Were You Injured in a Seattle Trucking Accident?
There are hardly any experiences that can have a more profound impact on your life than a trucking accident in Seattle and, unfortunately, truck accidents occur more often than we’d like. The injuries you sustain in a truck accident can completely derail your normal routine and make it seem as though you are trapped, destined to deal with discomfort and rising medical costs for life. Plus, the passenger vehicle in truck collisions is much more likely to experience serious injury or even death.
At Van Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers have worked with countless trucking accident victims, so we know just how scary and jarring such a crash can be. Accident victims can rest assured knowing that we do everything in our power to get them the best treatment and the highest possible settlement.
As a veteran personal injury law firm, our Seattle trucking accident attorneys have years of experience and will guide you through all the ins and outs of your claim in a timely and efficient fashion so that you can focus on regaining your strength and getting back as close to normal as possible. With decades of experience and over 500 5-star reviews, you won’t want to take your case anywhere else, and we’re proud to offer our legal services with no up-front cost to our clients.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Seattle, WA, call (360) 262-1792
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Seattle, call (360) 200-0000
Possible Trucking Accident Causes
Contrary to popular belief, the driver of a truck is not always the sole reason why a crash occurred, as there are many common causes of a truck collision, such as a malfunction with the truck itself or a spell of bad weather. Unfortunately, truck drivers are often pulled from many different directions, as they are obligated to obey both the traditional traffic laws as well as any additional requirements set forth by their employer, such as long hours or mileage requirements.
Trucking accidents in Seattle can be caused by a large number of factors, including but not limited to:
- Driving while distracted by texting, smoking, eating, etc.
- Driver error
- Aggressive turns and lane changes
- Driving while intoxicated by alcohol, cannabis, or medication
- Not checking mirrors for blindspots (or not having proper mirrors at all)
- Driving while drowsy or sleepy
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
- Speeding
- Following too closely behind other vehicles
- Aggressive driving in inclement weather
- Vehicle internal malfunction or defect (engine, transmission)
- Unsecured or improperly loaded cargo
- External vehicle malfunction (tire, brake light)
- Failure to perform regular maintenance
The trucking industry can sometimes be exploitative, with companies requesting commercial drivers to bear an overly-heavy load, work outside standard hours of service, or otherwise not following the safety regulations laid out by the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. While not always the case, the owners of trucks and big rig companies may be held liable in certain cases where their actions caused the impairment or fatigue of their drivers.
Although causes of trucking accidents may vary, our dedication to taking on and fighting for the rights of our clients in trucking accident cases doesn’t. Our truck accident attorneys can help identify the responsible party for your accident, such as a negligent truck driver or the driver’s employer, and take legal action to seek fair compensation from them.
Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (360) 200-0000
Common Injuries After a Trucking Accident
Truck accidents can sometimes result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities, with the more severe damage often being caused to the smaller motor vehicle. In any case, truck accident injuries can range from mild to severe, with the most common personal injury claims and accidents involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Limb amputation
- Burns and scarring
- Broken bones
- Internal or soft tissue damage
If you’ve suffered any of the serious injuries above in a large truck or motor vehicle accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in the state of Washington. We’ll work hard to protect your legal rights, and you won’t owe us any fees unless we win compensation for your sustained injuries.
Click to contact our Seattle Car Accident Lawyers today
Determining Liability in a Trucking Accident Case
One thing that separates trucking accidents from standard auto or motor vehicle accidents (such as a motorcycle or car accident) is that there are almost always more parties involved, such as the driver, the driver’s private insurer, the trucking company, and the truck insurer. As such, determining fault can be tricky, as it can fall on any one of the aforementioned parties or a combination of multiple. If the driver was impaired or made an ill-advised decision, that case is relatively clear-cut; however, occasionally, trucking employers will also be implicated if their policies are deemed to be contributory to more accidents.
In the event that a trucking crash was caused by either an internal or external malfunction with the truck, the fault may be attributed to any leasing company that owns the truck or even the manufacturer. Given the fact that truck drivers regularly haul loads that are tens of thousands of pounds, any breakdown of systems such as the wheels and tires, transmission, brakes, and engine could have devastating results.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Actions to Take Following a Trucking Crash
It’s not hard to get swept up in the commotion that usually follows a trucking accident, but there are steps that drivers can take to be proactive in their truck accident case, such as:
- Call the authorities: Police generally respond to most trucking accidents, but you should ensure that they do by calling them yourself. Any accident report they submit could be of vital importance to your personal injury claim. They can also drug test the driver at the scene if there is suspicion of impairment.
- Get medical attention: Be sure to seek treatment for all injuries, no matter how minimal they may seem. This is beneficial to your claim because it establishes a timeline, and you can always point back to the fact that you sought care right away.
- Use your phone to take pictures: Try to get all angles of the scene, and include any location identifiers. Check out the Steps to Follow After an Auto Accident for a comprehensive list of pictures to take.
- Jot down any notes: This may not seem important, but any information at the scene of the truck crash could potentially become important down the line. Write down anything that sticks out as odd or noteworthy.
- Collect information: For a trucking accident, always get the name, contact details, and insurance company information from both the driver and the trucking company. Claimants should avoid speaking with any representative from either the trucking company or their insurer and don’t sign anything before seeking legal representation.
Seek Medical Attention after a Seattle Trucking Accident
Nothing comes before your health, and seeing a doctor can also help your case for compensation. Keep track of your medical records and ask for copies if necessary. Our Seattle truck accident attorneys can use your medical documents to assess your current and future medical expenses. We can also use them to assign liability to an at-fault party.
Make sure you follow through with your prescribed medical treatment plan. The last thing you want is an insurer undervaluing or denying your claim, arguing you contributed to your losses and putting your potential compensation at risk.
Once you’ve had time to recover from your accident, call a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. A Seattle truck accident attorney will fight to protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries or lost income. They’ll negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies, trucking companies, and any other involved parties.
The best part? At Van Law, we’ll do this work for you on a contingent fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay us any money unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Driving Accidents
How Much Is a Truck Accident Claim Worth?
There are many types of truck accident claims and each one is unique, so no one should be able to tell you off-the-bat what your truck accident injury claim is worth. However, one of our Seattle truck accident lawyers can help you determine the range of your possible compensation based on a number of factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries and other damages;
- The projected length and difficulty of your injury recovery;
- Your age, health status, employment status, and current income;
- The level of your physical, emotional, and financial suffering;
- The amount of insurance carried by any liable parties in the accident;
- The ability of any liable but uninsured (or underinsured) parties to pay your damages.
The amount of damages you’ve incurred is arguably the most important aspect in determining the maximum possible compensation that you may be entitled to. In personal or commercial truck accident cases, common damages include:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care, such as physical therapy
- Lost income or lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
If you have lost a loved one or family member in a truck accident, we are sincerely sorry for your loss and offer you our condolences during this challenging time. We’d like to provide you with a free initial consultation to discuss your options and the details of wrongful death claims with a qualified Seattle personal injury attorney. If you decide to work with our team, we will do everything we can to recover just compensation for you and your loved ones.
Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (360) 262-1792
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Trucking Accident Lawyer?
There is no up-front cost to hire a lawyer from Van Law Firm. Our team of experienced truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that any compensation we receive for our work comes out of your final settlement. If we don’t win your case or earn you compensation for your damages, we don’t make any money.
Even your initial case review is free! Contact our Seattle firm today for a free consultation with an empathetic and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer and start working toward the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Washington State?
In Washington State, the statute of limitations on personal injury cases is a three year time period. This law means that you have three years from the date of truck accident to file a claim. However, the details of truck crashes vary and unique policies may apply to your case.
For safety’s sake, we recommend that you reach out to Seattle truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys will review federal laws attached to your case, negotiate your settlement offer, and determine who may be liable in your accident.
With hard work and diligent effort, your qualified personal injury attorney will help you file your claim in a timely manner and get the compensation you are due. Call today to request a free consultation.
Contact Trusted Seattle Trucking Accident Attorneys
When you’re struggling to recover compensation after being injured in a trucking accident, contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys from Van Law Firm for a free and no-obligation consultation and case review. Call us for more information about your truck accident claim. We’ve helped countless Seattle-area crash victims get back on their feet with rightful compensation and top-notch treatment. Don’t take our word for it, read through just one of our 500+ 5-star reviews and see for yourself.
Plus, our esteemed attorneys are experienced in a variety of practice areas outside of commercial trucking accidents, including (but not limited to) car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and slip and fall accidents.
No obligation consultations are always free. You don’t owe us a penny unless we win your case.
Let Us Help You!
Call Now: (360) 262-1792
No obligation consultations are always free.
Let Us Help You! Call Now: (360) 200-0000Client Testimonials
Related Videos
