Tacoma Car Accident Lawyers

It only takes a moment for a car accident to occur, causing life-changing injuries. You will need the help of a compassionate personal injury attorney to receive the compensation you need to recover.

Our Tacoma car accident lawyers at Smith Duran Law are here to guide you through your personal injury claim. They will be dedicated to helping you recover after a car accident. Their experience in these cases will allow them to provide you with guidance.

Common Types Of Car Accidents In Tacoma

Driving in Tacoma can sometimes lead to accidents, which can be stressful and overwhelming. Understanding the common types of car accidents can help you stay safe and know what to do if you’re involved in one. Here are some of the most frequent types of accidents in Tacoma:

• Rear-end collisions: These happen when one car hits the back of another. They can lead to serious injuries and high medical costs.
• Drunk driving accidents: Driving under the influence is dangerous and can cause severe accidents, including fatal injuries.
• Head-on collisions: These occur when two vehicles hit each other from the front. They often result in severe damage and can affect your quality of life.
• T-bone accidents: These happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, usually at intersections.
• Hit-and-run accidents: These incidents are particularly frustrating because the driver responsible leaves the scene, complicating the legal process.
• Rollover accidents: These involve a vehicle flipping onto its side or roof. Truck accidents are more likely to result in rollovers due to their size and weight.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents: These occur when the driver at fault doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages, leading to complex interactions with law firms.
• Pedestrian accidents: These happen when a vehicle hits a person walking, often resulting in severe injuries or even wrongful death claims.

If you are involved in any of these accidents, seeking help from an experienced Tacoma car accident attorney can guide you through the legal process to ensure you receive fair compensation.

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What Are The Most Dangerous Roads In Washington?

In Washington, there are many dangerous roads that can be scary for drivers. These include:

• The stretch of Interstate 5 between Fife and the 38th Street Exit
• Pacific Avenue between E 34th and E 84th streets
• 72nd Street, from Sheridan to Waller
• Portland Avenue, from E 29th to 72nd

Knowing these roads can help you stay alert and cautious. If you ever find yourself injured in an accident on these or any other roads, seeking legal help is essential. Experienced attorneys can guide you through getting the compensation you need.

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Frequent Injuries Suffered In Car Accidents

Car accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries. Here are four common injuries that often occur:

• Spinal cord injuries: These can range from minor damage to severe cases that may result in paralysis. Spinal cord injuries can significantly impact mobility and overall quality of life.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): TBIs can occur due to a strong blow to the head during an accident. They can affect cognitive abilities, memory and emotional well-being, requiring extensive medical treatment.
• Broken bones: The force of a collision can cause fractures in different parts of the body, such as arms, legs or ribs, often requiring surgery and rehabilitation.
• Whiplash: This neck injury is common in rear-end collisions and results from rapid head movement. It can cause pain, stiffness and limited range of motion.

If you suffer from any of these injuries after a car accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Additionally, consulting with legal professionals can help you understand your options for compensation related to your injuries and recovery.

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What Types Of Washington Car Accident Cases Do Our Attorneys At Smith Duran Law Handle?

Our lawyers’ commitment to our clients extends to their work. They have a thorough understanding of all types of motor vehicle accidents and their potential consequences, including those involving:

• Trucks: Large commercial vehicles that can cause significant damage and injuries
• Pedestrians: When pedestrians are struck by vehicles, which often results in serious injuries
• Uber/Lyft drivers: Incidents involving rideshare services, which are cases that can require specialized legal knowledge
• Motorcycles: Crashes involving motorcycles, which often result in severe injuries for the riders
• Delivery driver accidents: Accidents involving delivery drivers

These types of accidents can cause a wide variety of catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, the loss of limbs, extreme scarring or burns, traumatic brain injuries, and other harm. Our attorneys’ goal as your legal representation will be to do everything in their power to see that your injury claim provides you with the money you need to cover the current and future expenses, as well as consequences of your injuries.

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What Should You Do After A Car Accident In Tacoma?

Before starting any accident claim, it is important to take certain measures to bolster your claim and protect your future. To help you take the proper action after your accident, here are some tips you can follow:

• Ensure safety: If possible, move to a safe location, check for injuries, call 911 for medical attention and file a police report, which will be crucial for your insurance company and legal claims.
• Collect information: Gather contact and insurance details from all parties involved, including witnesses, and record the accident site, vehicle damage and injuries you received.
• Contact a Tacoma car accident attorney: Reach out to one of our skilled accident lawyers at Smith Duran Law to discuss your case and next steps.

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What Are The Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Washington?

There are many different habits and actions that drivers can take that endanger themselves and other drivers. Some of the most common accident causes include:

• Reckless driving: Ignoring road signs and other traffic laws that protect the safety of others
• Speeding: Exceeding speed limits, which lessens the time a driver has to stop or avoid accidents
• Texting while driving: Using a cellphone to make a call, send a text or update the GPS can cause fatal accidents
• Drunk driving: Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, impairing judgment and reaction times

Our personal injury attorneys are here to help you through your accident claim, no matter what may have caused the accident.

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Is Washington A No-Fault State For Car Accidents?

No, Washington is not a no-fault state. Instead, the Washington legal system uses the “comparative negligence system” to determine liability. Under this system, an accident victim must prove that the at-fault driver is liable for their injuries. They must also prove the extent to which the driver is liable. If the at-fault party is more than 50% liable for the accident, then they will need to pay compensation to the accident victim.

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What Types Of Damages Can You Recover In A Tacoma Car Accident Claim?

There are many potential damages to consider, depending on the specifics of that unique accident. Most will fit into two main categories:

Economic Damages

These are damages with a direct financial cost. Examples include lost wages, emergency medical care, property damage and long-term medical expenses. They cost you money and you need compensation.

Noneconomic Damages

These issues may not directly cost you money upfront, but they still stem from the accident and may require compensation. Issues include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment in life.

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How Long Do You Have To File A Car Accident Claim In Tacoma, Washington?

The statute of limitations for car accident and motorcycle accident cases is three years in Washington. This starts on the day of the crash, so it is important not to delay when gathering evidence and starting your case to seek fair compensation.

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Why Hire A Tacoma Car Accident Lawyer From Smith Duran Law?

After a crash, you may need legal advice from a personal injury lawyer. There are many reasons to work with our team at Smith Duran Law when looking for auto accident attorneys. These include:

• We are highly skilled car accident attorneys who can fight for you in court if needed.
• We work on contingency fees, so you pay nothing until we win.
• We offer free initial consultations.
• We have Spanish-speaking services.
• We have decades of combined experience.
• We work closely with our clients and fight vigorously for their rights and the compensation they deserve.

If you have any questions as you seek a fair settlement that really covers all of your costs, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

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How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Tacoma Car Accident Attorney?

There is no upfront cost to you when you choose our highly skilled legal team. For one thing, we offer free initial consultations so that you can learn more about your options – and we can learn more about your case. After that, we work on contingency fees, which means we take payment as a percentage of the total compensation package. In other words, you only pay us if and when we win your case.

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Start Seeking Justice Today With A Free Consultation

Do not navigate the aftermath of a car accident alone. Our Tacoma car accident lawyers are ready to help you understand your legal rights and pursue the financial compensation you need for your recovery. Call 877-557-5144 or email us here to schedule your free initial consultation today.