What Even Smart, Capable People Get Wrong About Car Crash Claims
Some of the most accomplished people I represent — doctors, teachers, engineers, small business owners, retirees — tell me the same thing at our first meeting:
“I had no idea it worked like this.”
Car crash claims are confusing. Not because people aren’t intelligent. But because the system is complicated on purpose — and insurance companies benefit when you don’t fully understand it.
After more than 20 years representing injured people in Washington, I’ve seen a few misconceptions come up again and again.
Let’s clear up a few of the biggest ones.
Myth #1: “The Other Driver’s Insurance Will Pay My Bills Right Away.”
They won’t.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company does not automatically pay medical bills as they come in. In most cases, they pay nothing until the claim is fully resolved.
And resolution doesn’t always happen quickly. Some claims take months. More complex cases can take a year or even several years.
In the meantime, injured people are left managing treatment, paperwork, missed work, and financial stress — all while trying to heal.
This is why understanding your own coverage — including Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and health insurance — matters so much. The system is not designed for speed. It is designed to control payouts.
Myth #2: “If I Use My Health Insurance, I’ll End Up with Less Money.”
In many situations, the opposite is true.
When health insurance is used, medical providers are typically paid at reduced contractual rates. That often lowers the overall medical total — which can actually improve a client’s net recovery in the end.
It feels counterintuitive. But smart coordination of benefits can make a meaningful financial difference.
Myth #3: “My Lawyer Will Tell Me Whether to Settle or Go to Court.”
Not in my office.
My job is to prepare the case thoroughly, push firmly for a fair offer, and explain the risks and benefits of every option. But I do not make the decision for my clients.
Whether to settle or file a lawsuit is personal. It involves your tolerance for risk, time, stress, and uncertainty. My role is to advise clearly and honestly — not to pressure.
I will bulldog the insurance company.
I will never bulldoze my client.
The Reality
For many people — especially those who have worked hard, saved carefully, and avoided conflict their entire lives — being injured in a crash is deeply unsettling.
You did nothing wrong.
And suddenly you’re navigating medical appointments, paperwork, adjusters, and deadlines.
In the Pacific Northwest, people value straightforward advice. They don’t want gimmicks. They want honesty, grit, and someone who will return their calls and tell them the truth — even when it’s not flashy.
If you were not at fault in a collision, your first consultation with my office is always free. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clear information so you can decide what makes sense for you and your family.
Because this system is complicated.
And you deserve someone steady beside you while you move through it.
