Compassionate Chehalis Personal Injury Attorneys Ready To Serve You

Chehalis, a town of about 7,000 in Lewis County, Washington, is situated on Interstate 5 about halfway between Seattle and Portland. Spectacular natural beauty abounds – gorgeous views of Mount Rainier and the notorious Mount St. Helens volcano are visible from vantage points not far out of town. Although Chehalis offers modern conveniences, it has refused to sacrifice its small town charm, as any visitor to its historic downtown can testify.

Recreational opportunities are plentiful throughout the Chehalis River valley. The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum even offers scenic rides on the Pumpkin Train, an old-style steam locomotive. With the Chehalis River winding its way through the countryside, swimming and boating are popular activities. Bicycling is perhaps even more popular, due to the region’s northwest beauty and year-round temperate climate. The town is a frequent stop for serious bicyclists to take a break midway through the famous Seattle to Portland Bike Ride.

The Sobering Reality

A magical location like Chehalis can tempt you to forget the dangers that bedevil any town sitting next to an Interstate highway with a population that enjoys outdoor activities. Accidents sometimes happen, and they can be catastrophic. Anything from an 18-wheeler trucking accident on Interstate 5 to a boating accident on the Chehalis River can turn your life upside down in a millisecond. Once an accident has already happened, there is no way to roll back the clock and undo it. Nevertheless, when you are victimized by an accident that is someone else’s fault, the pain and upheaval that you are bound to endure calls for fair compensation. And that is where we come in.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC, we understand what you are going through because we have served clients in your situation many times over the years. Being laid up in the hospital or at home grieving the sudden loss of a loved one is no time to have to deal with challenging financial issues. We can help you maintain an income while you recover from your injury, navigate the insurance claims process, negotiate with the insurance company, coordinate with your health care provider, and file a lawsuit in your name. Our Chehalis personal injury lawyer is tough, knowledgeable, and tenacious, and our injury attorneys will not rest until you receive the economic justice you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does the statute of limitations work?

A statute of limitations sets a legal deadline by which you must either file a courtroom lawsuit over your claim or abandon it altogether. In Washington, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is three years after the date of the accident, while the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is three years after the date of the accident victim’s death. If you miss the deadline, the value of your claim will drop to zero immediately. Once you file a lawsuit, however, the statute of limitations clock stops ticking – your claim will remain alive until a verdict or settlement is reached, no matter how long the case drags on.

Can I file a claim against the manufacturer or distributor of a defective auto part if it caused my accident?

Yes. This type of lawsuit is known as a product liability lawsuit, and Washington product liability law provides for full compensation once liability is established. The upsides of product liability lawsuits are that (i) the defendant usually has the financial means to pay a large judgment and (ii) many possible causes of action exist, including negligence, breach of express or implied warranty, misrepresentation, and strict product liability. The downside is that proving the liability of the defendant can sometimes require considerable technical expertise and the use of an expert witness.

Can I sue someone who injured me in a criminal assault?

Yes you can, and it is possible for you to win the lawsuit even if the person who assaulted you was acquitted in criminal court. The reason for this apparent paradox is that the burden of proof in a civil lawsuit is lower than the burden of proof in a criminal prosecution. In criminal court, the standard of guilt is “beyond a reasonable doubt,” while in a civil lawsuit the standard of liability is closer to “more likely than not.”

What should I do when I’m attacked by a dog?

Chehalis is a great town to live in because it still has that small-town feeling. But it’s not too far from large metropolitan areas. It’s a great place to own a dog and spend time outdoors. However, whenever there are a lot of dog owners in a particular area, there are bound to be dog bites and dog attacks. And Chehalis is no exception. If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious dog bite or dog attack, contact our Chehalis dog bite lawyers for help.

Washington State’s dog bite law can’t be any simpler: If a dog bites someone or attacks them, then their owner is responsible for any injuries their dog causes. A dog’s propensity for violence, or lack thereof, does not matter. Evidence of whether the dog has had prior attacks or even if this was the first time, does not matter and is not a defense in the case. The only true defenses to a dog bite claim are if the dog was provoked or the victim was trespassing on private property.

Dog bite injuries can be devastating. Recently in Lewis County, three dogs were designated as “dangerous” under the county dog codes. The dogs were involved in the attack on a young girl and some goats. After two hearings in the courthouse in Chehalis, the Lewis County’s Dangerous Animal Designation Board declared the dogs dangerous, requiring the owners to take extra precautions in housing and restraining the dogs when they are around people.

If a dog bite or dog attack has caused significant injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The Chehalis dog bite attorneys are here to answer your questions and fight for your rights to get full and fair compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with our Chehalis Injury Lawyers Today!

If you believe that you might have a personal injury or wrongful death claim, call our Chehalis Personal Injury Attorney today or complete our online contact form. We work on a contingency fee basis – you owe us nothing unless we bring you home a financial recovery. As always, our initial consultation is free of charge.