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

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

In Washington, a driver must stop and stay stopped for a person in a crosswalk, painted or not, once they're on the driver's half of the road or within one lane of it. If a driver hit you, talk to us before you talk to their insurer.

  • 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

Downtown Tacoma at dusk, with Union Station's copper dome and the I‑705 ramps
Always available for me to answer any questions I had, no nonsense, straight to the point.
Jeremy B.Valero Law Group clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for injured clients.

We've won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

  • $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.

The driver's insurer brings adjusters, investigators and lawyers to every serious claim. After an accident on Pacific Avenue, Portland Avenue or South Tacoma Way, an adjuster may call within days, and what you say can shape the rest of your claim.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Did the driver fail to stop for you, or turn into you at a crossing?
  2. Has a doctor told you how long your recovery will take?
  3. Will the settlement cover your treatment and lost income months from now, not just today?

From one of our car accident cases

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 pedestrian accident lawyers,right here in Tacoma.

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

Our office is in the 1201 Pacific tower downtown. Come in, or we'll come to you anywhere in Pierce County, at home or in the hospital.

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 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
I was involved in an auto accident, and I had no idea what to do. I called the Valero Law Group, and they asked a few questions; within moments they took my case. I was so relieved. I was on the verge of breaking down, but the law firm was so respectful and helpful that I didn't have to do anything.
Alexander P.Google review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
I had an accident a year ago and they helped me through my pain, and everything was covered and easy.
Dante L.Google review
They take great care of you, and the staff is nothing but helpful and nice!
Aneliz G.Google review

What you can recover aftera pedestrian accident.

The driver who hit you, and their insurer, can be held responsible for what it cost you. The car's PIP coverage can start paying your medical bills sooner, 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
  • A wheelchair, walker or home care while you recover

Non-economic damages

The harm that has no receipt

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • 1 in 4deaths on Tacoma streets were people on footFrom 2021 to 2025, people walking were involved in 3% of the traffic accidents on Tacoma's streets but more than a quarter of the deaths, in the City's own crash data.
  • $10,000Basic PIP coverage for medical billsA person on foot hit by a car counts as an insured under that car's personal injury protection, if the policy has it, and basic PIP covers up to $10,000 of medical bills no matter who was at fault.
  • 80%What you keep if you were 20% at faultWashington's comparative fault law reduces your award by your share of the blame instead of erasing it, even if you weren't in a crosswalk.

After you're hit on foot in Tacoma,what comes next.

The report, the crossing, the insurance that pays first and deadlines, explained.

Valero Law Group attorneys meeting around a conference table
  • Getting the police report
    On Tacoma's streets, Tacoma Police take the report; on the freeways, the Washington State Patrol. Either way, the State Patrol keeps it: you can search for it free and buy a copy for $10.50. Ask for the report number at the scene or at the hospital.
  • Drivers must stop at crosswalks
    A driver must stop and stay stopped once you're on their half of the road or within one lane of it, and may not pass a car stopped for you. Most intersections have a crosswalk even with no paint: the line of the sidewalk carried across the street.
  • The car's PIP can pay first
    If the car that hit you has PIP coverage, it can pay your medical bills and some lost wages whoever was at fault. Your own car policy's PIP, or that of a family member you live with, can cover you on foot too. Tell the hospital which insurance to bill.
  • If the driver drove off
    About 1 in 4 accidents that killed or seriously injured someone walking in Tacoma from 2021 to 2025 was a hit-and-run. Report it right away: the state's insurance regulator advises within 72 hours, and your own underinsured motorist coverage can pay even though you were walking. If the car never touched you, that coverage needs a report within 72 hours and evidence beyond your own word. Our Tacoma hit-and-run page explains the next steps.
  • Your records are yours
    Ask Tacoma General, St. Joseph or wherever you were treated for copies of your medical and billing records: Washington gives a provider 15 working days to answer a written request. Keep them with photos of your injuries and the place you were hit.
  • 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 a broken sidewalk or crossing, 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 pedestrian accident.

How long do I have after being hit by a car in Tacoma?
Most injury lawsuits in Washington must be filed within three years (RCW 4.16.080). For someone under 18, the time before their 18th birthday doesn't count. If a public agency is involved, a claim on its form has to come first, 60 days before any lawsuit. Call us early so no deadline slips by.
I wasn't in a crosswalk. Do I still have a claim?
You may. Crossing outside a crosswalk doesn't by itself end a claim in Washington: fault is shared by percentage, and every driver must take due care not to hit a person anywhere on the road, with extra care around children. A traffic ticket for either side is only evidence of negligence, not proof of it, except for drunk or drugged driving.
Who pays my medical bills right now?
Often the PIP coverage on the car that hit you, or on your own car policy, pays first, whoever was at fault. Your health insurance can pay too. The driver's liability insurance pays at the end of the claim.
What if the driver drove off?
Report it to police right away; the state's insurance regulator advises within 72 hours. Your own underinsured motorist coverage can pay even though you were on foot, and your PIP can still pay medical bills. Our Tacoma hit-and-run page explains what to do next.
I tripped on a broken sidewalk. Who is responsible?
In Tacoma, the owner of the property next to a sidewalk is responsible for repairing it, but that doesn't settle who is responsible for an injury: the City can still be responsible for a sidewalk hazard it knew about. A claim against the City starts with its claim form. See our Tacoma premises liability page.
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 pedestrian 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

Our easy 3-stepcase review process.

We make getting legal help simple.

  1. Free consultationCall us 24/7 or fill out our form. We'll review your case at no cost.
  2. Review your caseOur experienced attorneys investigate and evaluate your case to build the strongest claim possible.
  3. Injury litigationWe fight for maximum compensation, in negotiation or in court.
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Don't wait. There are legal deadlines.

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a Tacoma pedestrian 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
  • Available 24/7, including weekends
  • Hablamos español
  • Free and confidential, no obligation

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