1. Sears Injury Law, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, dog bites, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on accidents, intersection crashes, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run incidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, evidence investigation, damage calculation (economic and non-economic), communications with defendants and insurers, medical treatment coordination, demand letter preparation, settlement negotiations, jury trial representation
Background: Rob Sears founded the firm and has over 20 years of legal experience in Washington’s civil courts and insurance system. The firm has recovered over $300 million for injury victims. Named the #1 Car Accident Attorney for 2023 and 2024 in Washington State and Oregon. Notable results include a $2.5 million car accident settlement. The firm employs a comprehensive approach to understanding insurance company practices and evidence gathering.
Location: 1700 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, Seattle, WA 98101 (serves Tacoma area)
Contact: (206) 536-2000 | https://searsinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation with payment contingent upon success. No fees until compensation is recovered. Available to meet at client locations if travel is limited due to injuries. Serves clients throughout Pierce County and Western Washington.
2. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler, PLLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, commercial vehicle accidents, defective product injuries, catastrophic injuries, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, dog bite injuries
Legal Services: Trial representation, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, evidence gathering, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, litigation, deposition preparation, jury trial advocacy
Background: The firm’s attorneys are trial-tested with extensive courtroom experience. Dan Kyler, Vern Harkins, John Wilson, and Michael Fisher are among the experienced attorneys at the firm. The firm has been serving clients in Tacoma and throughout Washington State for decades. Notable results include $3.9 million for medical malpractice resulting in colostomy, $3.65 million for defective product causing crushed arm, and $2.5 million for traumatic brain injury from box truck collision. The firm has a strong reputation for thorough case preparation and courtroom advocacy.
Location: 1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1500, Seattle, WA 98101 (serves Tacoma area)
Contact: (206) 281-1020 | https://rhhk.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis. Serves clients throughout Pierce County and Washington State.
3. Park Chenaur Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, highway crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim filing, evidence collection and preservation, accident scene investigation, witness interviewing, medical record compilation, damage calculation, settlement negotiation, litigation and trial representation
Background: Rick Park and Brian Chenaur founded the firm based on a friendship dating back to junior high school. Rick Park has handled thousands of personal injury cases ranging from minor to catastrophic injuries. The firm has recovered over $100 million in compensation for clients, including cases where insurance companies initially denied claims. The attorneys bring a combination of deep collaboration, trust, and legal expertise to each case.
Location: 33530 1st Way South, Suite 102, Federal Way, WA 98003 (also serves Tacoma)
Contact: (253) 839-7000 | https://www.parkchenaur.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement. Offices in Federal Way and Tacoma for convenient access for Pierce County residents.
4. Brumley Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on accidents, T-bone crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run incidents, commercial vehicle collisions, rideshare accidents
Legal Services: Thorough accident investigation, evidence collection, witness interviews, expert consultation, insurance company negotiation, medical treatment coordination, litigation, trial representation, damage calculation
Background: Joshua Brumley is the owner and founder, licensed with the Washington State Bar Association since 2015. Prior to opening his firm, Joshua worked for insurance companies, giving him valuable insights into insurers’ tactics to minimize payouts. The firm has resolved over 300 cases in the past year with substantial settlements. The firm emphasizes personalized attention and compassionate advocacy for each client.
Location: 1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 600, Tacoma, WA 98402
Contact: (833) 832-2727 | https://www.brumleylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. Contingency fee basis with no payment unless compensation is recovered. Local presence in Tacoma community.
5. Khan Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, dog bite injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Car crashes, truck collisions, motorcycle wrecks, pedestrian accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist claims, rideshare accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence documentation, surveillance footage collection, witness statement gathering, insurance claim negotiation, medical evidence compilation, litigation, trial representation, damage calculation
Background: Khan Injury Law has built a reputation as relentless advocates for injury victims across Washington. The firm offers 24/7 availability for case reviews and emergencies. The attorneys understand federal trucking regulations, hours-of-service rules, and state laws governing truck accident cases. The firm has recovered millions in settlements for victims throughout Pierce County. The team is familiar with Tacoma’s roads, traffic patterns, and local court procedures.
Location: Tacoma, WA (Pierce County)
Contact: (253) 243-8488 | https://khaninjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. No upfront costs with contingency fee arrangement. Payment only if the case is won. 24/7 availability for consultations. Serves Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place, Puyallup, and throughout Pierce County.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Washington
Fault vs. No-Fault Status: Washington is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused an accident is legally responsible for covering damages. Victims can file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Statute of Limitations: Personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years from the date of the accident. Property damage claims also have a 3-year limitation. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 3 years from the date of death.
Comparative Negligence: Washington follows a pure comparative negligence system under RCW 4.22.005. Injured parties can recover damages even if partially at fault, but their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if found 30% at fault with $100,000 in damages, recovery would be $70,000. Unlike some states, Washington allows recovery even if the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Property damage liability of $10,000 per accident. Washington also allows alternative methods of proving financial responsibility including a $60,000 certificate of deposit with the Department of Licensing or a $60,000 liability bond.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Optional but highly recommended. Not required by Washington law but protects against accidents with drivers lacking adequate coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Optional in Washington. Provides coverage for medical expenses, lost income, and funeral costs regardless of fault.
Damage Caps: Washington does not cap economic or non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. Notably, Washington generally does NOT allow punitive damages in personal injury cases, with rare exceptions.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Accidents must be reported to law enforcement if they involve injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Drivers must file a Police Traffic Collision Report within 4 days if law enforcement does not file a report at the scene.
DUI Laws: Washington has strict DUI laws with a legal limit of 0.08% BAC. The state also has an E-DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Electronics) law prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving.
Hit-and-Run Penalties: Washington law (RCW 46.52.020) severely penalizes drivers who leave accident scenes without providing assistance or exchanging contact information, with potential fines and jail time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Washington’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
A: Under Washington’s pure comparative negligence system (RCW 4.22.005), you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 20% responsible, you would receive $80,000. Unlike many states that bar recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault, Washington allows recovery regardless of your fault percentage. However, be aware that insurance companies often try to shift as much blame as possible to reduce their payout. Gathering strong evidence early and working with an attorney can help challenge unfair fault allocations.
Q: What is the deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in Pierce County?
A: In Washington, the statute of limitations for most car accident claims is 3 years from the date of the accident. This applies to personal injury claims, property damage claims, and wrongful death claims (measured from the date of death). If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you lose your legal right to compensation. There are limited exceptions that may “toll” (pause) the deadline, such as if the victim was a minor (the clock doesn’t start until they turn 18) or if the victim was incapacitated. Additionally, insurance companies require prompt notification of claims, often within days or weeks. Filing early preserves evidence and strengthens your negotiating position.
Q: What damages can I recover in a Tacoma car accident case?
A: Washington car accident victims may recover economic damages including medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Unlike many states, Washington generally does NOT allow punitive damages in personal injury cases, even for egregious conduct. There are no caps on economic or non-economic damages in standard car accident cases. The value of your claim depends on injury severity, treatment costs, impact on your ability to work, and long-term prognosis.
Q: Should I report my car accident to the Washington State Patrol?
A: Yes, if the accident involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, you must report it to law enforcement. If a police officer responds to the scene and files a report, your obligation is typically fulfilled. However, if no officer responds, you must file a Police Traffic Collision Report within 4 days of the accident. You can submit this through the Washington State Patrol online portal or by mail. Failing to report can result in penalties, and having an official report significantly strengthens your insurance claim and any potential lawsuit by providing documented evidence of the accident circumstances.
Q: What if the at-fault driver in my Tacoma accident doesn’t have insurance?
A: If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, you have several options. First, if you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company. This coverage is optional but highly recommended in Washington. Second, you can file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver, though collecting damages may be difficult if they lack assets. Third, if the at-fault driver has some insurance but insufficient coverage, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your policy can help cover the gap. The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner recommends filing UIM claims promptly due to strict contractual deadlines in these policies.