If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident involving an 18-wheeler, you need to seek legal assistance immediately. You may be entitled to significant compensation an attorney will be necessary to determine who was at fault. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our experienced Seattle truck accident attorneys will investigate all aspects of the incident to determine liability.
What are the common causes of truck crashes?
There are various factors involved in large truck crashes. While there are times when a passenger vehicle driver is at fault, these incidents are often caused by other parties, such as the truck driver or truck companies. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), well over 100,000 people are injured each year due to large truck crashes. During the latest reporting year in the US, there were 4,761 fatalities due to large truck accidents.
The FMCSA and state agencies are responsible for regulating truck drivers and companies. In many cases, driver errors are to blame. The FMCSA cited driver errors as being responsible for 87% of large truck crashes. This can be due to a driver:
- Failing to follow traffic laws and speed limits
- Operating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operating while fatigued due to violating hours of service requirements
- Operating while distracted by their phones or other devices
There are often many liable parties
Drivers are not always the only liable party. Other parties that can be at fault for a truck accident include:
- Truck companies: these companies are required to regularly inspect and maintain each vehicle.
- Truck manufacturer: there are times when a truck is manufactured poorly and has defects that can lead to a serious crash.
- Truck part manufacturers: large trucks continually need new parts, and faulty truck parts can lead to serious accidents.
- Maintenance companies: many truck companies and owner-operators use third-party maintenance companies who could be liable if they repair the truck improperly.
A skilled Seattle truck accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate all aspects of a truck crash in order to determine who was at fault for the crash. One or more parties may be named in a lawsuit.
What kind of compensation is available in a truck crash case?
There are various types of compensation available for victims injured in commercial truck accidents. This includes both economic and non-economic damages such as the following:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to the truck crash
- Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Coverage of physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against any of the liable parties mentioned above
At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our knowledgeable and experienced team will work diligently to secure the maximum compensation for your case. You can count on us to investigate all aspects of your case. You can contact our Seattle truck accident attorneys for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.