Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Tacoma, Washington
The firms in this guide
- Sears Injury Law, PLLC Call Sears Injury Law, PLLC: (206) 536-2000
- Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler, PLLC Call Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler, PLLC: (206) 281-1020
- Park Chenaur Injury Lawyers Call Park Chenaur Injury Lawyers: (253) 839-7000
- Brumley Law Firm Call Brumley Law Firm: (833) 832-2727
- Khan Injury Law Call Khan Injury Law: (253) 243-8488
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.
Local Government Claims, Wrongful Death and Phantom Vehicles in Tacoma Car Crash Cases
A Tacoma car crash involving a city or county vehicle requires a claim on the standard tort claim form, presented to the entity’s appointed agent within the limitation period, before any lawsuit. Washington law also sets who benefits from a wrongful death action, what survives to the estate, and when a car that never made contact still counts for underinsured coverage.
A Claim Against a City or County
Under RCW 4.96.020(2) and (3), a claim against a local governmental entity must be presented to the agent its governing body appoints, within the period for starting the action, and claims presented after July 26, 2009 go on the standard tort claim form kept by the office of risk management, or on the entity’s own form if it offers one under (3)(c). Under (4), the suit may not begin until 60 calendar days after presentment, and the limitation period is tolled during those 60 days.
A Wrongful Death Action
Under RCW 4.20.010 and 4.20.020, the personal representative of a person killed by another’s wrongful act, neglect or default may recover the economic and noneconomic damages of the spouse, state registered domestic partner and children, including stepchildren; if there are none, the action may be brought for the parents or siblings.
What Survives to the Estate
Under RCW 4.20.046, causes of action survive to the personal representative, who may recover the estate’s economic losses and, for the same beneficiaries, the decedent’s own pain and suffering, anxiety, emotional distress or humiliation, whether or not the death was caused by the injury in the suit.
A Car That Never Touched Yours
Under RCW 48.22.030(8), a phantom vehicle is one that causes injury or damage without physical contact with the insured or the insured’s vehicle, if the facts can be corroborated by competent evidence other than the testimony of the insured or another underinsured claimant, and the crash was reported to law enforcement within 72 hours.
Tacoma Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue after a Tacoma car crash?
Three years under RCW 4.16.080(2), the period for any other injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed. A claim against a city or county must be presented to its agent within that period.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Under RCW 4.22.005, contributory fault reduces compensatory damages in proportion but does not bar recovery. For example, imagine $64,000 in damages and 25 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $48,000.
Is leaving the scene of an injury crash a crime in Washington?
Yes. Under RCW 46.52.020(4), a driver who fails to stop or to give the required information and aid after a crash resulting in injury is guilty of a class C felony, and after a crash resulting in death a class B felony, unless the driver was physically incapable of complying because of the crash.