Do all claims go to trial?

A lawsuit may be necessary when all attempts to resolve your case through negotiations have been unsuccessful. Based on the circumstances of your case and individual needs, we’ll talk with you about whether or when a lawsuit would be filed. In Washington, most injured people have three years from the date of the accident (often called a “statute of limitations”) to settle a claim or file a lawsuit. A lawsuit begins when an attorney prepares legal documents and files them in court, with the intention to serve the defendant with notice of the lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed, it doesn’t necessarily mean your case will go to court. Settlement negotiations often continue even after the lawsuit has been filed and your case can settle well before trial.