Commercial truck accidents aren’t like a typical car accident. When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer hits a passenger vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. Severe injuries, permanent disability, or even death are all possible.
The Seattle truck accident lawyers of Walthew Law Firm have spent more than 90 years helping injured victims navigate complex claims and fight for the compensation they deserve. If you or your loved one was hurt in a tractor-trailer crash, contact one of our experienced Seattle truck accident lawyers today.
Common Causes of Semi Truck Accidents
Like any vehicle accident, the cause of a truck accident is often varied and complex. Some factors that can contribute to a truck crash are:
- Lack of proper training. Poor or inadequate training could mean the truck driver is unprepared to safely operate a large commercial vehicle in changing road or weather conditions.
- Speeding. Trucks — particularly tractor-trailers — need more distance to stop. Traveling at a high speed makes stopping more difficult.
- Distracted driving. While using a cell phone, operating a GPS, or using any of the other in-cab technologies that exist could cause distracted driving, something as simple as trying to eat a sandwich while driving can also be a distraction.
- Blind spots. Large trucks have large blind spots, increasing the risk of a collision when a truck driver changes lanes or merges.
- Fatigued driving. Drivers are supposed to rest regularly so they are alert at the wheel. When these rest breaks are skipped, accidents can happen.
- Lack of maintenance. Eighteen-wheelers require pre-trip and post-trip inspections as well as routine maintenance and repair. Skipping any of these can lead to dangerous mechanical failures.
- Poorly loaded trailer. Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause trailer instability or result in the load being lost during transport.
- Manufacturer defects. Some truck accidents are caused by manufacturer defects. In Washington State, manufacturers can be held strictly liable for a crash caused by a product defect.
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Why Trust Walthew Law Firm for Your Truck Accident Case
Truck accident claims are complicated, and for more than 90 years, the legal team of experienced truck accident attorneys at Walthew Law Firm has put clients and their personal injury cases first. We’re focused on your best interests and use our expertise to help you recover the maximum compensation for your Seattle truck accident case. You deserve personalized, solutions-focused advocacy throughout the entire legal process, and we will:
- Listen to your story and explain your legal options
- Investigate the semi-truck accident
- Collect witness statements that support your claim
- Enlist the aid of experts and accident reconstruction specialists when necessary
- Gather the necessary records and police reports
- Connect you with the right doctors and document your injuries
- Handle the legal paperwork and settlement negotiations with insurers
- Take aggressive action to help you secure the maximum compensation
Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident?
Trucking is a heavily regulated industry, and while the truck driver and trucking company may be liable for your accident, Seattle truck accident claims are rarely that simple. Multiple third parties may also be liable, and you have the right to pursue compensation from all of them as part of your claim:
- Cargo loaders. The company that loaded the cargo may be at fault for your commercial truck accident if the cargo was overloaded, unbalanced, or improperly secured.
- Maintenance companies. Some commercial trucking companies outsource their maintenance to a third party. If that company failed to maintain the truck properly, they can be held liable.
- Freight brokers. If the freight broker knowingly hired a trucking company with a poor safety record, they can be held liable for your truck accident injuries.
We Help Truck Accident Victims Secure the Maximum Compensation
A quick settlement with the insurance company may seem sensible. But many times, the insurance adjuster offers you far less compensation than you need to cover the long-term damage from your truck accident injuries.
You have the right to seek compensation to cover your economic and non-economic damages. Our Seattle truck accident attorneys understand how to evaluate the full impact of your accident and will fight aggressively on your behalf to recover compensation for:
- Automobile repairs
- Ambulance costs
- Emergency room care
- Medical bills and related medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Diminished earnings
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Long-term disability
- Physical impairment
- Wrongful death
Contact Walthew Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one was hurt in a tractor-trailer crash, tanker truck accident, or any kind of truck accident, contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation review of your claim. With over 90 years of experience, let the experienced Seattle truck accident lawyers at Walthew Firm put their knowledge to work for you.
We work on a contingency fee basis. There’s no obligation and no fee unless you win. With offices in Everett and Seattle, WA, we serve all of King County and Western Washington State.
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