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Trusted Car Accident Lawyers & Personal Injury Attorneys
Seeking Justice for Our Clients Since 1979
We are Committed to Excellence In and Out of Court:
Accidents - Wrongful Death - Sexual Assault
Traumatic Brain Injuries - Abuse - Slip & Fall - Maritime Accidents
Bellingham Personal Injury Lawyers, Tario & Associates, P.S.
For more than four decades, Tario & Associates, P.S. has helped thousands of accident victims with their accident claims in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties. We specialize in personal injury claims for truck, motorcycle and car accidents, pedestrian injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death.
At Tario you will find competent, hard working car accident attorneys and personal injury attorneys. We help our clients fight to recover damages through negotiation with insurance companies and personal injury lawsuits to compensate you for your losses and to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence.
The Best Personal Injury Attorney in North Washington
Michael John Tario is one of the most highly respected and experienced practicing personal injury attorneys in Washington State. He opened his personal injury practice more than four decades ago after graduating from the University of Puget Sound Law School (now Seattle University Law School). He has earned the respect of his peers and the industry as exemplified by his many awards and high ratings. In 2020, Mr. Tario earned a Silver Client Champion Award and a Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement from Martindale-Hubbell. During his career, Mr. Tario has successfully represented over 3,000 clients. He has negotiated well over 2,500 favorable out-of-court settlements, but where settlement was not possible, he has taken hundreds of cases to trial; fighting hard to protect the rights and interests of his clients. Read more on Michael’s bio page.
I Wish I Could Give Tario & Associates More Than 5 Stars!
“We just finished a car accident case that took 4 years, but would have taken 10 years if it wasn’t for Mr. Tario, Sandy, and their entire hardworking team. They kept me well informed of updates on the case, and made sure I was prepared for all meetings with the opposing council…If I am ever needing legal assistance again, or if anyone I know is looking for an attorney, I will turn to Tario & Associates every time!”
Exceptional Service & Work Ethic
“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Michael Tario since 2016. In that time, he has provided me exceptional service in many areas of law. He also has an exceptional work ethic and he is very responsive and articulate with his communication. I appreciate his ability to explain otherwise complicated matters in a very common sense and down-to-earth manner. He is a great listener and he stays focused on the most efficient way to the desired outcome. Having worked with other Lawyers over the years, I can say he will always be my go-to attorney when needed…and if the matter is outside the scope of his expertise, he is a good resource for other lawyers who can help. In an era where the bar for customer service is set very low, Michael Tario sets and maintains high standards for his law practice.” – Dale
Listened and Fought for our Family
“From the beginning Mr. Wolle listened to our family dilemma with attention and positive suggestions. He was warm and willing to handle our case the way we wanted to proceed. Every step of the way Bob and his team fought for us in court. We always feel so welcome walking into the office, greeted as if old friends.”
All My Needs Were Taken Care Of
“Mr. Tario worked on a personal injury case for me where I was in a car accident. I had been injured and had major loss to my business because of it. Mr. Tario was very quick to help me in both getting medical help so all my needs were taken care of and so I would be reimbursed for all my losses. I found his knowledge to be absolutely top notch! Very impressive and I will most certainly use him again if the need arises.” – Chris
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents are unfortunately common and often result in serious consequences due to the size and weight of these vehicles. These accidents can lead to significant damage to property,...
What Is Loss of Enjoyment of Life in Personal Injury Lawsuits?
Loss of enjoyment of life, also referred to as "loss of quality of life," is a concept in personal injury law that refers to the negative impact that an injury or accident has on a person's...
Seeking Justice for Sexual Assault in Nursing Homes
Vulnerable individuals living in nursing home facilities deserve a safe and dignified environment, and any breach of trust or harm should be dealt with immediately. Sexual assault is a crime. As...
Does a Personal Injury Settlement Affect Medicaid in Washington State?
Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals of any age. It is an important program that provides health insurance to more than 2 million Washingtonians. In Washington state,...
What is a Personal Injury Settlement Conference?
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about three to four percent of personal injury cases go to trial. That means that a whopping 97 percent of injury cases are settled out of court....
How Much to Ask for in a Personal Injury Settlement?
The purpose of a personal injury settlement is to provide compensation to an injured party (the plaintiff) for the harm and losses they have suffered due to the negligence or wrongful actions of...
Personal Injury Attorneys
What is a personal injury lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer that provides legal services to a person who claims that they were injured – either physically, psychologically or financially – because of the negligence of another person, company, government agency or other organization. A Bellingham personal injury lawyer is best equipped to handle cases for accidents that happened in Washington State.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a personal injury caused by the carelessness or intentional act of another, our personal injury law firm is here to help. We walk our injury clients through each step of the claim process, keeping them in the loop with any progress or updates to their case. We start with a FREE consultation where we talk about your accident, injuries, medical bills and other damages. From there we discuss your legal rights and the value of your potential claim.
If we agree to work together, we will:
- Ensure you receive the medical care you need by deferring medical bills, as needed.
- Interview and retain witnesses, investigate and research issues and gather supporting documents.
- Serve a “complaint” on the defendant.
- Handle the pre-trial litigation phase.
- Negotiate a settlement or take the case to trial.
Look for a dedicated personal injury lawyer
Our primary practice area is personal injury law with a focus on car accidents, pedestrian injuries, medical malpractice and wrongful death. If you are looking for a dedicated personal injury lawyer with the experience to fight for you, you have come to the right place. Since 1979, we have helped thousands of injured people in and around Bellingham and Whatcom County fight for justice and recover losses for their car crashes and other personal injury accidents. We provide FREE case evaluations, home and hospital visits and no attorney fees unless you recover damages. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.
What does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
There are no upfront costs or fees paid by our clients to pursue any personal injury claims, including claims for motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death or medical malpractice. We provide representation on a contingency fee basis for all personal injury cases. This means that while you will not incur any attorney fees if you do not win your case, Washington State law requires clients to reimburse the law firm for out-of-pocket expenses, typically as a percentage of the settlement.
We get to know our clients
We take the time to understand your biggest priority in seeking personal injury legal representation. For some it is a quick settlement, for others it is the highest possible compensation, coverage for your medical expenses or admission by the negligent party of what was done to you. We will do everything in our power to fight for the best outcome for your needs and wishes.
What is a typical personal injury settlement?
There is a huge range when it comes to personal injury settlements, depending on the severity of the injuries and other damages inflicted on the injured party. Injury settlements can range between $15,000 for a small case to over 1M for very serious cases. An injury lawyer with personal injury law experience in your state will be able to tell you what the value of your claim is and the amount that you might be able to reasonably expect to get out of a settlement or jury verdict.
What is a statute of limitations in personal injury cases?
A statute of limitations is a law that restricts or extends the time that legal proceedings may be brought after a personal injury occurs. In Washington State, most personal injury claims must be brought within three years. If you are getting close to your deadline, please contact an attorney as soon as possible to talk about your options.
We represent clients in all types of personal injury cases including:
- Auto Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Slip-and-Fall
- Child Injury
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Maritime Accidents
- Sexual Abuse – Plaintiff
- Defective Products
- Social Host Liability
Please let us know about your accident and injuries so we can help you and provide legal advice for your insurance claim. Contact us today.
Best Bellingham Car Accident Attorney
What should I do if I was hurt in a car accident?
Getting into a car crash can range from a minor inconvenience to life altering. If you were badly injured in a motor vehicle accident because of the negligent or reckless behavior of another driver, you have a right to compensation for your serious injuries. This includes medical expenses and medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Often, the only way to receive a fair settlement is with the help of a personal injury lawyer. This is because car insurance companies try to avoid paying anything or the bare minimum for collisions caused by their members.
If you or a loved one was injured in a local car accident then you need a knowledgeable Bellingham car accident attorney to fight for you. Our accident lawyers have the resources, experience and knowledge necessary to represent people injured in motor vehicle crashes, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents. Our network of experts in accident reconstruction, psychology and engineering serves as an invaluable resource when determining liability and calculating the extent of your injuries and the costs related to your injury.
If you were in a car accident you should:
- Get the contact and insurance information of anyone involved in the accident.
- The contact information of any witnesses.
- Take pictures of the scene and any property damage.
- Call the police to come investigate the accident and write an accident report.
- Do not admit fault for the accident in any way.
- Seek medical help for your injuries.
- Do not post anything to social media about your accident or injuries.
- Do not accept a settlement from the at-fault insurance agent without talking to a car accident attorney.
From there we will walk you through each step of the claim process so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
What do I have to pay for a car accident lawyer?
Car accidents fall under personal injury law and like all of our injury cases, we provide representation on a contingency fee basis. This means you will pay nothing upfront or out-of-pocket for the help we provide. You pay only a percentage of the settlement we secure for you, which is usually five to twenty times higher than what you could negotiate on your own.
We look forward to meeting with you to see how we can help you recover damages for your car accident injuries. Contact us today and see why so many say that Tario & Associates, P.S. is the best personal injury attorney Bellingham has to offer.
Experienced Bellingham Wrongful Death Lawyer
A wrongful death may occur in a variety of circumstances such as a car accident, medical malpractice, or even murder. If you lost a loved one to wrongful death, the grief can make it difficult to function; let alone seek justice. A wrongful death lawsuit – typically handled by a personal injury lawyer – seeks to rectify the loss of financial and emotional support that had been provided by the deceased person. Our experienced and compassionate wrongful death lawyers will evaluate the circumstances around the death to determine negligence and build a case against the defendant.
A successful wrongful death claim will recover for a variety of damages, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost inheritance
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Future lost wages
- Loss of services (loss of a partner’s contribution to household duties)
- Loss of consortium (loss of affection and sexual relations)
We look forward to meeting with you to see how we can support your family through this difficult time. Contact us today and see why so many say that Tario & Associates, P.S. is the best personal injury attorney Bellingham has to offer.
Personal Injury FAQs
Can I resolve my personal injury claim directly with the insurance adjuster?
While it is possible to settle a personal injury claim without an attorney, know that you will almost always get a much smaller settlement. Research conducted by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) found that those who hired a lawyer had settlements several times bigger than those who settled directly with the insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to settle for as little as possible, while the personal injury attorney’s goal is to settle for as much as can be negotiated as he is paid a percentage of the settlement.
How much is my personal injury case worth? How do I know if the insurance agency’s offer is reasonable?
Each personal injury case is valued differently depending on many factors including the severity of the injuries, the expenses incurred as a result of the injury and state injury laws. The only way to find out what your injury case is worth is to contact a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer for a free assessment.
Should I sign medical and property damage releases sent to me by the insurance company adjuster or other parties?
No! This could seriously harm your case. Always contact an accomplished personal injury lawyer before signing any documents.
What should I look for in a personal injury lawyer?
Look for an attorney who has focused a large portion of his or her cases on personal injury for many years. Check online reviews or ask your friends or family for referrals before narrowing down your choice. Ask the attorney about his or her success rate and trial experience and whether there is a legal team on board to help handle your case.
Can a personal injury lawyer help stop my medical bills from going to collections?
In many cases, a person’s injuries will equal or succeed many thousands of dollars in out of pocket medical expenses. Once a personal injury lawyer takes on a case, often he or she can negotiate a lien with your medical providers, health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid. The lien establishes that your medical bills will be paid out of settlement or trial. This process will prevent harassing phone calls from creditors, save your credit rating and stop outstanding medical bills from being sent to collections while your case is being resolved.
I was in a car accident but the person who caused the accident doesn’t have car insurance. Can I still get a settlement?
Yes. If your car insurance policy has uninsured motorist coverage you can make a claim or if the person who caused the accident has assets you may be able to recover. A personal injury lawyer can advise all of your settlement options.
Will my settlement take longer if I hire a personal injury attorney?
While your case may take longer to finalize if you hire a personal injury lawyer, you will most likely receive a settlement several times larger than what you could negotiate on your own. Most cases are resolved before trial becomes necessary.
We look forward to answering all of your personal injury questions and speaking with you about your legal needs. You deserve expert help from knowledgeable injury lawyers.
Do not delay, use our convenient contact form to contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today! There is a statute of limitations on filing your personal injury claim.