Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and trauma in Spokane, Washington. From fender-benders on Division Street to serious collisions on I-90 or Highway 395, the aftermath of a crash can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. Victims may face mounting medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. During such trying times, it’s prudent to get Spokane auto accident legal help from a dedicated lawyer.
At Jacobs and Jacobs, we understand that behind every accident is a person whose life has been disrupted. Our Spokane personal injury lawyers are here to fight for your right to fair compensation and to make sure you’re not alone in facing Washington’s complex personal injury legal system. Our legal team will take on powerful insurance companies, and we’ll leave no stone unturned to hold the negligent parties accountable.
Car Driving Safety Laws in Spokane, WA
Washington State law governs how drivers must behave on the road, but Spokane enforces these laws through local police agencies. Here are some key laws that affect car accident liability and personal injury cases:
Speed Limits and Traffic Flow
Washington law under RCW 46.61.400 mandates that drivers operate vehicles at a speed that’s reasonable under existing conditions. In Spokane, WA, typical speed limits include:
- 25 mph in residential neighborhoods
- 30 to 35 mph on urban arterials
- 60 mph or higher on highways like I-90
Exceeding posted speed limits or failing to reduce speed in rain, snow, or ice can be used as evidence of negligence.
Distracted Driving Prohibited
The Distracted Driving Law (RCW 46.61.672) prohibits holding a phone or device while driving. In Spokane, enforcement is strict, and officers can issue citations for even first-time offenses. Texting, talking, or even checking GPS apps without hands-free technology can be the basis of a personal injury claim if the distracted driver causes a crash.
Drunk and Drugged Driving
Washington follows a .08% BAC limit for drivers over 21, and zero tolerance for minors under 21. Under RCW 46.61.502, a driver is guilty of DUI if they’re under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. Spokane-area law enforcement, especially during holidays and major events, runs DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints. DUI-related crashes may also carry punitive liability, which can increase damages.
Right-of-Way Laws
Spokane drivers must yield the right-of-way as outlined in RCW 46.61.180, particularly at intersections, pedestrian crosswalks, and when making turns. Failure to yield is one of the most common causes of urban collisions. If another driver ignored a yield sign or cut off your vehicle while merging, they could be held fully liable for any resulting injuries.
Mandatory Liability Insurance
Every driver in Spokane must carry minimum liability insurance:
- $25,000 for injuries or death to one person
- $50,000 for injuries or death to two or more people
- $10,000 for property damage
Uninsured or underinsured drivers can still be held accountable through your UIM (Underinsured Motorist) policy, and we help clients pursue such complex claims.
Comparative Negligence in Washington
Spokane car accident cases fall under Washington’s pure comparative negligence rule (RCW 4.22.005). This means even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you were 20% at fault, your damages would be reduced by 20%.
Our attorneys will move fast to collect extensive evidence, from dashcam and surveillance footage and crash site photos to police reports and witness statements, to minimize your share of fault and maximize your financial recovery.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Spokane
Spokane’s geography, which includes a mix of urban sprawl, steep hills, snowy winters, and major interstates, makes it a hotspot for a wide range of car accident injuries and wrongful death claims. Here are the most common types of accidents our Spokane personal injury attorneys may handle:
Rear-End Collisions
Sometimes occurring at intersections like those along Division Street or at congested points on I-90, rear-end accidents can cause whiplash, neck injuries, and head trauma. These cases often involve distracted drivers or those following too closely, violating RCW 46.61.145 (following too closely).
T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions
These occur when one driver crashes into the side of another vehicle, usually at intersections with unclear signals or disobeyed traffic lights. In Spokane, intersections like those at Sprague Ave and Sullivan Rd are particularly prone to these accidents.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe collisions happen when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions make side-to-side contact, typically during unsafe lane changes or merging. These accidents are common on Spokane’s congested arterials like North Division Street, especially during peak hours.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover crashes can be violent and catastrophic, particularly when SUVs, vans, or trucks are involved. Slippery roads, overcorrections, and high-speed impacts can cause a vehicle to flip multiple times. Areas with sharp curves or steep grades, such as the Sunset Hill or rural parts of Highway 2, are common sites for rollovers in Spokane.
Intersection Accidents
Spokane’s urban sprawl includes high-traffic intersections that are hotspots for crashes, particularly those at Francis Ave & Division, Mission & Hamilton, and Sprague Ave intersections. Whether caused by red-light violations, failure to yield, or obstructed views, intersection accidents can involve complex fault determinations.
Head-On Collisions
Though rarer, head-on crashes are among the deadliest. We have represented car accident victims in such crashes, which may occur on two-lane highways like SR 195, due to fatigue, DUI, or improper passing.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Snow, fog, and ice on roads like the Sunset Highway or in Spokane Valley increase the risk of multi-car chain reactions. In this type of car accident claim, determining liability can be complex, as multiple drivers may share fault.
Why Early Legal Representation from Our Spokane Car Accident Lawyers Matters
If you have been injured in a car accident in Spokane, every hour that passes without legal representation can tip the scales in favor of the insurance companies. At Jacobs and Jacobs, our personal injury lawyers will step in immediately to safeguard the integrity of your claim. Here’s why early involvement is critical:
Medical Attention and Injury Documentation
Your health is our top priority. Our legal team will guide you toward obtaining prompt and appropriate medical care, including hospital treatment, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, and any required long-term rehabilitation. We coordinate with medical professionals to ensure your injuries are accurately documented from the outset.
Why does this matter? Insurance adjusters may challenge the severity of injuries, especially if there’s a gap in treatment. By involving our Spokane car accident attorneys early, we help avoid these tactics by securing detailed medical records, expert reports, and a complete chronology of your treatment to support your claim for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Shielding You from Unfair Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies are businesses with one primary goal: to minimize payouts. Shortly after an accident, you may receive calls from adjusters pretending to be on your side. They may request a recorded statement, ask misleading questions, or offer a quick settlement, sometimes before you even know the full extent of your injuries.
Our Spokane car accident lawyers intercept these communications immediately. From day one, we:
- Handle all correspondence with insurance company representatives
- Prevent you from making any statements that could harm your case
- Push back against lowball offers and pressure tactics
- Prepare your case as if it’s going to trial to increase settlement leverage
When you’re represented by Jacobs and Jacobs, insurers know they’re up against seasoned car crash attorneys whom they cannot pressure or manipulate to deny fair settlement for severe injuries.
Swift Investigation to Preserve Evidence
While you’re recovering or mourning the loss of a loved one, the defendant’s insurance company is already busy investigating the crash with one goal in mind: limiting their liability. They deploy rapid response teams of lawyers, engineers, and accident reconstructionists to shape the narrative in their favor, sometimes even before the injured party has a chance to speak.
Our auto accident lawyers have seen it too many times. While our clients are in the ER or ICU, negligent drivers tell their side of the story to law enforcement, sometimes misrepresenting facts or deflecting blame. If your version of events isn’t documented early, the defendant’s narrative becomes the “official” version.
Our Spokane car accident attorneys counter this by launching our own investigation, which may include:
- Photographing skid marks, debris, and impact zones
- Obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes
- Recovering black box data from vehicles (event data recorders)
- Securing 911 call recordings, body cam footage, and crash scene diagrams
- Interviewing witnesses before memories fade or contact is lost
In some cases, insurer response teams arrive before police have cleared the scene. That’s why it’s so important to retain Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group early, so the defendant isn’t the only party gathering and preserving critical evidence.
We fight back with our own experts and rapid response resources. We have handled thousands of personal injury cases in Washington State, and our investigative process is built to expose inconsistencies in the defendant’s story. We will pursue maximum compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering with a strong case backed by facts, science, and legal acumen.
FAQs on Spokane Auto Accident Claims
Q: What if I can’t afford medical treatment after the accident?
A: If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford treatment for your auto accident injuries up front, we might be able to help you access care through medical liens or letters of protection, allowing you to receive care now and pay from your settlement later. This ensures your health doesn’t suffer while your case is pending.
Q: What if the other driver lied in the police report?
A: This is more common than people realize. Police often base reports on what the parties say at the scene, and if you’re too injured to give your version, the report may be one-sided. We may present dashcam footage, EDR data, eyewitness statements, and expert accident reconstructions to challenge inaccurate reports and prove fault.
Q: How do I get compensated if the at-fault driver is uninsured?
A: Spokane drivers aren’t required to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, but many do. If you have UM or UIM (underinsured motorist) coverage, we can file a claim against your own policy without causing a premium increase. If you don’t have this coverage, we may be able to pursue the driver’s personal assets, depending on the facts of the case.
Q: Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?
A: Yes. Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means you can recover compensation even if you were 99% at fault. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Our job is to present strong evidence that minimizes your share of blame and maximizes your financial recovery.
Q: Will my case go to trial?
A: Most cases settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies take your claim more seriously when they know your attorneys are experienced litigators. At Jacobs and Jacobs, we’re known for our trial readiness, and that pressure may lead to quicker and larger settlements.
Get Our Car Accident Lawyers on Your Side
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Spokane car accident, don’t wait to get top legal representation. Time is of the essence for the strength of your case. At Jacobs and Jacobs, we have recovered more than $113 million for our clients in the last five years alone. We have proudly served over 10,000+ injury victims in the past decade and have been building trust for generations since our founding in 1893.
We offer:
- A compassionate, experienced legal team focused solely on personal injury law.
- A commitment of no legal fees unless we win.
- Office, Zoom, phone, and at-home initial appointment.
To schedule your free consultation with our legal team, call us 24/7 at 253-342-4965 or contact us online.