A serious crash on I-82 or a winding section of US-12 can turn life upside down for anyone in Yakima. Medical bills arrive while you are still in pain, and insurance adjusters often call before you have even left the hospital. Yakima car accident attorney Scott Brumback and auto-collision lawyer Sidney Ottem understand this turmoil. Drawing on decades of practice, they have helped neighbors rebuild their lives and finances after devastating wrecks. Their local roots mean they already know the traffic patterns, weather conditions, and road hazards unique to Yakima Valley, so they can start protecting your claim from day one.
The legal team at Brumback & Ottem Injury Law takes on the heavy lifting—investigating crashes, dealing with insurers, and fighting for every dollar—so clients can focus on healing. With free consultations and a no-fee-unless-we-win policy, anyone can get high-caliber representation without financial risk. The sections below answer the questions Yakima drivers ask most often: whether you can settle alone, which mistakes to avoid, how Washington law shapes compensation, and why early legal help often leads to larger settlements.
Can I Settle My Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer?
Settling on your own is possible, but it is rarely wise. Insurance companies profit by paying as little as they can, and an unrepresented claimant is the easiest target. Adjusters may pressure you to sign a release before you know the full cost of treatment or the long-term impact of injuries.
Hiring personal-injury attorney Sidney Ottem or another member of the Brumback & Ottem team changes that dynamic. Your lawyer handles every call and letter, collects medical records, calculates lost income, and prepares a detailed demand that insurers must take seriously. Studies show more than 90 percent of people represented by counsel receive compensation, and their recoveries average about three times higher than those who negotiate alone. A strong reputation and a credible threat of litigation push insurers toward fair offers.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Yakima?
First, safeguard life and health. Move vehicles out of traffic if you can do so safely, check all occupants for injuries, and call 911. Accept emergency medical evaluation even if you feel “okay”—adrenaline can mask serious harm.
Next, ask police to prepare an official collision report and exchange license and insurance information with every driver. Washington law requires this step and the report later serves as key evidence of fault.
Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, weather conditions, and visible injuries. If possible, collect names and numbers of witnesses. These details fade quickly and may be crucial when fault is disputed.
Notify your own insurer promptly, but limit the conversation to basic facts. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything until you have spoken with Yakima accident lawyer Scott Brumback. Early legal guidance prevents accidental admissions that can slash your settlement.
What Mistakes Could Hurt My Claim?
Apologizing or Admitting Fault — A simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of liability. Stick to objective facts when speaking with police or other drivers.
Settling Too Quickly — Accepting the first offer closes your case forever. Many victims discover additional medical needs weeks or months later and cannot reopen negotiations.
Delaying Medical Care — Gaps in treatment let insurers argue that injuries are minor or unrelated to the crash. See a doctor immediately and follow all recommendations.
Posting on Social Media — Adjusters watch public profiles. A cheerful photo or comment can undermine claims of pain and disability.
Waiting to Seek Legal Help — Evidence disappears quickly. Contacting the Yakima car accident attorneys at Brumback & Ottem early lets them preserve proof and guide every communication with insurers.
How Does the Car Accident Settlement Process Work in Washington?
Washington is an at-fault state, so claims generally start with the negligent driver’s liability insurer. If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), it can cover immediate medical bills regardless of fault.
Investigation — Yakima crash attorney Sidney Ottem gathers the police report, interviews witnesses, reviews medical records, and may consult accident-reconstruction or medical experts.
Demand and Negotiation — Once you reach medical stability, your lawyer drafts a detailed demand letter outlining liability, injuries, and financial losses. Negotiations often involve multiple counter-offers; experienced counsel knows the fair range for similar injuries and holds firm.
Settlement — When a satisfactory amount is agreed upon, you sign a release in exchange for payment. Your attorney can also negotiate medical-lien reductions to increase your net recovery.
Lawsuit (If Needed) — Should the insurer deny liability or refuse a fair offer, Yakima personal-injury advocate Scott Brumback can file suit in Yakima County Superior Court. The vast majority of cases still resolve before trial, but a readiness to litigate keeps pressure on the insurer.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Claim?
Timeframes vary. Straightforward cases with clear liability and fully healed injuries can settle within a few months. Complex crashes involving severe or ongoing medical issues may take a year or longer. Factors that affect timing include the length of medical treatment, the insurer’s responsiveness, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Experienced counsel keeps you informed, pushes for timely responses, and never sacrifices value for speed.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim or Lawsuit?
Washington’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the crash date to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss this deadline and the court will likely dismiss your case. Evidence, however, can vanish far sooner, so prompt action is still essential. Notifying insurers quickly and retaining the Yakima auto-accident attorneys at Brumback & Ottem early protects your rights from day one.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
Economic Damages — Medical expenses, future treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, vehicle repair, and rental-car costs.
Non-Economic Damages — Pain, suffering, emotional distress, scarring, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Washington places no cap on these damages, so a persuasive lawyer can argue for full value.
Wrongful-Death Damages — In fatal crashes, surviving families may recover funeral expenses, lost future income, and compensation for the loss of love and companionship.
Insurance-Coverage Limits — If the at-fault driver carries only minimum coverage, your attorney will examine every potential source of recovery, including your own underinsured-motorist policy, the driver’s employer (if the crash occurred on the job), or additional negligent parties.
Local Considerations — Yakima Valley agriculture and industry can amplify income loss if injuries prevent seasonal work or require long travel for specialist care. A local lawyer accounts for these unique economic impacts.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
Washington follows pure comparative negligence. Even if you were partly responsible—for example, speeding 5 mph over the limit when another driver ran a red light—you may still recover damages. Your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Skilled investigation by the Yakima collision lawyers at Brumback & Ottem can limit any blame assigned to you and protect maximum compensation.
Will My Case Have to Go to Court?
Probably not. Roughly 95 percent of valid claims settle without a trial, and many resolve without even filing a lawsuit. Yet insurers know which firms are prepared to litigate. The readiness of trial attorney Scott Brumback and his team to present a compelling case in Yakima County Superior Court motivates adjusters to offer fair settlements. If a trial becomes necessary, your lawyer will guide you through every step, but the final choice to accept a settlement or proceed is always yours.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
No Upfront Fees — Brumback & Ottem work on a contingency basis: you pay nothing when you hire them and nothing while the case is underway. Their fee is a percentage of the money they recover for you.
Typical Percentages — Contingency fees generally hover around one-third of the settlement, though they can vary with case complexity. Because represented claimants statistically net far more, most clients still take home a larger amount even after the fee.
Free Consultation and Advanced Costs — The firm advances all litigation costs—court filing fees, expert witnesses, and more—and is reimbursed only if the case succeeds. An initial consultation with Yakima personal-injury attorney Sidney Ottem costs nothing and carries no obligation.
When Should I Contact a Yakima Car Accident Lawyer?
The sooner, the better. Insurers begin building their defense immediately, and crucial evidence—such as traffic-camera footage or eyewitness contact information—can disappear within days. Call Brumback & Ottem’s Yakima accident legal team as soon as possible if you sustained serious injuries, fault is disputed, the other driver is uninsured, or an adjuster is pressuring you to settle. Early involvement lets your lawyer control the flow of information, protect your rights, and position your claim for the best possible outcome.
Local access matters. With an office in Union Gap and the ability to visit clients at home or in the hospital, Yakima car-crash lawyer Scott Brumback and injury attorney Sidney Ottem are never more than a phone call away. Help is available 24/7, and bilingual services ensure every member of our community can understand their rights and options.
Conclusion
Insurance adjusters may tell you it is easy to handle a claim alone, but the numbers—and decades of experience in Yakima courtrooms—say otherwise. With a seasoned advocate like Yakima auto-accident attorney Sidney Ottem fighting for you, the playing field finally tilts back toward fairness. You gain the time to heal, the resources to cover medical care, and the confidence that every category of compensation is being pursued. When the stakes are your health and financial future, hiring a Yakima car accident lawyer is not just worth it—it is often the difference between an inadequate payout and the full, just recovery you deserve.