Yakima Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers

Our office handles cases throughout Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and Idaho with physical offices in Hermiston, Oregon, Walla Walla, Washington, and Pullman, Washington.

 

Experienced Yakima Personal Injury Attorneys Fighting for Accident Victims Throughout Central Washington – Free Consultation Available

Have you been injured in a vehicle accident in Yakima, Washington?

Whether it’s a crash on I-82, a collision on Yakima Avenue, or an accident anywhere in Central Washington, injuries can turn your life upside down in an instant.

At Hess Injury Law, we help accident victims navigate the complex world of personal injury law and fight for fair compensation.

You have a limited amount of time to file a claim if you want compensation for your injury. If the accident wasn’t your fault, it’s critical to talk to a lawyer about your case.

The consultation is free. There are no upfront costs. You only pay if we win.

Vehicle Accidents We Handle in Yakima

Our Yakima personal injury lawyers handle all types of vehicle accident cases throughout Central Washington:

Car Accidents

Yakima’s roads can be dangerous – whether it’s I-82, Yakima Avenue, or local streets during harsh weather. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we can help you navigate your claim and fight for fair compensation.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks regularly travel through Yakima on I-82 and surrounding highways. These massive vehicles – often weighing up to 80,000 pounds – create devastating accidents when they collide with passenger cars. Truck accident cases are complex, often involving multiple parties and federal regulations. We have the experience to handle these challenging claims.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on Yakima’s roads. If you’ve been injured while riding, we’ll fight to protect your rights and ensure you’re not unfairly blamed for the accident.

Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Most personal injury attorneys are paid only if the settlement comes through, so finances should never be a factor when looking for advice on your injury case. Some personal injury attorneys, like Hess Injury Law, will even help with answering questions regarding case value and negotiation tactics, so you can make informed decisions about your case.

In short, you’re always better off talking with a personal injury attorney – even if you don’t hire one – and the earlier you call after a crash, the better. The consultation is free and the information you learn can be crucial in moving forward.

Whether you should hire an attorney really comes down to:

  • The complexity of your injuries
  • How fair the insurance company is being
  • Liability – who was at fault
  • Whether you can do better with an attorney than on your own
  • Whether you’re comfortable handling your claim yourself – which includes fielding calls from insurance adjusters, making sure bills get paid, addressing potential liens, and knowing what you’re actually agreeing to in a settlement

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

For most, the decision is clear.

If you’ve been seriously injured, we firmly believe you’ll do better with an attorney – even after fees and costs – than you can do on your own.

The benefits of having someone guide you through this are invaluable:

  • Experienced advice about your medical providers and treatment
  • Making sure bills are properly addressed
  • Taking the stress of the legal process off your plate so you can focus on recovery
  • Protecting you from insurance company tactics

The Danger of Settling Cases on Your Own

There’s nothing wrong with trying to settle a case on your own. However, the insurance company does this work regularly, while you don’t.

You need to be very careful when reaching an agreement with insurance companies – and know what you’re agreeing to.

We’ve seen settlements from individuals who handled cases on their own and were actually deceived by the insurance company.

For example: The insurance company offers an amount – say $10,000 – but doesn’t tell the injured party it includes medical payments by the individual’s own insurance company (PIP), which were a couple thousand dollars. After the person agrees, the insurance company sends them a check for $3,000 ($10,000 minus the PIP) when they thought they were getting $10,000.

This happens more often than you’d think.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Every case is unique, but here are types of compensation you might be entitled to:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Calculating fair compensation isn’t straightforward. Settlement amounts vary widely based on injury severity, liability, and available insurance coverage. Our personal injury lawyers can assess your case, calculate fair compensation, and fight for what you deserve.

Comparative Negligence

Washington follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. Even if you’re partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages – but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Wrongful Death Cases in Yakima

Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when their death was caused by someone else’s negligence in a vehicle accident.

While no amount of money can bring them back, a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability and a sense of justice for your family.

In Washington, wrongful death claims can be filed by:

  • The personal representative of the deceased’s estate
  • The surviving spouse or domestic partner
  • Children of the deceased
  • Parents, if there’s no spouse or children

Wrongful death compensation may include:

  • Medical expenses related to the final injury
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Lost income and benefits the deceased would have earned
  • Loss of companionship and support
  • Pain and suffering experienced before death

Why Choose Hess Injury Law?

Experience

We’ve successfully handled countless personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Washington and Oregon.

Personal Attention

You’re not just a case number. We give you and your case the individual attention you deserve.

No Win, No Fee

We work on a contingency basis. You don’t pay unless we win your case.

Transparent Communication

We keep you informed every step of the way, explaining complex legal concepts in terms you can understand.

What to Do After an Accident in Yakima

If you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, take these steps to protect your rights:

  • Seek medical attention immediately – even if you feel “okay”
  • Report the accident to law enforcement
  • Document everything – take photos, get witness contact information
  • Don’t give statements to insurance companies without legal advice
  • Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible

Contact Hess Injury Law Today

Dealing with injuries after an accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At Hess Injury Law, we’re here to guide you through this challenging time and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Remember, the consultation is free, and we only get paid if we win your case. Don’t let concerns about legal fees prevent you from seeking the justice you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in Yakima or anywhere in Central Washington, don’t wait. Contact Hess Injury Law today.

Let’s discuss your case and explore how we can help you move forward.

Your recovery starts here.