Every crash is different, but most fall into a few familiar patterns. Knowing which one fits yours can tell you a lot about who’s at fault and which insurance pays. Rich Martin is a Federal Way car accident lawyer with 28 years of injury experience, and our Tacoma office is about 17 miles away. The first call is free.
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).
How we help Federal Way drivers
- We take every insurance call so you don’t have to.
- We save the evidence before video is overwritten.
- We open your PIP claim so medical bills get paid now.
- We build the whole claim, including future care.
- You pay nothing unless we win.
Federal Way crash data
Federal Way’s Comprehensive Traffic Safety Action Plan studied crashes on city streets from 2020 to 2024. It counted 4,374 crashes, including 23 fatal crashes and 123 crashes that caused serious injuries. The city’s goal is zero fatal and serious crashes by 2044.
Crashes on Federal Way city streets, 2020–2024
The plan lists the corridors with the most fatal and serious crashes. They include Pacific Highway South, 21st Avenue SW, and SW 312th, 320th, and 356th Streets. The city uses this data to plan safety work. Federal law keeps this data out of injury lawsuits. Your case rests on evidence from your own crash.
Common crash scenarios, and what they mean
You were rear-ended
The driver behind you is usually at fault for following too closely or not paying attention. Insurers sometimes argue you stopped suddenly. Brake-light evidence, video, and the damage pattern usually answer that.
A driver turned left in front of you
Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic. These crashes often cause serious injuries because of the angle of impact. Witnesses and signal timing can matter.
Someone ran a red light
These are often disputed, with each driver claiming a green light. Independent witnesses, nearby business cameras, and the vehicles’ positions help settle it. Get witness names at the scene if you can.
A driver changed lanes into you
Sideswipes on multi-lane roads often come down to who was where. Dash cameras and the location of the damage on each car usually tell the story.
The other driver had no insurance, or fled
Your UIM coverage may pay (RCW 48.22.030). For a hit-and-run, report the crash to police within 72 hours, and look for proof beyond your own account, like a witness or video (subsection 8).
You were a passenger
Passengers are almost never at fault. You may be able to claim against either driver, or both, plus your own PIP and UIM.
You were hit in a parking lot
Lot crashes often involve backing cars and people walking. Store cameras can help, but footage may only be kept for a short time.
You were hit near a light rail station
New stations at Star Lake and downtown bring more buses, drop-offs, and people walking. Drivers turning into station areas have to watch for all of them. If a transit vehicle was involved, special claim rules apply, which we cover below.
A truck merged into you on I-5
Big trucks have wide blind spots, and freeway merges near the Triangle interchange are busy. If a commercial truck caused your crash, the case is different in important ways. See our Federal Way truck accident page.
Federal Way roads where crashes happen
- 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.
Several intersections also stand out in the city’s plan, including South 348th Street at SR 99 and SR 161 (16th Avenue South). Busy retail driveways and multi-lane arterials create many chances for turning crashes.
Police reports
Federal Way Police usually handle crashes on city streets. On I-5 and state highways, it’s usually the Washington State Patrol. The report is important, but it isn’t the last word. If it gets something wrong, other evidence can correct it.
Paying your bills now
Your PIP coverage pays medical bills early, regardless of fault (RCW 48.22.085). Basic PIP covers at least $10,000 in medical expenses (RCW 48.22.095). Health insurance fills gaps. The at-fault driver’s liability insurer pays your full losses when the claim resolves (RCW 46.30.020). Read who pays a Washington car crash claim.
Transit and government vehicles
Light rail reached Federal Way on December 6, 2025. The 7.8-mile extension added three stations: Kent Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown (Sound Transit). King County Metro buses also serve the city. Claims involving Metro go to King County, and Sound Transit has its own claims process.
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).
Injuries
Neck and back injuries, disc damage, concussions, broken bones, and post-crash anxiety are common. Some don’t show up for days. See delayed neck pain and brain injuries.
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).
If you share some of the blame
Comparative fault example
Driving for work
If you were on the job, L&I may pay part of your bills and wages. You may also have a claim against the other driver (RCW 51.24.030). The two claims affect each other.
Court and deadlines
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.
You usually have three years from the crash to file a lawsuit (RCW 4.16.080). Claims against a city, county, or transit agency need a claim form and a 60-day wait first (RCW 4.96.020).
What a Federal Way car accident case may be worth
It depends on your injuries, treatment, lost income, the strength of the fault evidence, and the insurance available. Rich’s car crash results include a $1.55 million jury verdict for a brain injury and an $800,000 policy-limits settlement for a disc injury. Past results don’t guarantee yours. See our results and typical settlements.
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 car accident lawyer
Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. Also see our Tacoma and Kent car crash pages.
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 Federal Way 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's at fault in a rear-end crash?
Usually the driver in back, though each case depends on the facts.
The other driver and I both say we had a green light. What now?
Witnesses, nearby cameras, and the damage pattern usually settle it. Get names at the scene if you can.
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.
Who pays my medical bills now?
Your own PIP coverage, regardless of fault.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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