place, and…

After being involved in an accident, there are so many different questions running through your mind. One of those questions is this: “Do I need to see a specific doctor, or will any doctor do?” The answer: It depends on the nature of your injury. Initially, any type of doctor will be fine, as long as you seek medical treatment. Typically, many people make a trip to the emergency room following an accident. The earlier you receive care and treatment for your injuries, the faster you can get back to your normal life. Making a visit to the emergency room…

There are two types of damages that you may be eligible to receive compensation for: specific damages and general damages. Specific damages are for things like medical expenses and lost wages as a result of the injury. General damages include things like pain and suffering that actually change the person both emotionally as well as physically.

Insurance companies try to use time lapses to their advantage. Let’s say, for instance, you have neck or back pain, but you’re not sure if you’re injured so you just try to grin and bear it. You give it a few weeks, and maybe a few weeks turns into a few months. Finally, you end up going to the doctor. After diagnostic imaging, you find that you have a serious spinal cord injury. Now, there is a gap in time between your injury and the documentation. Because of the time lapse, a lot of things have to happen. First, it…

In Washington, negligence claims have to be filed within three years. This three-year limit is called the statute of limitation.If there is a delay between the accident and when you file for a claim, that can make this process more difficult. If you have suffered an injury, it’s important to file a claim as soon as possible. When an accident takes place, it’s absolutely critical that it’s investigated promptly, before witnesses go missing, evidence disappears, or the nature of the accident scene changes.

If you’re injured in an accident, common sense dictates that you’ve got to get medical attention, first and foremost. Legally speaking, it’s vitally important that you follow up with a trained medical provider who can accurately document the injury. If the injuries aren’t documented, it can be as if they didn’t even happen. Some people choose not to go to a doctor or to be examined, which creates a delay. Their injuries may get worse and worse, and when they do decide to go for treatment and documentation, there is a gap in time. Insurers make millions of dollars a…