Auto Accident Injury in Tacoma, WA

Tacoma’s traffic has intensified in recent years, thanks to regional growth, bridge bottlenecks, and freight congestion from the busy port. Combine that with unpredictable Puget Sound weather, and accidents are bound to happen.

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, you’re likely juggling medical care, car repairs, lost time at work, and rising bills. Insurance companies may seem helpful at first, but their offers often fall far short of what your recovery truly costs.

This guide walks Tacoma residents through every step after an accident, from reporting the crash to understanding their legal options. We will help you navigate the aftermath and protect your right to fair compensation.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Tacoma, Washington

In 2023, Tacoma experienced a significant number of serious traffic incidents. According to the city’s Vision Zero Crash Data Dashboard, 738 crashes resulted in fatalities or serious injuries (KSI). Of these, 132 were fatal crashes, accounting for approximately 17.9% of all KSI incidents, while the remaining 606 were serious injury crashes, making up 82.1% of the total.

The distribution of these crashes varied across different council districts, with District Five experiencing the highest number of KSI collisions, indicating a disproportionate impact in that area.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

The minutes following a car accident can be chaotic, but taking the right steps can protect your health, your finances, and your ability to recover compensation later. Whether your crash happened on I-5, South Tacoma Way, or a quiet neighborhood street, knowing what to do next is key.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

After a car accident in Tacoma, seeking prompt medical care should be your top priority, even if you feel fine initially. Many injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, or internal trauma, may not produce symptoms right away. Delaying treatment not only puts your health at risk but can also weaken your personal injury claim if you pursue compensation later.

File a Police Report

Filing a police report after a car accident in Tacoma, WA, is an important step—both legally and strategically. Under Washington state law (RCW 46.52.030), you are required to report any motor vehicle collision that results in injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more. This report must be filed within four days of the accident if law enforcement does not do so at the scene.

If the Tacoma Police Department or Washington State Patrol responds to your crash, the responding officer will typically prepare and submit an official collision report. Be sure to ask for the officer’s name, badge number, and the incident number so you can later request a copy of the report. This report can serve as key evidence in any insurance or legal dispute.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

Begin by exchanging the following information with the other driver(s):

• Full name, phone number, and address
• Driver’s license number and state
• Insurance company name, policy number, and expiration date
• Vehicle make, model, year, color, and license plate number

Use your phone to take clear, well-lit photos of:

• All vehicle damage (including your own and other vehicles)
• The crash scene from multiple angles
• Skid marks, traffic signs, debris, and road conditions
• Any visible injuries
• Weather and lighting conditions at the time of the crash

If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. If they’re willing, you can also ask for a short recorded statement on your phone, while the events are still fresh in their memory.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

The financial impact of a car accident can be just as serious as the physical injuries. Medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing treatment can add up quickly, especially if your injuries are severe. Fortunately, if you were injured in a crash in Tacoma, Washington, the law allows you to seek compensation from the at-fault driver to help cover your losses.

If your claim is successful, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses: ER visits, follow-up care, physical therapy, prescriptions, and future treatment
• Lost wages: Time missed from work due to injuries or medical appointments
• Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries affect your long-term ability to work
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life
• Property damage: Vehicle repair or replacement costs

Because insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or shift blame, it’s wise to consult with a Tacoma car accident attorney—especially if your injuries are serious or if fault is disputed. An attorney can evaluate your damages, communicate with insurers, and help ensure you receive the full amount you’re entitled to.

Auto Accident Laws in Washington

Liability Laws for Tacoma

Washington is a tort (at-fault) state. After a crash, injured parties have three main options for seeking compensation:

• File a claim with their insurance (which may seek reimbursement later)
• File a claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance
• File a personal injury lawsuit in civil court

All drivers in Washington are required to carry minimum liability insurance coverage:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 for property damage per accident (RCW 46.29.090)

Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule under RCW 4.22.005. This means that even if you were partly at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation—your damages will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 30% responsible, your final recovery would be $70,000. No threshold bars recovery entirely, even if you are mostly at fault.

Statute of Limitations in Tacoma

Under RCW 4.16.080, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims—including those arising from auto accidents—is three years from the date of the crash. This means you must file a lawsuit within three years or risk having your case dismissed, regardless of how strong your evidence is.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Tacoma, WA

A Tacoma car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, assess the true value of your claim, and pursue every available path to compensation. From managing insurance communications to gathering critical documentation and filing your claim before the statute of limitations expires, legal support ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Washington!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.