An injury can turn a normal week upside down. For 28 years and more than 2,000 cases, Tacoma personal injury lawyer Rich Martin has represented people hurt through someone else’s carelessness. We have an office in Tacoma, so help is close by. When you call, you talk to a lawyer, not a call center.
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).
A South Sound office for people hurt in Tacoma
Most people have never needed an injury lawyer before. That’s fine. Here’s what we do for you, in plain terms.
- We take over the insurance calls. Adjusters stop calling you and start calling us.
- We collect the proof early, before video is erased and memories fade.
- We track every cost. Bills, missed work, and the care you’ll need down the road.
- We’re ready for court. Rich has tried more than 30 cases to a jury. Insurers know it.
Rich also handles your case himself, from the first call to the end. Learn more about Rich.
Tacoma traffic safety by the numbers
Serious crashes in Tacoma have been climbing. In 2023, the city counted 139 crashes that killed or seriously injured someone. That’s the most in at least ten years, according to Tacoma’s first Vision Zero report. The same report says 56 people were killed on Tacoma streets in the two years from September 2022 to September 2024.
Tacoma crashes that killed or seriously injured someone
The city found that a small part of its street network does most of the harm. Its High-Risk Network is about 70 miles, or 9.5% of Tacoma’s streets, but it had 59% of the serious crashes from 2019 to 2023. Pacific Avenue alone had about 15%. Portland Avenue was close behind. Tacoma is now studying fixes street by street through its Vision Zero program.
Injury cases we handle in Tacoma
Each kind of case has its own rules and its own proof. These pages go deeper.
- Car crashes on I-5, SR 16, SR 509, and city streets like Pacific Avenue. See our Tacoma car accident lawyer page and read about injuries that show up days later.
- Truck crashes, from semis and port trucks to delivery vans. See our Tacoma truck accident lawyer page.
- Motorcycle crashes, where riders are often blamed unfairly. See Tacoma motorcycle accidents.
- People hit while walking, in crosswalks, parking lots, and near bus stops. See Tacoma pedestrian accidents.
- Bike crashes on city bike lanes and shared paths. See Tacoma bicycle accidents and stop-sign rules for cyclists.
- Falls on wet floors, broken steps, and icy walkways. See Tacoma slip and fall cases.
- Uber and Lyft crashes, where several insurance policies may apply. See rideshare accidents.
- Wrongful death. Families who lose someone to negligence have their own claim under state law. See Tacoma wrongful death and who can file.
Serious injuries often mean a long recovery. Read about brain injuries and spinal cord injury claims.
The first week after you’re hurt
You don’t need to do everything at once. But a few early steps make a big difference later.
- See a doctor, even if you feel okay. Some injuries take days to show.
- Get a report on file. Tacoma Police or the State Patrol after a crash. The manager or landlord after a fall.
- Use your phone camera early, before the spot is cleaned up or your bruises fade.
- Start a folder for bills, receipts, pay stubs, and letters from insurers.
- Keep a short daily note on your pain and what you can’t do.
- Send the opposing adjuster to us. Skip the recorded interview.
More help: what to do after a fall and reasons to get a lawyer after a crash. You can look up crash history for a road in the WSDOT crash data portal.
Where a Tacoma claim begins
The party at fault decides the first stop. This table shows the usual path.
| At fault | First stop | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| A motorist, business, or property owner | That party’s insurance company. If needed, a lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court at 930 Tacoma Avenue South | RCW 4.12.020 |
| The City of Tacoma | A claim with the City Clerk, then a 60-day wait | RCW 4.96.020 |
| Pierce County or Pierce Transit | A claim with Pierce County Risk Management or Pierce Transit, then a 60-day wait | RCW 4.96.020 |
| Washington State, including state highways | A tort claim filed with the state, followed by 60 days before any suit | RCW 4.92.110 |
| A federal vehicle or worker | A written claim with the federal agency within two years | 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b) |
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).
Losses a Tacoma injury claim covers
A claim is meant to cover what the injury took from you. That includes more than the first hospital bill.
| Costs on paper | Losses you live with |
|---|---|
| Emergency care, surgery, and therapy | Pain that doesn’t go away |
| Future treatment and medicine | Sleep, worry, and stress |
| Lost wages and lost earning power | Hobbies and plans you had to drop |
| Your car or other damaged property | Scars and lasting limits |
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.
Case value? Nobody can say honestly on day one. It turns on the injury, the evidence, and the available coverage, and we’d rather review your records than throw out a number. See our past results and read about typical settlements.
Washington rules that shape your case
The three-year clock
You usually have three years from the injury to file a lawsuit (RCW 4.16.080). If a city, the county, or Pierce Transit is involved, a government claim form has to come first, which means acting sooner. Read more about Washington filing deadlines.
Blame can be shared
Washington uses pure comparative fault. If you were 20% to blame, you can still recover 80% (RCW 4.22.005). Read how comparative fault works.
Your own policy pays first after a crash
PIP pays medical bills early, no matter who caused the crash (RCW 48.22.085). When the at-fault driver’s policy runs out, UIM on your own policy can make up the difference (RCW 48.22.030). Read who pays your claim.
A quick offer from an insurer usually comes before anyone knows how bad the injury is. Talk to us before you sign.
What it costs to hire us
Nothing up front. We work on a No Win, No Fee basis. Our fee comes from the money we recover. Lose, and there’s no fee and no charge for costs. Read how injury lawyer fees work.
The first call is free and there’s no pressure. If we can’t help, we’ll say so.
Why people in Tacoma hire Rich Martin
- Two offices. One in Tacoma for South Sound clients, one in Bellevue.
- One lawyer. Rich works your file personally, start to finish.
- Trial experience. More than 30 jury trials, and verdicts like $2 million in a tractor-trailer case.
- Plain answers. You’ll always know where your case stands.
Read client reviews, see our Seattle personal injury lawyer page, or browse the injury law blog.
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.
Reach a Tacoma personal injury lawyer
Evidence doesn’t wait. Phone (425) 635-2000 or write to us, and we’ll review your case at no charge.
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 →Injury cases we handle in Tacoma
Car Accidents
Rear-ended on I-405 or hit at a light? We take over the calls with the insurance company.
Truck Accidents
Trucking companies call their lawyers the same day. We start working on your case just as fast.
Motorcycle Accidents
Insurers often assume the rider was speeding. We find the proof of what really happened.
Pedestrian Accidents
Hit in a crosswalk or a parking lot? These injuries are serious. So is the way we handle them.
Bicycle Accidents
Hit by a car or a car door? We know Washington's bike laws and use them for you.
Uber & Lyft Accidents
Several insurance policies may cover you. We find every one of them.
Wrongful Death
Lost someone you love? We hold the people responsible to account, so your family doesn't have to.
Slip & Fall
Fell because a store or landlord ignored a hazard? They may owe you for your injuries.
Questions about Tacoma injury cases
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.
Is there a Tacoma office I can visit?
Yes. Our Tacoma office is at 10116 36th Ave Ct SW, #206, Tacoma, WA 98499. Call (425) 449-1005 to set a time, or start with a phone call.
Where would my Tacoma case be heard?
Most claims resolve without a trial. A lawsuit, if needed, can be filed in Pierce County Superior Court, in the County-City Building on Tacoma Avenue South.
I was hit by a city vehicle or a Pierce Transit bus. What now?
File a claim with the City of Tacoma or Pierce Transit first. State law then requires a 60-day wait before a lawsuit (RCW 4.96.020).
What if a military or federal vehicle hit me?
The claim goes to the federal agency first, in writing, within two years. The agency gets six months to decide before you can sue.
I made a mistake too. Is my claim gone?
No. Your share of the blame comes off the award, and the rest is still recoverable (RCW 4.22.005).
How much does a free case review cost?
Nothing. And if we take your case, you pay no fee unless we win.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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