Tacoma Personal Injury Lawyer

Reviewed by Michael Gustafson, founding attorney, Emerald Law Group. Seattle University School of Law, J.D. 2004 (magna cum laude). Last updated September 28, 2026.

If someone else’s carelessness hurt you in Tacoma or anywhere in Pierce County, Emerald Law Group’s attorneys will handle the insurance company while you recover. Our Tacoma office at 524 Tacoma Ave S is a few blocks from the Pierce County Superior Court in the County-City Building, our lawyers spent the early part of their careers defending insurers, and we take injury cases on contingency: free consultation, no fee unless we win. Call a Tacoma personal injury lawyer at 253-367-0967.

Do I have a personal injury case in Washington?

You have a case if another person or business owed you a duty of care, breached it, and that breach caused an injury with real losses. That covers most crashes, falls, dog bites and unsafe-property injuries. Washington’s pure comparative fault rule under RCW 4.22.005 means you can recover even if you share some of the blame; your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Injury cases we handle in Tacoma and Pierce County

• Car accidents on I-5, SR-16, Pacific Avenue, South Tacoma Way and Tacoma’s arterials
• Truck accidents involving Port of Tacoma and I-5 freight traffic
• Motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian collisions
• Slip and fall and premises liability injuries in stores, apartments, parking lots and public property
• Dog bites under Washington’s strict liability statute
• Wrongful death
• Drunk driving crashes, construction accidents, catastrophic injuries, nursing home and day care injuries, negligent security, and childhood sexual abuse

How long do I have to file an injury claim in Washington?

Three years from the date of injury for most negligence claims under RCW 4.16.080. Claims against the City of Tacoma, Pierce County, Pierce Transit, Tacoma Public Schools, Metro Parks Tacoma or another local agency require a formal claim and a 60-day wait before suit under RCW 4.96.020; claims against the State follow RCW 4.92.100. Evidence disappears long before any deadline, so call early.

What is my Tacoma personal injury case worth?

It depends on the severity and permanence of your injuries, your medical costs and lost earnings, how clearly fault can be proven, and the insurance available. Washington allows economic damages (medical bills, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium), with no cap on non-economic damages in ordinary injury cases. Punitive damages are generally not available under Washington law.

Who pays my medical bills?

Usually your own coverage first: PIP on your auto policy (RCW 48.22.085), health insurance, MedPay on a homeowner’s policy in dog bite and fall cases, or L&I for on-the-job injuries. Those payers claim reimbursement from your settlement, and part of our job is negotiating those liens down.

What should I do after an injury in Tacoma?

1. Get medical care right away at MultiCare Tacoma General, St. Joseph Medical Center, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital or an urgent care clinic, and follow through with treatment.
2. Report the incident: 911 for a crash, the manager or property owner for a fall, animal control for a dog bite.
3. Photograph everything and collect witness names and numbers.
4. Do not give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurer or post about the incident online.
5. Call a lawyer before accepting any offer.

How much does a Tacoma personal injury lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. The consultation is free, we advance case costs, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee.

Personal injury case results

Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

• $1.8 Million – Premises liability
• $1.74 Million – Pedestrian accident
• $1.2 Million – Slip and fall
• $1.15 Million – Wrongful death
• $781,000 – Car accident
• $460,000 – Dog bite
• $450,000 – Motorcycle accident
• $450,000 – Bicycle accident

Why choose Emerald Law Group in Tacoma?

• Former insurance defense attorneys who know how Pierce County claims are valued and denied.
• Attorneys, not case managers. Michael Gustafson, Donna Mack and Justin Dale handle your case personally.
• Trial-ready in Pierce County Superior Court.
• Serving all of Pierce County: Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place, Puyallup, Fife, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Spanaway, Parkland and JBLM families.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a personal injury case take?

Straightforward claims often settle six to twelve months after treatment ends; cases that require a lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court typically take one to two years.

Will I have to go to court?

Probably not. Most cases settle, but we prepare every case for trial because that is what produces fair offers.

Is my consultation confidential?

Yes. Everything you tell us is privileged whether or not you hire us.

Talk to a Tacoma personal injury lawyer

Call Emerald Law Group at 253-367-0967 or request a free consultation online. Seattle clients: see our Seattle personal injury lawyer page.

Emerald Law Group – Tacoma
524 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-367-0967

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