Washington law gives most crash victims three years to file a lawsuit for injuries or vehicle damage. RCW 4.16.080 starts the clock on the day of the wreck. That is the outer limit—not the recommended wait. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and insurers grow skeptical long before three years pass. Acting quickly gives our Yakima car accident lawyers at Brumback & Ottem Injury Law the leverage we need to secure full compensation.

Call our car accident attorneys at Brumback & Ottem Injury Law today at (509) 457-7258 for a free, no-obligation case review. Let us safeguard your rights while you focus on getting better.

Key Exceptions That Can Extend or Shorten the Three-Year Limit

Some cases follow different clocks.

Minors have until age 21 because the statute is paused until their 18th birthday.
Mental incapacity tolls the deadline until the injured person regains capacity.
Government defendants require a written notice within 60 days and a second 60-day wait before suit—fail to do that and the claim dies, even if three years have not run.

Questions about an exception? Union Gap auto injury lawyer Sidney Ottem can tell you in a free consult whether extra time applies.

Insurance Reporting Rules You Must Meet Within Days

Insurance policies set their own “prompt notice” rules. Most carriers demand you report a crash within 24-48 hours or risk a late-notice denial. Washington also requires a DOL collision report within four days if anyone was hurt or damage exceeds $1,000. Contacting both insurers quickly lets attorney Scott Brumback preserve coverage while leaving room to sue if negotiations stall.

Essential Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Crash

Call 911 and stay safe. Police and medics create the first, best record of events.
Seek medical care the same day. Fast treatment links injuries to the collision and protects health.
Document everything. Photos, witness contacts, and dash-cam files help prove fault.
Notify insurers but keep it factual. Give basics only—our Yakima County injury attorneys handle detailed statements later.
Stay off social media. Posts can be twisted against you.
Talk with Brumback & Ottem early. We gather black-box data, subpoena camera footage, and move evidence into secure hands.

Why Waiting Can Destroy a Valid Claim

Delay strips a case of proof. Skid marks wash away, vehicles are repaired, and cameras overwrite footage. Insurers argue that late claims mean minor injuries or some other cause. When the three-year period lapses, you lose all bargaining power because a lawsuit is no longer possible. Attorney Brumback urges every caller: “Let us start now so nothing evaporates.”

Compensation Available After a Washington Car Accident

A successful claim can pay for:

Medical expenses—ER visits, surgery, rehab, and future care.
Lost wages and diminished earning power.
Vehicle repair or replacement.
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Scarring, disability, or loss of consortium.
Our Washington personal injury team calculates every dollar, then pursues all at-fault policies and your own underinsured coverage to make you whole.

Types of Accidents We Handle in Yakima County

Common crashes

Rear-end collisions on Yakima Avenue stop-and-go traffic.
T-bone wrecks at busy intersections like Nob Hill Boulevard.
Head-ons on rural stretches of US-12.
Multi-car pileups in I-82 fog.
Uninsured motorist hits, where we turn to UIM benefits.

Uncommon but complex

Farm equipment collisions with slow tractors on county roads.
Road-construction zone impacts harming flaggers and crews.
Underride crashes when cars slide beneath semitrailers.

Whatever the scenario, the Union Gap car accident attorneys at Brumback & Ottem have likely litigated it before and know the nuances that win.

Do You Really Need a Lawyer to File a Claim?

You can file alone, but insurers send trained adjusters and defense counsel to minimize payouts. Sid Ottem, Yakima auto accident lawyer, handles every form, deadline, and negotiation for you. We secure evidence, value future costs, and fight lowball offers. Best of all, you pay nothing up front. Our fee comes only from the recovery.

Why Injured Drivers Choose Brumback & Ottem

Our firm is local, veteran-owned, and rooted in Yakima Valley values. Scott Brumback served in the U.S. Army before opening the practice in 1998. Sid Ottem grew up on a Nebraska farm and later prosecuted injury claims for the federal government. Together the attorneys have 30 + years of combined experience and a reputation for being “Bulldog Tough” with insurers yet compassionate with clients. We treat every caller like family and fight until justice is served.

Client Voices: Real Words, Real Results

“Very happy & thankful for this firm. I definitely made the right choice with having picked their office. I highly recommend this firm. If I ever need any further legal assistance I will return to Brumback & Ottem.” – Yari L.

“I have had numerous pt’ use this firm for professional help with auto accidents and work-related injuries throughout the years. All have had fantastic results and were treated very professionally. I highly recommend their services.” – John R.

Contact Brumback & Ottem for a Free Consultation

If you were hurt in a crash, time is already ticking. Call (509) 457-7258 or visit us at 1905 Rainier Pl., Union Gap, WA for a no-obligation case review. Our Yakima car accident lawyers are ready 24/7, and you owe no fee unless we win. The sooner we start, the sooner you can focus on healing while we handle the rest.