Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer

Located near two major interstates and the Port of Seattle, the city is an active transportation hub in the region. As such, the area has elevated truck activity, which also increases its risk for accidents. If you have been injured by one of these commercial vehicles, it’s important to seek out a Seattle truck accident lawyer to help you navigate the complexities associated with these cases. 

Puget Law Group is a skilled team with over 150 years of combined experience that will aggressively fight for you when trucking or insurance companies put their own interests before your needs. A Seattle personal injury lawyer will walk beside you and advocate for you and your rights to make sure you receive the fair settlement you deserve. 

Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Seattle from Puget Law Group

Sadly, truck accidents often put motorists at a steep disadvantage because of the size and weight differences between the two vehicles. This often means that motorists are much more likely to sustain severe injuries than truck drivers, who are more insulated from harm. Trucking companies often fight to avoid liability as well, so they don’t have to pay out for damages. This exacerbates a victim’s situation.  

Knowing when you should consult a lawyer for a truck accident and what questions to ask a truck accident lawyer are important. If you’ve suffered significant or catastrophic injuries, the loss of a loved one, or are having trouble resolving your claim, hire Puget Law Group to fight for you. Insurance and truck companies are more likely to cooperate when you have a lawyer. They can also negotiate for you. 

When you hire Seattle truck accident lawyers from our team, you can be confident that you are in good hands and have an experienced team looking out for you. We manage your case, help you file your claim, resolve disputes, and negotiate on your behalf. 

We make sure that your rights and the outcome of your case are protected from those who would take advantage of you.

Truck Accidents in Seattle

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), large trucks make up 5% of all registered vehicles in the United States. Trucking crashes occur due to driver fatigue, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and many other reasons. There are several parties who may be at fault in a trucking collision, which include:

• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Truck parts manufacturers
• Cargo loaders
• Truck mechanics and maintenance technicians
• Government entities

Each one of these parties can contribute to an accident in a different way and be held accountable for any role they played in the resulting accident. Careful investigation is necessary to identify what party, or parties, can be held liable in a truck accident claim. With access to an experienced legal team, Puget Law Group can help you submit a claim against the correct at-fault party. 

Common Injuries Sustained in Seattle Truck Accidents

When a truck collides with a vehicle, it transfers the full force of its momentum and weight during impact. Because they have far less to cushion the blow, occupants of smaller vehicles absorb this impact and often sustain serious and even life-threatening injuries. These injuries may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Broken bones
• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Burn injuries
• Catastrophic injuries
• Death

These injuries can have a profound impact on the lives of victims and their families. From their physical condition to the expense of medical care to the emotional toll, these losses can linger long after the initial recovery period.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

A truck accident can leave you in a state of shock and reeling from injuries and losses you’ve realized you sustained. In the moments after your collision, it is best to remain calm, cool, and collected to the best extent possible. Here are things you can do to get help after your crash and boost your chances of securing compensation from the at-fault party:

• Call 911. This will bring medical professionals and police officers to the accident scene to assist you and anyone else involved in your crash. File a police report with the officer on the scene and request a copy of the finalized report. 
• Go to a doctor. Visit an emergency room or meet with a doctor to undergo a medical evaluation and treat any injuries. 
• Get the truck driver’s information. Ask the trucker involved in your crash for their full name, driver’s license number, insurance information, and details about their employer. 
• Gather evidence. Take photos and videos of the scene as a whole, the injuries you sustained, and damage to your vehicle. Keep detailed records related to your accident.
• Get witness information. If there were any witnesses to your accident, collect their names and contact information in case you need to include a statement as part of your claim.
• Consult with an attorney. In the days after your accident, discuss your case with an attorney. 

If an at-fault trucker pressures you to accept responsibility for your crash, do not say anything. By taking the blame for your collision, you may compromise your ability to get damages. This may force you to pay some or all of your injury-related costs out of your own pocket.  

Truck Accident Liability

It may be difficult to demonstrate fault in a trucking accident. Regardless, a commercial truck accident lawyer may help you build a body of evidence to support your request for compensation. They may work with you to establish that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident: 

• Duty of Care: An at-fault party had a legal obligation to act in a reasonable and cautious manner toward you. 
• Breach of Duty of Care: The party violated their legal obligation, and as a result, put you in danger. 
• Causation: Because the party breached its duty of care, your accident happened, and you suffered an injury. 
• Damages: You are forced to deal with quantifiable or subjective losses due to the party’s actions. 

If you hire a Seattle truck accident attorney who has helped their clients get outstanding personal injury case results, you may be in a strong position to secure the compensation you want. Your lawyer may help you gather a wealth of documentation to show you are in no way responsible for your accident. This evidence may compel a judge or jury to award you 100% of the damages you request. 

Truck Accident Case Evidence

Following your truck accident, you may use your smartphone to capture photos and videos at the scene. These items may help you show the severity of your injury and any property damage you incurred. Along with photos and videos, there are other pieces of evidence you may provide, such as:

• Police report: If you call 911, police officers will come to the accident scene, collect information from you and others involved in your crash, and put together a report that details the incident. 
• Black box data: A truck may be equipped with a black box that monitors the vehicle’s speed at the time of your crash and other relevant data, and you may use information from it to help prove a trucker was negligent. 
• Hours of Service records: Truck drivers are required to keep track of the hours they are driving and offset them with the appropriate number of breaks and days off to prevent driver fatigue. Records that show a driver deviated from these requirements point to regulation violations and negligence. 
• Repair and maintenance records: You may collect truck repair and maintenance records to show that a trucking company did not take the necessary steps to keep its vehicle running at peak levels, which may have contributed to your accident. 
• Witness statements: If someone saw your accident happen, they may be able to provide a statement on your behalf. 

A semi-truck accident lawyer who has received many positive client testimonials may help you use evidence to craft a compelling argument. They may work with you to seek the maximum compensation possible from any at-fault parties. Your attorney can make sure your claim is submitted in accordance with Washington’s statute of limitations.

How Much Time You Have to Submit a Truck Accident Claim

Per RCW §4.16.080, you may have up to three years from the date of your trucking accident to seek compensation. It may be in your best interests to pursue damages as soon as possible following your crash. If you wait too long, you may be solely responsible for your crash-related losses. 

A truck accident attorney may take a look at your case and file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. They may encourage you to pursue economic and non-economic damages. You may receive economic compensation for medical bills, other quantifiable losses, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering. 

Just because you submit a claim for compensation does not guarantee you will be awarded damages. For example, an at-fault party or their insurance company may commit time and resources to dispute your claim. Your lawyer understands the challenges that may arise in your case, and they will help you address these issues before they escalate. 

Contributory Fault in a Trucking Accident Lawsuit

You may recover damages if an at-fault party is in any way responsible for your trucking accident. Much in the same vein, contributory fault may affect how much you get in compensation, per RCW Chapter 4.22. If you are found to be partially liable for your trucking collision, what you receive in damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

For instance, a judge or jury may find you 20% at fault for the truck crash. If this occurs, you may only receive 80% of the damages you initially requested. This is due to the fact that the judge or jury deems you to share the blame for your crash. Reduced compensation is designed to offset your involvement in the accident while still providing for your losses. 

You may still be able to get compensation even if you are found to be 99% responsible for your trucking collision. In the best-case scenario, your lawyer will make it clear to a judge or jury that the defendant is fully to blame for your accident. At this point, you may receive all of the damages you want. To understand the potential outcomes of your case, talk with your lawyer about it at the outset of your case

Trucking Crash Case Settlement

In truck and car accidents and other personal injury cases, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a settlement with the help of your Seattle car accident lawyer. For example, an at-fault party may reach out and offer a settlement within days of your collision. It’s a good idea to review this proposal carefully, because if you immediately accept the offer, you may get far less than your case is actually worth. 

If you receive a settlement proposal, be sure to examine it with your lawyer before taking any further action. With help from your attorney, you can weigh a settlement’s pros and cons. If a settlement offer does not meet your expectations, your lawyer can notify the defendant, and you and your attorney can keep looking for ways to strengthen your case. 

At-fault parties or their insurance companies may take every opportunity to avoid paying out your claim. They may look at your social media accounts, blame you, cause intentional delays, among other tactics. No matter what the liable party or their insurer attempts to do, you and your attorney can stay the course and do everything in your power to build an argument that resonates with a judge or jury. 

File a Trucking Crash Claim with Puget Law Group

The Puget Law Group team is here to help you with your trucking accident claim and make sure your rights are protected throughout your case. 

To schedule a free case consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Seattle to learn more about Puget Law Group and discuss your options for moving forward, contact us online or by phone today. We’re ready to fight for you and for the justice you deserve.