A quiet morning ride along Ruston Way or a commute through the streets near Wright Park changes forever when a distracted driver fails to share the road. Sudden impacts leave cyclists facing severe physical injuries and an ever-growing stack of medical bills.

Recovering from a collision involves more than physical healing because you must also address the legal and financial challenges the driver’s negligence created. A Tacoma Bicycle Accident Lawyer from our firm provides the steady assistance you need during this stressful period. Our team represents the rights of injured riders throughout the Puget Sound, drawing on a legacy of advocacy that spans over a century.

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Why Choose Jacobs and Jacobs for a Tacoma Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Our family firm provides a legacy of advocacy that spans more than 130 years of Washington history.

Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group attorneys
  • We maintain deep roots in the Puget Sound region, a tradition that began with B.F. Jacobs in the late 1800s.
  • Our team of more than 50 members works together to support your pursuit of fair treatment and a successful outcome.
  • Tom Jacobs currently handles more injury claims than any other attorney in Pierce County, showing the trust our neighbors place in our work.
  • Our attorneys bring the experience of representing tens of thousands of people to even the most complex bicycle accident cases.
  • Our offices in Kent and Puyallup offer flexible meeting options, through Zoom, or via home visits to meet your specific needs.
  • We manage the adjusters, the paperwork, and the legal deadlines under our philosophy of “We’ll take it from here.”

This client-focused support lowers stress through consistent communication and personalized legal strategies for every person we represent.

Washington Statutes Protecting Tacoma Cyclists

Washington law establishes clear rules that define bicycles as vehicles, granting riders specific rights on the roadway. Grasping these statutes helps you identify how the driver violated their duty of care. Our team uses a thorough knowledge of these codes to advocate for people who suffered harm due to motorist negligence.

Pure comparative fault principles

Washington uses a pure comparative fault system according to RCW 4.22.005. This law allows you to seek damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. The court reduces your total financial award by the percentage of fault a jury assigns to your actions.

A cyclist found 15 percent at fault sees their total recovery reduced by that same 15 percent. This system allows you to seek a recovery even when the fault involves multiple parties. Our team works to show the full extent of the driver’s errors to protect your right to a fair recovery.

The three-year filing window

State law sets a strict time limit for starting a personal injury lawsuit after a bicycle collision. RCW 4.16.080 generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file your case in court. Missing this date usually results in the loss of your right to seek any compensation, no matter how severe your injuries appear.

Our team begins its investigation immediately to meet all legal deadlines while the evidence remains available and witness memories are still clear. Acting quickly allows us to preserve traffic camera footage and digital data that might disappear over time.

Vehicle rights and lane usage

Washington motorists must treat bicycles with the same respect they afford other motor vehicles. RCW 46.61.755 grants cyclists the same rights and duties as drivers of passenger cars. Drivers must provide a safe distance when passing a cyclist and must yield the right-of-way at intersections.

Many drivers fail to recognize these rights, leading to dangerous collisions on Tacoma streets. We gather evidence to demonstrate that the driver violated specific traffic laws at the time of the crash.

Bicycle Accident With Car on a road

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Common Hazards for Riders in the Puget Sound

Distraction and speed contribute to thousands of bicycle injuries on Puget Sound roadways every year. Identifying the exact cause of your crash helps our firm hold the negligent parties accountable for your losses. We investigate every detail of the scene to build a clear picture of the driver’s mistakes.

Dooring accidents in urban environments

Drivers parked along busy Tacoma streets often open their car doors without checking for oncoming cyclists. These dooring accidents frequently throw riders into traffic or cause them to strike the pavement with significant force.

Washington law requires drivers to ensure they do not interfere with the movement of traffic when opening doors. We collect photos of the vehicle and the surrounding area to document these incidents. Establishing this negligence helps us build a strong argument for your recovery.

Intersection failures and yielding errors

Motorists frequently misjudge the speed of a cyclist when making turns at intersections. A right hook accident occurs when a driver passes a cyclist and then turns right directly across their path. Left turn collisions happen when a driver turns across a cyclist’s lane because they failed to notice the rider.

Both types of crashes result from a failure to yield the right of way. Our team examines traffic camera footage and witness accounts to show the driver failed to operate their vehicle safely.

Improper roadway maintenance and debris

Potholes, uneven pavement, or un-cleared construction debris pose a much higher risk to a bicycle than a passenger car. Government agencies or private contractors might bear responsibility if they failed to maintain safe roadway conditions.

Holding a municipality accountable requires following specific notice of claim procedures and deadlines. We review past maintenance logs to see if the hazard was previously reported and ignored. Our team manages these administrative hurdles to protect your right to seek damages.

Practical Steps Following a Bicycle Collision

The actions you take in the days following an accident help preserve your right to seek a recovery. Our team helps you manage the administrative details so you can focus on your health and your family. Specific steps help our team build a more robust argument for your financial recovery.

Developing a detailed record of the collision’s impact strengthens your legal position throughout the claim process.

  • Keeping every medical bill, pharmacy receipt, and invoice for medical equipment in an organized file creates a paper trail.
  • Maintaining a daily log of your pain levels and physical tasks you can no longer perform documents the human cost.
  • Saving the bicycle and all safety gear you used at the time of the crash as physical evidence.
  • Avoiding any discussion of the accident or your injuries on social media platforms protects your privacy and your claim.
  • Referring all calls from the driver’s insurance adjusters directly to our office prevents unwanted pressure.
  • Documenting all lost wages and missed work opportunities through payroll records proves your financial losses.
  • Taking photos of any visible bruising, lacerations, or other physical marks of the crash preserves evidence of trauma.
  • Writing down your own account of the incident while the memory remains clear ensures you forget nothing essential.

We use this information to calculate the full financial and personal impact of the accident. Your diligence in saving these records helps our team pursue the most suitable outcome for your case.

Bicycle and silver colored car accident on the road

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FAQ for Tacoma Bicycle Accident Lawyer

What if my bicycle accident was caused by a dog?

Dog owners in Washington are generally responsible if their pet causes an accident by running into a cyclist’s path. These cases involve homeowners’ insurance policies rather than standard auto insurance.

We help you identify the owner and their insurance provider to seek compensation for your medical bills and property damage. Washington law holds owners accountable for the actions of their pets when they interfere with public safety.

Can I seek compensation if the driver did not hit me but caused me to crash?

No-contact accidents occur when a driver’s negligent actions force a cyclist to swerve or crash without a direct impact. These claims are possible but often require witness testimony or video evidence to prove the driver was at fault. We work to find the proof needed to support your version of the events. These cases often involve uninsured motorist coverage if the negligent driver leaves the scene.

Does the three-year filing window apply to children?

The statute of limitations for minors often differs from the standard three-year window for adults. Many cases allow for a pause in the clock until the child reaches the age of 18, providing more time to file a claim.

However, pursuing a claim early allows for better evidence preservation and witness availability. We help families manage the specific legal requirements for claims involving injured children.

Am I eligible for a claim if I was not wearing a helmet?

Washington does not have a statewide helmet law, though Tacoma and Pierce County have local requirements for certain age groups. Failing to wear a helmet does not prevent you from seeking damages for your injuries.

 However, the opposing insurance company might argue that the lack of a helmet contributed to the severity of a head injury. We focus on the driver’s negligence as the primary cause of the accident to protect your recovery.

What happens if a government vehicle caused my accident?

Claims involving city or county vehicles follow different administrative rules than private insurance claims. You must file a formal notice of claim with the correct government entity before you can pursue a lawsuit. These cases often involve shorter deadlines and specific documentation requirements. Our team manages these administrative hurdles to ensure your right to seek damages remains protected.

How do I handle a hit-and-run bicycle accident in Tacoma?

Hit and run incidents are frustrating, but your own auto insurance policy may provide a path for recovery. Underinsured motorist coverage often applies to cyclists who are hit by a driver who leaves the scene. We help you review your policy to determine what benefits are available to help cover your medical costs. Finding the responsible party through witness accounts and video footage remains a top priority for our investigators.

Does lane splitting affect my ability to recover compensation?

Lane splitting is currently illegal in Washington and may lead to a finding of partial fault. Because of the pure comparative fault rules in our state, you may still recover damages from a negligent driver.

The final award would simply be reduced by the percentage of responsibility assigned to your actions. We work to show the driver’s negligence played the most significant role in the collision.

Strength Through Capable Assistance

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Tom Jacobs – Tacoma
Bicycle Accident Lawyer

The weeks following a bicycle collision involve physical pain, insurance calls, and significant uncertainty about your financial future. Managing these burdens while trying to recover from an injury adds unnecessary stress to a time when you should focus on your family.

Our firm has provided a pillar of strength for the residents of the Puget Sound for over 130 years, helping them resolve the most challenging situations of their lives. We believe that no one should have to face the legal system alone, especially when they are dealing with an injury that was not their fault.

If you suffered an injury on a bicycle and need a way forward, call us at our office to discuss your case and find out how we can take it from here.

Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group – Tacoma Office

Address: 1201 Pacific Ave #600,

Tacoma, WA 98402

Ph: (253) 544-5060