In a truck crash, the strongest evidence often belongs to the trucking company, and much of it doesn’t have to be kept for long. Some of it can be gone in days. That’s why the first call matters. Rich Martin is a Federal Way truck accident lawyer who won a $2 million jury verdict in a tractor-trailer case. Our Tacoma office is about 17 miles from Federal Way city hall.
Federal Way: local facts
- County
- King County
- Court
- King County Superior Court, Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 Fourth Avenue North, Kent (crashes in the Kent case area)
- Major roads
- I-5, SR 99 (Pacific Highway South), SR 18, SR 161, South 320th Street
- Hospitals
- St. Francis Hospital (Level IV trauma center)
- Population
- 103,000 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Tacoma office is about 17 miles away (about 25 minutes without traffic).
Help after a Federal Way truck crash
- We send preservation letters right away to the carrier and anyone else holding evidence.
- We identify every company involved and every insurance policy.
- We bring in experts when the case needs them, at no upfront cost to you.
- No Win, No Fee. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.
Truck traffic through Federal Way
Federal Way’s comprehensive plan says the city’s stretch of I-5 carries “the highest concentration of regional truck traffic” (City of Federal Way). WSDOT ranks I-5 from the King-Pierce county line north as a top-tier freight corridor, with about 15,000 trucks a day. SR 18 east of SR 99 is also top-tier, with about 8,100 trucks a day (WSDOT freight corridor data).
Those trucks share the road with commuters headed to and from Tacoma and Seattle. Heavy traffic, frequent merges, and the Triangle interchange create plenty of chances for a truck to cause a serious crash.
When the evidence disappears
| Evidence | How long it may last | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Business and traffic camera video | Often days or weeks before it’s recorded over | Shows the crash itself |
| Dash camera footage | Depends on the company’s settings | Shows what the driver saw and did |
| Engine and electronic logging data | Can be overwritten as the truck keeps running | Speed, braking, and hours behind the wheel |
| Hours-of-service records | At least 6 months (49 CFR 395.8) | Shows whether the driver was over the limit |
| Maintenance and inspection records | At least 1 year (49 CFR 396.3) | Shows skipped brake, tire, or light repairs |
| Witness memories | Fade within weeks | Independent accounts of what happened |
| Your right to sue | Usually 3 years (RCW 4.16.080) | The deadline to file a lawsuit |
A letter sent in the first days can save evidence that would otherwise be gone by the time anyone asks for it.
The rules a trucking company must follow
A property-carrying driver may drive no more than 11 hours in a shift (49 CFR 395.3). For-hire carriers hauling freight across state lines need at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and more for hazardous cargo (49 CFR 387.9). When a company breaks the rules, it can help prove the crash was its fault.
Federal Way roads trucks use
- I-5, where the city says “the highest concentration of regional truck traffic” passes through (Federal Way Comprehensive Plan).
- The Triangle interchange of I-5, SR 18, and SR 161, which WSDOT says carries about 293,000 vehicles a day. Further improvements are on hold (WSDOT).
- Pacific Highway South (SR 99), one of the city’s corridors with the most fatal and serious crashes.
- SW 312th, SW 320th, and SW 356th Streets, and 21st Avenue SW, also named in the city’s safety plan.
- The downtown retail area between S 312th and S 324th Streets, where angle and turning crashes concentrate.
Who may be responsible
More than the driver. The carrier that hired, trained, and scheduled the driver. The company that owns the trailer. The shipper that loaded it. A contractor running a work zone. Each may have its own insurance, which matters when injuries are serious.
Injuries
The size and weight of a truck often mean serious injuries: brain injuries, spine and disc damage, multiple fractures, and internal injuries. Recovery may take months and include surgery. See brain injury claims and spinal injury compensation.
St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way is a Level IV trauma center. Serious trauma patients are often taken to a Level II center in Tacoma, Tacoma General or St. Joseph, or to Harborview in Seattle, the state’s Level I center (state Department of Health).
What to do now
- Get medical care and keep every appointment.
- Photograph the truck’s company name, USDOT number, plates, and trailer number if you can.
- Write down witness names and what you remember.
- Don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurer.
- Call us so the preservation letters go out.
Working when the truck hit you
If you were on the job, L&I may cover part of your loss. If an outside trucking company caused the crash, you may also have a claim against it (RCW 51.24.030). The two need to be planned together.
Government vehicles and shared fault
A city, county, or transit vehicle means a claim form and a 60-day wait before a lawsuit (RCW 4.96.020). If the trucking company blames you, Washington still lets you recover your losses minus your share of fault (RCW 4.22.005).
Claims against the city go to the City Clerk at 33325 8th Avenue South. Bring it in or mail it. The form must be notarized, and the city won’t accept claims sent by email or fax. State law then requires a 60-day wait before a lawsuit (RCW 4.96.020).
Where a Federal Way case is filed
Federal Way lies south of I-90, which puts it in King County Superior Court’s Kent case area. Injury cases go to the area where the injury happened (LCR 82). So a Federal Way lawsuit is usually handled at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Results
Rich won a $2 million jury verdict in a tractor-trailer case, and a case for a pedestrian hit by a semi settled in mediation for $9 million. Past results don’t guarantee yours. See our results and why an 18-wheeler case needs a lawyer.
Meeting with us
Federal Way sits between our two offices. Tacoma is closer: about 17 miles south of city hall, or 25 minutes without traffic. The address is 10116 36th Ave Ct SW, #206, Tacoma, WA 98499, and the office line is (425) 449-1005. Our Bellevue office is also an option. Many clients start by phone.
Talk to a Federal Way truck accident lawyer
Call (425) 635-2000 or send a message. See also our Tacoma and Kent truck pages.
Truck 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 Federal Way truck 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.
How long does a trucking company keep its records?
Hours records for at least six months and maintenance records for a year, under federal rules. Video may last only days.
Who pays after a truck crash?
Usually the trucking company's insurer, and sometimes other companies involved. Interstate freight carriers need at least $750,000 in coverage.
Where is your nearest office?
Our Tacoma office, about 17 miles from Federal Way city hall.
Where would my case be filed?
If it goes to court, usually at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Do I pay for experts?
No. We cover case costs, and you owe nothing if we don't win.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
Related pages
Helpful articles
Bellevue Truck Accident Settlement Guide
Truck Accident Settlement in Washington State: What Bellevue Victims Need to Know A collision with a commercial truck can change your life in seconds.…
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
A collision with a semi-truck or commercial vehicle is not like a typical car accident. The injuries are often catastrophic. The insurance policies are…
Bellevue Fatal Truck Accident Legal Guide
Fatal Truck Accidents in Washington State: What Families in Bellevue Need to Know A fatal truck accident is every family’s worst nightmare. One moment,…