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Michael R. Charbonneau

AKW Law, P.C.

12 years of experience
Personal Injury, Employment Law, Civil Rights
Washington

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Practice Areas

Personal Injury: Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Employment Law: Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination

Civil Rights: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law

Fees

Free Consultation
Contingent Fees

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Washington
Since 2011

Federal District Court Western District of Washington
Since 2014

Professional Experience

Associate: AKW Law, P.C.; 2017 - Current

Litigation Associate: Khan Law Firm, PLLC; 2014 - 2017

Associate: Everett Law Group f/k/a Baker Lewis Schwisow & Laws; 2011 - 2014; Public Defender in Everett Municipal Court

Rule 9 Intern: Everett Law Group f/k/a Baker Lewis Schwisow & Laws; 2010 - 2011

Education

Seattle University School of Law: J.D.; 2008 - 2011; Honors: Magna Cum Laude; Order of the Barristers; Activities: Student Bar Association; Moot Court; Robert Dwyer Inn of Court

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale: M.S. (2004) | Higher Education Administration; 2002 - 2004

Central Michigan University: B.S. (2001) | Psychology; 1997 - 2001; Honors: Cum Laude; Activities: Residence Life; Orientation Mentor; One in Four: Walk Across America; Sexual Assault Peer Advocates;

Professional Associations

Washington State Bar Association # 44356: Member; Current

Washington State Association for Justice: 2014 - Current; Activities: CLE Committee Member; New Member Committee Member; North Seattle Roundtable Co-Chair

Speaking Engagements

Co-Chair, 2017 WSAJ New Member CLE, Washington State Convention Center: March 15, 2017; Washington State Association for Justice

Websites & Blogs

Website

Legal Answers

2 Questions Answered

Q. In a minor car accident 6/14/17 in D.C. Other person is filing a lawsuit, letter from lawyer dated 7/24/17. Can she?: July 27, 2017; A: Assuming that D.C. has the same statute of limitations as Washington (3 years) it would appear that it is outside the SOL. But most jurisdictions have rules that allow someone to file suit within the statute and have a grace period to find and serve the other party. From what you've provided, I can't say for sure, but that would be my suspicion.

In either event, let your insurance company know. They will have a duty to defend you in the lawsuit, and they will explore whether the lawsuit is barred.

Q. Car accident w no insurance. There were no visible damages or injuries.: July 24, 2017; A: Your options depend on how the other person tries to charge you a ridiculous amount. If he or she is just calling you insisting that you pay them, you can pretty much ignore them for the time being.

If they attempt to sue you, you will need to do more. It also will depend on what they are suing you for. It is not uncommon for a person to be injured in a vehicle that does not show a lot of damage. It is also difficult to contest the amount of someone's injuries without an attorney and hired experts. If they are claiming personal injuries as a result of the crash, you will probably do better if you hire an attorney to help you. If you had insurance at the time, one of the benefits is that they will defend you at no additional cost.

If they are trying to collect money for the car that you say was not damaged, then they might be pursuing this in small claims court. The good news for you is that they won't have a lawyer in small claims court either. Keep in mind the things that they will have to prove to be successful, and focus on how you can disprove any of their claims. The first thing they have to prove is that you were at fault for the accident. Your question indicates that you were not at fault. If that's the case, then it doesn't matter what kind of damages they are claiming, they can't get them from someone who wasn't at fault. Your best outcome in all of this comes from winning a fault determination.

If you are found at fault, the next best thing you can do is decrease the amount you are on the hook for. If they claim bigger property damage than occurred, take your witness with you to testify about what their car looked like. If your car has not had any work done on it, take pictures of your car to show that any alleged damage doesn't match up with your car.

Good luck. ... Read More