Tacoma Personal Injury
Attorneys

Truck accidents in Tacoma involve collisions with large commercial trucks, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the size and weight of the vehicles. These accidents can occur for various reasons, including:

1. Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue. Federal regulations govern the maximum driving hours for truckers to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
2. Speeding: Some truck drivers exceed speed limits, which makes it difficult to control their vehicles and react to sudden traffic changes.
3. Improper Maintenance: Neglected maintenance, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, can contribute to accidents. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial for truck safety.
4. Negligence by Trucking Companies: Trucking companies may cut corners on safety to meet deadlines.
5. Hours of Service Violations: Truck drivers must adhere to strict hours-of-service regulations to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Violations of these regulations are a contributing factor in accidents.

The details around the negligence involved in the accident can significantly impact the compensation received in your case. Victims of truck accidents typically receive compensation from the truck driver, trucking company, or their insurance providers.

Car accidents are one of the most common case types in personal injury law. Depending on the crash, injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. Car accidents can happen for many reasons, such as:

1. Distracted Driving: Technology has introduced distractions like texting, phone calls, and infotainment systems that contribute to car accidents. Last year, Washington state saw 12,889 crashes caused by distracted driving, with 114 of those crashes resulting in a fatality.
2. Drunk Driving: Alcohol impairment significantly impairs a driver's judgment and reaction time, which makes drunk driving a major cause of car accidents. It's both a criminal offense and a civil liability. In Washington state last year there were 4,736 crashes involving alcohol with 117 fatalities.
3. Reckless Driving: Speeding, aggressive driving, and disobeying traffic laws often lead to reckless driving accidents.
4. Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, and ice reduce road traction and visibility.
5. Road Defects: Poorly maintained roads with potholes, lack of proper signage, or construction zone hazards.
6. Mechanical Failures: Vehicle defects or failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts.
7. Inexperienced Drivers: Inexperienced or teenage drivers can lack the skills to navigate complex traffic situations. Last year, Washington state saw 10,369 crashes involving teen drivers with 70 fatalities.
8. Fatigued Driving: Driving while fatigued impairs a driver's reaction time and decision-making abilities.
9. Hit-and-Run Incidents: In some accidents, drivers flee the scene. It is important to identify and hold these drivers accountable.

Wrongful death cases occur when someone dies due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party. These cases can arise from various situations, such as:

1. Medical Malpractice: Wrongful death cases that result from medical errors can include misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, improper treatment, or prescription errors.
2. Workplace Incidents: Workplace accidents include industrial accidents, construction site mishaps, or exposure to hazardous substances.
3. Car Accidents: When a fatal car accident is caused by another driver’s negligence, or reckless driving, surviving family members can seek compensation.
4. Product Liability: Defective products, such as faulty vehicles or harmful pharmaceuticals, can cause fatal injuries.
5. Criminal Acts: This includes assault, battery, or homicide. In such cases, both criminal charges and civil wrongful death claims may apply.
6. Nursing Home Negligence: Elderly individuals in nursing homes can experience neglect or abuse that leads to wrongful death.

Surviving family members seek compensation for expenses related to the deceased individual's death, as well as emotional suffering and loss of support.

Bites from aggressive dogs can lead to different type of injuries, including:

1. Deep Wounds: Deep wounds from a dog bite require stitches, sutures, or even reconstructive surgery, depending on the extent of the injury.
2. Infections: Dog bites are susceptible to infections, including bacterial infections like cellulitis. Prompt medical treatment and antibiotics are necessary to prevent complications.
3. Emotional Trauma: Victims of dog bites often experience emotional trauma, including fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This emotional suffering can be long-lasting and require therapy or counseling.
4. Scarring: Severe dog bites can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement.

When working on a dog bite claim, here are a few of the elements our attorneys consider when working on the case:

1. Liability: Dog bite incidents typically occur due to owner negligence in controlling or restraining their pets.
2. Dog Breed Considerations: Some dog breeds are known to be more prone to aggressive behavior. This can affect your case.
3. Strict Liability Laws: Some states have strict liability laws regarding dog bites, which means that dog owners can be held responsible for injuries caused by their dogs regardless of the dog's past behavior or the owner's knowledge of aggressive tendencies.
4. Insurance Coverage: Dog owners often have homeowners' insurance that can cover dog bite claims.

If you've been bitten by a dog, remember that you have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any long-term effects of the attack.

Pedestrian accidents can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Common Injuries: These can include fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and soft tissue injuries. The severity of injuries can vary based on factors such as vehicle speed and the point of impact.
2. Causes of Pedestrian Accidents: Driver negligence, including distracted driving, speeding, running red lights, or failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks are common causes of pedestrian accidents. Weather conditions and poor visibility can also contribute to accidents.
3. Legal Rights: Injured pedestrians have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. This compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
4. Hit-and-Run Accidents: Unfortunately, some drivers involved in pedestrian accidents flee the scene. Pedestrians should try to gather as much information as possible about the vehicle and driver and report the incident to law enforcement.
5. Liability Determination: Establishing liability in pedestrian accidents can be complex. Evidence, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction, helps determine fault.
6. Insurance Claims: Injured pedestrians might need to file insurance claims with the at-fault driver's insurance company. Your attorney can help make this process easier. 
   
   Pedestrian accidents can leave victims and their families facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering can make a significant difference in their recovery process. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, a personal injury lawyer can help recover the compensation you deserve.

Cyclists are vulnerable to more serious injuries such as broken bones and head injuries due to the lack of protection. Here are some of the key elements we consider in a bicycle accident case:

1. Types of Injuries: In personal injury cases, the type and severity of bicycle accident injuries—like fractures, concussions, or spinal cord damage—can influence the final amount of compensation received. Medical costs, lost wages, and pain can impact the claim.
2. Helmet Importance: Wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of head injuries in an accident. Many states, including Washington, have helmet laws in place for cyclists. The presence or absence of helmet use and adherence to state helmet laws are influential factors in determining liability and compensation outcomes in bicycle accident cases. 
3. Distracted Driving: Like car accidents, distracted driving is also a leading cause of bicycle accidents. Motorists who engage in activities like texting or talking on the phone while driving may not see cyclists until it's too late.
4. Bike Lanes and Infrastructure: Bike lanes and infrastructure improve cyclist safety. When local governments fail to provide or maintain these, it can contribute to accidents, affecting liability and claims in bicycle accident cases.
5. Right-of-Way Issues: Failure to yield right-of-way to cyclists can be a key factor in bicycle cases, as it often indicates driver negligence, impacting fault and compensation.
6. Hit-and-Run Incidents: If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, It’s important to gather witness statements and any available evidence.

Injured cyclists have the right to seek compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, bike repair or replacement costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury attorney can help protect their rights and advocate for fair compensation.

Motorcycle accident cases are unique and often lead to more serious injuries due to the lack of protection for riders. Here are some key insights to help you understand the complex nature of these cases:

1. Types of Injuries: Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord injuries, fractures, road rash, and internal injuries. 
2. Lane Filtering Laws: In some areas, lane filtering, where motorcyclists move between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, is legal. However, riders need to be aware of local laws and regulations regarding this practice.
3. Left-Turn Crashes: Left-turn accidents, where a vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, are a common type of collision.
4. Motorcycle Customization: In some cases, modifications or customization of the motorcycle can impact liability or the extent of injuries. 
5. Helmet Laws: Helmet laws vary depending on jurisdiction. Whether or not the rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident is a significant factor in determining liability and damages.
6. Motorcycle Training: The rider's level of training and experience can play a role in a case. Completion of a motorcycle safety course or advanced riding training demonstrates a commitment to safety.
7. Roadway Design: Poorly designed or maintained roadways pose risks to motorcyclists. 
8. Motorcycle Manufacturer Liability: Defective motorcycle parts or manufacturing errors can cause accidents. In these cases, product liability claims against motorcycle manufacturers come into play.
9. Lane-Splitting: It's important to determine whether the rider was lane-splitting safely and within legal limits.

Our experienced attorneys specialize in motorcycle accident cases, understanding the unique challenges riders face. We're dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost income, and recovery.

Premises liability slip and fall accidents happen when individuals are injured on someone else's property due to hazardous conditions. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises for visitors. Here are some key considerations in these cases

1. Common Hazardous Conditions: Hazardous conditions include wet or slippery floors, uneven or cracked pavement, poorly maintained stairs, inadequate lighting, and cluttered walkways.
2. Property Owner's Responsibility: Property owners, including homeowners, businesses, and public entities, are responsible for regularly inspecting their premises and addressing any hazards.
3. Notice of Hazards: In some cases, property owners may claim they were unaware of a hazard. However, if it can be proven that they should have known about it through reasonable inspections, they may still be held liable.
4. Duty of Care: The duty of care varies depending on the status of the visitor. Property owners owe a higher duty of care to invitees (those invited onto the property for business purposes) than to trespassers. 
5. Documenting the Incident: After a slip and fall, documentation, such as gathering evidence (such as photographs) or obtaining witness statements is valuable when pursuing a premises liability claim.
6. Medical Attention: Receiving medical attention quickly after a slip and fall is important not only for your health but also for establishing a link between the accident and your injuries.
7. Insurance Coverage: Property owners typically have liability insurance to cover slip and fall claims. Understanding their insurance coverage and how it applies to your case will come into play when pursuing compensation.

Premises liability slip and fall cases, demand attention to detail when pursuing compensation for your injuries. These incidents can lead to significant medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. If you've been injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else's property, our experienced attorneys can help. 

Begin by consulting a personal injury lawyer who will assess your case and file a legal complaint.

Economic (like medical costs), non-economic (like pain and suffering), and sometimes punitive damages for misconduct.

Settlements are quicker, less risky, and private, offering a guaranteed amount, unlike the uncertainties of a trial.