One second on Pacific Avenue or I-5 can leave you with a wrecked car, a sore neck, and an insurer asking for a recorded statement. As a Tacoma car accident lawyer, Rich Martin has spent 28 years helping crash victims, across more than 2,000 injury cases. We keep an office in Tacoma, and your first call costs nothing.
Tacoma: local facts
- County
- Pierce County
- Court
- Pierce County Superior Court, County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma
- Major roads
- I-5, SR 16, SR 509, Pacific Avenue, South 38th Street
- Hospitals
- Tacoma General Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center
- Population
- 231,000 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Tacoma office is about 8 miles away (about 13 minutes without traffic).
Car crash help from our Tacoma office
After a crash, you’re dealing with pain, a car you can’t drive, and forms you’ve never seen. We handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.
- We talk to every insurer for you, including your own.
- We get the report, photos, and video before they disappear.
- We set up your PIP claim so your medical bills get paid now.
- No Win, No Fee. You pay no fee and no case costs unless we win.
The Tacoma streets with the most serious crashes
Tacoma’s own data shows serious crashes rising. The city counted 139 crashes that killed or seriously injured someone in 2023, the most in at least a decade (Tacoma Vision Zero report).
Tacoma crashes that killed or seriously injured someone
Most of that harm lands on a short list of streets. About 9.5% of Tacoma’s streets carry 59% of the serious crashes. The city has named these as top concerns:
- Pacific Avenue, with about 15% of all serious crashes in the city.
- Portland Avenue, with the second-highest yearly average.
- South Tacoma Way, South Yakima Avenue, and South Pine Street, studied for safety fixes in 2024.
- South 72nd Street, 6th Avenue, and South 12th Street, studied in 2025.
- South 56th Street, East 72nd Street, and South 84th Street, on the list for 2026.
The list comes from Tacoma’s Vision Zero program. These studies help the city plan fixes. Federal law generally keeps this kind of safety data out of injury lawsuits, so we build your case from the crash itself: the report, photos, video, and witnesses.
Freeways and bridges: I-5, SR 16, and the Narrows
Many Tacoma crashes happen on the state highways that run through the city. WSDOT finished new carpool lanes on I-5, SR 16, and SR 167 in Pierce County in 2023 (WSDOT). The Tacoma Narrows Bridge on SR 16 charges a toll only for trips headed into Tacoma (WSDOT).
Roads keep changing too. The first two miles of the new SR 167 expressway, between I-5 and SR 509, opened in September 2026 (WSDOT). New ramps and lane patterns can catch drivers off guard. When a crash happens in a work zone or on a new road, we look at the signs and lane markings too.
Who investigates your crash
That depends on the road. On Tacoma city streets, it’s usually Tacoma Police. On I-5, SR 16, SR 509, and the other state routes, it’s usually the State Patrol. We order the report and read it line by line.
A report can get the lane, the signal, or the order of events wrong. It can leave out a witness. If it does, that’s not the end of your claim. Video, photos, the damage to the cars, and witnesses can show what really happened.
What to do after a car crash in Tacoma
- Move to safety and call 911. Ask for police and medical help.
- Photograph the scene: both cars, skid marks, signals, and street signs.
- Trade information. Name, phone, insurance, and plate. Ask witnesses for a number.
- Get checked the same day. Some injuries don’t hurt right away.
- Tell your own insurer so PIP can start paying.
- Call us before you speak to the other driver’s insurer.
Read hidden injuries Tacoma drivers should know about and whether you need a lawyer for a minor crash.
Who pays, and in what order
Washington is a fault state. The at-fault driver’s insurer pays in the end. But that money usually comes at settlement. Here’s the usual order.
- Your PIP pays medical bills first, no matter who caused the crash (RCW 48.22.085). Basic PIP covers at least $10,000 in medical bills (RCW 48.22.095).
- Your health insurance picks up care that PIP doesn’t cover.
- The other driver’s liability insurance pays when your claim settles (RCW 46.30.020).
- Your UIM coverage steps in if the at-fault driver is uninsured, underinsured, or unknown (RCW 48.22.030).
Read more: who pays your car accident claim in Washington.
Hit-and-run and uninsured drivers
If the other driver drove away, your UIM coverage may still pay. But the law sets two conditions. The crash must be reported to police within 72 hours, and the facts must be backed by proof other than your own word, like a witness or video (RCW 48.22.030, subsection 8).
That’s why a quick police report and a witness’s phone number matter so much. Read hit-and-run claims in Washington and what to do when the other driver has no insurance.
Hit-and-run? Report it to police within 72 hours. Missing that window can cost you your UIM claim.
Common injuries after a Tacoma crash
- Whiplash and other neck or back strain, which can flare up days later. See neck pain that shows up late.
- Disc injuries that may need injections or surgery. See herniated discs.
- Concussions and brain injuries. Read about brain injury claims.
- Broken bones in the arms, ribs, hips, and legs.
- Fear and stress about driving again. See PTSD after a crash.
Tacoma has two adult Level II trauma centers, Tacoma General Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center, plus Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital for kids, according to the state Department of Health.
Follow your doctor’s plan and keep every appointment. Gaps in care are the first thing an insurer points to.
Partly to blame? You can still recover.
Shared fault: an example
The other insurer will look for any reason to shift blame to you. A rolling stop, a lane change, or a quick glance at a phone. We push back with the evidence. Read fault in Washington car accidents.
Crashes with military and federal vehicles
Joint Base Lewis-McChord sits along I-5 in south Pierce County, so military and other federal vehicles share Tacoma-area roads (WSDOT). A claim against the federal government follows different rules. It must be filed in writing with the right federal agency within two years (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)). The agency then has six months to decide before you can sue (28 U.S.C. § 2675).
These claims also go to federal court, not Pierce County Superior Court. If a government vehicle was involved, call us early. The paperwork has to be right the first time.
Buses, the T Line, and rideshare crashes
Sound Transit’s T Line now runs 2.4 more miles up Martin Luther King Jr. Way through Hilltop, with seven new stations that opened in 2023 (Sound Transit). Streetcars, buses, and turning cars share those streets.
A crash with a Pierce Transit bus starts with a claim to Pierce Transit and a 60-day wait (RCW 4.96.020). An Uber or Lyft crash can involve several policies, depending on whether the driver had a ride. See our rideshare accident page.
Parking lot crashes
Parking lots at shopping centers, grocery stores, and apartment complexes see a lot of low-speed crashes. Low speed doesn’t always mean minor. A driver backing out can hit someone walking behind the car. Two cars can meet head-on in a narrow lane.
Fault in a lot often comes down to who had the right of way and who was watching. Store video can settle the question, but it may only be kept for a short time. We won an $850,000 jury verdict in a parking lot crash case.
Your car, a rental, and the repair shop
Your claim covers your car too. That usually means repairs, or the car’s value if it’s totaled, and a rental or the cost of being without a car. Get your own repair estimate so you have something to compare with the insurer’s number.
Car seats should often be replaced after a crash. Read when to replace a car seat.
Where a Tacoma car accident case is filed
Most cases settle without a lawsuit. If yours doesn’t, a case from an injury in Tacoma can be filed in Pierce County, where it happened (RCW 4.12.020). Pierce County Superior Court is in the County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, in downtown Tacoma.
| Deadline | What it means | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 72 hours | Report a hit-and-run to police to protect a UIM claim | RCW 48.22.030 |
| 3 years | File a lawsuit within three years of the crash, or settle first | RCW 4.16.080 |
| Claim + 60 days | If a city, county, or transit vehicle was involved, file a claim and wait | RCW 4.96.020 |
| 2 years | Present a claim against a federal vehicle to the agency | 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b) |
Read the statute of limitations in Washington.
What your Tacoma car accident case may be worth
Three things drive the number: how serious the injury is, how strong the proof of fault is, and how much insurance there is to pay it. We count past and future medical care, missed work, pain, and the damage to your car.
- $1.55 million: a jury’s award to a driver left with a brain injury.
- $900,000: a jury verdict after a crash injured a client’s shoulder.
- $750,000: an arbitrator’s award for another crash-related brain injury.
- $530,000: settled in mediation for a client with a broken leg.
Past results don’t guarantee future results. See all results, typical settlements, and our settlement calculator guide.
Driving for work when you crashed?
Delivery drivers, contractors, and others hurt on the job may have an L&I claim. If someone outside your company caused the crash, you may also have a claim against them (RCW 51.24.030). That second claim can pay for pain and losses L&I doesn’t cover. The two claims affect each other, so tell us about both.
How we move your case forward
- Free call. We listen and tell you your options.
- Investigation. Report, photos, video, and witnesses.
- Treatment. You heal. We collect records and bills.
- Demand. We send the insurer a full picture of your losses.
- Negotiation. Most cases settle here.
- Lawsuit if needed, filed in Pierce County Superior Court.
Read how long a car accident case takes.
Visit our Tacoma office
Our Tacoma office is at 10116 36th Ave Ct SW, #206, Tacoma, WA 98499. The office line is (425) 449-1005. Call ahead and we’ll set a time to meet. If it’s hard for you to get out, we can start by phone.
Why South Sound drivers call Rich Martin
- A Tacoma office, so you can meet us without driving up to Bellevue.
- Courtroom experience. Rich has taken more than 30 cases to a jury.
- Direct access. Your lawyer answers your questions, not an assistant reading a script.
- Honest advice. If your case is small, we’ll tell you how to handle it yourself.
Get to know Rich Martin, see what past clients say, or visit our statewide car accident page.
Talk to a Tacoma car accident lawyer today
Insurers start building their side right away. You should too. Phone (425) 635-2000 or fill out our contact form, and a lawyer will get back to you. Crashed on the Eastside? Our Bellevue car crash page covers I-405 and Bellevue streets.
Car Accidents: results for our clients
Past results don't guarantee future results. Every case is different. See all results →
Your attorney: Rich Martin
28 years. More than 2,000 injury cases. More than 30 jury trials. When you call, you talk to Rich, and he handles your case himself.
About Rich Martin →Questions about Tacoma car accidents
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. No hourly bills. No retainer. If we don't win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Who writes the report for a crash on I-5 in Tacoma?
On I-5 and SR 16, it's usually the State Patrol. On city streets like Pacific Avenue, it's usually Tacoma Police.
The other driver drove off. Can I still get paid?
Possibly, through your UIM coverage. Report the crash to police within 72 hours and gather proof like a witness or video (RCW 48.22.030).
Will I have to go to court in Seattle?
No. A Tacoma crash case that goes to court is usually filed in Pierce County Superior Court, right in downtown Tacoma. Most settle before then.
A military vehicle hit me near JBLM. What do I do?
A federal claim must be filed in writing with the right agency within two years. Call us early so the paperwork is right.
My doctor bills are piling up. What pays them now?
Start with your PIP coverage. It pays early, whoever was at fault, and you can still go after the other driver later.
Is there a deadline to sue?
Three years from the crash in most cases (RCW 4.16.080). Government claims have earlier steps, and a federal claim has its own two-year rule.
Should I give the other insurer a recorded statement?
No, not before you talk to us. Your words can be used to pay you less.
Can I meet you in Tacoma?
Yes. Our Tacoma office is at 10116 36th Ave Ct SW, #206, Tacoma, WA 98499. Call (425) 449-1005 to set a time.
Will my claim pay for a rental car?
Your claim can include the cost of being without your car while it's repaired or replaced. Check your own policy for rental coverage too.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover. Your amount goes down by your share of fault (RCW 4.22.005).
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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