Riders know the feeling: a car starts to turn left, and you can tell the driver never saw you. When that ends in a crash, the driver’s insurer often tries to blame the rider. Rich Martin is a Tacoma motorcycle accident lawyer who pushes back with the facts. We have an office in Tacoma and offer a free first call.
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).
Hurt on a motorcycle in Tacoma?
Riders get hurt worse because there’s nothing between them and the road. That makes the claim bigger, and the insurer fights harder. Here’s how we help.
- We prove the driver’s mistake with video, scene photos, and the damage to both vehicles.
- We find all the insurance, including coverage on your own policies that may help.
- We handle the calls, so you don’t have to argue with an adjuster about your riding.
- No Win, No Fee. If we don’t win, you pay nothing, including case costs.
Rider deaths in Washington
Motorcyclists killed in Washington
Rider deaths have fallen two years in a row statewide, but the number is still high. In Tacoma, the city’s Vision Zero report says crashes that killed or seriously injured motorcyclists have risen. Serious crashes of every kind in Tacoma hit a ten-year high in 2023.
Where Tacoma riders get hurt
- Pacific Avenue (SR 7), which has more serious crashes than any other Tacoma street.
- Portland Avenue and South Tacoma Way, two more of the city’s highest-risk streets.
- I-5 through Tacoma and Fife, where stop-and-go traffic leads to rear-end hits.
- SR 16 and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the route between Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and the Kitsap Peninsula. Tolls are collected only on trips into Tacoma (WSDOT).
The street-level data comes from Tacoma’s Vision Zero program. The city uses it to plan safety fixes. Your claim rests on the evidence from your own crash: the scene, the damage, video, and witnesses.
How drivers cause motorcycle crashes
- Turning left across a rider coming the other way.
- Changing lanes without checking the blind spot.
- Following too close and hitting a rider who slowed down.
- Pulling out from a side street or parking lot.
- Opening a car door into a rider’s path.
In each of these, the driver’s job was to look. Saying “I didn’t see the motorcycle” doesn’t excuse it.
Washington rules for riders, and what they mean for your claim
| Rule | What it says | What it means for your claim |
|---|---|---|
| Helmets | Riders and passengers must wear a helmet (RCW 46.37.530) | No helmet doesn’t end your claim. The insurer may argue it made a head injury worse. |
| Lane splitting | Riding between lanes of traffic isn’t allowed (RCW 46.61.608) | Two riders may share one lane side by side. |
| Shared fault | Your recovery goes down by your share of fault (RCW 4.22.005) | Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover. |
Insurance is different for riders
Insurers must offer PIP with car policies (RCW 48.22.085). But the PIP law defines an automobile as a passenger car, which leaves motorcycles out (RCW 48.22.005). So your bike policy may have no PIP. Look for medical payments coverage instead.
That makes other coverage more important. Your health insurance can pay bills now. Your UIM coverage may pay if the driver had too little insurance or drove off (RCW 48.22.030). We check every policy in your household.
Common motorcycle injuries
- Head injuries, even with a helmet. Read about brain injuries.
- Road rash that can scar or need skin grafts.
- Broken legs, ankles, wrists, and collarbones.
- Back and spinal injuries. See spinal cord injury compensation.
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.
What to do after a motorcycle crash in Tacoma
- Get medical care first. Adrenaline hides pain.
- Keep your helmet and gear. Don’t throw anything away. It’s evidence.
- Photograph your bike, the car, and the road, including gravel or potholes.
- Get witness contacts. Other riders and drivers often stop.
- Don’t let the bike be scrapped until it’s been photographed and checked.
- Call us before you talk to the driver’s insurer.
Read how to choose a motorcycle attorney in Washington and our Washington motorcycle guide.
Road hazards and work zones
Gravel, potholes, steel plates, and uneven pavement are much more dangerous on two wheels. If a road defect on a city street caused your crash, the claim starts with the City of Tacoma. On a state highway, it goes to the state. Both have a 60-day wait before a lawsuit (RCW 4.96.020, RCW 4.92.110).
A contractor who left a work zone unsafe may also be responsible. We look at who controlled the road at the time.
Group rides and rider-to-rider crashes
Not every crash involves a car. On a group ride, one rider can brake hard and another can’t stop in time. Riders can also touch wheels while riding side by side. These cases are claims against the other rider’s insurance, and fault is decided by the same Washington rules.
Group rides often have plenty of witnesses and helmet cameras. Ask your group to save any video from that day.
What your Tacoma motorcycle case may be worth
Rider injuries are often serious, so these claims can be large. The value depends on your medical care, how long you’re off work, any lasting limits, and the insurance available. Your bike, helmet, jacket, and other gear count too.
We’ll explain what your case may be worth once we see your records. See our results. Past results don’t guarantee future results.
Getting back on the road
Many riders want to ride again. Some can’t, or don’t feel safe yet. Either way, the claim should reflect what you lost: the bike, the gear, the time in recovery, and the riding itself. We’ll ask what riding meant to you, because that’s part of your loss too.
Where your case would be 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.
Most lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash (RCW 4.16.080).
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 riders choose Rich Martin
- We don’t assume the rider was at fault. We look at the facts first.
- Trial experience. More than 30 jury trials.
- A Tacoma office for riders across Pierce County.
- Rich handles your case himself.
Meet Rich Martin, read client reviews, or see our Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer page.
Talk to a Tacoma motorcycle accident lawyer today
Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. The call is free, and we’ll tell you honestly if we can help.
Motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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.
I wasn't wearing a helmet. Do I still have a case?
Often, yes. Not wearing a helmet doesn't give the driver a free pass. It may matter only if the insurer can show it made a head injury worse.
My bike policy has no PIP. Who pays my medical bills?
Your health insurance can pay now. Later, the at-fault driver's insurance and your UIM coverage may pay. We'll check every policy.
The driver says they didn't see me. Does that hurt my case?
No. Drivers must look for motorcycles. Not seeing a rider who was there to be seen is a failure to look.
Is lane splitting legal in Washington?
No. Riding between lanes isn't allowed (RCW 46.61.608). Even if you were lane splitting, you may still recover part of your losses.
A pothole caused my crash. Who's responsible?
It may be the city, the state, or a contractor. A government claim comes first, then a 60-day wait.
Where would my case be filed?
If it goes to court, usually in Pierce County Superior Court in downtown Tacoma.
Can my passenger make a claim?
Yes. A passenger may be able to claim against the driver who caused the crash, and sometimes under the rider's own insurance.
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.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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