Car accidents happen every day in Tacoma. From multi-car pileups on I-5 near the Tacoma Dome to rear-end collisions in the bustling downtown or along Pacific Avenue, the aftermath of a car accident can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
What many victims don’t realize is that from the moment an accident occurs, insurance companies are working quickly to protect their own interests and not yours. They may attempt to shift blame, delay your claim, or offer an unreasonably low settlement. This is why you need an experienced car crash lawyer on your side.
At Jacobs and Jacobs, our Tacoma personal injury attorney has been helping injured people in Washington since 1893, building a legacy of advocacy, integrity, and results. We bring the full weight of our legal knowledge, resources, and experience to every case we handle in Tacoma and fight for the largest possible compensation for your injuries and losses.
Types of Car Accidents in Tacoma
At Jacobs and Jacobs, our personal injury lawyers have handled thousands of car accident claims, including:
Rear-End Collisions
Frequent in stop-and-go traffic areas like I-5, Tacoma Mall Blvd, and near school zones, rear-end accidents often result in whiplash, neck and back injuries, and head trauma. These accidents typically occur when one driver is distracted or following too closely, violating RCW 46.61.145.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents
These crashes are common at intersections such as South 38th Street and Pacific Avenue, where one driver fails to yield or runs a red light. T-bone collisions may lead to severe spinal injuries, pelvic fractures, and internal organ trauma due to the side of the vehicle absorbing the full impact.
Head-On Collisions
Though less frequent, head-on collisions are often catastrophic. These occur on undivided roads like River Road or in rural parts of Pierce County due to fatigue, impaired driving, or unsafe passing. Victims may suffer multiple fractures, brain injuries, or even wrongful death.
Sideswipe Collisions
These happen when two vehicles brush against each other while traveling in the same or opposite directions. They’re common on narrow lanes or during improper merging on SR 16 or I-705. Though sometimes considered “minor,” they can lead to serious injuries if a vehicle is forced off the road or into another car.
Rollover Accidents
Tacoma’s wet and winding roads, combined with top-heavy vehicles like SUVs or trucks, make rollover accidents a serious concern, particularly on roads like Marine View Drive or Puyallup Avenue. These crashes often cause spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Intersection Accidents
Dangerous intersections like those at Portland Avenue and E. 38th Street see high volumes of turning traffic and multiple lanes. Collisions here often involve failure to yield, distracted driving, or signal misinterpretation, leading to severe outcomes for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Sadly, hit-and-run accidents are common in Tacoma. Whether it’s a minor fender-bender or a serious pedestrian injury, fleeing the scene is a criminal offense under RCW 46.52.020. Even if the at-fault driver is unidentified, we help victims pursue claims through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and other civil avenues.
Laws Against Texting and Driving in Tacoma
Washington’s Distracted Driving Law
Texting while driving is not only dangerous but also illegal in Tacoma and across Washington. Under RCW 46.61.672, it’s unlawful to hold, use, or interact with a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, unless using hands-free functionality. This includes:
- Texting
- Calling
- Browsing the internet
- Checking GPS apps without voice-activated commands
Even holding your phone at a red light is illegal under the statute.
Primary Enforcement
Distracted driving is a primary offense in Washington, meaning law enforcement can stop and cite a driver for using a phone without needing any other traffic violation. Tacoma Police and Washington State Patrol actively enforce these laws, especially near school zones and high-traffic areas.
Legal Impact in Injury Claims
From a legal perspective, texting while driving is often considered negligence per se, a legal doctrine meaning the act itself violates the law and automatically implies fault. If the driver who caused your accident was cited for texting, we can use that evidence to bolster your injury claim and maximize compensation.
To prove distracted driving, our auto accident attorneys obtain:
- Cell phone records
- Dashcam footage
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera evidence
Statute of Limitations for Tacoma Car Accidents
Time Limits to File a Claim in Washington State
In Washington, the statute of limitations for most car accident claims is three years from the date of the accident, as outlined in RCW 4.16.080. This means you must file a lawsuit in civil court within three years to preserve your right to compensation. If you miss this deadline, your case may be permanently barred.
Exceptions to the Rule
Some exceptions may pause or extend the statute of limitations, allowing you to seek compensation beyond the deadline, such as:
- The injured party is a minor (the clock doesn’t start until they turn 18)
- The defendant is out of state and cannot be served
- The injury wasn’t immediately discoverable (rare in car crash cases)
Why Early Action Matters
At Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group, we recommend the earliest possible legal intervention. Our Tacoma car accident lawyer begins collecting evidence, investigating the crash, and building your case long before the statute of limitations expires. This not only strengthens your claim but also places pressure on insurers to settle fairly.
Police Report Isn’t the Golden Ticket to Prove Liability in Tacoma Car Accidents
It’s common for car accident victims in Tacoma to believe that a favorable police report assures success in their injury claim. Unfortunately, that’s a misconception. While police reports can be helpful, they aren’t definitive proof of liability and nor are they admissible in court as conclusive evidence in every personal injury claim.
Police officers may arrive after the collision has occurred and must quickly assess the scene, talk to available parties, and complete their report under time pressure. If you were seriously injured and transported to the hospital, you likely had no opportunity to provide your version of the events, allowing the at-fault driver’s story to dominate the initial narrative.
Even worse, officers may rely on incomplete witness statements or overlook key evidence. They aren’t accident reconstruction experts, and their interpretations can be challenged in civil litigation. At Jacobs and Jacobs, we handle cases where the police report was incorrect, incomplete, or even misleading, and yet we were still able to recover compensation for our clients.
That’s why our Tacoma car accident lawyer will go far beyond the police report. We build independent, evidence-based cases that stand up to scrutiny from insurance defense teams and juries. Our team knows how to prove liability through thorough investigation, expert testimony, and real-world facts and not assumptions.
How Our Tacoma Car Accident Lawyers Will Prove Liability
At Jacobs and Jacobs, we understand that insurance companies don’t pay fair compensation based on claims; they pay based on proof. Our lawyers act swiftly to gather, preserve, and analyze all available evidence to construct a rock-solid claim to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Here’s what we look for:
Crash Scene Documentation
We obtain photos and videos of the scene, including skid marks, vehicle damage, road debris, traffic signs, and road conditions. In many cases, we visit the crash site personally or deploy investigators to document critical details before they disappear.
Vehicle Damage and Black Box Data
Modern vehicles contain Event Data Recorders (EDRs) that record speed, braking, impact angle, and more. We work with engineers and accident reconstruction experts to extract and interpret this data.
Surveillance and Dashcam Footage
Nearby businesses, homes, or even city-owned traffic cameras may have captured the collision that resulted in your severe injuries. We act fast to secure this footage before it’s deleted or overwritten.
Eyewitness Statements
Insurance companies discount vague statements. In car accident cases, we interview witnesses thoroughly, capturing detailed, signed declarations that support your side of the story.
Medical Records and Expert Reports
We document the full scope of your injuries, including future medical needs, by coordinating with your doctors and obtaining expert opinions. This is essential for quantifying damages related to pain, suffering, loss of function, and long-term disability.
Cell Phone and Distraction Evidence
If we suspect the other driver was texting, on the phone, or otherwise distracted, we may subpoena their cell phone records, obtain crash data, and prove negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
Crash Scene Reconstruction
For high-impact or disputed liability cases, we partner with accident reconstruction specialists who use advanced software and physics-based analysis to recreate the crash and demonstrate exactly how and why the other driver was at fault.
Why You Should Avoid Direct Negotiations with the Insurance Company
After an accident, the at-fault party’s insurer may seem cooperative at first. They might call you with a friendly tone, ask for a “quick chat,” or offer a fast settlement. But make no mistake: insurance companies aren’t your advocates. Their priority is to protect profits and not to pay you fairly.
Unequal Power Dynamic
You’re up against large insurance corporations with experienced adjusters, defense lawyers, and accident experts. They do this every day. You don’t. At Jacobs and Jacobs, we level the playing field by matching and surpassing the insurer’s legal firepower. Our law firm has been doing it for over a century.
Limited Knowledge of Your Rights
Most accident victims are unaware of their full rights under Washington personal injury law. The insurance company counts on this ignorance. We don’t. We explain every aspect of the legal process, from medical damages and future earnings losses to emotional distress, loss of consortium, and more. We won’t let you miss out on compensation you may be entitled to.
Risk of Settling for Inadequate Compensation
Insurers may offer a quick check when you’re most vulnerable and before your long-term prognosis is clear. Accepting such a settlement may waive your right to further compensation, even if your condition worsens. We don’t back down against such tactics. Our Tacoma attorneys are seasoned negotiators, and we use our reputation for trial success as leverage to maximize settlements.
Complex Legal Procedures and Tactics
Insurance companies deploy procedural tricks to slow you down, wear you out, and reduce payouts. From complex forms to misleading statements, they know how to manipulate claimants. We cut through the red tape. As part of our car wreck legal representation, we handle all filings, deadlines, court procedures, and evidence rules with skill, ensuring your case moves forward efficiently and correctly.
Emotional Stress and Time-Consuming Process
You’re recovering from trauma. The last thing you need is to juggle paperwork, medical records, adjuster calls, or subpoenas. We take that burden off your shoulders. With personalized representation and a supportive approach, we help you focus on healing while we manage everything else. At Jacobs and Jacobs, you aren’t just a case file; you’re a person we fight for.
Our Tacoma Car Accident Lawyer Will Fight to Maximize Your Compensation
For more than a century, Jacobs and Jacobs has proudly served communities across Washington State. Our legacy spans generations, beginning in the late 1800s and continuing through decades of legal service in the Puget Sound region.
We understand the local legal environment for driver negligence claims, whether it involves a serious injury or a fatal crash. From litigating complex claims in the courtroom to engaging in settlement negotiations with local and national insurers, we fight tooth and nail in every case to recover maximum compensation for our clients.
With a proven track record of over $113 million recovered for clients in just the past five years, we’re known for aggressive representation, compassionate support, and client-focused legal strategy.
When you work with our Tacoma car accident attorneys, you gain an experienced lawyer who takes on insurance adjusters to advocate for maximum financial recovery for your medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering. To schedule your free consultation with our legal team, call us 24/7 at 253-342-4965 or contact us online.