Trucking is an important industry in Washington and a critical link in our nation’s supply chain. While we rely on the goods and services brought to our communities by large, commercial trucks, these immense, unwieldy vehicles outweigh the common passenger cars sharing the roadway by as much as 76,000 pounds. There were nearly 6,000 fatal truck accidents in a single recent year, and hundreds of thousands of injuries—an astonishing 49% increase in the last decade.
After a truck accident, motorists in smaller involved vehicles face the biggest risk of serious and catastrophic injuries. In a fault-based accident state like Washington, a successful compensation claim requires making a compelling case for the at-fault party’s liability. After an accident involving the trucking industry, it can be challenging to learn who is responsible. A truck accident lawyer in Everett can help you navigate these complexities.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Washington
Trucks are large, difficult to maneuver, require long stopping times, and have extensive blind spots, posing significant dangers to others on the road. Common causes of truck accidents in Washington include:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Tailgating
- Mechanical failures
- Defective parts
- Inadequate maintenance
- Unbalanced loads
- Drunk driving
Multiple entities are needed to ensure a safe truck is on the roadway. Depending on the cause of the accident, any one of those entities or a combination of parties could be at fault and liable for an injury victim’s damages.
Who Could Be Liable for a Truck Accident?
All aspects of safe trucking rely on following regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to promote safe vehicles and trailers, secure loads, well-maintained trucks, and well-trained drivers who do not exceed their driving limits. When any entity associated with a trucking company fails to adhere to the regulations or neglects to take reasonable care, causing an accident with injuries and damages, an experienced investigator must identify the liable party and document compelling evidence of liability. Common liable parties in Washington truck accidents include:
- The truck driver if they are an independent contractor
- The trucking company
- A truck maintenance company
- A negligent freight loading company
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part or tire
Less commonly, the liable party in a Washington truck accident claim is a third party such as a negligent road maintenance company or a third-party driver.
What Damages Could I Recover In a Truck Accident Claim?
Trucking accident injuries range from mild to severe, depending on the gravity of the accident. More than 70% of truck accident injuries occur to motorists in other vehicles, not the truck drivers in their larger, heavier trucks. Injuries cause economic damages to victims as well as the pain and trauma of the injuries. Common damages in truck accident claims in Washington include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for other non-economic damages that might apply such as disfigurement, loss of one of the senses, traumatic limb loss, diminished life quality, or PTSD
If a truck accident causes fatal injuries, a wrongful death claim brings compensation to close family members for additional damages like funeral expenses and income loss.
How Can a Washington Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Truck accident claims are complex and require thorough investigations and an in-depth knowledge of FMCSA regulations. Call a personal injury lawyer in Marysville from Wells Trumbull today for the legal counsel you need to make a compelling claim and obtain the maximum compensation available.