Washington Car Accident Lawyers

A crash on I-90 near Vantage, a rear-end on SR-240 during the Hanford commute, or a wildlife strike on US-97 can upend your week and your plans. Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC serves people across Central Washington who want straight answers, steady advocacy, and a team that treats them with respect.

We’ve represented working families across this region since 1954. Our approach is straightforward: we listen to your story, gather the necessary evidence, and pursue fair compensation through negotiation or litigation if necessary. We understand how medical bills, missed checks, and chronic pain can ripple through a household, and we take pride in making our clients feel heard, not rushed or judged. 

A car accident attorney from our firm will keep you informed at each step and will explain options in plain language so you can make confident choices.  To schedule a free case review with experienced car accident lawyers near you, contact our Washington law offices today. You can also call us at (509) 765-1851.

Factors That Contribute to Central Washington Wrecks

Driving in Central Washington is unique. Long stretches of I-90 bring crosswinds near the Vantage Bridge, while two-lane corridors like SR-28 and SR-17 see heavy farm and freight traffic. Mountain pass travel can also add winter hazards.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) winter operations often include avalanche control on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass and US-2 at Stevens Pass, where snowfall and closures can impact visibility, braking, and commercial freight volumes. These conditions can influence how collisions occur and how fault is assessed in reports and claims.

Seasonal Changes Can Affect Central Washington Roadways 

Harvest brings more orchard trucks onto US-97 and SR-281. Elk and deer crossings rise around Kittitas and Yakima counties, and smoke during wildfire season can suddenly reduce sightlines. Our lawyers live in or around these communities, so we know what to expect.

Local context like this helps us understand speed, stopping distance, and reaction time in a way that out-of-area adjusters may overlook. Your car accident lawyers will fold these details into the investigation and will support them with official road and weather data from state sources when needed. 

Determining If You Have a Car Accident Claim

Washington injury cases rest on a few core ideas: someone had a responsibility to drive with reasonable care, they fell short, that conduct caused harm, and you suffered losses such as medical costs or missed wages. Evidence shows those elements. Police narratives, dashcam clips, black box data, photos of the scene, and witness statements all contribute to the investigation. Medical records link the collision to the injury and document the duration of symptoms and the associated care costs.

Not every crash leads to a strong claim, but many do. Rear-end impacts, for example, typically result from inadequate following distance and distracted attention. Left-turn crashes often raise right-of-way rules, signaling, and gaps in traffic. Rural two-lane collisions may involve unsafe passing, fatigue, or speed.

Our Washington car accident attorneys will review the facts and use state data, such as traffic conditions or closures, to clarify what happened. 

How the Claim Process Typically Works After a Car Accident

After you contact Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, we focus on three tracks: liability, damages, and insurance.

Gathering Available Evidence

Our car accident lawyer will interview you about the crash and injuries, request records, and gather the documents your claim depends on. We will order the collision report, identify witnesses, and request body cam, 911, or traffic cam footage if available.

Assessing Injuries and Damages

Next, our Washington car accident attorneys will quantify losses. We will collect medical records and bills, confirm the time missed from work, and,  if injuries persist, request opinions from treating providers regarding future care, limitations on lifting or standing, and long-term restrictions. We will also document how the injury changes daily life, from sleep to chores to recreation.

Negotiating a Settlement or Going to Trial

With liability and damages documented, our car accident lawyers will prepare a detailed demand to the insurer, including a clear explanation of fault and a fair valuation backed by records. If the insurer disputes fault or underprices your losses, we will litigate and set the case for mediation or trial. While many cases resolve before trial, preparing as if a trial will occur can move negotiations in the right direction.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Washington?

Washington sets a three-year window to file a personal injury claim, including car crash cases. The clock usually starts on the accident date. If the three-year statute of limitations expires, you risk losing the right to file. 

Even though you have three years to file a car accident lawsuit in Washington, it’s best to speak with the lawyers at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC as soon as possible. The sooner you contact our law firm, the sooner we can start seeking compensation for you.

Washington Auto Insurance Laws

Drivers must carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for injuries, $50,000 per crash for injuries to multiple people, and $10,000 for property damage. Those limits are low for serious injuries, which is why first-party protections matter. Our car accident lawyer will review your policy for coverages that can help early, including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) if you accepted it when the policy was issued. 

Washington also requires insurers to offer PIP and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, but policyholders may reject them in writing. Whether or not you signed a waiver can affect your available benefits. 

A Closer Look at Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Collisions with drivers who carry no insurance (or not enough)  are common. In these situations, your own UM/UIM coverage can step in to pay for bodily injury and, if purchased, property damage. Our car accident attorneys will initiate a first-party claim and handle communications with your carrier, which evaluates liability and damages in a manner similar to how an opposing insurer would. 

Again, UM/UIM coverage is typically included in many policies, unless you have signed a written rejection. If a written waiver exists, we will determine whether it complies with Washington’s legal requirements. If it does not, we may argue that protection still applies. 

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

The value of your car accident claim depends on the severity of the injury, damage to your vehicle or other property, the length of medical treatment, any permanent limitations, lost wages or reduced earning capacity, and how the crash affects your daily life.

Our Washington car accident attorneys will base negotiations on documented bills and future care estimates, wage records, and non-economic damages such as pain and loss of enjoyment, as presented by treating providers and, when appropriate, vocational or life-care opinions.

How Our Central Washington Car Accident Lawyers Build Cases

Good evidence wins cases. The car accident attorneys of Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC will secure the collision report and any supplemental diagrams, then compare them against photos, skid measurements (if available), and statements. We will seek electronic data from modern vehicles, including event data recorders, which can display speed and braking information. When road or weather conditions are a factor, we will consult WSDOT’s pass reports, winter operations information, and maintenance logs as relevant. 

Medical proof is equally important. Our car accident lawyers will collect records from urgent care, hospitals, imaging centers, and therapy providers. We will ask treating practitioners to explain diagnosis, causation, and prognosis in clear, clinic-level language.

If the defense challenges your symptoms, we will use objective testing, consistent progress notes, and testimony from your providers to meet that argument. When future care is likely, we will document projected costs and schedule constraints that make regional travel unavoidable.

We Can Be Your Point of Contact with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies protect their bottom line. Even your own carrier, once a first-party claim is filed, evaluates you like any other claimant. Adjusters may question fault, argue a pre-existing condition, or offer a number that covers only part of your losses.

Our car accident attorney will speak on your behalf, prevent casual statements from being misinterpreted, and seek full value supported by records.

We advance costs for records, expert evaluations where needed, and litigation filings. You will not pay fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our car accident lawyers will clearly explain the fee structure at the outset, so you understand how every dollar is handled. We will also provide regular updates, allowing you to track progress without guesswork.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Car Accident Claim?

Some car accident cases resolve within a few months after treatment ends, while others may take much longer, especially if surgery or prolonged therapy is involved. After a catastrophic crash, you need attorneys who will stick with you for the long haul.

At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, our car accident attorneys will not rush you to settle before the medical picture is clear. We won’t sit on a file either. Our goal is to achieve a result that accurately reflects the real impact of the crash on your life. 

We Stand with the Community, No Matter How Long It Takes 

Many clients tell us that they felt ignored by other firms before they found us. At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, we live and work in the communities we serve. We know that a wreck is more than a few big bills. A major crash can be life-changing and set your household back years.

When you call, we listen. Tell us what hurts, what worries you about work, and how the injury is affecting your family. Our lawyers will make room for that conversation and will follow up with practical steps to help you seek compensation.

Even if your claim takes a long time to resolve, we’ll make sure to look out for you throughout the process.

Why Choose Our Law Firm After a Car Accident

At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, we are proud to stand up for people who work hard, pay bills, and want a fair shake when a crash knocks life sideways.

Personal Injury Law in Plain English

Clients tell us they appreciate how we listen and explain the law in everyday terms. That is not a marketing slogan; it’s how we practice. Our car accident lawyers will prepare your case with care, present your story with clarity, and push for the result you deserve.

Hablamos Español: Legal Services in Spanish

We also offer personal injury representation in plain Spanish. Many members of the team at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC can speak Spanish. Our law firm is committed to helping Spanish-speaking members of our community.

We Know the Local Lay of the Land

Our lawyers live here, shop here, and show up at games on weekends. If you see us around town, we’ll say hi without hesitation. We are normal people who chose this work because it helps neighbors in a tangible way. 

Free Case Reviews with Flexible Schedules

The last thing you want to see after an accident is another bill. Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC offers free consultations so you can get legal insight without any sense of obligation. We’re also able to meet you somewhere convenient at a time that fits your schedule if your injuries prevent you from visiting one of our offices.

If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay

In addition to free consultations, our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means clients don’t pay us a dime unless and until we settle their case or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. This is one of the many ways we look out for the underdog in Central Washington.

Contact Our Central Washington Car Accident Lawyers

If you want a team that hears you out and gives you straight talk, Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC is here to help. Our car accident attorney will review your facts, outline options, and help you decide the best path forward. To request a free case review with trusted car accident attorneys near you, contact our Central Washington law offices today. You can also reach us by calling (509) 765-1851.