Deadline to File a Truck Accident Case in Washington State

In Washington State, the deadline to file a truck accident case in pursuit of compensation is determined by the statute of limitations for personal injury or wrongful death claims. These statutes impose a specific time frame within which a lawsuit must be filed, and failure to do so may make you ineligible to pursue compensation. 

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, you are urged to seek help from the Van Law Firm. We will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and ensure your claim is filed before the legal deadline.

What Statutes of Limitations Apply in My Truck Accident Case?

Personal injury claims are commonly brought by individuals who were injured in an accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, which is often the truck driver. In these cases, auto insurance is typically expected to pay for damages. In Washington State, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those stemming from truck accidents, is three years. This means you have three years from the accident’s date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover compensation for your property damage, injuries, and other losses.

If you lost a loved one in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, this is referred to as wrongful death. The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Washington is also three years, beginning on the date of the person’s passing.

There may be exceptions to the statute of limitations, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. It’s important to consult with a truck accident attorney who can tell you definitively how much time you have to file a claim and how they will ensure this is done on your behalf.

For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000

Why Should You Consult With a Truck Accident Attorney in Washington State?

It’s crucial to consult with a personal injury attorney promptly following a truck accident. An attorney can assess your case, help you understand the applicable statute of limitations, and ensure that your claim is filed within the required time frame. That said, these types of claims are often settled out of court with the insurer. Even in these cases, however, it’s important to have an attorney who can handle negotiations, protect your rights, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.

Truck accident attorneys are responsible for many legal tasks involved in the claims process, including the following:

• Conducting an independent accident scene investigation
• Collecting supporting evidence, such as photos of the scene, the truck’s log data, and your medical records
• Gathering witness statements and information
• Consulting with expert witnesses, such as medical specialists and accident deconstructionists
• Identifying and calculating economic and non-economic losses
• Proving the potentially liable party was negligent
• Negotiating with insurance companies and liable parties on your behalf
• Filing a lawsuit, if necessary
• Providing representation in court, if necessary

One very important aspect of truck accident claims is the preservation of evidence. Although no specific deadline applies, the sooner you consult with an attorney, the greater the likelihood you have of collecting and preserving vital evidence that can strengthen your case.

What Damages Can You Pursue in a Personal Injury Truck Accident Case?

The damages pursuable in a personal injury case involving a truck accident can be economic or non-economic in nature. Economic damages are determined by calculating specific dollar amounts associated with financial losses you incur as a result of your accident and injuries. These commonly include the following and more:

• Past and future medical expenses, such as emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, and other out-of-pocket costs for injury-related treatments
• Loss of wages due to work leave needed for recovery
• Diminished earning capacity if you are unable to work in the same position or for the same pay as you did before the accident

Non-economic damages are subjective and, although potentially significant, cannot be evaluated using precise amounts associated with bills and receipts. Instead, they are personal losses and are awarded to make the person as “whole” as possible. These can include the following:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of activities
• Loss of quality of life

What Damages Can Be Pursued for Wrongful Death?

Losing a loved one in a truck accident can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. In Washington, wrongful death claims can be brought by the beneficiaries of those who suffered fatal injuries due to another party’s negligence. These include immediate family members, such as spouses, children, and parents.

Damages commonly sought in wrongful death cases include:

• The decedent’s medical bills
• Funeral, burial, and cremation expenses
• Loss of the decedent’s financial support
• Loss of the decedent’s care, guidance, love, and companionship

There may be other damages you are entitled to pursue for your losses that are not listed here. Van Law Firm can help you identify all of your potential losses, calculate their worth, and pursue them from an insurance company or other liable party. 

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How do You Prove Negligence in a Washington State Truck Accident Case?

Establishing another party is liable for compensating you also requires proving they were negligent in some way. In most truck accident cases, the following four elements are required to demonstrate negligence and liability:

1. Duty of care – The potentially liable party (the truck driver, for example) owed you or your loved one a duty of care to drive cautiously and act in a way that would be expected of a reasonable person in a similar situation.
2. Breach of duty – A failure to uphold one’s duty of care to another is called a breach. Common examples of a truck driver’s breach of duty include traffic violations, not adhering to hours of service regulations, or driving while intoxicated.
3. Causation – It must be shown that the truck driver’s breach was the direct or proximate cause of your or your loved one’s injuries. Moreover, your injuries must not be preexisting or caused by some other factor involved in the accident.
4. Damages – The truck driver’s breach of duty resulted in calculable losses, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, etc.

In some cases, the truck’s operator is not at fault for the accident. Other responsible parties include the trucking company, the shipping company, the manufacturers of defective parts, and others.

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Consult With Our Legal Team at Van Law Firm Today

If you’re considering filing a truck accident case in Washington State, it’s essential to consult with an attorney who handles personal injury cases to receive guidance specific to your circumstances and ensure your claim meets all required deadlines. 

At Van Law, we are dedicated to fighting tirelessly for our clients and working to secure the compensation they deserve for their losses. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review to learn more.

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