Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me

If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you are likely feeling the effects in every area of your life, from mounting medical bills and missed work to the emotional strain. When searching for a personal injury lawyer near you, you need someone who knows the law and understands what you are going through.

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, we provide compassionate, results-driven representation to injury victims in Olympia, Washington, and throughout Thurston County. Our personal injury lawyer near me law firm understands the profound impact a personal injury can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. We are proud to help our neighbors pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey

Personal injury law encompasses a variety of incidents where someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct causes you harm. These situations can be incredibly diverse, each presenting its own unique set of challenges and legal considerations. Our experienced personal injury lawyers possess a thorough understanding of Washington State’s personal injury laws and a track record of successfully representing clients in various types of cases, including:

Motor vehicle accidents: Whether you were hit by a distracted driver, injured in a rear-end collision, or involved in a multi-car highway crash, we have extensive experience handling car, truck, and motorcycle accident cases. We will investigate the accident, work with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and fight to hold the at-fault driver and their insurance company accountable.
Slip and fall accidents: Property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe, and you may recover compensation if you slipped on a wet floor, tripped over uneven pavement, or were injured due to poor lighting or a lack of warning signs. We handle cases involving retail stores, apartment complexes, government buildings, and more.
Product liability: Manufacturers and sellers must be held accountable when a defective product causes serious injury. Whether it is a malfunctioning medical device, a dangerous tool, or a contaminated food product, we pursue justice through product liability claims that protect our clients and the public.
Dog bites: Washington has strict liability laws for dog owners. If a dog bites you or your child, the owner can be held financially responsible even if the dog has never shown aggression before. We handle dog bite cases with sensitivity and a determination to secure the compensation you need for medical treatment and trauma recovery.
Wrongful death: Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is devastating. We represent families in wrongful death claims involving fatal car crashes, defective products, and other accidents. These cases are about accountability, closure, and pursuing fair compensation.
First responders and PTSD: Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders put their lives on the line every day and too often suffer invisible injuries as a result. We fight for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional trauma who have been denied benefits, misdiagnosed, or overlooked by insurers.

We may also be able to help you with injuries stemming from other types of accidents. If you have been injured due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence in another personal injury situation, we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Why Local Personal Injury Clients Choose Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, we understand that choosing the right legal representation is crucial when facing the aftermath of a personal injury. Our personal injury team stands out for several reasons:

Decades of experience: Established in 1980, our firm has been serving the Olympia community for over 40 years. Our attorneys bring over 110 years of combined experience in personal injury law, ensuring clients receive knowledgeable and seasoned representation.
Recognized excellence in the legal community: Our commitment to excellence has earned us numerous accolades. These honors reflect our dedication to upholding the highest standards of legal practice.
Client-centered approach: Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no upfront legal fees. We only collect fees if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf, underscoring our commitment to making legal services accessible and risk-free for our clients.
Local representation: We are familiar with Thurston County courts, local traffic patterns, and accident-prone intersections, which allows us to better investigate your case and help it move more smoothly through the legal system.

Choosing a personal injury lawyer near you, like those here at Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, means choosing someone who is part of your world and ready to fight for you like family.

What to Do After a Personal Injury in Olympia

The moments after an accident are disorienting, stressful, and overwhelming. What you do next can significantly affect your recovery and your ability to pursue a successful claim. Following these essential steps can protect your health and legal rights:

Seek medical attention immediately: Get checked out by a doctor even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, do not show immediate symptoms but can worsen without prompt treatment.
Report the incident: Depending on the nature of your injury, notify the appropriate authorities. Call the police for car accidents, or inform the property owner or store manager if you slipped and fell.
Document the scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, visible injuries, and any property damage if you can. Get contact information from witnesses and the responsible party.
Avoid discussing the incident on social media: Insurance adjusters can use anything you say publicly or even casually in a post against you. Do not speculate or admit fault, and do not share updates about your condition.
Do not talk to insurance adjusters alone: Insurance companies are businesses first, and their goal is to minimize payouts. Politely decline to give recorded statements or accept settlements before speaking with a personal injury attorney near you.
Call a personal injury lawyer near you: The sooner you consult with our experienced personal injury attorneys in Olympia, the better. We can advise you of your rights, investigate your claim, and guide you through the legal process.

Early legal guidance can make a significant difference in obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to in Washington

Washington personal injury victims can pursue compensatory damages to address the full extent of their losses. Compensation is typically divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These are measurable, out-of-pocket losses, including:

Medical expenses: These include hospital visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, ongoing care, and future treatment needs.
Lost wages: You can recover income you would have earned if your injury kept you from working.
Loss of earning capacity: These apply if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or limit your future work opportunities.
Property damage: This includes repairs or replacement for damaged vehicles, personal items, or other property.

Non-Economic Damages

These are intangible losses that affect your quality of life, such as:

Pain and suffering: This includes physical pain and the emotional toll of your injury.
Mental anguish: This covers anxiety, depression, PTSD, or sleep disturbances the trauma caused.
Loss of enjoyment of life: This applies if you can no longer participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Loss of consortium: This includes the impact on your relationships with your spouse or family members.

Our firm works with medical experts, financial professionals, and life care planners to calculate the true value of your claim, ensuring we do not overlook any damage.

How Comparative Fault Works in Washington

One of the most important legal concepts in personal injury law is comparative fault, especially in Washington, which follows a pure comparative fault system. This means that you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident. The court will simply reduce your total damages by your percentage of fault.

For example, let’s say you were involved in a car crash and suffered $100,000 in damages. If the court finds you 30% responsible for the accident, you can still recover $70,000.

This rule applies in car accidents, slip and fall cases, and most types of personal injury claims in Washington. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of fault to reduce what they owe you. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know how to push back and protect your right to fair compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Olympia, WA?

Under Washington State’s statute of limitations, you generally have three years from your injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are exceptions that can either shorten or extend this deadline, including:

Claims against government entities: These often require you to file a formal claim within 180 days before a lawsuit can begin.
Medical malpractice claims: These may allow a discovery rule, extending the timeline if you did not immediately discover the injury.
Wrongful death claims: You must also file these within three years of the decedent’s death and not necessarily the accident date.

Missing the filing deadline means potentially losing your right to compensation, even if your case is strong. That is why you should contact a personal injury attorney near you as soon as possible so we can preserve your rights and begin collecting evidence.

The Steps Involved in Olympia Personal Injury Claims

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be wondering what comes next and how the legal process works. At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, we guide our clients through each stage of their personal injury claim with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Here is what you can expect when pursuing a personal injury case in Olympia:

Initial consultation: Your claim begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, ask questions about what happened, and evaluate your claim’s potential strength.
Investigation and evidence gathering: Once you hire us, we immediately begin gathering crucial evidence to support your claim. This can include accident reports, medical records and bills, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert testimony.
Medical treatment and documentation: Your health and recovery are our top priorities. We will ensure you see the right doctors and specialists and carefully document your treatment progress.
Valuation of your damages: Next, we determine the full extent of your economic and non-economic losses. We will work closely with experts when necessary to estimate long-term impacts and make sure your demand reflects your claim’s true value.
Settlement demand and negotiation: Once you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) or a stable point in treatment, we prepare and send a settlement demand to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Negotiations then begin.
Filing a lawsuit: If negotiations stall or liability is disputed, we will file a lawsuit in the appropriate Washington court. Filing suit does not mean your case will go to trial, but it shows the other side you are serious.
Discovery and pre-trial process: Once we file a lawsuit, both sides engage in discovery, a formal exchange of information that includes interrogatories, document requests, and depositions. During this phase, we continue building your case, strengthening our position, and identifying weaknesses in the defense’s arguments.
Mediation or arbitration: Many personal injury cases go through mediation or arbitration before trial. These forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) are designed to help both parties find common ground without going to court.
Trial: We are ready if your case proceeds to trial. Our experienced litigators will present your case to a judge or jury with compelling evidence to advocate on your behalf, hold the responsible parties accountable, and seek full compensation for your injuries.

Pursuing a personal injury claim may feel overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our Olympia personal injury attorneys will handle the legal complexities so you can concentrate on your recovery and future.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me Law Firm

You have been through enough. The last thing you need is to face the insurance companies or navigate the legal system alone. Contact Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey today to schedule a free consultation. Our local personal injury lawyers in Olympia and South Puget Sound take the insult out of injury.