Personal Injury Lawyer Tacoma, WA

Washington logged 523 collisions involving heavy trucks in 2024, 41 % causing serious injury (WSDOT). Liability can extend to the carrier under 49 CFR § 390.5 (federal FMCSA rules).

First Steps: Photograph the USDOT number on the cab, request the driver’s logbook, and preserve any dash‑cam footage before it’s overwritten.

FAQ — Who can I sue besides the driver?  Potential defendants include the trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance contractor, and even the manufacturer if brake failure is involved.

Motorcyclists accounted for 15 % of Washington traffic fatalities in 2024 while representing only 4 % of registered vehicles (WSDOT). Helmet compliance under RCW 46.37.530 can influence damage awards.

First Steps: Keep your gear—especially a cracked helmet—as evidence; do not let the tow‑yard discard it.

FAQ — Will lane‑splitting sink my claim?  Lane‑splitting is illegal in Washington, but liability is still apportioned case‑by‑case.

There were 189 pedestrian crashes in Pierce County in 2024 (WSDOT). Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (RCW 46.61.261).

First Steps: Note intersection‑camera IDs and request EMT run sheets to capture pain complaints made at the scene.

FAQ — Does jaywalking bar compensation?  No. It may reduce—but rarely eliminates—your recovery.

Washington’s strict‑liability law (RCW 16.08.040) holds owners responsible regardless of prior viciousness. The Department of Health logged 628 reported bite injuries statewide in 2023.

First Steps: Seek medical care within 24 hours and file a report with Tacoma‑Pierce County Health.

FAQ — Does teasing the dog erase owner liability?  Only intentional provocation; accidental gestures seldom qualify.

Poor lighting, broken stairs, or unsecured merchandise can create hidden dangers for visitors. Washington courts clarified in Iwai v. State, No. 95505‑1 (Wash. 2019) that owners owe invitees a duty of reasonable care even for transient hazards.

First Steps: File an incident report with management and request a copy of any surveillance footage before it’s overwritten.

FAQ — Do “wet floor” signs shield a store from liability?  Not if the hazard was unreasonably slippery or the sign was poorly placed.

Falls accounted for 34 % of ER injury visits in Washington during 2023 (WA Dept. of Health). Even seemingly minor slips can lead to disc herniations or concussions. ‘

First Steps: Photograph the spill or snow patch immediately and save the shoes you were wearing; tread patterns can prove slip resistance.

FAQ — What if the store fixed the hazard the next day?  Repairs can’t be used to prove negligence, so early photos are crucial.

Pierce County suffered 136 traffic fatalities in 2024 (WSDOT). Beneficiaries may sue under RCW 4.20.010 within three years.

First Steps: Appoint a personal representative quickly so evidence—like crash‑scene laser scans and autopsy reports—can be preserved.

FAQ — Who receives a wrongful‑death settlement?  Spouse, registered domestic partner, and children share first; parents may recover if they were financially dependent.