Serious injuries in University Place often happen on busy corridors like Bridgeport Way W or near Chambers Bay, where vehicle, pedestrian, and recreational traffic intersect. When an accident causes sudden medical and financial strain, knowing your legal options under Washington law can help you regain control during an overwhelming time.
Pendergast Law represents injury victims throughout University Place, Tacoma, and the greater Puget Sound region. For over 30 years, attorney J.P. Pendergast and our legal team have helped Washington families navigate the aftermath of car crashes, pedestrian accidents, and other serious injuries. We understand that you need answers, not legal jargon. Our goal is to provide clear guidance while you focus on healing.
Why Choose Pendergast Law for Your University Place Injury Case
Choosing a personal injury attorney is one of the most important decisions you'll make after an accident. The right firm brings experience, resources, and a genuine commitment to your recovery. The wrong choice may leave you feeling like just another case number.
A Track Record That Speaks for Itself
Our firm has recovered well over one hundred million dollars for injured clients throughout Washington State. J.P. Pendergast holds life membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor reserved for fewer than one percent of U.S. attorneys. This recognition reflects decades of results in complex injury cases, from catastrophic car accidents to wrongful death claims.
Former Prosecutor Insight
Before representing injury victims, J.P. Pendergast served as a King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. That courtroom experience shapes how we approach every case. We know how to build evidence, anticipate opposing arguments, and present compelling cases to judges and juries.
Personal Attention Throughout Your Case
Large billboard firms sometimes shuffle clients between paralegals and case managers. At Pendergast Law, we treat each person with compassion, understanding, and respect. Clear communication matters during stressful times, and we prioritize keeping you informed at every stage.
Our team serves University Place residents from our Tacoma office, located just minutes away in Pierce County. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. If we don't recover compensation for you, you pay no attorney fees. Contact our team to discuss your situation.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in University Place
Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and incidents. Each case type involves unique legal considerations and challenges. Our firm brings experience across the full spectrum of injury claims that affect Pierce County families.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes remain the most common source of serious injuries in University Place. The SR-16 corridor, Bridgeport Way W, and 40th Street W see heavy traffic throughout the day. Rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and highway pile-ups can result in injuries that require months of medical treatment.
Washington follows a fault-based insurance system, which means the driver who caused the crash bears financial responsibility for resulting injuries. This differs from no-fault states where your own insurance pays regardless of blame. Proving fault requires evidence: police reports, witness statements, photographs, and sometimes accident reconstruction analysis.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
University Place's residential character means many people walk or bike through neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian or cyclist, the injuries are often severe. Washington law provides vulnerable user protections for people on foot or bike, recognizing the extreme danger they face when hit by motor vehicles.
Truck Accidents in Pierce County
Commercial trucks traveling through Pierce County create significant risks for other drivers. The Port of Tacoma generates substantial freight traffic on I-5 and connecting highways. Truck accident cases involve complex regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including hours-of-service rules and maintenance requirements. These cases may require investigation into driver logs, Electronic Control Modules (the truck's black box), and company safety records.
Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Death
Some accidents cause life-altering harm: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, or death. These cases demand attorneys who understand the full scope of future damages. Lifetime medical care, lost earning capacity, and ongoing assistance needs all factor into any settlement or verdict. Our firm has handled numerous catastrophic injury cases, including a $1,850,000 recovery for a man crushed between commercial trucks and a $2,150,000 wrongful death settlement.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Injuries
Injuries in University Place don’t always involve cars or trucks. Unsafe property conditions can also cause serious harm. Slippery floors, uneven walkways, poor lighting, and broken handrails may lead to falls and other injuries when property owners fail to keep their spaces reasonably safe. These incidents often happen at apartment complexes, stores, restaurants, and other places open to the public, and they can result in injuries that disrupt daily life and require ongoing medical care.
How Compensation Works in Washington Personal Injury Cases
After an injury, financial pressures mount quickly. Medical bills arrive before you've even begun treatment. Lost wages strain household budgets. Understanding what compensation may be available helps you make informed decisions about your claim.
Types of Damages Available
Washington law allows injured people to pursue several categories of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses include emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future treatment needs
- Lost income covers wages missed during recovery and diminished earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to previous work
- Pain and suffering addresses physical discomfort, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life
- Property damage compensates for vehicle repairs or replacement and damaged personal belongings
The total value of these damages varies dramatically based on injury severity, treatment duration, and long-term prognosis. Our attorneys analyze every aspect of your situation to pursue fair compensation.
Factors That Influence Claim Value
Not every accident produces the same claim value. Insurance companies and courts consider multiple elements when evaluating cases. Injury severity matters most: a broken arm heals differently than a traumatic brain injury. Medical documentation plays a critical role, as gaps in treatment records raise questions about injury seriousness. Your age, occupation, and pre-existing conditions also factor into calculations.
Washington Laws That Affect Your Personal Injury Claim
Every state handles personal injury law differently. Washington's rules on fault, deadlines, and insurance create a specific legal landscape that affects how claims proceed.
Pure Comparative Fault in Washington
Washington follows pure comparative fault rules for injury cases. Under Washington's pure comparative fault rule, your compensation is reduced by your share of fault—whether in an insurance settlement or a court case. For example, if you're found 20 percent at fault for a crash and your damages total $100,000, you may still recover $80,000.
This rule differs from states that bar recovery entirely if you exceed a certain fault percentage. Washington's approach recognizes that accidents rarely involve one completely innocent party and one completely negligent party.
The Three-Year Filing Deadline
A statute of limitations creates a legal deadline for filing injury lawsuits. In Washington, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline typically means losing the right to pursue compensation through the courts.
Three years may sound like plenty of time, but the months pass quickly. Investigation, medical treatment, and settlement negotiations all take time. Starting the legal process early protects your options.
Insurance Requirements and Uninsured Motorists
Washington requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. These minimums often fall short of covering serious injuries. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may provide additional protection when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.
Local Considerations for University Place Injury Victims
University Place sits at the heart of Pierce County's residential communities. The city's location creates specific traffic patterns and injury risks that differ from downtown Tacoma or rural areas.
Roads and Intersections With Higher Accident Rates
Several arterial roads carry heavy traffic through University Place. Bridgeport Way W serves as a main commercial corridor with frequent turning movements and pedestrian crossings. The 40th Street W corridor connects residential neighborhoods to shopping areas. Cirque Drive W and intersections near Chambers Bay Golf Course see recreational and commuter traffic mixing throughout the day.
The combination of arterial roads, highway access via SR-16, and growing population in Pierce County creates ongoing safety challenges.
Medical Facilities and Treatment Access
Serious injuries from University Place accidents are often treated at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital (a Level II Trauma Center) or other nearby hospitals such as St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. MultiCare Health System operates facilities throughout Pierce County. Documenting all medical treatment strengthens your injury claim and creates records that support compensation demands.
Pierce County Court System
If settlement negotiations fail, injury lawsuits proceed through the Pierce County Superior Court system. Our attorneys have extensive experience with Washington courts and understand local procedures, judicial preferences, and jury expectations throughout the region.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident
Insurance adjusters contact injury victims quickly after accidents. These early conversations set the tone for everything that follows. Knowing what to expect helps you protect your interests from day one.
Why Insurers Make Early Settlement Offers
Insurance companies are businesses focused on profitability. Paying claims reduces profits, so adjusters work to minimize payouts. Early settlement offers often arrive before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Accepting these offers may leave you without resources for future treatment or complications.
How Legal Representation Changes the Dynamic
When an attorney represents you, insurance companies communicate through your lawyer rather than directly with you. This buffer prevents adjusters from using recorded statements or casual comments against your claim. Attorneys also know the true value of injuries and refuse low offers that don't reflect actual damages.
Our firm fights for fair compensation by gathering evidence, consulting medical professionals, and building cases that demonstrate the full impact of injuries. We handle negotiations while you focus on recovery.
Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in University Place
The actions you take following an accident affect your health and your legal options. While every situation is different, certain steps help protect both:
- Follow all medical advice and attend every appointment, as gaps in treatment raise questions about injury severity
- Keep organized records of medical bills, receipts, correspondence with insurers, and any expenses related to your injury
- Maintain a recovery journal that documents daily pain levels, limitations, emotional challenges, and progress over time
- Obtain copies of police reports and any incident documentation created at the scene
- Avoid discussing your case on social media or with anyone other than your attorney and healthcare providers
Bringing all documentation to your legal consultation helps us evaluate your case accurately. Even items that seem unimportant may prove valuable as evidence.
FAQ for University Place Personal Injury Lawyer
How long do personal injury cases typically take to resolve?
Case timelines vary based on injury complexity, treatment duration, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Some cases settle within months, while others involving serious injuries may take a year or longer. Rushing to settle before you reach maximum medical improvement often results in compensation that falls short of actual needs.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy may provide compensation when at-fault drivers lack insurance. Washington law requires insurers to offer this coverage, though drivers may decline it. Your policy terms determine available coverage limits and claim procedures.
Do I need to go to court for a personal injury claim?
Most personal injury cases settle through negotiation without trial. However, the willingness and ability to go to court strengthen your negotiating position. Insurance companies know which attorneys try cases and which always settle. Our former prosecutor background signals that we're prepared to present your case to a jury if necessary.
How do attorneys get paid in personal injury cases?
Personal injury attorneys typically work on contingency fees. This means you pay no upfront costs. Attorney fees come from the settlement or verdict amount only if we recover compensation for you. If there's no recovery, you owe no attorney fees.
What happens if my injuries get worse after I settle?
Settlement agreements typically include releases that prevent future claims arising from the same accident. This makes it crucial to understand your medical prognosis before accepting any offer. Settling too early may leave you responsible for treatment costs that emerge later.
Your Next Step Toward Recovery
An injury disrupts your life in ways that extend far beyond physical pain. Financial stress, emotional strain, and uncertainty about the future weigh heavily on individuals and families throughout University Place and Pierce County.
Our team at Pendergast Law has spent over three decades helping injured Washingtonians navigate these difficult times. We offer free consultations to injury victims throughout the Tacoma area and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.One conversation may provide the clarity you need right now. Contact Pendergast Law to speak with an experienced Washington personal injury attorney about your situation.