Motor vehicle accidents happen, but when they involve large trucks, the outcomes are often devastating. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a truck accident in Everett, Washington, you are not alone. The impact of such truck driver accidents can be profound, both physically and emotionally.
The good news, however, is that the journey towards justice and compensation does not have to be a solitary one. Act swiftly to secure prompt legal representation, and let an experienced Everett personal injury attorney from Wells Trumbull guide you through the process of recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (360)435-1663 today for a free consultation.
How Can The Wells Trumbull Everett Truck Accident Attorneys in Everett, WA Assist?
If you find yourself in need of a truck accident lawyer in Everett, WA, you’ve come to the right place. Our seasoned Everett truck accident attorneys are dedicated to assisting you with all aspects of your truck accident legal matters. We are staunch advocates for fairness and will tirelessly fight to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve as our client.
Our team of Everett personal injury lawyers is committed to ensuring you receive top-notch care, whether you were injured as a passenger in another vehicle, have questions about the claims process, or were injured due to someone else’s negligence while walking, biking, or driving in Everett, WA.
Reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney in Everett to discuss the specifics of your case in greater detail. With decades of experience, we are prepared to support your personal injury claim in Snohomish and help you recover your losses—commonly referred to as “damages” in a personal injury claim. Here’s how our team can assist you:
- Free Confidential Case Consultation and No Upfront Fees: We offer a complimentary case consultation and operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect our fee after securing your compensation.
- Skilled Investigators: Our team includes skilled investigators who will determine the negligent actions leading to your truck accident, identify the liable party, and work with the appropriate insurance company to secure compensation.
- Dedicated Client Advocates: Our client advocates will meticulously craft a compelling case, assembling a demand package with evidence of liability and a carefully calculated list of your damages.
- Proven Track Record: With a strong track record of success in Everett and the surrounding Washington area, we have the expertise to negotiate a favorable settlement with the insurance company.
- Experienced Litigators: If necessary, our experienced litigators won’t hesitate to take your case to court to ensure you recover your losses.
- Open and Honest Communication: Throughout the process, our Everett personal injury lawyers will maintain open and honest communication, providing skilled representation to maximize your settlement or court award.
Don’t navigate the complexities of a truck accident claim alone. Contact Wells Trumbull today to schedule your consultation and let us put our decades of experience to work for you.
Meet Attorney Ben Wells
Ben Wells
Ben Wells, a seasoned veteran in personal injury law, recounts his journey from humble beginnings to being honored with the prestigious 2020 Trial Lawyer of the Year award by the Washington State Association of Justice. Stressing the importance of mentorship and self-reflection, he highlights the value of authenticity, forging connections with jurors, and unwavering dedication to clients. His goal is to imbue aspiring legal professionals with these core principles. To schedule a complimentary consultation with Ben Wells, contact Wells Trumbull at (360) 435-1663.
“I would not hire anyone but Ben to take care of the situation.”
“My family used the services of Ben Wells after an auto accident and we were extremely pleased with the personal care and concern and attention that was given. I can’t say that I would ever want to experience litigation again, but should that need ever arise, I would not hire anyone but Ben to take care of the situation.”
Meet Attorney Joshua Trumbull
Joshua Trumbull
Joshua Trumbull, a seasoned personal injury lawyer, brings a wealth of knowledge honed through diverse industry experiences and roles. He demonstrates excellence in merging insights from multiple fields to tackle intricate issues within a nurturing atmosphere. Joshua places a high priority on nurturing genuine connections, understanding their importance in both personal and professional realms. To arrange a complimentary consultation with Joshua Trumbull, reach out to Wells Trumbull at (360) 435-1663 today.
“They kept me informed every step of the way and forced the insurance company to do the right thing.”
“Ben Wells and his staff never wavered in their efforts to obtain a fair settlement for me. When the insurance company refused to pay, they filed a lawsuit and proceeded toward trial. Shortly before the trial date, the insurance company finally offered a fair out of court settlement of $70,000 for my injuries and damaged car. I recommend Wells Trumbull. They kept me informed every step of the way and forced the insurance company to do the right thing.”
Successful Case Result:
The Everett truck accident attorneys at Wells Trumbull have years of experience successfully handling a variety of personal injury cases. Our team of personal injury lawyers have received large settlements and recovered compensation for clients who have suffered from a severe truck accident injuries. Some notable case results include:
- $4.5 Million Settlement: Jury Verdict in Snohomish County in October 2021. A 26-year-old dump truck driver was on the job when an oncoming dump truck lost control and crossed the center line, causing our client to swerve and tip over. He sustained a permanent injury to his low back and suffered from PTSD symptoms. The insurance company argued our client should have been able to avoid the collision. They used Facebook posts of him surfing and smiling to claim that he was lying about how badly he was hurt. We showed the jury that the images told a story about a man who was grieving his former life. The jury awarded over 4.5 million dollars and found that our client had no fault in the collision.
Quick Links
- What to do After a Truck Accident
- Trucking Rules and Regulations in Washington
- Establishing Liability in a Truck Accident
- Who is Liable for Your Injuries After a Truck Accident
- How Much Time do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
- What Compensation to Expect After a Truck Accident
- Role of a Truck Accident Attorney in Everett
- Everett Truck Accident FAQs
- Contact Wells Trumbull
How Serious Are Truck Accidents in Washington?
An alarming 162 truck accidents occurred in a single recent year in Washington with 51 fatalities. Statistics show a significant yearly rise in truck accidents nationwide since 2020, with 5,728 fatalities in 2021 compared to 4,954 in 2020. Trucks cause a disproportionate number of accidents considering they make up the smaller percentage of vehicles on the roadways. Worse, 72 percent of those killed in truck accidents are motorists in other vehicles, not the occupants of the truck.
The large size, extended length, and heavy weight of fully loaded commercial trucks make them a significant danger to others on the road. Annually, 21 percent of Washington truck accidents with fatalities and serious injuries occur in intersections and an additional 5.6 percent of fatal truck accidents are intersection-related. Multi-lane highways present an even greater danger with 63.9 percent of truck accidents occurring on major highways at high speeds.
What to do Right After a Truck Accident
The aftermath of a truck driver accident is stressful for everyone involved, and the advice below along with an experienced personal injury attorney will help you get through it.
Call the police:
You may not think it’s necessary, but if you are injured or there was damage to other vehicles or property, you will need to call the police and report the accident. If possible, obtain the names of witnesses and their contact information so that you can follow up later with them if needed.
Call for medical assistance if necessary:
If anyone is injured, get medical attention as soon as possible. It is essential if injuries are severe or life-threatening.
Exchange information with other parties involved in the accident:
After calling 911, exchange information with all other parties involved in the crash (license plate numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers). It will help make things easier when negotiating with their insurance companies later.
Check for damages and take photos:
For truck accident victims, it is essential to take note of the damages sustained by your car. Take photos of the vehicles involved, especially if there are any significant injuries or fatalities. You will also need to take note of license plates and other relevant information about the truck drivers and passengers.
Go to a Hospital Straight From the Accident Scene
It’s critical to seek medical care immediately after the accident, either with the ambulance or by arranging transportation right from the scene. This provides emergency treatment for your injuries and documents that the injuries occurred in the accident. Have a complete examination and tell the doctor about all symptoms, even if they are minor. Ask for a detailed medical report listing your injuries along with the doctor’s recommendations for treatment. Then, carefully follow all of your doctor’s orders and keep all receipts and medical billing invoices.
Hiring a Truck accident lawyer Everett:
If you aren’t satisfied with the offer from your insurance company, you should hire one of the truck accident attorneys from Wells Trumbull. These attorneys have experience dealing with insurance companies, and they know how much money they can get for their clients’ injuries or lost wages.
Contacting an attorney is not a sign of weakness; it’s just smart practice when dealing with large corporations like insurance companies that want to minimize their liability and pay as little as possible for your claim.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Washington
Large commercial trucks have high centers of gravity that make them more prone to swaying and tipping. They also make wide turns, require lengthy stopping times, and have extended blind spots. All of these qualities make them dangerous to smaller vehicles on the road. Common causes of truck accidents in Washington include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Wide turn accidents
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unbalanced or improperly secured loads
- Truck tire blowouts
- Trailer detachments
- Trailer door opening
- Jackknifing trailer
- Speeding
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Defective truck parts
- Impaired driving
- Failure to adjust to inclement weather and road conditions
When driver error or driver negligence results in an accident, the driver, the trucking company, or other entities like the manufacturer of a defective product may be liable for damages.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Washington
When a truck driver is distracted, fatigued, or makes a driving error, the result can be any of the following types of truck accidents:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rollovers
- Head-on collisions
- Multi-car accidents or chain reaction accidents
- Run-off-the-road accidents
All accidents involving large commercial trucks are frightening, with chaotic aftermaths that include serious injuries, traffic blockage, and sometimes spilling of cargo, including toxic chemicals.
Common Injuries In Truck Accidents
In accidents between large commercial trucks weighing up to 18,000 pounds when fully loaded and 4,000-pound passenger cars, the motorists in the smaller vehicle are at a far higher risk of injuries. Common truck accident injuries include the following range of injuries from mild to catastrophic:
- Bruises and lacerations
- Soft-tissue injuries such as sprains and torn ligaments
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Thoracic injuries/internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
Catastrophic injuries like brain injuries and spinal cord damage are expensive and life-altering, requiring long-term care. Even mild injuries may quickly become expensive when medical bills pile up at the same time you’ve missed one or two paychecks. A successful truck accident claim helps to recover those losses.
The Rules and Regulations Governing the Trucking Industry in Washington
Everett, with its bustling ports and growing industries, sees a significant amount of truck traffic. Sadly, truck accidents occur all too often due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Mechanical failures
In Washington, truck accidents are governed by a mix of federal and state laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets forth national standards for trucking companies and drivers. Meanwhile, Washington State law mandates specific requirements concerning road safety and vehicle operations, aiming to reduce truck-related incidents. A violation of any of these laws and regulations can establish liability for truck accident claims.
Establishing Liability for a Truck Accident
Determining liability is crucial in a truck accident case. Liability for a truck accident can fall on the truck driver for negligence, the trucking company for improper maintenance or negligent hiring, or even the manufacturer for defective components.
As such, establishing liability in truck accident cases involves evaluating the actions of the driver, the condition of the truck, and the policies of the employing company. If a trucking company fails to adhere to FMCSA regulations or state laws, such as overloading or insufficient maintenance, they can be held accountable. Moreover, a driver’s logbook, truck maintenance records, and the truck’s black box can yield critical information in establishing liability.
Several parties may be legally liable for your injuries if you are injured in a truck accident.
- The person driving the truck must operate the vehicle safely. It means not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, obeying traffic laws, keeping their vehicle in good working order, and driving at speeds appropriate for the road conditions.
- If a truck driver violates any of these duties, they may be held liable for their injuries.
- The company that hired the driver may also be responsible if they knew or should have known that he was incompetent or negligent and still allowed him to operate their truck.
- Finally, if you were injured while riding in an enclosed trailer or flatbed trailer, you may have a case against the manufacturer of the trailer itself (or its parts).
Meeting the Legal Points of Liability
After your Everett truck accident lawyer investigates the accident and determines the negligent action that caused the crash, they’ll identify the appropriate insurance company and send a compelling demand package with a carefully calculated list of damages and evidence of liability. Proving liability requires demonstrating the following legal requirements:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of care to you and others on the roadway to take reasonable measures to prevent injuries
- They breached this duty through negligent actions
- Their negligent breach of duty caused the accident and your injuries
- You’ve suffered significant damages from the injury like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Once the insurance adjuster assigned to your case receives the demand letter, they begin negotiating a settlement with your truck accident lawyer in Everett. Negotiations may include mediation attempts as well. Only when both sides cannot agree to a settlement because insurers undervalue or unfairly deny claims does the case proceed to a lawsuit. A lawsuit must be filed within the state’s statute of limitations.
How Much Time do You Have to File a Claim?
The answer to this question depends on the type of truck accident. You have more than a year to file a claim in some cases. For example, suppose you were injured in an accident caused by an 18-wheeler or other large commercial vehicle. In that case, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
You only have a short window to file a claim in other cases. For example, if you sustained injuries in a motor vehicle crash with another driver who failed to yield right-of-way at an intersection, you generally have just 30 days to file your injury law. If you don’t meet this deadline and want to file a suit, later on, it will be much more difficult for your truck accident attorney to build a case on your behalf because crucial evidence may have been lost or destroyed by then.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Expect?
How much money you are entitled to depends on your injuries’ severity and how much your medical bills cost. A truck accident attorney in Everett will help you receive the highest amount possible, but it depends on the case they can build against the trucking company.
For example, if a driver runs a red light and hits your vehicle broadside, there is a good chance that they were negligent. They should be responsible for paying all of your medical expenses and other damages. However, in most cases, you may need to hire an attorney specializing in truck accidents to help you build a solid case against them. Common compensation in successful truck accident claims recovers damages like the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses and future medical costs
- Lost wages and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering
- Other applicable non-economic damages like PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, or disfigurement compensation
If you have been injured in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle — whether it was a semi-truck or dump truck — Contact them today for an appointment with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Everett, Washington.
Role of an Experienced Everett Truck Accident Attorney in Truck Accident Cases
Once liability for your truck accident has been established, an experienced Everett car accident attorney can assist you in navigating the complex legal landscape surrounding truck accidents. Here is why engaging an experienced attorney is important:
- Experience: An experienced truck accident attorney in Everett knows the ins and outs of the legal process. From identifying the liable parties to ensuring you get a fair settlement, they, and only they will have your best interest in mind.
- Negotiation: Insurance companies are not always your friend. A skilled truck accident lawyer in Everett will negotiate with the liable insurance companies to obtain fair compensation for you. They can anticipate and counter the tactics employed by insurance companies to minimize or deny your claim.
- Peace of Mind: With a competent Everett truck accident lawyer by your side, you can focus on your physical recovery while they handle the legal complexities.
Additionally, your truck accident lawyer in Everett , when necessary, will advocate zealously on your behalf in court to secure justice for truck accident victims. Their extensive knowledge and experience can be pivotal in securing fair compensation, especially given the severe injuries and extensive damages typically associated with truck accidents.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Truck Accident Claim?
The majority of truck accident claims are resolved without the need for a lawsuit in court. Typically, the insurance company of the liable party offers a settlement for the victim’s damages so the victim never has to see a courtroom. Only in cases of insurance company bad faith practices, wrongful denial of a valid claim, or lowball claim offers does it become necessary to go to court. An injury victim may also choose a lawsuit if their damages far exceed the limits of the insurance coverage.
Everett Truck Accident FAQs
What is a truck accident lawyer?
A truck accident lawyer specializes in representing individuals and families who have been injured by commercial trucks or commercial vehicles. If you have been hurt by a truck, contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. If you wait too long to talk to an attorney, significant evidence may disappear, and witnesses may become harder to find.
Can I sue my employer if they were at fault for my injury?
Yes. You could sue your employer if their negligence caused your injury. The most common types of negligence include:
- + Unsafe work environments.
- + Lack of safety training.
- + Failure to provide proper equipment for the job site.
Do I need an attorney for my claim?
Yes! Truck accident attorneys can help make sure that all of your rights are protected throughout the entire process and make sure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
How much will it cost me to hire a truck accident lawyer?
It depends on the type of case you have, but at Wells|Trumbull, we charge on a contingency fee basis — meaning we only get paid if we win your case!
What is the difference between a car accident and a truck accident?
A car accident is typically between two cars, whereas a truck accident can involve several vehicles, including the truck itself. For example, if a driver loses control of their vehicle and crashes into another car or pedestrian, that would be considered a car accident. But if the same driver crashed into another vehicle while hauling cargo, that would be regarded as a truck accident.
What are some examples of injuries commonly seen in truck accidents?
Common injuries in truck accidents include head trauma, spinal cord damage, paralysis, broken bones, and lacerations. In addition to these more immediate injuries, there may also be long-term consequences like PTSD or brain injury.
Contact Wells Trumbull for Help with your Everett Truck Accident Claim
The sheer size and weight of trucks mean that accidents involving these vehicles often result in severe injuries or fatalities, in which case you may want to speak with an Everett wrongful death lawyer. Because of this, a truck accident claim is not just about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that you get justice and the rightful compensation you need to cover your losses and put your life back together.
Contact Wells Trumbull to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. While no amount of compensation can truly make up for the physical and emotional trauma of a devastating truck accident, an experienced Everett truck accident lawyer can ensure you get the justice you deserve.