What to look for in an uninsured motorist attorney

An uninsured motorist attorney in Spokane should have specific experience handling claims against your own insurance company—not the other driver's. This is different from a standard car accident case. Your attorney needs to understand Washington's uninsured motorist law, how insurers evaluate these claims, and when to push back against a low settlement offer.

Start by asking whether the attorney has handled uninsured motorist cases in Washington state specifically. State law varies, and an attorney licensed in Oregon or Idaho may not know Spokane County court procedures or local insurance practices. Ask how many cases they've taken to trial versus settled, and whether they've worked with your insurance company before—familiarity with how a specific insurer operates matters.

The attorney should also be willing to explain the difference between your uninsured motorist coverage limits and your liability limits. Many people confuse these. Your uninsured motorist attorney needs to know whether your policy stacks coverage (combining limits from multiple vehicles or policies) and whether Washington's comparative negligence rules explore to your case.

Key Takeaways

  • Look for attorneys with documented experience handling uninsured motorist claims in Washington state, not just general car accident cases.
  • Ask whether the attorney has worked with your specific insurance company and knows their settlement patterns.
  • Verify the attorney understands stacking rules and comparative negligence under Washington law, which affect what you can recover.
  • Request a written fee agreement that specifies the contingency percentage and whether costs (medical records, informed witnesses) come from your settlement or your pocket.
  • Check whether the attorney has handled cases that went to trial, since insurers sometimes offer more when they know you will litigate.

How to find attorneys in Spokane with this experience

The Washington State Bar Association website lets you search for attorneys by location and practice area. Go to wsba.org, use the "Find a Lawyer" tool, and filter for Spokane. You can then call each firm and ask directly: "Do you handle uninsured motorist claims?" Many general personal injury firms do, but some focus only on workers' compensation or other areas.

Ask your health insurance provider or doctor's office for referrals. They often know which local attorneys handle injury cases regularly and have good relationships with medical providers—that matters because your attorney will need medical records and may need to negotiate with your doctors about liens.

Spokane County Bar Association also maintains a referral service. Call them at their main number and describe your situation. They can point you toward attorneys who specifically take uninsured motorist cases and are accepting new clients.

Questions to ask before hiring

Ask the attorney how they charge. Most uninsured motorist cases work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover—typically 25 to 40 percent depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Get this in writing. Also ask whether costs (obtaining medical records, hiring accident reconstruction experts, court filing fees) come out of your settlement or whether you pay them separately.

Ask what they expect your case to be worth. A good attorney will give you a range, not a may provide. They should explain how they arrived at that range: your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and how comparable cases in Spokane County have settled. If an attorney promises a specific amount, that is a red flag.

Ask how long they expect the process to take. Uninsured motorist claims often take 6 to 18 months from start to finish, depending on whether your injuries are still healing and whether the insurer contests liability. The attorney should explain what happens at each stage and when you might hear back from the insurance company.

Ask whether they will handle the claim themselves or hand it off to another attorney or paralegal. You want to know who you are actually working with and whether that person will be available to answer your questions.

Red flags to avoid

Avoid attorneys who pressure you to sign a fee agreement on the first call or who refuse to put the agreement in writing. Legitimate attorneys expect you to review the contract and ask questions.

Be cautious of attorneys who claim they can may provide a specific settlement amount or who promise your case will settle quickly. Insurance companies do not work on anyone's timeline, and outcomes depend on facts specific to your accident, your injuries, and your policy limits.

Do not hire an attorney who has not reviewed your insurance policy. They need to know your coverage limits, your deductible, and whether your policy allows stacking. If they skip this step in the first meeting, they are not ready to represent you.

Avoid firms that do not return phone calls within one business day or that make you feel rushed. You are hiring someone to handle a claim that could take over a year. You need an attorney who communicates clearly and regularly.

Understanding the fee agreement

Your fee agreement should state the contingency percentage clearly. It should also specify what happens if your case settles versus goes to trial—many attorneys charge a higher percentage if they have to litigate. The agreement must list what costs you are responsible for and whether those costs are deducted before or after the attorney's fee is calculated.

Ask whether the attorney will advance costs on your behalf or whether you pay them upfront. Some firms cover costs and deduct them from your settlement; others require you to pay as you go. Neither approach is inherently wrong, but you need to know which one applies to you.

The agreement should also explain what happens if you fire the attorney or if they withdraw from your case. In Spokane, if you part ways before settlement, the attorney may still be may have access to to a fee for work already done, but the agreement should spell out how that is calculated.

Checking credentials and history

Verify that any attorney you are considering is in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association. Go to wsba.org, click "Lawyer Lookup," and search by name. The results will show whether they are licensed, whether they have any disciplinary history, and what their practice areas are.

Ask whether the attorney is a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association or the American Association for Justice. Membership is not required, but it often signals that an attorney takes litigation seriously and stays current on case law.

Look for online reviews on Google, Avvo, or the Better Business Bureau, but read them critically. A few negative reviews are normal; a pattern of complaints about communication or billing is worth noting. If you see complaints about the same issue from multiple people, that is a signal to keep looking.

When to hire an attorney versus handling it yourself

You can file an uninsured motorist claim without an attorney, but the insurance company has no obligation to offer you fair value. Insurers often lowball unrepresented claimants because they know most people will accept the first offer rather than fight. If your injuries are minor and your medical bills are under a few thousand dollars, you might negotiate directly with your insurer. If your injuries are serious, your medical bills are substantial, or the insurer is denying liability, an attorney usually pays for itself.

An attorney also handles the paperwork and important date. Washington has time limits for filing uninsured motorist claims, and missing a important date can cost you the entire claim. An attorney tracks these dates and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an attorney if the other driver was clearly at fault?

Fault and settlement value are separate questions. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, your own insurance company may dispute the value of your claim or argue that your injuries are not as serious as you say. An attorney can push back on these arguments and often recovers more than an unrepresented person would.

What if I already have a personal injury attorney from another case?

Ask whether they handle uninsured motorist claims. Some attorneys specialize in one area and refer uninsured motorist cases to colleagues. If your current attorney does not handle these claims, they can usually recommend someone who does.

How much will an attorney cost me?

On contingency, you pay nothing upfront. The attorney takes a percentage of your settlement—usually 25 to 40 percent depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. You may also pay costs like medical record fees or court filing fees, which vary by case.

Can I switch attorneys if I am unhappy with mine?

Yes, but you may owe the first attorney a fee for work already completed. Your fee agreement should explain how this works. Before switching, discuss your concerns with your current attorney—many issues can be resolved with a conversation.

What if my insurance company denies my uninsured motorist claim entirely?

An attorney can file a lawsuit against your own insurance company to force them to pay. This is called an uninsured motorist lawsuit, and it is separate from any claim against the other driver. An experienced attorney knows how to pressure insurers into settlement before trial.