Associate attorney Stacie Bain is a volunteer lawyer with the Elder Law Clinic.

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Free Initial Legal Consultation

No Attorney Fee Without A Monetary Recovery

Tenacious Ethical Representation
For Seriously Injured Clients

While all lawyers will say they are good at what they do, there is an objective, peer-reviewed rating system administered by Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell has a database of over one million lawyers.

Bob Anderton has an AV rating, the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards.

Anderton Law Office Personal Injury Lawyers represent bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers involved in collisions, or injured in accidents or unsafe places.

Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Questions

Insurance Questions

Negotiation and Trial

Other Questions

Basic Questions

Q: How soon after an injury should I contact a lawyer?

A: As soon as possible. You may be contacted by an insurance adjuster and should not make a statement before you have consulted a lawyer. What you say can and will be used against you by the insurance company. Even if Anderton Law Office does not represent you, conversations with any lawyer you consult are generally protected by the attorney-client privilege. The attorneys at Anderton Law Office can help you understand the applicable laws and what insurance may be available to cover your economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages or income, property damage, as well as your non-economic damages (sometimes called pain and suffering).
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Q: Why should I use Anderton Law Office?

A: Anderton Law Office provides tenacious yet ethical advocacy by skilled and effective attorneys. You can call us any time at (206) 262-9290. There is no charge to discuss your claim and we return all calls promptly. While all lawyers will say they are good at what they do, there is an objective, peer-reviewed rating system administered by Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubble has a database of over one million lawyers. Bob Anderton has an AV rating, the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards.  Bob has successfully represented hundreds of injured people since 1992.  Bob believes in public service and his public interest work is consistent with his work for private clients.  The Anderton Law Office motto is "representing people, not corporations."  Bob Anderton has never worked as an attorney for an insurance company or any other corporation, and is proud of helping regular people get back to being regular people.
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Q: Can you provide any representative settlements or verdicts?

A: Yes, but at Anderton Law Office we prefer not to focus on other people’s claims. Many law offices list large settlements to entice new clients. This can create unwarranted expectations. The value of your claim is based upon many factors, primarily the severity of your individual injury and its effects on your life. Bob Anderton has assisted hundreds of injured people since 1992 in obtaining settlements and verdicts ranging from a few thousand dollars up to 6.6 million dollars.
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Q: Can I afford an attorney to represent me in a personal injury claim?  
 
A: Yes. Anderton Law Office uses a contingency fee. This means that there is no attorney fee unless you receive money. You do not have to worry about getting a bill from your lawyer while you are still struggling to recover from your injuries. Contingency fees are standard in personal injury claims and enable regular people to obtain high-quality legal representation.
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Q: What about expenses for my case?

A: Anderton Law Office generally advances all costs associated with a bicycle case. Unlike some lawyers, Anderton Law Office charges only the actual cost of expenses directly related to your claim. We do not charge interest for advancing expenses and they can be deducted from a settlement or verdict.
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Q: How do I know if I have a good personal injury claim?

A: It may be more complicated than you think. Since it is free to discuss your case, it makes sense to call Anderton Law Office at (206) 262-9290 for injuries in Washington State. We can provide you with self-help strategies or other referrals if we think that using a lawyer would not be in your best interest. We can also provide referrals to other experienced lawyers in other states.
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Q: Do I need a Washington State attorney?

A: You probably want a Washington State attorney if you were injured in Washington State. In order to settle an insurance claim, you will have to deal with insurance adjusters. They are trained to close your claim by paying you as little as possible. It is difficult for someone who is not familiar with the legal climate of Washington State (and King County in particular) to know what a fair settlement amount is. If your case requires litigation, your lawyer must be admitted to practice in the state where you file suit, and you will likely do better with an experienced local attorney on your side.
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Q: What types of cases do you accept?

A: Anderton Law Office handles all types of personal injury claims in Washington State. We only represent injured people. If you were injured on a bicycle, more specific information is available at washingtonbikelaw.com.

The Anderton Law Office attorneys represent people in personal injury, wrongful death and product liability cases including: accidents, crashes and collisions involving bikes, scooters, skateboards, pedestrians, wheelchairs, mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, and SUVs. We also handle cases involving unsafe places and unfair insurance practices, sometimes called “bad faith.” Bob is a court-approved settlement guardian ad litem in King County. This means that he is appointed by the Superior Court to review proposed settlements involving minors or people with disabilities to ensure that they are fair. Bob is also a volunteer attorney with the Housing Justice Project. Associate attorney Stacie Bain is a volunteer attorney with the Elder Law Clinic.
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Q: In what areas of Washington State will Anderton Law Office accept cases?

A: While Anderton Law Office is based in Seattle and King County, for cases involving catastrophic injuries or death, we will represent people and their families throughout the state of Washington, including the following counties and cities:

Counties:
Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan. Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, and Yakima.

Cities and Towns:
Aberdeen, Airway Heights, Albion, Algona, Almira, Anacortes, Arlington, Asotin, Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Battle Ground, Beaux Arts Village, Bellevue, Bellingham, Benton City, Bingen, Black Diamond, Blaine, Bonney Lake, Bothell, Bremerton, Brewster, Bridgeport, Brier, Buckley, Bucoda, Burien, Burlington, Camas, Carbonado, Carnation, Cashmere, Castle Rock, Cathlamet, Centralia, Chehalis, Chelan, Cheney, Chewelah, Clarkston, Cle Elum, Clyde Hill, Colfax, College Place, Colton, Colville, Conconully, Concrete, Connell, Cosmopolis, Coulee City, Coulee Dam, Coupeville, Covington, Creston, Cusick, Darrington, Davenport, Dayton, Deer Park, Des Moines, DuPont, Duvall, East Wenatchee, Eatonville, Edgewood, Edmonds, Electric City, Ellensburg, Elma, Elmer City, Endicott, Entiat, Enumclaw, Ephrata, Everett, Everson, Fairfield, Farmington, Federal Way, Ferndale, Fife, Fircrest, Forks, Friday Harbor, Garfield, George, Gig Harbor, Gold Bar, Goldendale, Grand Coulee, Grandview, Granger, Granite Falls, Hamilton, Harrah, Harrington, Hartline, Hatton, Hoquiam, Hunts Point, Ilwaco, Index, Ione, Issaquah, Kahlotus, Kalama, Kelso, Kenmore, Kennewick, Kent, Kettle Falls, Kirkland, Kittitas, Krupp, La Center, La Conner, Lacey, LaCrosse, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Lamont, Langley, Latah, Leavenworth, Liberty Lake, Lind, Long Beach, Longview, Lyman, Lynden, Lynnwood, Mabton, Malden, Mansfield, Maple Valley, Marcus, Marysville, Mattawa, McCleary, Medical Lake, Medina, Mercer Island, Mesa, Metaline, Metaline Falls, Mill Creek, Millwood, Milton, Monroe, Montesano, Morton, Moses Lake, Mossyrock, Mount Vernon, Mountlake Terrace, Moxee, Mukilteo, Naches, Napavine, Nespelem, Newcastle, Newport, Nooksack, Normandy Park, North Bend, North Bonneville, Northport, Oak Harbor, Oakesdale, Oakville, Ocean Shores, Odessa, Okanogan, Olympia, Omak, Oroville, Orting, Othello, Pacific, Palouse, Pasco, Pateros, Pe Ell, Pomeroy, Port Angeles, Port Orchard, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, Prescott, Prosser, Pullman, Puyallup, Quincy, Rainier, Raymond, Reardan, Redmond, Renton, Republic, Richland, Ridgefield, Ritzville, Riverside, Rock Island, Rockford, Rosalia, Roslyn, Roy, Royal City, Ruston, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Sedro-Woolley, Selah, Sequim, Shelton, Shoreline, Skykomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Soap Lake, South Bend, South Cle Elum, South Prairie, Spangle, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Sprague, Springdale, St. John, Stanwood, Starbuck, Steilacoom, Stevenson, Sultan, Sumas, Sumner, Sunnyside, Tacoma, Tekoa, Tenino, Tieton, Toledo, Tonasket, Toppenish, Tukwila, Tumwater, Twisp, Union Gap, Uniontown, University Place, Vader, Vancouver, Waitsburg, Walla Walla, Wapato, Warden, Washougal, Washtucna, Waterville, Waverly, Wenatchee, West Richland, Westport, White Salmon, Wilbur, Wilkeson, Wilson Creek, Winlock, Winthrop, Woodinville, Woodland, Woodway, Yacolt, Yakima, Yarrow Point, Yelm, Zillah, and perhaps a few others.

For smaller claims outside of King County, Anderton Law Office may be able to recommend an experienced attorney for your area
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Q: Why are there so many lawyer jokes?

A: Lawyers are sometimes uncomfortable with jokes about their profession. The King County Bar Association even had a campaign to "just say no to lawyer jokes." Unlike some attorneys, Bob Anderton is willing to acknowledge that there is often a grain of truth in lawyer jokes. In fact, he collects them. Bob believes that there are so many lawyer jokes because they often contain a grain of truth - and are funny.
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Q: Can I make a claim for a collision if the driver had no insurance?

A: Yes. If you have car insurance with UIM coverage, you can recover money for your medical bills, lost wages, damage to your vehicle, and your non-economic damages, even if the other driver had no insurance. Even if you do not have UIM coverage, you may be able to recover some or all of your medical bills and lost income if you have car insurance with PIP coverage. There may also be other sources of recovery that an experienced attorney may find based upon the unique facts of your collision.
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Q: What does PIP mean?

A: PIP is Personal Injury Protection. It provides no-fault coverage for medical bills and limited wage loss. Typically, coverage is a maximum of $10,000, but higher limits are available. In Washington State, PIP is an optional coverage. However, the insurance company needs to prove you rejected PIP in writing or you are assumed to have it on your automobile insurance.
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Q: What does UIM mean?

A: UIM stands for Under-Insured Motorist coverage. It pays if the at-fault person has no insurance, or not enough insurance to pay your damages. In Washington State, UIM is an optional coverage, meaning that you don’t have to purchase it. UIM is an especially important form of coverage, since the most reckless people who cause the most accidents are also the most likely to be uninsured.
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Q: If I make a claim with my own insurance company for PIP or UIM benefits, will my rates go up?

A: It depends. Generally speaking, if an accident was not your fault, your rates should not increase if you make a claim. On the other hand, if you are found to be at fault for a collision, most insurance companies will raise your rates, even if you do not make a claim. In Washington State, if your rates increase for any reason, you are entitled to a written explanation from your insurance company. If you are paying premiums for UIM and/or PIP coverage, you are entitled to use it and, in most instances, you should. If you are concerned about this, the Anderton Law Office lawyers are happy to discuss your options.
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Q: Should I accept an insurance company’s offer to settle my personal injury claim?

A: Unless you were not injured or have fully recovered from minor injuries, the answer is no. Insurance companies often offer quick settlements, but an early settlement can be disastrous if your injuries turn out to be worse than you first thought. Insurance companies have access to sophisticated databases for valuing claims and do so day in and day out. The playing field is not level. It makes sense to at least consult with an experienced attorney before accepting an offer.
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Q: Should I first try to settle my claim myself and get a lawyer if I don’t like the insurance company’s offer?

A: Usually not. Unless you have very minor injuries, using an experienced attorney frequently results in a higher net settlement than you would obtain on your own. By waiting to get a lawyer on your side, you may create problems with your claim that are difficult or impossible to undo. Remember, Anderton Law Office lawyers work on a contingency fee, not an hourly rate. If you think that you may ultimately use an attorney, you owe it to yourself to make the attorneys “earn their keep.” It won’t cost you more to have legal representation from the beginning and it may keep you from damaging an otherwise solid case.
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Q: How long does it take to settle most personal injury cases?

A: It depends. The key is knowing that you are fully healed (or that your injuries are permanent) before settling the case. The truth is, you can probably settle your case faster without an attorney, but that settlement may be far less than the fair value of your claim. Anderton Law Office attorneys work with injured people and their doctors to determine the best time to begin settlement negotiations.

The statute of limitations for negligence in the State of Washington is three years. This means that you must settle your Washington State claim or file a lawsuit within three years from the day of your collision or you will lose any right you might have had to recover damages. There are circumstances where the statute of limitations may be shorter, and each state sets its own time limits, so it makes sense to consult with an attorney licensed in the state where the injury occurred as soon as possible.
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Q: Will pursuing a personal injury claim be time consuming?

A: Usually not. The vast majority of personal injury claims settle before a lawsuit is ever filed. If you are represented by Anderton Law Office, your attorneys can work on the legal aspects of your claim and you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Much of what the Anderton Law Office lawyers need from you can be accomplished over the phone or by e-mail. We have represented clients who were injured in Washington State but lived in Asia, Europe and South America. Their cases settled without them ever making a special trip to Seattle. While Bob and Stacie like to meet with clients in person, we realize your time is important, and won’t waste it. On the other hand, if you file a lawsuit, you will need to be more involved in your case. Your lawyers at Anderton Law Office will take the time to ensure that you are prepared and understand the process each step of the way. We will also work to schedule events to minimize the intrusion in your life.
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Q: Will I have to go to trial?

A: It depends. The lawyers at Anderton Law Office estimate that about 90% of the cases we handle settle without filing a lawsuit. Anderton Law Office and our clients also alternative dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration. King County has a system called Mandatory Arbitration. If your claim is less than $50,000, you can arbitrate it rather than having a jury trial. Arbitration is, in our experience, faster, much less expensive, and the verdicts are often higher than those of a jury. However, if your claim is potentially worth more than $50,000, it may be better to wait for a trial date where there is no arbitrary limit on the amount that you can recover.
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Q: What about alternative dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration?

A: "Alternative dispute resolution" refers to any method of resolving a claim outside of a courtroom. There are two main forms of alternative dispute resolution: mediation and arbitration. Mediation involves all sides working with a mediator to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. Arbitration involves having the facts and law decided by an arbitrator, rather than by a judge or by a jury and a judge. An arbitrator makes an enforceable ruling, whereas a mediator helps the parties themselves reach an agreement. While mediations do not always result in settlements and arbitration verdicts can be appealed, Anderton Law Office often utilizes these forms of alternative dispute resolution.
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Q: Should I go to trial?

A: It depends. Bob Anderton recently tried a case where the other side refused to pay more than $50,000 at a formal mediation. They offered $75,000 just before trial, but the jury awarded our client $850,000. Obviously, the client was glad to have gone to trial. Of course, Anderton Law Office can’t guarantee this kind of result. Often, people do not want to take the risk of a trial. Even if you are willing to try your case, it usually makes sense to try and settle the claim before filing a lawsuit. If we are unable to reach a reasonable settlement with the other side, the lawyers at Anderton Law office have the skills and the motivation to make an arbitrator or a jury fully compensate you for your injuries.
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Q: What if a car accident is my fault?

A: You should contact your automobile insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurer must defend you against any claims of other injured people up to the limit of your insurance. If a lawsuit is filed against you, your insurance will provide you with an attorney to defend you. If you are injured and you have PIP coverage it applies whether or not you are at fault. If you do not have PIP coverage, or your insurer cuts off PIP payments, if you have health insurance, it should pay your medical bills.
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Q: Can a car accident be partially my fault?

A: Yes. Washington is a comparative fault state. This means that, even if a crash is partially your fault, you can recover the portion of your damages you prove are the fault of the defendant.
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Q: What if someone is injured on my property?

A: You should contact your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company as soon as possible. Many people don’t realize that they have liability coverage. So long as you cooperate with your insurer and did not intentionally injure anyone, your insurance company must defend you against most claims up to the limit of your insurance. If a lawsuit is filed against you, your insurance will provide you with an attorney to defend you.
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Disclaimer This web page is a resource containing general information which is intended, but not guaranteed, to be correct and current. Information on this page does not constitute legal advice. You should not consider web page information, or e-mail from Anderton Law Office, to be an agreement for an attorney-client relationship. Anderton Law Office cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information or services on linked pages. Anderton Law Office is not engaged in your representation until you sign a contract with Anderton Law Office.

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