Seattle Trucking Accident Cases - Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Washington
While trucking is vitally important for interstate commerce, these highway giants make American highways a much more dangerous place. Given the large size of trucks, even a relatively low impact truck accident can lead to serious injury (such as brain or spinal cord injuries) or wrongful death. Truck accident injuries can be devastating for both the accident victim and their entire family. Every year people are killed, and hundreds of thousands more are injured as a result of trucking accidents. If you are injured in a truck collision, contact our Seattle trucking accident and semi-truck lawyers for a case evaluation.
Truck Accident Causes
Automobiles are designed under Federal Motor Vehicle Standards to encounter like-size vehicles, not an 18-wheel truck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2004, a total of 5,190 people died (12 percent of all the traffic fatalities reported) and an additional 116,000 were injured in truck accidents. Common causes of trucking accidents include:
- Negligence on the part of the truck driver or the other vehicles
- Fatigued, sleepy, or tired driver
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Poorly maintained truck brakes, tires, or lights
- Aggressive drivers
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Poor training on the part of the truck driver
- Overloaded or oversized trucks
- Poor driving conditions (fog, snow, rain, or smoke)
- Speeding or ignoring reduced truck speed limit
- Jackknifing
- Tailgating or aggressive driving behavior
- Alcohol-related (DUI) accidents
[View comparative auto accident statistics]
If you've been involved in a serious truck accident, contact one of our Seattle trucking accident lawyers and set up a consultation. We will evaluate your case and answer any questions you may have.
What Can Our Truck Accident Lawyers Do For You?
The law protects the rights of truck accident victims. Those involved in trucking accidents could be eligible for compensation – medical bills, property damage, loss of wages or earning capacity, etc. If a family member is killed in a trucking accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death suit.
Washington State has instituted an at-fault law. This at-fault statute states that the party responsible for the accident must pay all related costs. Victims seriously injured in a truck accident can rely on our Seattle trucking accident lawyers to ensure they receive the maximum compensation allowed under the law. In order to receive sufficient compensation for your claim, it is very important that you retain experienced, aggressive legal representation as soon as possible.
The Seattle-based trucking accident lawyers at Wiener Lambka Deutscher, Attorneys at Law realize the period immediately following an accident is a difficult time for the victims and their loved ones. We have represented many Seattle and Washington State truck accident victims over the years. Our skilled lawyers maintain an impressive record of obtaining just settlements and helping victims get back on their feet.
Trucking Accident Statistics
- In 2004, 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the U.S.
- Among those killed in trucking accidents: 77 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 8 percent were non-occupants, and 15 percent were occupants of the truck. Of those injured: 73 percent were occupants of another vehicle, three percent were non-occupants, and 24 percent were occupants of the truck.
- Large trucks accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4 percent of all vehicles involved in injury or property-damage-only crashes.
- In 2004, large trucks were 3.2 times as likely as other vehicles to be struck in the rear in two-vehicle fatal crashes.
[Statistics taken from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2004 Traffic Safety Fact Sheet]
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you've been seriously injured in a trucking accident, it is crucial to retain legal council immediately. If you are in the Seattle, Washington area and would like to arrange a consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys, contact Wiener Lambka Deutscher, Attorneys at Law today. We will gladly assess your case and explain the important aspects of trucking accident litigation.
If you have been victimized by a person or business's negligent behavior, contact our personal injury attorneys in Seattle, Washington. We serve all of Western Washington including Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties. We will travel to you to help make this process easier.