Local office in Tacoma, WA1201 Pacific Ave, Suite 605Directions

Car accident in Tacoma?Talk to a lawyer for free.

The insurance company's first offer is rarely its best. One client was offered $410,000. We won $4.4 million.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
  • Zero upfront costYour consultation is free, with no obligation.
  • Hablamos españolNative Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays.
  • Available 24/7We'll meet you at your home or hospital.
Get my free consultationor call(800) 985-9565

No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation. Clients may be responsible for case costs. Read the disclaimer

A firefighter and an ambulance at a car crash at an intersection
They got my case settled fast with full compensation and all my medical bills paid.
Meghan B.Car accident clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for car accident clients.

We've won over $500 million for our clients, including the car accident cases below.

  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

View all results

Here to protect your interests, not the insurance company's

Insurance companies have a team.You should have one too.

Insurers bring adjusters, investigators and lawyers to every serious claim, and they value claims to control cost, not to make you whole. After a crash on I‑5, Highway 16, Highway 512 or Pacific Avenue, an adjuster may call within days, and what you say can shape the rest of your claim.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Was the crash caused by someone else's carelessness?
  2. Were you injured, or was your car badly damaged?
  3. Will the settlement cover your treatment and lost income months from now, not just today?

Why the first offer is not the final word

The insurer's best offer$410,000

What we won for our client$4.4M

A car accident that left our client with a neck injury. Most people would have taken the offer. We won more than ten times as much.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

Get my free case review
Mount Rainier above Tacoma's Ruston Way waterfront

Our office in Tacoma

Local car accident lawyers,right here in Tacoma.

Not every firm that advertises in Tacoma has an office here. We do.

We know Tacoma's roads, from I‑5, Highway 16 and the Narrows Bridge to Pacific Avenue, Portland Avenue and South Tacoma Way. Come to our office downtown, or we'll come to you anywhere in Pierce County.

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

400+five-star Google reviews

Real reviews fromour car accident clients.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
It was my first time going through something like this, and they took care of everything. So kind and understanding. I was updated throughout each step of the process.
Michelle R.Google review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
I contacted Valero Law after experiencing injuries from being involved in an awful car accident. Valero Law Group was professional and knowledgeable in providing the compensation that I deserved.
Patti B.Google review
Thank you for helping me with my car accident. Leticia is the best!
Julian S.Google review

What you can recover aftera Washington car accident.

Washington is a fault-based state: the driver who caused the crash, and their insurance company, can be held responsible for what it cost you. PIP, if you have it, pays some costs first, whoever was at fault.

Economic damages

The costs you can add up

  • Emergency care, surgery and hospital bills
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Repairing or replacing your vehicle

Non-economic damages

The harm that has no receipt

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • $25,000The minimum injury coverageWashington drivers must carry at least $25,000 for injury to one person and $50,000 per crash (RCW 46.29.090). Serious injuries often cost far more.
  • 1 in 5Washington drivers had no insurance in 2023An estimated 19%, according to the Insurance Research Council. If one hit you, your own underinsured motorist coverage may pay.
  • 80%What you keep if you were 20% at faultWashington's pure comparative fault rule reduces your award by your share of the blame instead of erasing it.

After a crash in Tacoma,what comes next.

The crash report, your car, insurance calls and deadlines, explained.

Valero Law Group attorneys meeting around a conference table
  • Getting the crash report
    On Tacoma's streets, Tacoma Police take the report; on I‑5, Highway 16 and the other freeways, the Washington State Patrol. Either way, the State Patrol keeps it: search for yours free with the crash date and a name, and buy a copy for $10.50. It can take two to four weeks to appear. If no officer wrote a report and anyone was injured, or damage reached $1,000, each driver must file one within four days.
  • If police had your car towed
    You can take your belongings out for free with ID, and your insurer can inspect the car for free. Storage is charged by the day, so moving the car quickly saves money. The tow company's notice says who ordered the tow and how to challenge it within 10 days.
  • Your own PIP pays first
    Washington insurers must offer personal injury protection (PIP) with every auto policy, and it's included unless you turned it down in writing. At the basic level it covers up to $10,000 of medical bills and some lost wages, whoever was at fault.
  • The insurer has deadlines too
    Insurers must acknowledge your claim within 10 business days and finish investigating within 30 days, or tell you in writing why they need more time.
  • A rental car can be part of the claim
    If another driver caused the crash, they can owe you for the time you're without your car while it's repaired or replaced, such as a reasonable rental, as loss of use.
  • Public agencies need a claim first
    Most injury lawsuits in Washington must be filed within three years. If a city, county, transit or state vehicle or road was involved, a claim on the agency's form comes first, and a lawsuit can't be filed until 60 days after it (RCW 4.96.020; for the State, RCW 4.92.110).
A man and a boy in traditional Colombian hats and jerseys holding Valero Law Group signs at a community event

Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
Yesica H.Google review
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Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a Tacoma car accident.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Washington?
Most injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash (RCW 4.16.080). If a city, county, transit or state vehicle or road was involved, a claim on the agency's form comes first, and a lawsuit can't be filed until 60 days after it (RCW 4.96.020; for the State, RCW 4.92.110). Call us early so no deadline slips by.
Should I give the other driver's insurance company a recorded statement?
You aren't required to give one to the other driver's insurer, and what you say can be used to value your claim. Many people tell the adjuster they'll call back after talking to a lawyer. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with your own insurance company.
Who pays my medical bills while my case is open?
Usually your own PIP coverage pays first, whoever was at fault: up to $10,000 at the basic level, for care within three years of the crash, unless you turned PIP down in writing. Your health insurance can pay too.
What if I was a passenger, or in an Uber or Lyft?
Passengers are rarely at fault, so a passenger can usually claim against the insurance of whichever driver caused the crash, and the PIP on the car you were riding in can pay medical bills first. In a rideshare, the company's insurance may apply as well; see our Tacoma Uber and Lyft accident page.
What if the driver who hit me drove off?
Report it to police right away. Unless it was turned down in writing, your own underinsured motorist coverage covers hit-and-run drivers. If the other car never touched you, that coverage pays only if the crash was reported to police within 72 hours and there's evidence beyond your own word. Our Tacoma hit-and-run page explains what to do next.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover. Washington uses pure comparative fault: your compensation goes down by your share of the fault, with no cutoff. Say your losses come to $100,000 and you were 25% at fault: you'd receive $75,000.
How long does a car accident case take?
It depends mostly on your medical treatment: a claim is usually valued once treatment ends or your doctors know the long-term outlook. Many cases settle without a lawsuit. If one has to be filed in Pierce County Superior Court, it takes longer.
Do you have an office in Tacoma?
Yes. Our office is at 1201 Pacific Ave, Suite 605, Tacoma, WA 98402. Come in if you like, or we'll come to you, at home or in the hospital. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.
What does a car accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Marie Ballon
Marie BallonAttorney, Valero Law Group

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  1. Free consultationCall us 24/7 or fill out our form. We'll review your case at no cost.
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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a Tacoma car accident lawyer today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

(800) 985-9565
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