Founding Attorney Matthew Philbrook attended Clark College, Washington State University, and Gonzaga University School of Law. He is a member of the Washington State and Oregon State Bar Associations and started Philbrook Law in 2005. He specializes in Personal Injury, DUI and Criminal Defense cases. Learn more about Mr. Philbrook.
Posts by Matthew Philbrook
How Dashcam Evidence Can Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claim
Seconds after a crash, pain and panic can blur your memory. You need proof, not opinion. A small dashcam clipped behind your mirror can freeze those seconds on video and hand you leverage that the insurance company can’t ignore. What dashcams capture and why it matters Many dashcam models turn on with your ignition and…
Read MorePosting While Injured? How Social Media Impacts Injury Claims
Your phone dings while you wait for the doctor, and sympathy floods your feed: heart emojis, inside jokes, maybe a photo from last summer. It feels comforting, but every post you tap could give an insurance company ammunition. After an injury claim starts, social media stops being casual chatter. Insurers hire investigators who scroll, screenshot,…
Read MoreLiability for Injuries at Airbnbs and Short-Term Rentals
Airbnb is the most popular short-term rental facilitator in the world, although it is not the only such platform. In 2024 Airbnb recorded nearly 500 million bookings. With this kind of volume, guest injuries are going to occur, like it or not, even if the rate of injury per 1,000 guests is low. In case…
Read MoreCan a Defendant’s Conduct Affect the Amount of Damages?
The conduct of a defendant in a personal injury or wrongful death claim can have a profound influence on the amount of money that the injured victim eventually recovers. Conduct matters not only at the time of the accident, but during litigation. Your attorney can use bad behavior by the defendant to your advantage even…
Read MoreThe Unique Liability Issues of Logging Truck Accidents in Rural Areas
The economy of the Pacific Northwest is heavily dependent on the logging industry. Unsurprisingly, logging truck accidents are common. These types of accidents generate special concerns for a variety of reasons—their typically remote locations, road and weather conditions, and complex chains of liability, among other factors. Accidents tend to be serious, and wrongful death claims…
Read MoreWashington’s Duty of Care: What Property Owners Owe to Guests and Trespassers
As a property owner, how far do you have to go to protect guests and trespassers from injury and death? This is known as premises liability. The state of Washington, like every other state, applies its own premises liability law. These laws differ a bit from state to state. Washington uses the traditional invitee/licensee/trespasser classifications,…
Read MoreThe Legal Challenges of Multistate Truck Accidents
There’s something uniquely disorienting about a crash involving a massive 18-wheeler. Add in the twist of the truck driver being from another state, or the company based across state lines, and suddenly you’re not just dealing with injuries — you’re navigating a legal maze that doesn’t have clear signposts. Truck accidents aren’t uncommon. According to…
Read MoreWhy TBIs Are Often Undiagnosed
There’s a quiet danger that often follows an accident. It doesn’t bleed. It might not even show up right away. But it can change everything about the way you move through the world. It’s called a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and it’s more common and more overlooked than you might think. If you’ve recently been…
Read MoreThe Psychological Effects of Personal Injury
When people talk about personal injury, the focus almost always lands on the physical effects, like broken bones, herniated discs, and concussions. You get X-rays, MRIs, and maybe even surgery. There’s a tangible wound. It’s visible. It can be measured and tracked. However, there’s an element of an injury that often gets overlooked and goes…
Read MoreWhat to Know About Car Accident Settlements in Washington State
If you’ve just been in a car accident in Washington, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. Between doctor’s visits, insurance calls, and the daily logistics of getting around without your car, it’s easy to put your own questions on the back burner, especially the big one: How much is this all going to cost me? That’s where…
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