Tacoma Personal Injury Attorneys
Seeking Compensation for the Injured in Washington
At the Hester Law Group, our Tacoma personal injury lawyers bring more than 130 years of combined experience to injured victims. While some cases must go to trial, others resolve through agreements between both parties.
The most important decision an injured victim can make is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney in Tacoma—someone who can negotiate a settlement and proceed to trial if needed. Make sure you have the right team on your side.
Understanding personal injury law in Washington requires recognizing state-specific regulations, time limits, and compensation rules. Our skilled personal injury attorneys in Tacoma offer comprehensive legal support, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies.
We have handled cases involving:
- Wrongful death due to another’s negligent driving
- Head and brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Cyclists and pedestrians injured by negligent drivers
- Motorcyclists injured by negligent drivers
- Bars & taverns over-serving alcohol to drivers who then injured or killed our client
- Assault victims
- Fire victims due to others' negligence
- Boating accidents
- Injuries caused by poorly designed stairwells
- Auto accidents
- Elder abuse & negligence
- Sexual abuse
Insurance claims grow more complicated every day, so you need a Tacoma injury attorney with the experience to litigate your claim. We approach each case with determination to identify every at-fault party. Speak with our team before deciding how to move forward with your injury settlement.
We carefully evaluate each claim, leaving no stone unturned to secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Protect your rights and your financial recovery. Call (253) 300-3034 or reach out online for a free consultation. Hester Law Group is your specialized Tacoma personal injury attorney.
Critical Washington Laws Governing Your Claim
Successfully navigating a personal injury claim in Washington depends on adhering to strict deadlines and understanding the state’s unique fault rules.
The Statute of Limitations
Washington law sets a firm time limit for filing most personal injury lawsuits:
- Three-Year Deadline: Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080, you generally have only three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in court.
- Exceptions: While exceptions exist for minors or injuries discovered later (the "Discovery Rule"), waiting is dangerous. Missing the three-year deadline means your case will be permanently dismissed, regardless of the severity of the injury or the clarity of fault.
Our firm acts immediately to preserve evidence and file your claim well within this critical deadline.
Pure Comparative Negligence
Washington follows the doctrine of Pure Comparative Negligence. This rule protects injured victims, even if they share some responsibility for the accident:
- No Bar to Recovery: Unlike most other states, you are not barred from recovering damages even if you are found to be more than 50% at fault.
- Proportional Reduction: Your total compensation award will be reduced strictly by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but are found 25% at fault, you still recover $75,000. If you are found 90% at fault, you still recover $10,000.
Insurance companies will try to inflate your share of fault to minimize their payout. As your Tacoma personal injury attorney, our job is to challenge the evidence and argue for the lowest possible percentage of fault to maximize your financial recovery.
Comprehensive Types of Damages We Recover
The goal of a personal injury claim is to make the victim "whole" again by recovering compensation for all the economic and non-economic harm caused by the defendant's negligence.
Economic Damages (Measurable Losses)
These are the tangible, financial losses proven by bills and receipts:
- Medical Expenses: Full compensation for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and future long-term care needs.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Income lost during recovery, plus compensation for the reduction in your ability to earn a living in the future due to permanent injury or disability.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace vehicles and other property damaged in the incident.
Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses)
These damages compensate for the subjective ways the injury has impacted your quality of life:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and chronic pain you have endured.
- Emotional Distress: Recovery for mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and PTSD resulting from the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the inability to participate in hobbies, recreation, and daily activities as you did before the injury.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the negative impact the injury has had on your relationship with your spouse or family members.
Community-Centered Legal Advocacy
Hester Law Group values our role in the Tacoma community. We know the local landscape, the courts, and the challenges that residents face. Our attorneys serve clients and engage with local safety initiatives to help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
We routinely monitor safety updates, accident trends, and public health advisories posted by the City of Tacoma, which allows us to offer seasonal strategies and prevention tips to clients.
We commit to making a difference beyond the courtroom. By drawing on our local knowledge, we provide tailored legal strategies for each client.
Our proactive approach to educating the community about legal rights and safety measures helps build trust and strengthen the local social fabric. Informed residents make safer choices, which can help prevent unnecessary accidents in Tacoma.
Why Clients Trust Hester Law Group with Injury Claims
When clients choose Hester Law Group, they benefit from our team’s substantial experience and recognition across Washington. Our attorneys handle both high-profile and private cases with the utmost discretion, earning honors in publications such as Best Lawyers in America and maintaining a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating.
We offer a client-focused approach beginning with a free consultation and continuing with clear communication throughout the process.
Our collective track record includes positive results in both state and federal courts, not only in Tacoma and throughout Washington but also in Oregon and California.
Our practice covers a broad range of issues, allowing us to address cases that cross state lines or federal jurisdictions. We handle every individual’s case with personal attention, respecting privacy and unique client needs.
Clients appreciate our commitment to the Tacoma community. Our regular involvement in local events, education programs, and safety advocacy makes our firm a trusted resource for individuals and families seeking justice after an accident.
Our combination of professionalism, compassion, and work ethic has made us a strong choice for anyone looking for a personal injury attorney in Tacoma.
Secure a defense team that fights for maximum recovery. Hester Law Group offers free consultations and 24/7 availability. Call your personal injury lawyer in Tacoma at (253) 300-3034 or connect with us online today.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Personal Injury Litigation
As Certified Criminal Law Specialists, our firm brings a unique litigation-focused intensity to every personal injury case, ensuring we investigate and prepare your case as if it is going to a high-stakes jury trial.
- Forensic Investigation: We deploy our resources immediately to secure crucial evidence—witness statements, dashcam/surveillance video, cell phone records, and professional accident reconstruction reports—before they are lost or corrupted.
- Challenging Insurance Tactics: Insurance companies often misrepresent Washington's Pure Comparative Negligence rule or minimize non-economic damages. We use our courtroom credibility to force fair negotiations, and we are always prepared to take the case to trial if their offer is inadequate.
- Medical Documentation and Expert Support: We work closely with medical experts to establish the direct link between the accident and your injuries, ensuring that future medical costs and long-term impairment are accurately documented and valued.
- Upholding the Three-Year Deadline: We track the statute of limitations meticulously, ensuring that every claim is either settled fairly or filed in the appropriate Pierce County court before your right to sue expires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury in Tacoma
What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident?
The moments after an accident can overwhelm you, but certain actions protect your rights. First, seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Medical records are vital for your personal injury claim. Collect evidence at the scene—photos, witness contact information, and involved parties’ details. Do not discuss fault or give statements to insurance companies before you speak with a personal injury lawyer. At Hester Law Group, we guide you through each step to strengthen your claim early on.
How Is Pain & Suffering Calculated?
Pain & suffering cover non-economic damages in injury claims, including mental anguish and physical pain resulting from your injury. Calculating these damages is more subjective than economic costs. Attorneys often use a multiplier alongside your economic losses to assess non-economic damages. The multiplier considers severity, how your injury affects your life, and how long recovery takes. Our lawyers provide an in-depth analysis to present a strong argument for fair compensation.
Can I Still Claim if I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, Washington law allows you to pursue damages even if you share some responsibility, using the comparative negligence rule. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault, any settlement is reduced by 20%. Understanding how fault affects your claim is crucial. Our dedicated team works to accurately assess and prove your share of fault, so you have the chance to recover the highest compensation possible.
How Long Do Personal Injury Claims Take to Resolve?
The time needed to resolve injury claims depends on several factors, including the claim’s complexity, the involved parties, and whether the case settles out of court. Some injury claims resolve within months, especially if liability is clear and parties negotiate easily. Others may take several years, particularly if the case proceeds to trial. At Hester Law Group, we work efficiently and thoroughly, updating you at every stage to minimize stress and uncertainty.
How Do I Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney?
Choosing your personal injury attorney matters for your claim’s outcome. Look for attorneys with a track record in similar claims, high client satisfaction, and recognitions like a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating. Consider their communication style and transparency—ongoing communication is crucial as your claim progresses. At Hester Law Group, we offer free consultations to help you assess if we are the right choice, without any financial commitment. We focus on delivering personalized and attentive legal guidance for every client.
Experienced Personal Injury Representation
Insurance companies know how to approach injured cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians at their most vulnerable. At Hester Law Group, we know how to keep them accountable.
The biggest mistake you could make is to negotiate and accept a settlement from an insurance company without first consulting an experienced personal injury attorney in Tacoma.
Let our team hold them and their negligent clients responsible by being prepared to take your claim to a jury and pursue the results you deserve.
Our attorneys prepare every claim for potential litigation. This preparation demonstrates our commitment to clients and ensures insurance companies know we will pursue every legal remedy as needed.
Contact Our Tacoma Personal Injury Lawyers Today
At Hester Law Group, we are trial lawyers. Our Tacoma personal injury attorneys know how to identify all possible parties who may be liable. Sometimes more than one negligent driver causes a cyclist to be forced off the road. We have sued passengers who contributed to collisions and brought claims against backseat drivers who intervened and injured our client.
We recognize the urgency and stress that come with personal injury claims. That’s why we provide thorough consultations to clarify your legal options and help you understand possible pathways to seek justice.
Call (253) 300-3034 now or contact Hester Law Group online to schedule a free consultation with our Tacoma personal injury attorneys.
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“Starting from the kind staff and moving into a kind attorney, you don’t find that very often. Lance is professional, savvy and reliable. There is nowhere else you should look for counsel, we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Thank you L”- Former Client
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“Do not hesitate to hire Wayne Fricke, he is a lawyer that works hard no matter what your race, gender or creed is.”- Former Client
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“Mr. Fricke has been our family lawyer for about 5 years.”- Jen
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“From day one I felt like a heavy weight was lifted off my shoulders.”- Craig
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“If needed, I will call on Mr. Fricke and I will continue to recommend him to others I know.”- Sharyl
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“We communicated frequently and in-depth along the way. Thanks, Lance.”- Dave
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“I hired Lance Hester to help me with 2 different legal matters.”- Former Client
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“Mr. Hester epitomizes professional representation.”- Former Client
The Hester Law Group Team
Client-Focused and Results-Driven
Our Settlements & Verdicts
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$12 Million settlement $12 Million settlement with the State of Washington
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$7.5 million settlement $7.5 Million Settlement Achieved for Water Quality Issues at SCC
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Vacated Conviction 4th Degree Assault
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Two Restraining Orders Granted Anti-harassment Orders
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Not Liable Assault
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Case Dismissed Case Dismissed