Olympia Car Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Olympia Car Accident Attorneys Ready To Serve You

Olympia, the capital of Washington state, sits at the southern end of Puget Sound in Thurston County. As a major population center, Olympia sees its share of car crash accidents. And health care providers, such as the Providence St. Peter Hospital , are kept busy daily treating victims. Their job is to heal. Our job, assuming that the injuries being treated were caused by the misconduct of another, is to make sure that those who have retained us as their legal counsel receive just compensation. An Olympia auto accident lawyer at our firm can help gather evidence and review the facts to determine who is liable for your crash.

Let the dedicated Olympia car accident lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC help you through this difficult time.

Only Results Matter — All the Rest Is Just Conversation

The proven Olympia car accident attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC have been showered with honors from both clients and peers almost since its inception. Rather than list accolades, however, we prefer to go strictly by the numbers:

• We won $5.5 million for our client over a non-fatal DUI car crash accident – the largest jury verdict in the history of Skagit County jurisprudence at the time.
• We won $3.5 million for a pedestrian hit by a train.
• We won $2.5 million for the probate estate of a teenage boy who was killed in a jet-ski accident.
• We won $1 million for a wrongful death claim arising from an accident in which a truck hit a pedestrian.
• We won $800,000 in the largest wrongful death jury verdict in the history of Kittitas County jurisprudence at the time.

Our clients’ verdicts and settlements tally up to over $100 million. And that is what matters to us – not awards. Every case depends on its facts, though, so these results do not predict what another client may recover.

What Car Accident Insurance Applies to My Case?

Washington requires most drivers to carry liability insurance or another permitted form of financial responsibility, which typically covers car accidents. The current minimum policy limits are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death, $50,000 total in bodily injury or death, and $10,000 in property damage.

You can submit a claim against another driver’s liability insurance if the driver is at fault for the accident. A negligent motorist is usually at fault if they drove carelessly or recklessly.

Other insurance policies that might come into play include:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This insurance can pay certain medical expenses and lost income after a crash, even if you are at fault. Your auto insurer must offer at least $10,000 in medical benefit PIP coverage, although you might have declined it in writing.
• Underinsured motorist coverage. Your auto insurer must include underinsured motorist coverage, which you can reject in writing. This insurance pays compensation if the at-fault driver is either uninsured or lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages.
• Collision coverage. This insurance covers repairs to your vehicle, regardless of fault. It is optional in Washington.

An Olympia auto accident lawyer can analyze all policies to determine which ones apply.

How Do I Prove Liability for My Car Accident?

Memories of the accident are often conflicting. The insurance companies will analyze all evidence to uncover what happened:

• Photographs of the vehicles involved. These pictures can show how the cars collided and the severity of the damage.
• Pictures of the scene. A photo of skid marks in the grass could show how one vehicle swerved to avoid a crash.
• Witness statements. Eyewitnesses can tell us what they saw. For example, a witness might have seen the other driver run a red light and T-bone your car.
• Video of the crash. Video might come from a dashcam, a business’s surveillance video, or a Ring camera from a nearby house.
• Driver admissions. A driver might admit to running a red light or failing to use their mirrors while driving. These admissions may be admissible in a personal injury lawsuit.

An Olympia car accident lawyer can search for other evidence, including any electronic data recorded by the vehicles.

How Much Can I Receive in an Olympia Car Accident Settlement?

There is no universal amount for a car accident settlement; the compensation you may receive depends on the unique facts of your case. An Olympia car crash lawyer will review your medical records and bills to determine the severity of your injuries. The amount you may receive also depends on your other losses, the evidence of fault, and available insurance coverage. Typically, you can request compensation for economic and noneconomic losses.

Car Accident Damages for Economic Loss

The yearly number of traffic accidents in Washington state is generally over 100,000, with over 500 of those being fatal. Millions of Washington citizens take to the roads every day, and you never know what is going to happen when you do. If you get into an auto crash accident, our trusted Olympia car accident lawyers are here to help you.

In Washington, if you have gotten into an auto vehicle accident, you are entitled to certain damages. Damages is just a term that means money for the damage you received. You can obtain damages for repairs to your vehicle and property (for example your new sunglasses are ruined in the accident, you can get money to reimburse you for the sunglasses). You can also obtain money for your medical bills and lost wages if you have to miss work due to your injuries from the car crash.

Car Accident Damages for Noneconomic Loss

A burgeoning area of car accident law is the area of psychological distress caused by your accident. Oftentimes, your auto accident attorney can prove that you have PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, or other psychological ramifications as a result of your car crash accident. While these damages can be hard to prove, a trained attorney knows how to establish a record so that you can obtain treatment for your psychological distress and compensation for it.

Another type of damages that is often referred to, but rarely explained, is “pain and suffering.” It is very hard to put a price tag on “pain and suffering,” but it basically comes down to all of the ways that your life is different because of the auto vehicle and what sort of monetary value you can attach to those changes. Factors to consider are changes to the way you lead your life physically, issues that your accident-induced psychological distress causes in your daily life, and how you will lead your life moving forward from the accident.

All damages must be considered in light of the condition you were in prior to the accident, where you are at after the accident, and what changes to your health or lifestyle the accident has caused.

A skilled Olympia auto accident attorney can adequately examine the facts of your case and help you optimize your medical treatments, thoroughly evaluate your damages, and get you the largest possible settlement that you are entitled to. Contact us today to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation car accident consultation!

You Probably Won’t Have to Go to Court

The idea of being cross-examined by an opposing lawyer whose sole purpose is to destroy your credibility is about as appealing to most people as stepping into the ring with a prizefighter whose sole purpose is to knock you unconscious. Fortunately, very few of our clients even need to walk into court, much less testify. The reason for this is that upwards of 90 percent of our clients settle their claims out of court.

It’s ironic in a way. It is precisely because of our successful courtroom trial record that so many of our opponents shy away from facing us in court. And we don’t blame them. Even if it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit (and it often is), the other side usually settles before the scheduled trial date.

What Steps Should I Take Immediately After a Car Accident?

Taking these steps can help protect your health and secure evidence for your case:

• Stop your car as close to the scene as you safely can;
• Check if anyone needs an ambulance;
• Call the police to report the accident;
• Swap personal and insurance details with other drivers, including your name, address, insurance, license plate number, and driver’s license;
• Speak with witnesses and ask for their contact information; and 
• Take pictures of the vehicles and the surrounding area with your phone.

Washington requires that drivers report accidents within four days if anyone is injured or killed, or there is at least $1,000 of apparent damage to someone’s property. The responding officer should file a crash report, which fulfills this requirement. If no officer investigates and files a report, you can submit a collision report through the Washington State Patrol’s online system.

Some people are so injured that they can only wait for an ambulance to come pick them up. That’s okay. Your car accident attorney in Olympia, WA, can help secure evidence for you. That is one reason to call a law firm as soon as possible.

How Do I Find a Car Accident Attorney in Olympia, WA?

You can perform an online search for “car accident lawyer near me in Olympia” and go through the results. A lawyer’s website can provide more information about their practice area, the types of cases they handle, and how they approach client communications.

Review websites critically. Does the firm share articles on car accidents and show their engagement with personal injury law? Is the website full of grammatical errors? A sloppy website may suggest that a firm may not give your case the care and attention it deserves.

You can also schedule an in-person consultation with a lawyer to discuss your case and their experience. A consultation provides a chance to see whether the lawyer’s communication style aligns with your needs.

What Questions Should I Ask an Olympia Car Crash Lawyer in a Consultation?

You should write down any questions or concerns and bring the list with you. This is the most effective way to get answers and ensure you don’t miss discussing important issues.

Ask the following:

• How many car accident cases has your firm handled?
• Have you handled an accident like mine?
• Who will do the work on my case—a lawyer, paralegal, case manager, or someone else?
• What other evidence do you need to analyze the strength of my case?
• Do you communicate with clients by phone, email, or another method?
• Who do I contact if I have a question about my case?

Listen closely to how the lawyer answers your questions. An experienced lawyer should be upfront about what they don’t know, and they should never guarantee a result.

What Mistakes Should I Avoid After an Accident?

You can undermine an Olympia car accident settlement by failing to document your accident or injuries with high-quality evidence or by saying something that sounds like an admission of fault. Avoid the following:

• Do not self-diagnose your injuries. Instead, you should seek medical care after the crash. The risk with self-diagnosis is that you may miss symptoms, which can lead to your injury worsening or a delayed recovery. 
• Do not deviate from your doctor’s treatment plan. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for rehabilitation and other treatment options. Take prescriptions and do not miss doctor appointments. If you think your condition is worsening, seek additional care. 
• Do not fail to report the crash to the police. After an accident, follow the reporting and other requirements under Washington law.
• Avoid apologizing to the other driver for the crash. Some people apologize simply because they don’t want another person to be angry. But that may be considered an admission of fault.
• Do not post about the crash on social media. Set your profiles to private as well.

In a consultation, ask a lawyer what other steps to avoid to improve your case.

Can I Afford an Olympia Auto Accident Lawyer?

Yes. Our attorneys represent car accident victims on a contingency basis. We do not require upfront legal fees. Instead, our firm generally agrees to accept a specified percentage of your settlement or court award as our legal fee under this arrangement. This allows you to access an experienced lawyer without an upfront financial commitment. If you hire our firm, the details of how case costs are managed and how our fees are calculated will be clearly detailed in a written fee agreement. 

What Our Clients Say

“Best attorneys around. Extremely personable and knowledgeable, especially in complicated cases! They work hard for you and keep you informed on what’s happening! I would refer people here in a heartbeat!” — Tara Pavone

Some of Our Practice Areas

Our firm handles the following types of personal injury cases, among others:

• Brain trauma
• Commercial trucking accidents
• Medical negligence and malpractice
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Wrongful death
• Head, neck, or spinal cord injuries
• Much more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Deadline in the State of Washington?

You generally have three years from the date of an accident to either file a personal injury lawsuit or finalize a private settlement. If the victim dies from his injuries, a wrongful death claim generally has a separate three-year limitation period measured from the date of death. Unless one of a few narrow exceptions applies, missing the deadline means your claim will be dismissed.

Are Car Accidents Increasing in Olympia?

The Olympia community dashboard shows that accidents increased from 724 in 2024 to 756 in 2025. That is an increase of around 4%.

How does comparative fault work?

Comparative fault applies if the accident was partially your fault. Washington adheres to a “pure comparative fault” rule, which means that your damages will be reduced by your own percentage of fault – 25 percent, for example. You will also have to pay an equivalent percentage of the other party’s damages. Comparative fault can also be used as a bargaining chip in settlement negotiations.

Can I File a Claim Against the State or Local Government?

Yes, you can – subject to certain restrictions. You must file a formal notice of claim with the government agency you plan to sue. You then have to wait 60 more days to file a lawsuit, which gives the government more time to prepare a defense.

Can’t I Just Settle My Claim on My Own?

You will make the insurance company very happy if you do that, especially if you have a large claim. Insurance adjusters are professional negotiators, and they are full of tricks. That’s OK because we know all of their tricks and we won’t fall for a single one of them. If you don’t know what to do, let our knowledgeable Olympia car accident attorneys handle your case.

Contact Us Today to Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Olympia

Contact us and speak with our highly-experienced Olympia auto accident lawyers today, or fill out our online contact form for a free, confidential case consultation. We serve Washington personal injury clients in Indian Creek, Holiday Hills, Springwood, and elsewhere in Olympia and throughout the state of Washington.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:

• Revised Code of Washington 46.29.090, minimum policy limits for auto insurance.
• Revised Code of Washington 48.22.030, uninsured coverage.
• Revised Code of Washington 48.22.085, personal injury protection coverage.
• Revised Code of Washington 48.22.095, minimum personal injury protection coverage.
• Revised Code of Washington 46.52.030, mandatory reporting of accidents.
• Olympia Community Dashboard, Collisions Tracking, accessed October 12, 2026.