Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer

You may get hurt in a trucking accident. In this instance, you may not be responsible for any accident-related losses. A Seattle personal injury lawyer may be able to help you figure out who is responsible for your crash and help you request compensation from an at-fault party.

At Puget Law Group (PLG), we offer legal help to trucking accident victims. A Seattle truck accident lawyer is available to review your case. To get started, contact us today.

Truck Accidents in Seattle

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), large trucks make up 5% of all registered vehicles in the United States. Trucking crashes occur due to driver fatigue, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and many other reasons. There are several parties who may be at fault in a trucking collision, including:

• Trucker
• Trucking company
• Truck parts manufacturer
• Government entity

PLG provides you with access to an experienced legal team. Our truck accident attorney in Seattle can help you submit a claim against an at-fault party. To learn more, get in touch with us. 

What to Do After a Truck Accident

You may feel frustrated about your trucking crash. In the moments after your collision, it may be best to remain calm, cool, and collected. Here are things you can do to get help after your crash and boost your chances of securing compensation from an at-fault party:

• Call 911. This will bring medical professionals and police officers to the accident scene to assist you and anyone else involved in your crash. 
• Go to a Doctor. Visit an emergency room or meet with a doctor to undergo a medical evaluation and treat any injuries. 
• Get the Truck Driver’s Information. Ask the trucker involved in your crash for their full name, driver’s license number, insurance information, and details about their employer. 
• Consult with an Attorney. In the days after your accident, discuss your case with an attorney. 

If an at-fault trucker pressures you to accept responsibility for your crash, do not say anything. By taking the blame for your collision, you may compromise your ability to get damages. This may force you to pay some or all of your injury-related costs out of your own pocket.  

Truck Accident Liability

It may be difficult to prove fault in a trucking accident. Regardless, a Seattle truck accident lawyer may help you build a body of evidence to support your request for compensation. They may work with you to prove the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident: 

• Duty of Care: An at-fault party had a legal obligation to act in a reasonable and cautious manner toward you. 
• Breach of Duty of Care: The party violated their legal obligation, and as a result, put you in danger. 
• Causation: Because the party breached their duty of care, your accident happened, and you suffered an injury. 
• Damages: You are forced to deal with quantifiable or subjective losses due to the party’s actions. 

If you hire a Seattle truck accident attorney who has helped their clients get outstanding personal injury case results, you may be in a strong position to secure the compensation you want. Your lawyer may help you gather a wealth of proof to show you are in no way responsible for your accident. This evidence may compel a judge or jury to award you 100% of the damages you request. 

Truck Accident Case Evidence

Following your truck accident, you may use your smartphone to capture photos and videos at the scene. These items may help you show the severity of your injury and any property damage you incurred. Along with photos and videos, there are other pieces of evidence you may provide, such as:

• Police Report: If you call 911, police officers will come to the accident scene, collect information from you and others involved in your crash, and put together a report that details the incident. 
• Black Box Data: A truck may be equipped with a black box that monitors the vehicle’s speed at the time of your crash and other relevant data, and you may use information from it to help prove a trucker was negligent. 
• Repair and Maintenance Records: You may collect truck repair and maintenance records to show a trucking company did not take the necessary steps to keep its vehicle running at peak levels, which may have contributed to your accident. 
• Witness Statements: If someone saw your accident happen, they may be able to provide a statement on your behalf. 

A truck accident lawyer in Seattle who has received many positive client testimonials may help you use evidence to craft a compelling argument. They may work with you to seek the most compensation possible from any at-fault parties. Your attorney can make sure your claim is submitted in accordance with Washington’s statute of limitations.

How Much Time You Have to Submit a Truck Accident Claim

Per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) §4.16.080, you may have up to three years from the date of your trucking accident to seek compensation. It may be in your best interests to pursue damages as soon as possible following your crash. If you wait too long, you may be solely responsible for your crash-related losses. 

A truck accident attorney in Seattle may take a look at your case and file your claim before the statute of limitations to do so lapses. They may encourage you to pursue economic and non-economic damages. You may receive economic compensation for medical bills, other quantifiable losses, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering. 

Just because you submit a claim for compensation does not guarantee you will be awarded damages. For example, an at-fault party or their insurance company may commit time and resources to dispute your claim. Your lawyer understands the challenges that may arise in your case, and they will help you address these issues before they escalate. 

Contributory Fault in a Trucking Accident Lawsuit

You may recover damages if an at-fault party is in any way responsible for your trucking accident. Much in the same vein, contributory fault may affect how much you get in compensation. If you are found to be partially liable for your trucking collision, what you receive in damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

For instance, a judge or jury may find you 20% at fault for your trucking crash. If this occurs, you may receive 80% of the damages you initially requested. This is due to the fact that the judge or jury deems you to share the blame for your crash. 

You may still be able to get compensation even if you are found to be 99% responsible for your trucking collision. In the best-case scenario, your lawyer will make it clear to a judge or jury that the defendant is fully to blame for your accident. At this point, you may receive all of the damages you want. 

Trucking Crash Case Settlement

In truck and car accidents and other personal injury cases, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a settlement with the help of your Seattle car accident lawyer. As an example, an at-fault party may reach out and offer a settlement within days of your collision. It may be a good idea to review this proposal carefully — because if you immediately accept the offer, you may get far less than your case is actually worth. 

If you receive a settlement proposal, you may want to examine it with your lawyer. With help from your attorney, you can weigh a settlement’s pros and cons. If a settlement offer does not meet your expectations, your lawyer can notify the defendant, and you and your attorney can keep looking for ways to strengthen your case. 

An at-fault party or their insurance company may explore every opportunity to avoid having to pay out your claim. They may do things like look on your social media accounts for photos and videos that show your injury is not as bad as you claim. No matter what the liable party or their insurer attempts to do, you and your attorney can stay the course and do everything in your power to build an argument that resonates with a judge or jury. 

File a Trucking Crash Claim with an Experienced Seattle Truck Accident Attorney Today

PLG has earned more than 400 five-star Google reviews, thanks in part to our commitment to our clientele. Our legal team is here to help you with your trucking crash claim. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today.