| Can I sue the trucking company after a Tacoma truck accident? Often yes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390 to 397) set strict rules for driver hours, hiring, and truck upkeep, and a violation can prove the company’s fault. A Tacoma truck accident lawyer uses these rules, plus the truck’s own data, to hold carriers responsible for crashes on I-5, SR 167, or SR 509 near the Port of Tacoma. |
A loaded semi can weigh 20 to 30 times more than your car. When one hits you, the injuries are rarely minor, and the trucking company’s insurer starts working against you within hours. You need a lawyer who moves just as fast and knows how these cases are built.
For nearly three decades, Bernard Law Group has stood up for injured people across Washington against powerful insurers. We take truck cases from an office on Broadway in downtown Tacoma, just a few blocks from the Pierce County courthouse, and you can get to know the firm before you ever call.
$500 Million+ Recovered. Our team has secured some of the largest injury verdicts and settlements in Washington history, among them a $27 million truck accident jury award.
98% Success Rate. That number covers the cases we have resolved and tried, and the same care shows up in our client reviews.
No Fee Unless We Win. You pay nothing up front on any claim we accept, from a big-rig wreck to a Tacoma car accident. We collect a fee only if we win money for you.
Available 24/7. Truck crashes ignore the clock, and so do we. Reach us any time for a free case review, and look over the peer honors and bar memberships behind our name on our awards and affiliations.
What should you do right after a truck crash in Tacoma?
Call 911, get medical care, and save every piece of evidence you can before you leave the scene. Who writes your report depends on where the wreck happened. The Tacoma Police Department handles crashes on city streets. The Washington State Patrol handles crashes on I-5, SR 16, SR 167, and SR 509. Reports are usually ready two to four weeks layer
The first hour shapes your whole claim. To protect it:
- Call 911 and report the crash. Under RCW 46.52.030, a collision that causes injury or major property damage must be reported. If an officer responds and files a report, that duty is met.
- Stay at the scene and exchange information. RCW 46.52.020 requires every driver to remain, share their name, address, insurance, and license details, and help anyone who is hurt.
- Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline hides whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries. Prompt records tie your injuries to the crash.
- Photograph everything. Vehicle positions, the truck company’s name and DOT number, skid marks, cargo, road conditions, and your injuries. The scene will be cleared fast.
- Write down the truck’s details. Get the company name, the USDOT number on the cab door, the plate, and the driver’s information, plus contact information of any witnesses.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer. That includes your own. What you say in those early calls will be used to cut your claim.
What actually happens after a truck wreck in Tacoma?
If you are badly hurt, you will likely be taken to a Level II trauma center. In Pierce County, that means Multicare Tacoma General Hospital or St. Joseph Medical Center, which now run around-the-clock trauma care together. The most severe cases, and children who need higher-level care, are moved to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Meanwhile, the trucking company is not waiting. Large motor carriers keep rapid-response teams on call. Their investigators and lawyers often reach the crash scene the same day, before the truck is even towed, to gather evidence that helps their side. When Bernard Law Group represents you, we move to match that response, take over all insurance contact and start building your case while the evidence is still fresh. Most Washington truck cases settle, but when they do not, we are ready to file in Pierce County Superior Court.
What causes most Tacoma truck accidents?
The most common causes are driver fatigue, unsafe loads, poor maintenance, and ordinary driver errors like speeding and distraction. FInding the real cause is the first step toward proving fault.
Driver Fatigue. Federal hours-of-service limits exist because tired truckers are dangerous. When a driver or company breaks those limits to hit a deadline, fatigue becomes a legal issue, not just a human one.
Unsafe or Shifting Loads. Overloaded trailers and cargo that was not secured right can cause rollovers and jackknifes, especially on port turns and highway ramps.
Poor Maintenance. Worn brakes, bald tires, and skipped intersections turn a routine stop into a crash. Maintenance records often tell the story.
Speed and Distraction. A loaded truck needs far more room to stop. Speeding, phone use, and inattention leave no margin.
Blind Spots. Large trucks have wide no-zones. Merges and lane changes on I-5 and SR 167 are common crash points.
What injuries do truck crashes in Tacoma commonly cause?
The most common injuries are traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and crush injuries. Because of a truck’s size and weight, the injuries are often severe and long-lasting.
Traumatic Brain Injuries. Even without a direct blow, the force of a truck impact can cause a concussion or worse. The effects on memory, mood, and focus can last for years and must be fully documented.
Spinal Cord Injuries. Herniated discs, nerve damage, and in the worst cases partial or full paralysis. These often mean surgery, long therapy, and a changed life.
Crush Injuries, Amputations, and Broken Bones. When a large truck pins a smaller vehicle, the damage to the body can be catastrophic.
Wrongful Death. Truck crashes are far more likely to be fatal. Families left behind have the right to seek compensation.
Who can be held responsible for a Tacoma truck accident?
More than one party is often at fault in a truck case, which is what sets it apart from a normal car crash. To win, you must prove four things: the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, they breached it, that breach caused the crash, and you suffered real harm as a result.
Once the fault is clear, the question becomes who pays. Depending on the facts, responsible parties can include:
- The truck driver, for unsafe driving.
- The trucking company, for pushing unsafe schedules, poor hiring, or bad maintenance.
- The broker or shipper, for how a load was arranged or secured.
- The cargo loader, if a shifting or overweight load caused the wreck.
- A parts maker, if a defective brake, tire, or coupling failed.
- A government agency, if road design or a work zone created the danger.
Truck cases also run on federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390 to 397) set the rules for driver hours, driver qualifications, and vehicle inspections. A violation of those rules can be strong proof of fault. Finding every responsible party is often the difference between a partial recovery and a full one.
A Legal Tip From Our Attorneys
Trucking companies often argue that the driver was an “independent contractor,” not an employee, so the company should not have to pay. That defense frequently fails. A motor carrier can still be liable for a driver operating under its authority, and it can be directly at fault for how it hired, trained, or supervised that driver. The company’s safety file, driver qualification records, and lease agreements usually tell the real story. We request those records early, before they can quietly disappear.
What makes truck cases legally complex:
- Federal and state law both apply, and they interact in ways car cases never do.
- Several defendants and several insurers can be involved at once.
- Key evidence, like electronic logs and onboard data, can be erased on a schedule.
- Proving fault usually requires accident reconstruction and trucking-industry experts.
- Large carriers hire experienced defense teams the same day as the crash.
What can you recover after a Tacoma truck accident?
In Tacoma, truck accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages:
- Emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, and follow-up treatment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Future medical costs for ongoing care
- Lost wages during your recovery
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries are permanent
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of the activities you love
- Loss of consortium, meaning the harm to your relationship with your spouse
Insurance companies routinely undervalue non-economic damages. A big part of our job is building the proof that makes those losses undeniable.
How long do you have to file a truck accident claim in Washington?
Under RCW 4.16.080, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington. Miss that deadline and you lose the right to sue, no matter how serious your injuries are or how clear the truck driver’s fault is.
There is one important exception. If a government body may share fault, for example a public agency vehicle or a road-design problem, you usually must file a formal claim with that entity first and wait 60 days before you can sue, under RCW 4.96.020. Those steps are easy to miss without a lawyer.
Pitfall Alert: Truck Evidence Disappears Fast
The strongest proof in a truck case is often the company’s own data: the electronic logging device (ELD) records, the truck’s onboard event data, driver logs, dispatch records, and maintenance files. Federal rules only require carriers to keep some of these records for a limited time, sometimes as little as six months. After a crash, a truck is often repaired and put back on the road within days. If no one demands that this evidence be preserved, it can be gone legally before a claim is even filed. This is why a lawyer sends a formal preservation letter to the trucking company right away. Waiting can cost you the case.
Why do you need a truck accident lawyer in Tacoma?
Trucking companies and their insurers protect their bottom line and try to pay as little as possible. Adjusters may call within hours to pressure you into a fast, low settlement, before you know how hurt you really are. A truck accident lawyer levels the field.
- Protecting you. We counter efforts to blame you, downplay your injuries, or claim your pain came from something else.
- Handling the complexity. We work through multiple defendants, commercial policies, and federal trucking rules.
- Building your case. We secure the crash report, scene photos, witness accounts, camera footage, and the truck’s electronic data before it disappears.
The Opponent Playbook
Motor carriers do not treat a truck crash like a fender bender. Their insurer often sends investigators to the scene the same day to lock in a version of events that favors the company. From there, a familiar script follows. They may offer their own reading of the electronic log data. They may blame the road, the weather, or the car driver. They may quietly rush the damaged truck back into service. And they may push a fast, low offer while you are still in the hospital and cannot yet know the value of your claim. Bernard Law Group answers by preserving the truck’s data, pulling the carrier’s safety and maintenance files, and bringing in reconstruction experts. We have seen these moves before and we know how to counter them.
Litigation Readiness
We prepare every truck case as if it will go to trial. That means preserving the ELD and onboard data early, coordinating accident reconstruction and trucking-industry experts, gathering the carrier’s safety and maintenance records, and getting the file ready for a Pierce County jury. Carriers negotiate more seriously when they know a firm is genuinely prepared to try the case.
What does the truck accident claim process look like?
A truck accident claim at Bernard Law Group usually moves through six stages: free consultation, investigation, medical treatment, demand, negotiation, and, if needed, settlement or trial. Most cases settle, but we build every one as if it will go to court.
- Free Consultation. You call or fill out our form. We review your crash and tell you honestly whether you have a claim and what it may be worth. No cost, no obligation.
- Investigation. We preserve the truck’s data, request camera footage, interview witnesses, pull the carrier’s records, and bring in reconstruction experts if needed. Time matters here.
- Medical Treatment. We want you to finish treatment before we settle. Settling too early leaves money on the table you may need later.
- Demand. Once your condition is stable, we prepare a full demand package that documents every loss and send it to the at-fault parties.
- Negotiation. We handle all the back-and-forth. We do not accept lowball offers.
- Settlement or Trial. Most cases settle. When they do not, we take the case to Pierce County Superior Court. Our trial record is why our demands are taken seriously.
How do you pick the right Tacoma truck accident lawyer?
The right lawyer for a truck case has real trucking experience, knows the local courts, and is genuinely ready to try the case. Look past the billboards for these three things.
Do they handle truck cases specifically?
Truck claims are not car claims with a bigger vehicle. Ask whether the firm regularly works with federal trucking rules, multiple defendants, and electronic truck data. Our case results include a $27 million truck verdict and a $7.9 million big-rig settlement for a client left quadriplegic.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case depends on its own facts.
Do they know the local courts?
A lawyer who understands Pierce County Superior Court, its judges, and how Washington insurers operate brings a real advantage. Kirk Bernard has litigated across Washington since 1997.
Are they ready to go to trial?
The best offers come when the insurer knows your lawyer will go to court. Firms that settle everything get offered less, and carriers know exactly who those firms are.
What Our Clients Say
“When I got out of the vehicle, I was rear-ended. I had a broken leg, broken in three places, my knee was broken in two places. It was professional all the way through, and that was very helpful. If I had it to do over again, I would definitely hire the Bernard Law Group.” — Alice Johnson
“As a result of the settlement that Bernard Law Group won for me, I’m able to put myself through school and plan a wedding. I’m doing really well financially!” — Kirk Henderson
“I was stopped and a lady rear-ended me. When I called Bernard Law Group, they took care of everything. I never had to deal with the insurance company again. I didn’t have to deal with any of my medical bills again. I would highly recommend Bernard Law Group.” — Lonnie Humpal
You can read more reviews on our testimonials page.
Disclaimer: Client reviews are individual experiences and are not a guarantee of any particular result.
You Were Hurt. We Can Help.
Over $500 Million recovered for our past clients. Let us help YOU! Call 24/7 for your FREE injury consultation.
Case Results That Reflect Real Expertise
Bernard Law Group has represented Washington clients in serious and catastrophic truck cases, focused on securing what they need for medical care, lost income, and long-term recovery. A few past results:
- $27 Million Jury Award for a fatal municipal truck crash.
- $18.5 Million Record Settlement for a motorcycle rider struck by a dump truck making an illegal U-turn.
- $7.9 Million Settlement for a client left quadriplegic after a big-rig driver fell asleep at the wheel.
- $750,000 Settlement involving a truck and motorcycle where plaintiff sustained severe injuries to foot requiring series of surgeries.
More outcomes are listed on our case results page.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a future outcome. Every case is unique and depends on its own facts and legal circumstances.
Need Justice? Reach Out Today for Legal Counsel
Areas We Serve
Bernard Law Group represents truck accident victims throughout the following locations:
- Seattle
- Bellevue
- Bellingham
- Everett
- Federal Way
- Kent
- Kirkland
- Olympia
- Redmond
- Renton
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Vancouver
- Wenatchee
- Yakima
Local Resources After a Tacoma Truck Accident
These resources may help after a crash in Tacoma or Pierce County. Bernard Law Group does not endorse or have a financial relationship with any of these organizations.
Medical Care
- MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital (Level II Trauma Center) — 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405
- St. Joseph Medical Center, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (Level II Trauma Center) — Tacoma
- Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital (Level II Pediatric Trauma Center) — Tacoma
- Harborview Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center, for the most severe transfers) — Seattle
Crash Reporting and Records
- Tacoma Police Department — request a collision report for crashes on city streets through the department’s records division
- Washington State Patrol — request a report for crashes on I-5, SR 16, SR 167, SR 509, and other state routes
- Washington State Department of Transportation — crash data and corridor safety information
Driver and Carrier Records
- Washington State Department of Licensing — request the at-fault driver’s abstract driving record
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — look up a trucking company’s safety record by its USDOT number
Courts
- Pierce County Superior Court — County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98402
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a truck accident claim different from a car accident claim?
A truck claim runs on federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations set rules for driver hours and vehicle upkeep, and a violation can prove fault. Truck cases also involve several possible defendants, larger policies, and electronic truck data. In Pierce County, these claims are filed in Pierce County Superior Court.
What if I was partly at fault for the truck crash?
You can still recover money. Washington follows pure comparative negligence under RCW 4.22.005, so your recovery is only reduced by your share of fault. Even if you were 30% at fault for a crash on I-5 or Pacific Avenue, you can pursue the other 70%. An insurer that says otherwise is not being straight with you.
What if my loved one was killed in a Tacoma truck accident?
Washington’s wrongful death law, RCW 4.20.010 and RCW 4.20.020, lets a personal representative bring a claim for the family. You can seek funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of your loved one’s care and companionship. These claims are filed in Pierce County Superior Court and carry the same three-year deadline.
How much does it cost to hire a Tacoma truck accident lawyer?
Nothing up front. Bernard Law Group works on a contingency fee, which is allowed under Washington’s Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5. We only get paid if we recover money for you, and the amount is a set share of that recovery. The consultation at our Tacoma office is free, so there is no risk in calling.
What if the trucking company is based out of state?
That rarely blocks your claim. Out-of-state carriers must still follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and a crash in Pierce County can generally be pursued in Pierce County Superior Court. We handle service, jurisdiction, and the carrier’s out-of-state insurer so the distance does not slow your case.
Get Answers Today with a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one was injured in a Tacoma truck accident, do not wait—the trucking company and its insurer are already building their defense. Let us fight for you. Our team is available 24/7 to review your case. Call us or complete our online form today to get started. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Bernard Law Group 401 Broadway Ste 100, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States Phone: +1 206-350-2205
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case depends on its own facts.
Attorney Review and Office Information
This page has been prepared for review by Washington-licensed attorneys at Bernard Law Group to reflect current Washington law, including RCW 4.16.080 (statute of limitations), RCW 4.22.005 (pure comparative negligence), and RCW 4.96.020 (claims against local government), along with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390 to 397). Legal services are provided by attorneys licensed in the State of Washington.
Bernard Law Group 401 Broadway Ste 100, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States
Phone: +1 206-350-2205 | Free consultation, available 24/7.
