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THE JONES FIRM

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers about medical bills, insurance tactics, and Washington injury laws. Speak directly with Bellevue trial attorney Dax Jones on his personal cell phone with zero out-of-pocket costs.

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LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
& Washington Law

Auto insurance policies contain a standard “cooperation clause.” Insurers exploit this clause to force injured victims to see their hired doctors for an Independent Medical Examination (IME)—which is rarely independent. These physicians are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars each year by insurance carriers to write reports claiming you are fully healed, exaggerating your pain, or that your symptoms stem from a pre-existing condition. Dax personally preps you before these exams, identifies trick questions, and enforces your legal protections under Washington insurance regulations to keep defense doctors from torpedoing your claim.

No. You are under no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Adjusters undergo specialized training to ask confusing, loaded questions designed to get you to downplay your pain or admit partial fault on tape. Once you retain The Jones Firm, Dax notifies all insurance adjusters in writing that direct contact is prohibited, redirecting all inquiries directly to his cell phone.

Under Washington law (RCW 48.22.085), your auto insurance policy must include at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to immediately cover medical expenses and lost income—unless your insurer can produce a signed, written waiver proving you expressly declined it. If PIP is unavailable or exhausted, your private health insurance or Washington Apple Health covers your treatment. If you do not have health insurance, Dax coordinates with leading King County medical providers who treat your injuries on a medical lien basis with zero upfront cost until your settlement arrives.

Yes. Washington is a “pure comparative fault” state (RCW 4.22.005). You are legally entitled to recover damages even if you share fault—whether you were 10%, 50%, or 90% responsible. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if your total damages are $200,000 and you are determined to be 20% at fault, you still receive $160,000. Insurance companies often try to place an unfair share of blame on victims, which is why Dax investigates early to prove driver negligence.

PROTECTING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

Case Value, Timelines & Medical Treatment

No honest lawyer can give you a dollar figure during an initial phone call. Total case value depends on several concrete factors: total past medical expenses, estimated costs of future surgeries or rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning potential, and non-economic losses such as physical pain, permanent impairment, and loss of life enjoyment. Dax evaluates every component of your medical and financial losses before issuing a formal demand to the insurance carrier.

Rushing to settle is the fastest way to leave significant money on the table. A personal injury claim should not settle until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)—the stage where treating doctors confirm your condition has fully stabilized and future medical needs are mapped out. Settling prematurely leaves you personally responsible for any unexpected surgeries, physical therapy, or permanent complications that arise later.

No. Washington enforces the legal “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine: a negligent driver takes the victim as they find them. If a collision aggravated, accelerated, or reactivated a pre-existing back issue, joint pain, or prior condition, the at-fault driver’s insurer is legally accountable for the full extent of the aggravation. Dax works directly with your medical providers to present objective diagnostic scans and records separating old baseline symptoms from new collision trauma.

Under RCW 4.16.080, Washington has a strict three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, starting from the exact date of the crash. If you do not resolve your claim or file a formal lawsuit in civil court within that three-year window, you permanently lose all legal rights to recover compensation. Claims against government entities (such as King County Metro buses or city road departments) require formal administrative notices with much shorter deadlines.

THE JONES FIRM PROMISE

Legal Fees & What to Expect

$0 out of pocket. The Jones Firm operates on a contingency fee agreement. Dax funds all upfront expenses, including crash reconstruction experts, private investigators, medical record retrieval, court filings, and deposition costs. You pay zero upfront retainers, and Dax only collects an attorney fee if he successfully recovers money for you through an insurance settlement or jury verdict. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing.

You work 100% directly with Dax Jones. High-volume billboard and TV firms process hundreds of claims at a time, routing clients to call centers, case managers, and junior paralegals. Dax gives his personal cell phone number to every client. When you have a question about your claim, you speak directly with the trial lawyer handling your case.

Most personal injury claims resolve through aggressive out-of-court settlements. However, insurance companies only offer maximum settlement values when they know your attorney is fully prepared to take the case to court. Dax builds every file from day one as if it is heading to trial. If the insurer refuses to make an acceptable offer, Dax is ready to present your case before a King County jury.

First, seek immediate medical attention—even if symptoms seem minor, as adrenaline frequently masks concussions, internal bleeds, and soft-tissue damage. Second, do not apologize or discuss fault at the scene. Third, take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries. Fourth, never agree to a recorded statement or sign any release forms sent by an insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney.

PROUDLY SERVING WASHINGTON

A Bellevue Firm Serving Injury Victims Across Washington

The Jones Firm is based in Bellevue and represents people injured in accidents throughout the surrounding communities and across Washington.

Dax regularly represents clients in Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland, and throughout King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. Whether you are able to visit the office, prefer to speak by phone or Zoom, or are unable to travel because of your injuries, Dax makes it possible to get the legal guidance you need.

For Dax, being a local attorney means more than having an office address in Bellevue. It means understanding the communities he serves and being available when local clients need help.

  • Bellevue
  • Seattle
  • Kirkland
  • Redmond
  • King County
  • Pierce County
  • Snohomish County