Seattle Accident Attorney Thomas Richards

Thomas G. Richards
Seattle, Washington
Managing Partner
phone (206) 682-7700
fax (206) 682-0721

Tom Richards has a wealth of trial experience. He has tried cases involving small potatoes (literally) in Adams County to a brain injury case in Thurston County. More typical are auto accidents and premises liability cases in King, Pierce and Snohomish county. Most civil lawsuits settle out of court, but trial experience is necessary in order to force the best settlement.

Seattle accident lawyer Tom Richards has represented plaintiffs and defendants in lawsuits. This gives him a perspective on how the other side thinks so that he can maximize the strengths and minimize any weakness of his client's case. Most civil litigation involves an insurance company as a named party or in the background behind the named defendant. Tom Richards has over 30 years experience on behalf of and against insurance companies.

Lately, Allstate Insurance Co. has taken a very aggressive stance both toward its own insureds and claimants. Tom Richards has taken on Allstate in several cases. Allstate refused to pay for an insured's stolen car. That case settled for twice the value of the car. Allstate refused homeowner's coverage for a negligent misrepresentation lawsuit against an Allstate insured. He won that case for the Allstate insured in Superior Court and held on to most of the victory in the Court of Appeals. He went to trial in Pacific County on a small neck and back injury against an Allstate insured and got a verdict for the plaintiff about three times the amount of the settlement offer.

Areas of Practice:
Personal Injury
Auto Accidents
Premises Liability
Defense in Civil Cases
Insurance Coverage Problems
Commercial / Business Litigation
Appeals
Litigation Percentage:
95% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Washington, 1975
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington, 1975
U.S. Tax Court, 1984
Education:
Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan
J.D.


University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A.
Major: Pre-law


Representative Cases:
Allstate Ins. Co. v. Bowen, 121 W. App 1030 (Wa Crt Appl 2004)
Bullitt v Lewis, 134 W. App 1053 (Wa Crt Appl 2006)
Windsor v Kleffner, 135 W. App 1037 (Wa Crt Appl 2006)
Representative Clients:
Sentry Insurance
Whole Foods Markets
Golden Shamrock, Inc.
References:
U.S. Bank
Classes/Seminars Taught:
Evaluating Personal Injury Cases, WSTLA, 1991


Voir Dire - Changes in the Wind, WSBA, 1988


Winning Auto Cases, WSTLA, 1992


Nuts and Bolts of Defending a Civil Case, WDTL, 1978


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Washington State Bar Assn.
Member


King County Bar Assn.
Member


Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
Member


Washington State Trial Lawyers Assn.
Member


Past Employment Positions:
U.S. District Judge Cornelia G. Kennedy, Dep. Clerk, 1973 - 1975


Safeco Insurance Co., Asst. General Counsel, 1975 - 1980


Bassett, Morrison, Mackin, Sorensen & Peizer, Partner, 1980 - 1984


Pro Bono Activities:
WSBA - Subcommittee on Pattern Interrogatories, 2006 - 2007
Ancillary Businesses:
CCAMLR License Through NOAA
Fraternities/Sororities:
Alpha Delta Phi
Office Location

Peizer, Richards & Ziontz, P.S.
720 Third Avenue
Suite 1915
Seattle, Washington (WA) 98104-1825
Phone: (206) 682-7700
Fax: (206) 682-0721

Everett Office (Satellite Office)
3325 Wetmore Ave
Everett, WA 98201

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