Tacoma’s Trusted Car Accident and Injury Attorneys Fighting for Victims in Pierce County

Car accidents in Tacoma are a daily reality for residents navigating busy streets like I-5, Pacific Avenue, and South 38th Street. From minor fender-benders in residential neighborhoods to high-speed collisions on state highways, the consequences of these crashes can be life-altering. Victims often face devastating injuries, property damage, emotional trauma, and legal uncertainty, all while trying to recover and return to normal life.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reports that Pierce County, including Tacoma, consistently ranks among the highest in the state for serious traffic collisions. These accidents are not random. They stem from identifiable factors like speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, and impaired operation. In many cases, infrastructure problems such as faded crosswalks, poor lighting, or pothole-ridden roads make conditions even worse.

At Bernard Law Group, we’ve spent decades helping injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout Tacoma recover compensation after serious crashes. If you’ve been hurt in a Tacoma car accident, understanding your legal rights is the first step toward justice. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you fight back against negligent drivers and insurance companies that seek to minimize your claim.

Call us at (206) 752-2233 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tacoma

Car accidents in Tacoma are rarely accidents at all. They are typically the result of preventable driver behavior or unsafe roadway conditions. From distracted driving to poor intersection design, most crashes in Pierce County can be traced back to negligence. Understanding the root causes of these collisions not only helps victims pursue justice but also highlights what policy improvements are needed to protect others.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, more than one in four fatal or serious injury collisions statewide involve driver distraction or speeding. Tacoma’s dense road network and growing population amplify these risks, particularly in high-traffic corridors like I-5, South 38th Street, and Pacific Avenue.

Distracted Driving Is One of the Leading Threats on Tacoma Roads

Distracted driving remains one of the most dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. When drivers divert their attention to a phone, GPS device, or food, they put everyone around them at risk. In Tacoma, this is a particularly acute problem on roads with frequent stoplights, school zones, or pedestrian crossings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that thousands of deaths are caused each year by drivers who take their eyes off the road for just a few seconds. Even at low speeds, a distracted driver may fail to see a red light, crosswalk, or stopped vehicle, resulting in a violent collision.

On busy stretches of South 19th Street and Bridgeport Way, where vehicle and pedestrian traffic frequently intersect, the consequences of distraction are especially severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published extensive data showing how distraction contributes to traffic fatalities and what policies can help reduce this risk.

Speeding Increases Crash Severity and Shortens Reaction Time

Speeding is another major contributor to Tacoma car accidents. On roads like State Route 16, Marine View Drive, and portions of Interstate 705, drivers often exceed posted limits by 10 miles per hour or more. This aggressive behavior dramatically reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time and significantly increases the severity of any collision that occurs.

The National Safety Council explains that even a slight increase in speed leads to a disproportionate increase in the force of impact. A crash at 45 mph results in far more trauma than a crash at 30 mph. For unprotected road users like pedestrians and cyclists, the odds of surviving a high-speed impact drop significantly.

In Tacoma, speed enforcement is often limited to school zones and major intersections, leaving many residential areas and mid-block corridors unmonitored. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has identified speed enforcement as one of the most effective tools for reducing traffic deaths, especially in areas with frequent pedestrian crossings.

Why Speeding Is Common Near the Tacoma Dome and Pacific Avenue

During events at the Tacoma Dome or rush hour on Pacific Avenue, drivers often attempt to make up lost time by speeding or running yellow lights. These behaviors create unsafe conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. The Federal Highway Administration has long recommended traffic calming strategies in urban areas, such as speed bumps, narrower lanes, and improved signal timing, but many of these features are still lacking in parts of Tacoma.

Failure to Yield Causes Many Intersection Crashes

Failure to yield is one of the most frequently cited violations in Tacoma crash reports. Whether it’s a driver turning left at an intersection or merging onto a freeway without checking blind spots, failure to yield results in devastating side-impact and head-on collisions. These crashes are especially dangerous at intersections like South 38th Street and Steele Street or South Tacoma Way and South 56th Street, which combine high traffic volumes with limited visibility.

Under RCW § 46.61.190, drivers must yield when entering or crossing intersections if another vehicle is already present. Unfortunately, many motorists either ignore or misunderstand this rule. The Washington State Department of Licensing provides educational materials that outline proper yielding behavior, but violations remain common.

Left-Turn Collisions Are Especially Common in Tacoma

One of the most dangerous types of failure-to-yield collisions is the left-turn crash. These occur when a driver attempts to turn left across oncoming traffic, often misjudging the speed or distance of approaching vehicles. The Federal Highway Administration has identified left-turn crashes as a critical issue in urban traffic safety, particularly in areas with limited turn lanes or no protected signal phases.

In Tacoma, intersections such as Portland Avenue and East 29th Street regularly see left-turn collisions due to poor sightlines and driver impatience. These crashes frequently result in severe injuries, including spinal fractures and traumatic brain injuries.

Impaired Driving Continues to Threaten Public Safety

Despite decades of public education and strict enforcement, impaired driving remains a serious issue in Tacoma. Whether the impairment is caused by alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs, the results are often deadly. Drivers under the influence suffer from delayed reflexes, blurred vision, and poor judgment, all of which significantly increase the risk of a crash.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that alcohol-impaired driving causes tens of thousands of deaths annually. In Washington, RCW § 46.61.502 outlines strict DUI laws, but enforcement varies widely depending on location and time of day.

Nighttime crashes involving impaired drivers are especially common near nightlife areas like Sixth Avenue and the downtown waterfront. The Washington State Patrol routinely conducts saturation patrols in these zones, but many impaired drivers go undetected until it’s too late.

Drug-Impaired Driving Is on the Rise

While alcohol remains a major concern, drug-impaired driving has become more prevalent since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for THC has more than doubled in recent years. The effects of marijuana on driving ability are subtle but significant, impairing reaction time and focus even in low doses.

Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents in Tacoma

Car accidents in Tacoma don’t just damage vehicles; they damage lives. Victims often suffer serious, life-changing injuries that require hospitalization, surgery, long-term therapy, or even permanent care. Whether the collision happened at high speeds on I-5 or in a crowded parking lot near Tacoma Mall, the human body is not built to withstand the violent forces involved in a crash.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists motor vehicle crashes as one of the leading causes of injury-related hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In Washington, car crash injuries are a daily occurrence, with state data confirming that thousands of people are seriously hurt each year on the roads in Pierce County alone.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions

One of the most devastating outcomes of a Tacoma car crash is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries can result from direct impact with the dashboard, a side window, or from whiplash that causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull. TBIs range in severity from mild concussions to life-threatening hemorrhages that require emergency surgery.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that TBIs may cause memory loss, personality changes, cognitive delays, and loss of motor function. In some cases, these symptoms do not appear immediately, making early medical evaluation critical after any crash involving a blow to the head.

Post-Concussion Syndrome and Long-Term Symptoms

Even when a TBI is classified as “mild,” many victims experience post-concussion syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms such as irritability, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and fatigue can last for months or even years. These conditions often impact work, relationships, and quality of life, especially when left untreated.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Spinal trauma is another common injury in Tacoma car accidents. Rear-end and side-impact collisions can fracture vertebrae, rupture discs, or sever nerve tissue. In the worst cases, victims may suffer partial or complete paralysis. Even less severe spinal injuries can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, and a lifetime of medical appointments.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation reports that spinal cord injuries often lead to financial ruin without significant legal recovery, as the cost of full-time care, physical therapy, and adaptive equipment can exceed $1 million per patient.

Herniated Discs and Nerve Compression

Not all spinal injuries are obvious right away. A car crash can cause a herniated disc that presses on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. Victims may feel numbness, tingling, or sharp pain in their limbs, symptoms that worsen over time. The Cleveland Clinic outlines treatment options for disc injuries, including physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgical fusion.

Broken Bones and Complex Fractures

Fractures are among the most frequently diagnosed injuries after a Tacoma car accident. These may result from seatbelt force, airbag deployment, or blunt trauma when a vehicle is struck from the side. Victims often suffer broken ribs, wrists, ankles, femurs, or clavicles.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that fractures may require casting, metal plates, or screws and some never heal correctly. Recovery often includes physical therapy, time off work, and long-term pain management. For older adults and children, these injuries can also interfere with mobility or development.

Hip and Pelvis Fractures Among Older Victims

In Tacoma, many car crash victims are seniors who are especially vulnerable to pelvic fractures. The National Institutes of Health notes that these injuries are often life-threatening in elderly patients and can lead to long-term disability or institutional care.

Internal Injuries Are Often Overlooked at First

The most dangerous injuries are sometimes the ones you cannot see. Tacoma crash victims may suffer internal bleeding, punctured lungs, or lacerated organs like the liver, kidneys, or spleen. These injuries may not present symptoms for hours or even days, which is why it is so critical to seek emergency care after any collision.

The National Library of Medicine warns that symptoms like abdominal pain, dizziness, or rapid heart rate can indicate life-threatening internal trauma. Delayed diagnosis can result in organ failure or death, even after what seemed like a “minor” crash.

Abdominal Trauma in Front-Seat Passengers

Front-seat passengers in particular are at risk of internal injury from seatbelts or airbags, especially in high-speed frontal impacts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages crash victims to undergo imaging, like CT scans or ultrasounds, as part of any emergency room evaluation after a collision.

Psychological Injuries Are Often Undervalued

Not all car accident injuries are physical. Many victims experience emotional trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a serious crash. These psychological effects can linger long after physical wounds have healed and may interfere with work, sleep, relationships, and everyday activities.

The American Psychological Association has published guidelines for diagnosing and treating crash-related PTSD, which affects thousands of Americans every year. In Tacoma, victims frequently report symptoms such as panic attacks when driving, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

How Liability Works in a Tacoma Car Accident Case

Determining who is at fault after a car accident in Tacoma is not just about blame; it’s about legal responsibility. Under Washington law, the party that causes a crash is financially liable for the resulting injuries and property damage. This means proving fault is the foundation of any successful car accident claim. Yet establishing liability is rarely straightforward. Insurance companies often dispute facts, multiple parties may share responsibility, and critical evidence can disappear without swift action.

Washington is a fault-based state, which means that injured parties can seek compensation directly from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. According to the Washington State Bar Association, this process involves demonstrating that the other driver acted negligently and that their actions directly caused the crash and your injuries.

The Legal Standard for Negligence in Washington

Liability in a car accident case is typically based on negligence. In legal terms, negligence means a driver failed to exercise reasonable care while operating their vehicle. When that failure leads to a collision, and someone else is injured as a result, the negligent party is liable for damages.

The Revised Code of Washington § 4.22.005 codifies Washington’s rules for comparative fault and outlines how negligence is assessed in personal injury cases. To establish negligence, you must prove four key elements:

• The driver owed a legal duty of care to others on the road
  
• The driver breached that duty by acting carelessly or unlawfully
  
• The breach directly caused the accident
  
• You suffered measurable damages as a result

If all four of these elements are met, the driver who caused the crash can be held liable in civil court or during insurance negotiations.

Evidence That Helps Prove Liability in Tacoma Car Accidents

Proving liability often depends on collecting and preserving evidence. In Tacoma, traffic cameras, eyewitness testimony, and police reports from the Tacoma Police Department often play a central role in establishing fault. Skid marks, vehicle damage, black box data, and dashcam footage can also help show how and why a crash occurred.

Police reports are often the first source of official analysis in any Tacoma accident case. These documents include officer observations, citations issued, and diagrams of the collision scene. According to the Washington State Patrol Collision Records Section, crash reports can be requested by involved parties and often serve as foundational evidence in court or during settlement talks.

Why Witness Testimony and Scene Documentation Matter

Eyewitnesses can make or break a liability claim. In many Tacoma crashes, impartial third-party statements help resolve conflicting accounts of what happened. The National Institute of Justice emphasizes the value of corroborating witness testimony with physical evidence, such as vehicle positions, injuries, and property damage.

Taking photographs of the scene, including road conditions, vehicle placement, debris, and traffic signals, is also critical. These visuals can reinforce your version of events and help reconstruction experts demonstrate how the collision unfolded.

Comparative Fault Rules in Washington State

Washington follows a “pure comparative fault” system. This means that even if you are partially responsible for a crash, you can still recover damages; your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault for a crash on South 38th Street, and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. The law governing this system is RCW § 4.22.005, which assigns liability proportionally between all negligent parties.

How Insurance Companies Use Comparative Fault Against You

Insurance adjusters often try to exploit Washington’s comparative fault rules to reduce their payout. They may claim that you were speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or failed to signal, tactics designed to shift blame and lower their financial exposure.

That’s why it’s so important to speak with a Tacoma car accident attorney before giving a recorded statement or signing any documents. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers guidance on how insurers operate and why legal advocacy is essential in disputed claims.

When Multiple Parties May Share Liability

Some car accidents involve more than just two drivers. For example, if a commercial truck collided with you on I-5 due to a brake failure, both the driver and the trucking company, or even the brake manufacturer, might share liability. Similarly, if poor roadway maintenance contributed to the crash, the city of Tacoma or a government contractor could be held partially responsible.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining many of Tacoma’s major roads. When potholes, defective signage, or missing guardrails contribute to a collision, a government liability claim may be appropriate, but these cases require specific notice and filing procedures under RCW § 4.96.020.

Claims Against Government Entities Have Shorter Deadlines

Claims against the city, county, or state must be preceded by a formal tort claim. This claim must be filed at least 60 days before a lawsuit can be initiated. The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services provides claim forms and procedures for injury claims involving public property or employees.

Missing these deadlines can forfeit your right to compensation entirely. That’s why timing and legal strategy are crucial in complex liability cases involving public entities.

Speak With a Trusted Tacoma Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured in a Tacoma car accident, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. From physical pain and emotional trauma to medical bills and insurance disputes, the road to recovery is rarely simple. But with the right legal team by your side, you can hold the negligent party accountable and secure the financial compensation you need to move forward.

At Bernard Law Group, we have decades of experience helping crash victims across Pierce County. Our attorneys understand the local traffic laws, insurance tactics, and court systems that shape Tacoma car accident claims. We investigate every case with precision, negotiate aggressively with insurers, and take your case to trial if that’s what justice requires.

Don’t let an insurance company undervalue your suffering or delay your claim. Call our team today at (206) 752-2233 or reach out through our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win your case.

Time limits apply to every car accident case in Washington. Protect your rights now by speaking with a skilled Tacoma car accident lawyer who knows how to win.