Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
This guide explains the basics of car accident law as it applies to Tacoma, Washington. Tacoma is in Pierce County and is governed by Washington state traffic and civil laws. When a crash causes injury, property damage, or death, legal issues commonly include determining fault, working with insurance companies, calculating damages, and meeting court deadlines. Washington follows a fault-based approach to civil recovery, which means the person who is legally responsible for the crash may be required to pay for losses suffered by others. This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.
A lawyer can help protect your rights and maximize recovery when the facts or consequences of a crash are not straightforward. Common situations where people need an attorney include:
- Serious or catastrophic injuries that result in large medical bills, lost wages, or long-term care needs.
- Disputes about who was at fault, including accidents with multiple vehicles or conflicting witness statements.
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured and you need to pursue an uninsured motorist claim or sue another responsible party.
- The crash involves a commercial vehicle, municipality, government actor, or complex liability issues.
- Insurance companies deny or undervalue your claim, or a carrier acts in bad faith.
- Wrongful death claims, where family members must pursue compensation or funeral expense recovery.
- Hit-and-run collisions, where identifying the other driver takes investigation and legal steps.
Key legal points relevant to car accidents in Tacoma include:
- Fault and comparative negligence - Washington reduces a plaintiff's recovery by the plaintiff's percentage of fault. Even if you were partially at fault, you can usually still recover damages, but the award is reduced proportionally.
- Insurance requirements - Washington requires vehicle owners to carry minimum liability insurance. Typical minimum limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. Higher limits and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are available and often important.
- Statute of limitations - For most personal injury claims arising from car accidents, Washington law generally provides three years from the date of the crash to file a civil lawsuit. Property damage claims also commonly follow a three-year limit. Deadlines can vary depending on specific circumstances, so do not rely on a memory alone.
- Duties at the scene - Drivers must stop, render aid when reasonably able, and exchange identifying and insurance information. Hit-and-run laws are enforced strictly and can result in criminal charges in addition to civil liability.
- Traffic safety rules - Washington enforces seatbelt requirements, has a statewide ban on texting while driving, and enforces distracted and impaired driving laws. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can carry both criminal penalties and civil liability for resulting accidents.
- Courts and filing location - Civil suits for personal injury and property damage are typically filed in Pierce County Superior Court if the crash occurred in Tacoma. Small claims court may handle limited property damage claims up to the small claims maximum, but personal injury claims generally exceed that limit.
Ensure safety first - move to a safe place if possible and call 911 for injuries. Seek medical attention even for minor symptoms. Exchange names, contact information, driver license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details with other drivers. Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries. Get witness contact information and ask the police to file a report. Notify your insurance company promptly. Preserve evidence such as vehicle damage photos, medical records, and repair estimates.
While minor fender-benders may not always require an immediate police response, it is a good idea to call law enforcement if there are injuries, significant property damage, or disputes about fault. A police report creates an official record that helps insurance claims and any future legal action. If officers do not come to the scene, document why and consider filing a report later with the Tacoma Police Department or the appropriate local agency.
See a medical professional as soon as possible after a crash - even if you feel okay initially. Some injury symptoms, such as soft-tissue injuries or concussions, can appear hours or days later. Prompt medical documentation links your injuries to the crash and is important for both health and any legal claim.
Fault is determined by evaluating the actions of the drivers and other parties against applicable traffic laws, traffic signals, witness statements, physical evidence, and sometimes expert analysis. Insurance adjusters, police reports, photographs, and expert reconstructions can all affect the determination. Washington applies comparative negligence, which reduces a recovery by the claimant's percentage of fault.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may pursue your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. If you lack uninsured motorist coverage, you may still sue the at-fault driver directly, but recovery depends on that person's ability to pay. An attorney can help identify other potentially responsible parties and explore medical liens, wage loss recovery, and other remedies.
Generally, Washington gives you three years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. Some claims - for example against a government agency - have shorter notice requirements and special procedures. Consult an attorney promptly to protect your rights and avoid missing deadlines.
Case value is based on economic damages - such as medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and property damage - and non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In severe cases, future lost earning capacity and long-term care costs are part of the calculation. Insurance policy limits and comparative fault are also important factors.
Not always, but it depends. Minor injuries that fully resolve and involve small medical bills may be handled through insurance without an attorney. You should consider speaking with a lawyer if there is any dispute over fault, if the insurer offers less than needed to cover your losses, or if symptoms persist. Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and can advise whether it is worth pursuing representation.
Many car accident attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis - they advance costs and get paid only if you recover money through settlement or judgment. The fee is usually a percentage of the recovery, so you do not pay attorney fees upfront. Make sure you understand the percentage, how costs are handled if you do not recover, and whether the fee changes if the case goes to trial.
Be cautious. Insurance companies may seek recorded statements to limit or deny claims. You can provide basic information to your own insurer, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer. It is often wise to consult an attorney before giving a recorded statement, especially if you have injuries or disputes about fault.
Below are local and state resources that can be helpful when dealing with a car accident in Tacoma:
- Tacoma Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff - for reporting crashes and obtaining police reports.
- Washington State Patrol - often investigates crashes on state highways and can provide collision reports.
- Pierce County Superior Court - where most personal injury lawsuits are filed.
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner - for questions or complaints about insurance companies.
- Washington State Department of Licensing - for driver licensing and suspension matters.
- Washington Courts - for information about filing civil cases and court procedures.
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association - for attorney referrals and local lawyer resources.
- Legal aid organizations such as Northwest Justice Project - for people with low incomes who need legal help.
- Local hospitals and urgent care centers - for prompt medical evaluation and records.
If you need legal assistance after a car accident in Tacoma, follow these practical steps:
- Ensure your safety and get medical care. Prioritize health and document all treatment.
- Collect and preserve evidence. Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs, and injuries. Save medical records, bills, pay stubs showing lost wages, and repair estimates.
- Report the crash. Call 911 if there are injuries. Obtain a police report number and keep copies of any official reports.
- Notify your insurer. Report the crash to your insurance company promptly and provide factual information - avoid speculative or emotional statements.
- Avoid recorded statements to the other party's insurer without legal advice. Be cautious about signing releases or accepting quick settlement offers.
- Consult a qualified Tacoma attorney for a free or low-cost initial evaluation. Ask about experience with car accident cases, fee arrangements, estimated timelines, and who will handle your file.
- Keep detailed records. Create a dedicated file for accident-related documents and maintain a log of symptoms, medical appointments, calls, and expenses.
- Act before deadlines. Contact a lawyer early to preserve evidence, comply with any statutory notice requirements, and protect your right to file suit before the statute of limitations expires.
If you decide to hire an attorney, bring all records you have - medical bills, repair estimates, photos, police reports, and insurance correspondence - to the initial meeting. An attorney can help evaluate liability, calculate damages, negotiate with insurers, and, if needed, represent you in court.
