How a Personal Injury Attorney Helps You Recover From a Devastating Truck Accident. A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Hold Responsible Parties Accountable. Many trucking companies, as well as companies responsible for the loads carried by big rigs, may be held responsible in certain trucking accidents. Truck accident victims can also suffer lacerations and cuts if they're hit with flying debris, glass or other objects. You may say things or sign forms that could end or greatly restrict your rights without realizing it. Providing Effective Representation Since 1999. Because they are so large, their drivers lose sight of other vehicles on the road fairly easily, and their weight and size make any possible truck crash into a potentially deadly situation. Part of the work of a personal injury lawyer is to go over a series of factors before assessing a case settlement. From medical bills to a painful recovery to the strain on your relationships, you may feel as if your life has rolled over. These failures may involve violations of state and federal trucking regulations. Your immediate medical care can easily be thousands of dollars since you are financially responsible for the ambulance ride to the hospital as well as any treatment you receive.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), there were nearly 4, 000 fatalities and over 100, 000 injuries in accidents involving large trucks or buses in 2012. Our Tacoma truck accident lawyers can help you get compensation if you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident on Washington roads. Have you been injured in an accident that involved a semi-truck or 18-wheeler? If both they and the trucker are found to be responsible, then it may be expedient to file claims against the trucker (and trucking company) and the other driver responsible for the accident. Types of Large Trucks That Can Cause Accidents. For these reasons, it is in your best interest to consult with a truck accident lawyer who has direct experience in handling truck accident claims. Bernard Law Group's expert attorneys have been helping Tacoma truck accident victims just like you for over 30 years. Washington state has a comparative fault law that allows victims to recover a partial settlement in these situations. Here are some key findings from Washington's 2019 Target Zero report: Unfortunately, the data indicates that accidents with heavy trucks are on the rise in Washington State.
In extreme cases, punitive damages may also be available if the driver or company acted in bad faith or a way that intended to cause harm when they should have known would cause harm. For your convenience we video conference and sign all forms electronically. Hire Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers. The Law Offices of Michael Clark specializes in personal injury cases and have over 25 years of experience with all varieties of automobile and truck accident claims. Put quite simply, a truck accident is no accident.
For personal injury and wrongful death cases, Washington provides a three-year statute of limitations, according to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) ยง 4. Other law firms often accept the first, lowball settlement offer in order to make a quick buck, but not us. Call Puget Law Group to schedule a complimentary strategy session with Casey Arbenz, our lead injury attorney. Other Third Parties. A truck accident attorney can also help with the legal intricacies of the case, as truck accidents often involve other parties or claims if it was a multi-vehicle wreck. Often, negligence lies with the truck driver. Nevertheless, the law is clear. When you or your loved one is injured in a truck accident, a careful study of the trucking company records may be needed in your case to determine if negligence has occurred in complying with mandatory regulations.
There's no risk or obligation by reaching out, so call us today. They can also collect evidence for you and ensure you have the proof to collect the compensation you deserve. If the lacerations and cuts are deep enough, they can cause disfigurement. This is completely unacceptable and we work to hold these negligent truck drivers accountable for their actions both legally and financially. Source: [1] "Slip and Fall Quick Facts | NFSI. " Leaving out a single record can be the difference in what you are able to recover for your injuries. Loss of sight, loss of hearing, loss of ability to speak, and other impaired senses. If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident in Tacoma, you could recover awards for medical bills, car repairs, and more. Truck accident claims involve more complexities than traditional car accident claims, so it's important to have someone knowledgeable and experienced on your side.
Don't wait, contact our Tacoma truck accident lawyers today for a FREE no-obligation consultation to get your questions answered! Therapy and medical care in the future. Internal bleeding, organ failure, and soft tissue damage. He's knowledgeable, responsive, and kept me informed at all times. That's why it's imperative that enough evidence is collected at the scene and then later, when an attorney becomes involved in the case.
Have you or your loved one has suffered serious injuries in a large truck accident? Some lawyers will claim to be "accident" lawyers. For those who suffer injuries in large truck accidents, downward trending statistics are a step in the right direction, but provide no comfort for the thousands of lives altered each year because of the negligence of truck drivers and trucking companies. What's more unsettling is the fact that sharing the road with them leads to more accidents than you think.
We offer every one of our clients a guarantee that we won't take a dime of their money until after we've gotten them compensation. In Washington, survivors of the deceased person may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice after having their loved one taken from this life too early. It is possible to hold multiple parties responsible for accidents involving large trucks and commercial businesses. We know what to look for and how these accidents usually happen. I highly recommend him and will always consider him to be my first choice for legal matters I need resolved. Although the overall trend in the last 40 years is downward for numbers of truck accidents and fatal truck accidents, the most recent statistics indicate that truck accidents may be on the rise again as the number of miles traveled by large trucks increases and driver distractions such as texting and social media usage continue. We do not charge for an initial consultation. Severe head injuries. Our Greene & Lloyd attorneys have helped hundreds of accident victims in Puyallup, Olympia, Tacoma, Kirkland, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Spokane, and Kennewick.
So let us start working for you as soon as possible. These treatments can be short term or can take months and even years in some cases. Reduced earning potential: The wreck may cause you to be unable to resume your regular job duties, and you could recover for the reduction of any future earning potential. Common causes of truck accidents include: - Fatigued driving. Tacoma Trucking Accident Victims: Do Not Let Negligent Parties Take Advantage.
Common types of injuries that people suffer in large truck accidents include: - Broken bones. Lakewood Attorneys Serving Victims of 18-Wheeler Accidents. The sheer size of a semi-truck means that getting into an accident with one creates a strong risk of serious injury. Both federal and state regulations govern the trucking industry. About a third of fatal crashes happened at night. In the event that you will need to take some time off from work while recovering from injuries sustained in a truck accident, you stand to lose your ability to currently earn income. Improper training for the truck driver. Fast-moving trucks can take a much longer distance to stop, compared to a passenger vehicle. Truckloads not properly secured.
Drawing on our nearly four decades of experience and a long record of success, our family of personal injury attorneys come together to provide our clients with passionate and strategic legal counsel. Truck accident injuries are often more serious than injuries suffered in accidents with only passenger vehicles. Loss of consortium (in the case of a lost loved one). Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours? Over the last ten years of reporting, the number of fatal crashes decreased by 17%.
Equipment that has not been maintained. Sometimes, the negligence of a smaller car's driver recklessly driving to get around the truck cause accidents with large trucks. TACOMA AREA TRUCK ACCIDENTS ATTORNEYS. But if the facts show that the company had enough control over the driver, the agreement is less important than state law defining who's an employee.
If you're worried about the price of our expert services, don't be. In each of these cases, the driver, trucking company, or both are guilty of negligence. We welcome clients throughout the Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver areas of Washington. Michael Fisher and his staff are great people. There are a number of parties who could potentially share liability and there is a great amount of opposition leveraged against victims by trucking companies, insurance carriers, and their legal teams.
Despite these measures, truck driver fatigue continues to be a problem here in Washington State. If it's an open trailer, cargo that falls off can strike another vehicle. Even minor traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term medical issues. Most accidents occurred on weekdays. Our Goal: To Assist People Injured by Commercial Drivers. Many truck drivers drive for long hours, leaving them tired and distracted behind the wheel. Critical injuries may include: - Spinal cord injuries. Broken bones can occur anywhere on the body, including the hands, arms, legs and hips, and cause excruciating pain.