Tacoma’s Leading Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Fighting for Victims and Justice

Pedestrian accidents in Tacoma often result in devastating injuries, long-term disability, or tragic loss of life. Whether someone is struck while crossing Pacific Avenue, walking near the Tacoma Dome, or navigating intersections downtown, these incidents leave victims and families facing overwhelming challenges. Medical bills, time away from work, and the emotional toll of sudden trauma can derail lives in an instant. Sadly, many of these collisions stem from preventable negligence, distracted driving, failure to yield, poor lighting, or unsafe infrastructure.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a Tacoma pedestrian accident, you may have the right to pursue significant compensation under Washington law. At Bernard Law Group, our legal team fights for injured pedestrians and grieving families throughout Pierce County. We hold negligent drivers accountable, push back against insurance company delays, and work to secure full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering. Call (206) 752-2233 or visit our contact page for a free consultation. There are no fees unless we win your case.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Common in Tacoma

Tacoma’s growing population, aging infrastructure, and high-volume traffic corridors create a dangerous environment for pedestrians. From major intersections on Pacific Avenue to residential zones near schools and transit stops, city streets expose walkers to constant hazards. Despite state laws designed to protect people on foot, the combination of driver negligence, poor visibility, and inadequate road design continues to put Tacoma pedestrians at serious risk.

Traffic Patterns That Prioritize Vehicles Over Pedestrians

Many roads in Tacoma were designed decades ago, with wide lanes and high-speed limits that cater to motor vehicle traffic. Streets like Portland Avenue East, South 38th Street, and Yakima Avenue carry significant commuter volume but offer limited pedestrian protections. Crosswalks are often spaced too far apart, forcing residents to make unsafe crossings or walk considerable distances to reach legal intersections.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has acknowledged the need for improvements through its Active Transportation Plan, which outlines strategies to increase pedestrian access and reduce collisions. However, implementation has been slow in many parts of Tacoma. In areas where infrastructure lags behind need, pedestrian crashes remain tragically common.

Failure to Yield in Crosswalks and Intersections

One of the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents in Tacoma is a driver’s failure to yield. Whether at marked crosswalks, unmarked intersections, or mid-block crossings, drivers are legally required to stop for pedestrians who are already in or approaching the roadway. According to RCW § 46.61.235, motorists must exercise due care when people are on foot, regardless of whether crosswalks are visibly painted.

Despite this law, violations are rampant. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association reports that pedestrian deaths have surged nationally, with noncompliance at intersections cited as a key factor. In Tacoma, intersections near Tacoma Mall, Sixth Avenue, and Martin Luther King Jr. Way see repeated incidents where drivers ignore pedestrians’ right of way, particularly during rush hour or in poor weather conditions.

Misunderstanding Right-of-Way Rules

Some drivers incorrectly believe that pedestrians only have the right-of-way in clearly marked crosswalks. This dangerous misconception leads to aggressive driving behaviors, especially at intersections with faded lines or inadequate signage. The Washington State Department of Licensing clarifies that pedestrians always have the right of way at any intersection, whether marked or not.

When drivers fail to recognize this rule, they increase the risk of severe or fatal crashes. Victims are often struck while lawfully crossing near schools, bus stops, or grocery store locations where pedestrians should feel safe, but are frequently put in danger by careless drivers.

Inadequate Lighting and Poor Visibility at Night

Visibility is a major issue in many Tacoma pedestrian accidents. Roads like Puyallup Avenue and South J Street suffer from poorly lit intersections and dim stretches that make it difficult for drivers to spot people on foot. The Federal Highway Administration has found that improving street lighting can reduce nighttime pedestrian crashes by more than 40 percent.

Unfortunately, many neighborhoods in Tacoma still lack the basic lighting infrastructure needed to protect pedestrians. Overgrown trees, burned-out streetlamps, and outdated bulbs compromise driver awareness, especially during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are limited.

Higher Risk During Low-Light Conditions

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the majority of fatal pedestrian accidents occur at night. Low-light conditions reduce reaction time for drivers and make it nearly impossible to stop in time, even at moderate speeds. Tacoma’s climate, which includes extended periods of overcast skies and rain, compounds this issue.

Efforts to improve visibility must include not only better lighting but also the installation of reflective signage, flashing crosswalk beacons, and pedestrian islands. These enhancements are critical for safety and are widely supported by experts at the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Distracted and Impaired Driving in Urban Areas

Distracted driving plays a significant role in many Tacoma pedestrian accidents. Drivers who glance at their phones, adjust navigation systems, or interact with in-car technology frequently fail to notice pedestrians until it is too late. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 3,000 people die each year in crashes involving distracted drivers, and pedestrians are among the most common victims.

Impaired driving is another recurring factor. Alcohol and drug impairment reduce coordination, judgment, and reaction time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has long identified alcohol-related crashes as a leading cause of pedestrian fatalities. In areas like Downtown Tacoma, where nightlife and entertainment venues draw large crowds, intoxicated drivers pose a persistent threat to foot traffic.

Underreported Role of Distraction in Pedestrian Collisions

While many crash reports cite speeding or failure to yield, distraction often goes unacknowledged. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission continues to raise awareness through its Target Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030. Pedestrian safety remains a critical focus of this program, and public education campaigns are underway to address distracted and impaired driving.

Poor Sidewalk Conditions and Infrastructure Neglect

Even in areas where sidewalks exist, maintenance is often inconsistent or neglected. Cracked pavement, tree root damage, and construction obstructions force pedestrians into the street, where they are vulnerable to passing traffic. In neighborhoods like Hilltop, Lincoln District, and Eastside Tacoma, residents regularly report dangerous walking conditions due to poor sidewalk upkeep.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires cities to maintain accessible pedestrian routes, including properly surfaced sidewalks and unobstructed paths. Tacoma’s failure to meet these standards not only creates safety risks but also opens the city to potential liability in injury claims.

Dangerous Detours Near Construction Zones

Pedestrians are frequently injured near construction zones that redirect foot traffic without providing adequate signage or barriers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns that improperly marked pedestrian detours can cause confusion and increase the likelihood of collisions with vehicles. In a fast-developing city like Tacoma, construction-related hazards are especially common.

Common Injuries in Tacoma Pedestrian Accidents

When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian in Tacoma, the human body absorbs the full force of the impact. Unlike drivers and passengers, pedestrians have no protection from the blow of a vehicle, the pavement, or surrounding objects. As a result, these accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that require months or even years of treatment. Some victims never fully recover. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens are immense, and early medical care is critical to improving outcomes.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious consequences of pedestrian accidents in Tacoma. A blow to the head, even at low speed, can cause damage to brain tissue, disrupt cognitive function, and lead to lifelong complications. Victims may strike their heads on the vehicle, the road surface, or nearby structures during the collision.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain swelling, hemorrhaging, or coma. Symptoms may include confusion, memory loss, slurred speech, and difficulty with balance. In severe cases, victims may experience lasting personality changes or require full-time care.

The Risk of Post-Concussion Syndrome

Even a so-called “mild” concussion can result in long-term health challenges. Post-concussion syndrome is a condition where symptoms persist for weeks or months after the initial injury. Victims may struggle with headaches, insomnia, irritability, and blurred vision. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no single test for diagnosing this condition, which makes legal and medical documentation especially important.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Spinal injuries are another common result of serious pedestrian crashes. When a car strikes a person’s back, neck, or legs, the spine can be compressed, fractured, or severed. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, the victim may suffer partial or complete paralysis.

According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, spinal cord injuries often result in loss of mobility, sensation, and bladder or bowel function. These effects are permanent in many cases and require expensive, ongoing care. In Tacoma, where trauma centers like St. Joseph Medical Center handle many pedestrian cases, spinal injuries are frequently treated with surgery, braces, and rehabilitation.

Long-Term Disability and Care Requirements

The lifetime cost of treating a spinal cord injury can exceed $3 million, depending on age and injury severity. Victims often require wheelchairs, in-home nursing support, and accessible housing modifications. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center offers detailed data on treatment outcomes and financial burdens associated with paralysis.

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Trauma

Fractures are nearly universal in pedestrian collisions. Whether caused by direct impact with the vehicle or from being thrown onto the pavement, broken bones often lead to painful recoveries, surgery, and long-term complications. Victims may break ribs, hips, arms, legs, wrists, or pelvis bones, especially if they try to brace themselves during the fall.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that bone fractures require stabilization with splints, casts, or internal fixation devices like metal plates and screws. Recovery times vary but often span several months. In elderly victims, hip and pelvis fractures are particularly dangerous and can significantly reduce life expectancy.

Rehabilitating Complex Fractures

Some fractures do not heal correctly and lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or the need for future corrective surgery. Tacoma-area hospitals often refer complex cases to orthopedic specialists who monitor healing with X-rays and adjust treatment as needed. Therapy to restore range of motion and strength is almost always necessary, and recovery may require a complete lifestyle adjustment.

Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

Not all life-threatening injuries are immediately visible. Internal bleeding and organ trauma can occur even without external wounds. The force of a vehicle striking a pedestrian can rupture the spleen, liver, or kidneys. These injuries may not show symptoms until hours after the crash and can become fatal without prompt intervention.

The National Library of Medicine emphasizes that internal injuries often require imaging, such as CT scans or ultrasound, to confirm. Symptoms may include abdominal swelling, dizziness, confusion, and low blood pressure. Emergency surgery, blood transfusions, and extended intensive care are frequently required.

High Risk for Delayed Diagnosis

Tacoma emergency departments, including those at MultiCare Tacoma General, are equipped to treat internal injuries, but even experienced clinicians sometimes miss the signs in the immediate aftermath of a collision. This delay can be deadly, which is why victims must be evaluated thoroughly, even if they feel fine at the scene.

Severe Lacerations, Road Rash, and Facial Injuries

The violent nature of pedestrian crashes often results in deep cuts, skin abrasions, and facial trauma. Victims may be dragged by a vehicle or skidded across the pavement, causing multiple layers of skin to tear an injury known as road rash. While it may seem minor, road rash can lead to dangerous infections, nerve damage, and permanent scarring.

The American Burn Association categorizes severe road rash as a form of friction burn. These wounds often require debridement, skin grafts, or cosmetic surgery. When facial bones are broken, such as the nose, cheekbone, or jaw, patients may need reconstruction by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Psychological Impact of Disfigurement

Disfiguring injuries are not just physically painful. Victims frequently experience depression, anxiety, and reduced self-esteem after facial trauma. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides resources on reconstructive options and psychological support for those facing long-term appearance changes.

Determining Liability in a Tacoma Pedestrian Accident

Liability is one of the most important elements in any Tacoma pedestrian accident case. In Washington, the person or entity responsible for causing an injury is also legally responsible for the resulting damages. But pedestrian accidents often involve complex scenarios, multiple at-fault parties, and sometimes conflicting accounts of what happened. Establishing fault requires careful legal strategy, investigative resources, and a deep understanding of Washington’s personal injury laws.

At Bernard Law Group, we handle every case with the precision it demands. Our legal team works quickly to gather evidence, assess liability, and hold the appropriate parties accountable, whether that’s a reckless driver, a negligent city agency, or both.

How Washington’s Fault-Based System Affects Pedestrian Cases

In a fault-based system like Washington’s, injured pedestrians have the right to pursue compensation from any party whose negligence contributed to the crash. Under RCW § 4.22.005, victims may recover damages even if they were partially at fault themselves. This rule, known as pure comparative negligence, reduces a victim’s compensation in proportion to their share of fault but never eliminates it.

For example, if a pedestrian is found to be 20 percent responsible for a crash and the driver is 80 percent at fault, the pedestrian can still recover 80 percent of the total award. This system ensures that even those who made a minor error are not denied justice.

Drivers Who Fail to Yield Can Be Held Liable

In most Tacoma pedestrian collisions, the driver of the vehicle is primarily at fault. Washington law mandates that drivers yield the right of way to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. RCW § 46.61.235 clearly outlines this obligation, yet violations remain disturbingly common, especially in high-traffic areas like South 38th Street, Pacific Avenue, and Downtown Tacoma.

A driver who fails to yield, speeds through an intersection, makes a turn without checking for pedestrians, or ignores traffic signals can be held legally responsible. These are not minor infractions. They are breaches of a legal duty that place lives at risk.

The Washington Department of Licensing offers education for drivers about their responsibilities at intersections and crosswalks. However, awareness doesn’t always lead to compliance, and when it doesn’t, victims suffer the consequences.

Left Turns Made Without Caution Can Establish Driver Fault

Left-turn collisions are particularly dangerous for pedestrians and are often caused by drivers who are impatient or inattentive. A driver attempting to turn left across oncoming traffic has a duty to check not just for vehicles, but for pedestrians in or approaching the intersection. In busy Tacoma corridors, such as Yakima Avenue or Sixth Avenue, this duty is frequently neglected.

Pedestrians in crosswalks are especially vulnerable during left-turn scenarios because drivers are often watching for cars, not people walking. A failure to yield during a left turn is a clear violation of state traffic law and typically forms a strong basis for liability.

The Federal Highway Administration notes that a large percentage of urban pedestrian injuries are associated with turning vehicles. Legal accountability is critical in these cases to prevent future harm and to compensate victims for their losses.

Speeding in Urban Zones Increases Legal Responsibility

Speeding is a significant contributor to the severity and frequency of pedestrian accidents in Tacoma. When drivers exceed the posted speed limit or drive too fast for conditions, they reduce their ability to brake in time to avoid a collision. High-speed impacts cause far greater injuries, increase the likelihood of death, and are usually treated by courts as a major factor in assigning liability.

In residential neighborhoods like Fern Hill or near schools along Pearl Street, speeding is particularly reckless. Children, seniors, and other vulnerable road users often suffer life-threatening injuries in speed-related crashes.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offers comprehensive data confirming that even small increases in speed significantly reduce pedestrian survival rates. Under Washington law, drivers who speed can be found negligent per se, meaning their violation of a safety statute is automatically considered proof of a breached legal duty.

Distracted Driving Creates Grounds for Negligence Claims

Distracted driving is one of the most cited reasons behind pedestrian accidents, both nationally and in Tacoma. Whether a driver is texting, using a GPS, or simply not paying attention, distraction limits reaction time and impairs judgment. Pedestrians are often hit in crosswalks or near intersections by drivers who never even saw them.

Under Washington’s hands-free law, it is illegal to hold a phone while driving. Violating this law not only results in a traffic citation but can also serve as the foundation for civil liability in an injury case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both report that distracted driving is a leading cause of serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians. When evidence shows a driver was distracted at the time of the incident, our attorneys work to prove that this behavior directly contributed to the collision.

Government Agencies May Be Liable for Unsafe Infrastructure

Sometimes the fault lies not only with the driver, but also with the City of Tacoma or another government entity responsible for road design and maintenance. Dangerous intersections, missing crosswalks, broken traffic signals, or lack of adequate lighting can all create hazardous conditions that increase the likelihood of pedestrian injury.

If a government agency failed to maintain safe public roadways or ignored prior complaints about dangerous conditions, it may share liability in a crash. Pursuing legal action against a public agency requires strict procedural steps, including filing a formal claim within 60 days of the incident.

The Washington State Office of Risk Management provides detailed instructions on how to initiate this process. When infrastructure is partly to blame, our team gathers maintenance records, complaint logs, and expert opinions from traffic engineers to support the claim.

Poorly Designed Intersections and Signal Timing Failures Can Contribute

In some Tacoma pedestrian accidents, the intersection design itself is a contributing factor. Crosswalks without warning lights, traffic signals that don’t allow sufficient crossing time, or intersections that encourage unsafe turning patterns all increase the likelihood of pedestrian harm. Unfortunately, many of these conditions remain unchanged despite repeated incidents and documented dangers.

When we investigate pedestrian accident claims, we frequently uncover a pattern of inaction: previous accidents, ignored city council reports, and community complaints that were never addressed. These details help establish a pattern of negligence on the part of the municipality.

Organizations like the National Association of City Transportation Officials offer design recommendations that have been proven to reduce pedestrian injuries. Tacoma’s failure to adopt or implement such standards in known high-risk areas may be used as evidence of systemic negligence.

Contact a Tacoma Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident in Tacoma, you should not have to navigate the legal and financial aftermath alone. The consequences of these collisions are often life-changing. Victims are left with staggering medical bills, long-term disabilities, and emotional trauma that disrupts every aspect of daily life. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to minimize your claim, deny responsibility, or pressure you into accepting a settlement that does not begin to cover your losses.

At Bernard Law Group, we fight to make sure that never happens. Our Tacoma pedestrian accident attorneys know how to hold negligent drivers, municipalities, and corporate defendants accountable. With decades of experience and a proven track record of multi-million-dollar recoveries, we have the resources and knowledge to pursue the maximum compensation available under Washington law. From the moment we take your case, we handle every part of the legal process so that you can focus on healing.

Don’t wait to protect your rights. Evidence fades, memories blur, and statutory deadlines can limit your ability to take legal action. Contact Bernard Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There are no upfront fees; you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call (206) 752-2233 or visit our contact page to get started. Let us help you rebuild your future with strength, dignity, and justice.