Law Office of Sofia K. Miguel, PLLC

Law Office of Sofia K. Miguel, PLLC Millions recovered for injury victims A personal injury law firm. Sofia Wins Cases. A personal injury law firm.

We handle personal injury claims including: auto accident, slip and fall, dog bite, premises liability, wrongful death.

06/08/2026

"I'm fine" โ€” two words that can destroy your injury claim.
Here's what to say instead. ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿšจ The Other Driver Says YOU Caused It.Their version isn't the final word.๐Ÿ“‹ Conflicting Stories Are CommonAfter an accide...
06/08/2026

๐Ÿšจ The Other Driver Says YOU Caused It.
Their version isn't the final word.

๐Ÿ“‹ Conflicting Stories Are Common
After an accident, very different accounts of what happened are not unusual. Conflicting versions don't mean you're wrongโ€”they mean facts need to be established through evidence, not competing claims.

๐Ÿ“„ The Police Report Isn't Final
A police report documents initial observations and may note a preliminary fault finding. But it isn't a legal ruling and can be challenged with additional evidence.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ What You Say at the Scene Matters
Avoid speculating about fault or apologizing at the scene before all facts are known. Statements made at the scene can be used later. Stick to facts and let the investigation determine fault.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Witnesses Can Corroborate Your Version
Independent witnesses are among the most powerful evidence in disputed liability cases. Get names and contact information from anyone who saw what happenedโ€”before they leave.

๐Ÿ“ท Cameras May Have Captured It
Traffic cameras, business surveillance, dashcams, and doorbell cameras may have recorded the accident. This footage can be deleted quickly. An attorney may help request preservation before it is gone.

๐Ÿ” Physical Evidence Tells the Story
Skid marks, debris patterns, vehicle damage location, and road conditions provide objective information about how a crash occurredโ€”without relying on anyone's account.

โš™๏ธ Accident Reconstruction Experts
In seriously disputed cases, reconstruction experts analyze physical evidence and scene conditions to counter a narrative that doesn't match the evidence.

๐Ÿ”„ Insurance Investigates Independently
Insurance companies typically conduct their own investigations and may reach different conclusions. Having your own documentation and representation matters.

โš–๏ธ Their Word vs. Yours Isn't the End
Fault determinations are typically based on evidence, not just competing statements. Physical evidence, photographs, witness accounts, and expert analysis all shape how fault is determined.

๐Ÿ“ Seattle | Puyallup | Tacoma, WA
๐Ÿ“ž (253) 200-4471 | ๐Ÿ”— Link in bio

๐Ÿ‘‰ Follow me for legal insights
๐Ÿ’ฌ Other driver blaming you? Free consultation ๐Ÿ‘‡

06/07/2026

That first offer isn't their best offer. Here's what the negotiation process actually looks like.

โญโญโญโญโญSofia and her team know people come to them with their lives in shambles so they focus on a holistic approach to cl...
06/07/2026

โญโญโญโญโญ

Sofia and her team know people come to them with their lives in shambles so they focus on a holistic approach to clients, doing everything they can to make lives easier while they wait for resolution.

We're available 24/7
Our team is fully bilingual โ€” hablamos espaรฑol.

๐Ÿ“ž Call us at 253-200-4471
๐Ÿ“ 702 S. Hill Park Dr. #207, Puyallup, WA
๐Ÿ’ป www.sofia-miguel-attorney.com

๐˜—๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ต๐˜ด ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜จ๐˜ถ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ง๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด. ๐˜Œ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜บ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ง๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต.

The Biggest Mistake Injured People Make on Social Media ๐Ÿ“ฑIf you've been in an accident:Insurance companies and defense a...
06/06/2026

The Biggest Mistake Injured People Make on Social Media ๐Ÿ“ฑ

If you've been in an accident:

Insurance companies and defense attorneys may review your social media during an injury claim.

Facebook. Instagram. TikTok. Even comments and tagged photos.

They're looking for anything that could challenge liability, injuries, or damages.

The Most Dangerous Posts Aren't Always Obvious

Not just photos of hiking after claiming a back injury.

Sometimes the most damaging posts seem harmless:

"I should have been paying more attention."

"Glad everyone's okay."

"Partly my fault for being in a hurry."

Statements like these may later be used to argue partial responsibility or minimize your claim.

Why This Matters:

Washington follows comparative fault rules. If you're found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Social media posts can become part of the evidence considered in a claim.

What Problematic Posts Can Look Like:

โŒ Comments discussing fault
โŒ Descriptions of how the accident happened
โŒ Statements minimizing injuries
โŒ Photos or videos appearing inconsistent with claimed limitations
โŒ Posts about physical activities during recovery

Even innocent posts may be taken out of context.

Our Advice:

Option 1: Limit social media activity while your claim is active.

A temporary pause can help avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretation.

Option 2: Be extremely cautious about what you post.

If you have concerns about posting during an active claim, speak with your attorney first.

In Practice:

โœ“ Avoid discussing the accident online
โœ“ Avoid commenting about fault
โœ“ Avoid posting injury updates publicly
โœ“ Be cautious about activity photos or videos
โœ“ Remember that even private accounts may not stay private forever

Social media feels personal.

But during an active injury claim, posts and comments can potentially become evidence.

When in doubt, pause before posting.

๐Ÿ“ž 253-200-4471
๐Ÿ“ Puyallup, WA
๐Ÿ’ป Link in bio
Protect your case. Think before you post.
No fee unless we win. Hablamos espaรฑol. ๐Ÿ“ฑ

โš–๏ธ Partially at Fault? You May Still Recover.Being partly responsible doesn't end your claim in Washington.โœ… Partial Fau...
06/05/2026

โš–๏ธ Partially at Fault? You May Still Recover.
Being partly responsible doesn't end your claim in Washington.

โœ… Partial Fault Doesn't Bar Recovery
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence ruleโ€”you may still recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the crash.

๐Ÿ“Š How It Works
Under RCW 4.22.005, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Ten percent at fault with one hundred thousand dollars in damages = ninety thousand dollars in recovery.

๐Ÿšซ No Cutoff in Washington
Unlike some states that bar recovery at 50% or 51% fault, Washington has no such cutoff. Even significant shared fault doesn't automatically eliminate your right to compensation.

๐Ÿ” How Insurance Handles Fault
Insurance companies may assign fault in ways that reduce what they pay. Even a small percentage attributed to you can meaningfully reduce your recovery. These assignments aren't always a neutral picture of what happened.

๐Ÿ“‹ How Fault Is Determined
Fault percentages are based on evidenceโ€”police reports, witness statements, photographs, traffic laws, and expert analysis. Each party's actions are compared to what a reasonably careful person would have done.

๐Ÿš— A Real Example
You were speeding slightly when another driver ran a red light and hit you. Insurer argues you're 15% at fault for speeding. That assignment may be challenged depending on the evidenceโ€”including what actually caused the collision.

โš–๏ธ Unfair Assignments Can Be Fought
A fault percentage from an adjuster is not final. Attorneys gather evidence, consult reconstruction experts, and present facts that accurately reflect what happened.

๐Ÿ‘ฉโš–๏ธ Why Attorneys Matter Here
Contested liability cases are often where legal representation can be especially helpful. An attorney can push back on inflated fault assignments and document your version of events.

๐Ÿšจ Don't Accept Fault Assumptions
If an insurer says you were partly at fault, don't accept it without question. Fault is a legal and factual determinationโ€”not simply whatever the adjuster says.

๐Ÿ“ Seattle | Puyallup | Tacoma, WA
๐Ÿ“ž (253) 200-4471 | ๐Ÿ”— Link in bio

๐Ÿ‘‰ Follow me for more legal insights
๐Ÿ’ฌ Free consultation

06/04/2026

Insurance wants to talk about one injury. Here's why you need to talk about all of them. ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”‘ Accident in a Borrowed Car: Who Covers You?The answer depends on permission, policies, and who owns the vehicle.๐Ÿฅ‡ The ...
06/04/2026

๐Ÿ”‘ Accident in a Borrowed Car: Who Covers You?
The answer depends on permission, policies, and who owns the vehicle.

๐Ÿฅ‡ The Car's Insurance Often Comes First
In many situations, the vehicle owner's auto insurance is primary when someone borrows a car. The driver's own insurance typically acts as secondaryโ€”but this depends on the policies involved.

โœ… Permission Matters
Coverage generally applies when the driver had the owner's permissionโ€”express or implied. Borrowing without permission can affect whether coverage applies at all.

๐Ÿ“‹ Permissive Use Coverage
Most auto policies extend liability coverage to permissive users. However, some limit or exclude coverage for certain drivers. Coverage depends heavily on specific policy language and facts.

๐Ÿšซ Named Driver Exclusions
Some policies specifically exclude certain people by name. If the owner's policy excludes you, coverage may not applyโ€”even with permission. Policy terms matter.

๐Ÿ”„ Your Insurance as Backup
If the owner's policy doesn't fully cover damages, your own auto insurance may provide secondary coverageโ€”but only if you carry your own liability coverage.

โš ๏ธ If the Owner Has No Insurance
If the vehicle owner has no insurance, your own policy may provide available coverage depending on its terms. If neither has applicable coverage, there may be personal financial exposure for damages.

๐Ÿค• Injuries to You as the Driver
If you're injured driving someone else's car, coverage for your own injuries depends on fault, available policies, and your own coverage. MedPay or PIP, if available, may apply regardless of fault.

๐Ÿš— Rental Cars Are Different
Rental situations involve different rules than borrowing from a friend or family member. Personal auto policies, credit cards, and rental coverage can all overlap.

โš–๏ธ The Owner May Share Liability
In some circumstances, a vehicle owner may share liability if they permitted someone they knew to be unlicensed, impaired, or unfit to drive. This is known as negligent entrustment.

๐Ÿ“ Seattle | Puyallup | Tacoma, WA
๐Ÿ“ž (253) 200-4471 | ๐Ÿ”— Link in bio

๐Ÿ‘‰ Follow me for more legal insights.
๐Ÿ’ฌ Involved in an accident in a borrowed car? Free consultation ๐Ÿ‘‡

06/03/2026

Insurance denied your treatment. That doesn't mean you're out of options.
Here's what to do. ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿš— Rental Car After an Accident: Who Pays?Your car is in the shop. Here's what you need to know.๐Ÿ”€ Two Sources of Coverage...
06/03/2026

๐Ÿš— Rental Car After an Accident: Who Pays?
Your car is in the shop. Here's what you need to know.

๐Ÿ”€ Two Sources of Coverage
Rental coverage can come from your own policy or the at-fault driver's liability insurance. Which appliesโ€”and whenโ€”affects how quickly you get a vehicle.

โš–๏ธ At-Fault Driver's Insurance
If the other driver was at fault, their insurance may cover your rental while your vehicle is repaired. Coverage typically begins once liability is acceptedโ€”which can take time in disputed cases.

โœ… Your Own Rental Coverage
If you have rental coverage on your own policy, you can use it immediately without waiting for the other insurer to accept liability.

๐Ÿš™ Comparable Vehicle
Insurers often provide a reasonably comparable rentalโ€”not a significant downgrade. If you drove an SUV or truck, document your vehicle and raise it if offered something substantially different. Availability and policy terms affect what is provided.

๐Ÿ“… How Long Does Coverage Last
Rental coverage typically runs for the reasonable time needed to repair your vehicle. If repairs take longer, additional rental time may sometimes be approvedโ€”keep your insurer informed and document delays.

๐Ÿ’ต Daily Rate Limits
Policies often set a daily rate limit. If the rental costs more than that limit, you may pay the difference. Keep all receipts regardless of who is paying.

๐Ÿ”ง If Your Car Is a Total Loss
Rental coverage typically continues for a reasonable period after a total loss determinationโ€”not indefinitely. Ask specifically how long your coverage extends.

๐Ÿ“‹ Loss of Use vs. Rental
Loss-of-use damages may sometimes be recoverable separately from rental reimbursement, depending on circumstances. Recovery can depend on whether a rental was incurred, provable deprivation exists, and other factors.

๐Ÿ“‰ Diminished Value: A Separate Claim
Potential diminished value claims may exist separately from rental, particularly in third-party claims against the at-fault driver's insurer. First-party claims can be more limited by policy language.

๐Ÿ“ Seattle | Puyallup | Tacoma, WA
๐Ÿ“ž (253) 200-4471 | ๐Ÿ”— Link in bio

๐Ÿ‘‰ Follow me for legal insights
๐Ÿ’ฌ Questions about rental or loss of use? Free consultation

Address

702 South Hill Park Drive
Puyallup, WA
98373

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+12532004471

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