In 2016, I was in a serious bike accident that left me with a shattered collarbone and broken ribs. I was commuting to work in Seattle when I hit an uneven patch of roadway, launching me over my handlebars and onto the pavement. It was one of the most painful and challenging experiences of my life—one that fundamentally changed the way I view injury, recovery, and the clients I serve as a Seattle personal injury attorney. I now understand firsthand how an accident can upend every aspect of life—physically, emotionally, financially, and in the everyday responsibilities we take for granted.
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The pain was excruciating. At the crash scene, I felt an unbearable throbbing in my shoulder, back, and side. By the time I reached the hospital, even the smallest movement sent sharp pain through my body.
My collarbone was braced, and I was sent home with just enough pain medication to get me through the next day until surgery. That first night was miserable—there was no comfortable position to rest, no relief from the constant ache.
Post-Surgery Challenges
After surgery, recovery was grueling. My surgeon explained that putting my shattered collarbone back together was like stacking toothpicks—it required a titanium plate and screws to hold everything in place. But the broken ribs made every movement unbearable. Even breathing was painful, let alone coughing, sneezing, or attempting to sleep in a normal bed. I had to borrow a recliner from a neighbor and slept in my living room for over a month.
The loneliness, discomfort, and frustration were overwhelming.
The Long Road to Recovery
Recovering from an injury is a long and difficult journey, requiring patience, resilience, and a strong support system. The physical pain may subside, but the emotional and logistical challenges often linger far beyond the initial trauma. For me, this meant months of discomfort, ongoing therapy, and learning to adapt to the lasting effects of my injuries.
Physical Therapy and Lingering Pain
Two months after surgery, I started physical therapy. Even then, I struggled with pain when moving my arm or walking long distances. By the third month, I had regained most of my mobility, but my shoulder still felt strange. Years later, I continue to experience sensitivity to cold and nerve damage that leaves parts of my collarbone area numb. Some days, I barely notice it; other times, wearing a heavy bag on that shoulder or adjusting my seatbelt feels foreign and uncomfortable.
Emotional and Mental Impact
Beyond the physical pain, the accident shook my confidence. I once loved riding my bike, but after the crash, I found myself anxious about the road. Even riding in a car, I tensed at every bump and crack. That fear eventually faded, but I now understand how trauma lingers long after an injury heals.
The Impact on My Family and Business
My personal struggles during recovery didn’t just affect my family and business—they reshaped the way I approach my work as an attorney. I know firsthand the overwhelming stress of trying to manage responsibilities while healing, and I bring that understanding to every client I represent.
Struggles as a Mother
One of the hardest parts of my recovery was how it affected my children, who were just four and six years old. They wanted to snuggle, climb on my lap, and be close—but I had to push them away. I couldn’t lift them, hold them, or comfort them the way I wanted to. It broke my heart to tell them, “Please don’t touch me,” when all they needed was their mom.
Even the simplest tasks—buckling them into their car seats, helping them get dressed—became daily struggles. I had to rely on others more than ever before. My kids had to become more independent much earlier than I ever wanted, and that made me feel guilty as a mother. Though I eventually healed, those months of feeling disconnected from them were incredibly tough.
Balancing Business and Recovery
On top of my personal struggles, I was also running my own law firm. In fact, Scott & Scott, PLLC was created just one month after my bike accident. The stress of launching a firm while healing from serious injuries was overwhelming.
I had to juggle my physical recovery with legal filings, office logistics, and my clients’ cases—all while also managing the stress of moving my office across town. At times, the exhaustion was overwhelming—I found myself in tears from the pain, stress, and the immense weight of responsibility on my shoulders. Relying on my team, delegating, and trusting that things wouldn’t fall apart while I healed was a challenge in itself. But this experience gave me a deeper understanding of what my clients go through—trying to heal while also managing work, family, and everyday responsibilities. It also reinforced a lesson I now share with every injured client: life doesn’t pause for recovery, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
This experience has also influenced how I mentor and train my team, ensuring they recognize the full scope of challenges that accompany injury recovery. It’s important to me that when clients come to our firm, they receive support from an entire team that genuinely understands their struggles—not just in a legal sense, but in a personal and practical way. My team is well-versed in the complexities of personal injury law and deeply understands the challenges that come with recovery. While we may not experience the day-to-day struggles firsthand, we recognize their impact and are committed to providing the support and guidance our clients need during this difficult time. This shared understanding is what makes us different—we don’t just advocate for our clients; we truly relate to their experiences.
Why I Fight for My Clients
A Personal Experience That Fuels My Advocacy
Having gone through the challenges of injury and recovery myself, I bring more than just legal expertise to my clients—I bring personal understanding. I recall working with a mother who, after a serious car accident, struggled to care for her children while dealing with pain and insurance battles. Her story mirrored my own experience, and I knew exactly how overwhelming it felt. My firm stepped in to shoulder the mental load of all the logistical legal issues so she could focus on healing and being there for her family.
Understanding the Full Impact of Injuries
This experience changed me. It showed me just how deeply an injury affects every part of life—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. I know what it’s like to feel helpless, to struggle through basic tasks, and to worry about how an injury will impact the people you love.
That’s why I focus on helping injured moms, their children, and their families. Because I have lived through the challenges of recovering while trying to care for my family and run a business, I understand the unseen struggles my clients face. I know the frustration of not being able to do the things you once took for granted, the stress of keeping everything together, and the emotional toll on both the injured person and their loved ones.
When a mother is hurt, her whole family feels it. I’ve seen this time and time again with my clients—mothers who are not only dealing with their own pain but also struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy for their children. Some can’t drive their kids to school, help with homework, or even cook dinner. The ripple effects of an injury touch every aspect of family life, creating new challenges that often go unnoticed by outsiders.
I’ve worked with families where a parent’s injury meant older children had to step up and take on new responsibilities. I’ve seen spouses struggle to balance work, caregiving, and their own emotional distress. The financial strain of lost income, mounting medical expenses, and uncertainty about the future adds another layer of hardship. These challenges aren’t always visible, but they are real and significant.
Moving Forward with Strength and Support
An injury doesn’t just affect one person—it impacts an entire family. As a mom, I know how much we carry, and when we get hurt, life doesn’t pause. Kids still need rides, meals still need to be made, and work continues. I experienced this firsthand when I was injured while raising young children, and that experience fuels my commitment to fighting for families today.
At Scott & Scott, PLLC, we do more than handle personal injury cases—we advocate for families. We understand that when a mother is injured, the concern goes beyond medical bills and lost wages. It’s about making sure her family is supported during her recovery. It’s about providing peace of mind, knowing that someone is in her corner, fighting for her so she can focus on healing and being there for her loved ones.
If you or a loved one has been injured, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our team is here to handle the legal complexities, fight for the compensation and care you deserve, and provide the guidance needed to help you move forward with confidence.
As a Seattle personal injury attorney, my mission is simple: to ensure injured individuals—especially moms—receive the justice, support, and financial security they need to heal without added stress. When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a law firm—you’re gaining a team that truly understands what you’re going through and will stand beside you every step of the way.
Our clients have one job: to heal. We’ve got the rest.
