Truck accidents are generally more devastating than car and motor vehicle accidents in Spokane, WA. This is because commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than cars, resulting in more forceful impacts. The risks they pose make it even more vital for commercial truck drivers and passengers to act responsibly when operating and maintaining their vehicles.
If you get injured in a Spokane truck accident, you can seek full compensation to recover your crash-related expenses. Let us look at the factors affecting your settlement and how a Spokane truck accident lawyer from Van Law Firm can guide you through the various steps involved.
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Spokane Truck Accident Types & Causes
Truck accidents can happen in a number of ways, but their specific causes and types of truck crashes differ from other passenger vehicles due to their immense size and weight. Semi-trucks and 18-wheeler vehicles have larger blind spots, longer braking times, and more safety regulations that must be followed. As a result, the following truck accident causes are common:
- Failure to properly check blind spots before turning or merging;
- Improperly secured loads or equipment;
- Tire blowouts;
- Over-fatigued drivers;
- Reckless driving;
- Distracted driving;
- Driving under the influence.
Truck accidents caused by these factors may follow into the following categories:
- Rear-end collisions;
- Underride accidents;
- Rollover accidents;
- T-bone accidents;
- Wide-turn accidents;
- Jackknife accidents;
- And head-on collisions.
If any of these types of trucking accidents were caused by an act of negligence, then the truck driver and other third parties can be held liable.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Spokane, call (360) 200-0000
Liability in a Spokane Trucking Accident
We often assume the truck employer is usually responsible for the driver or other involved employees in a Spokane semi-truck accident. However, this depends on the circumstances surrounding the crash. For instance, the driver might have driven slightly above speed limits. This could be considered ordinary negligence, which the employer will likely cover.
Meanwhile, it is unlikely that the employer will take responsibility if the driver used the truck while off-duty or if they intentionally caused the trucking accident.
Spokane Truckers Must Operate Under Motor Carrier Safety Laws
Besides violating traffic regulations, the Spokane trucker might have failed to comply with federal and state motor carrier safety regulations. Some of these include:
- Conducting mandatory routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs on the trucks.
- Prohibiting truck drivers from drinking alcohol or using drugs before and during trips. They must also undergo alcohol and drug testing before trips.
- Truck drivers cannot drive beyond their specified hours of service and must take rests as required.
An experienced Spokane personal injury attorney stays updated on these laws to determine how the trucking companies or drivers may be held liable. For example, they may find the truck’s cargo was not secured according to securement standards, which caused the truck to be unstable on the road.
Other Possible Liable Parties in Spokane Trucking Accidents
Besides the truck owner and the driver, other parties can also be liable for the Spokane truck accident. For example:
- A drunk motorist was driving recklessly and collided with the truck, making it crash into other vehicles.
- A construction firm might have failed to place sufficient signages to alert motorists of their roadworks project.
- A pedestrian disobeyed traffic rules and forced the truck to swerve and crash on the road to avoid hitting them.
If someone else besides the truck owner or driver is liable, your semi-truck accident attorney can help search for proof, such as dash cam or surveillance footage and witness testimonies.
To schedule a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Spokane, call (360) 262-1792
Spokane Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (360) 200-0000
Your Spokane Truck Accident Damages
Your truck accident lawyer can also help compile your expenses and assess your serious injuries to estimate your total damages. Some recoverable injuries and damages in your truck accident case can include:
- Medical bills and expenses, such as medications, doctors’ appointments, and hospitalizations
- Past and future lost wages or income
- Auto repairs
- Funeral expenses (if filing for a deceased loved one)
- Disabilities and disfigurements
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Chronic pain
- Loss of consortium or support
- Wrongful death
How Shared Fault Affects Your Spokane Truck Accident Damages
Due to the comparative fault laws in Washington Revised Code Section 4.22.005, you could get your recoverable damages reduced if you are partly responsible for the Spokane trucking accident. For example, being 30 percent liable would mean you can only recover 70 percent of the settlement.
Your truck accident lawyer can review your action before filing to help ensure it can effectively support your side of the incident dispute.
Spokane Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (360) 262-1792
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Your Compensation Options
Like other Spokane traffic accidents, you can typically file insurance claims or lawsuits against the at-fault trucker or another party. You can consult first with us on what option you can take, as both ways have their own advantages.
Filing Liability Claims
Spokane truck accident victims can usually proceed first with an insurance claim against the truck owner’s liability insurance provider. A federal government agency and a few state laws require truck owners to carry liability insurance, namely:
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,
- Washington Administrative Code Section 480-14-250, and;
- Washington Administrative Code Section 480-15-530
When the truck owner or driver is liable for the accident, the liability coverage pays for their victim’s expenses. However, do note that if only the driver is liable, you must file the claim with their personal auto liability insurance provider instead.
Your truck accident lawyer can present your claim to the liability insurance company. However, the other party’s insurance company is not on your side, and they might try to reduce their client’s liability in the accident to limit your settlement amount. If you do not accept the insurer’s initial offer, your truck accident attorney in Spokane can also help you appeal for reconsideration.
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Taking Your Spokane Truck Accident Case to Court
There are instances where a liability claim might not be a feasible recovery option. For instance, the liable driver’s coverage might be unable to cover your expenses fully. Or perhaps the insurance companies will not accept your claim because their client crashed the truck into your vehicle on purpose. Liability coverages usually do not extend to intentional torts.
If you face such situations, your truck accident lawyer in Spokane can advise filing accident lawsuits instead. A successful Spokane truck accident suit can let you get compensated beyond the liable driver’s coverage since the court determines your recovery, not the auto insurance claims adjuster.
However, accident lawsuits can take a long time to reach verdicts, though your Spokane truck accident lawyer can still represent and defend your side until the personal injury case finishes.
Submitting Your Spokane County Truck Accident Case on Time
As with all Washington state injury and accident cases, your Spokane Valley truck crash has filing deadlines you must comply with. Missing the deadline will bar you from recovery since it will automatically dismiss your submission. It would be safer to start building your case while you still have plenty of time left.
The statute of limitations for your case will vary depending on what damages you are seeking to recover. For example, you have up to three years for injury damages, (RCW § 4.16.080), and another three-year time limit for property damages.
However, your statute clock may pause or extend under certain circumstances, which your lawyer can look into. For example, filing on behalf of your child will have the statute timer pause until they turn 18 years old.
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Our Truck Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help
If you were a victim of a recent truck accident in the city of Spokane, Van Law Firm is here to help you recover damages. Since 2012, our dedicated legal team has worked with injury clients throughout the state of Washington. We can use our years of experience to better study the situation and guide you accordingly.
Our line is open for you 24/7, so you can call anytime if you have any concerns. You can also submit the case evaluation request form to get your free case review with a team member. Check out our client testimonials to find out what it’s like working with our team, then contact us to schedule a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers and get all of your questions answered.
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