Washington Truck Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident in Washington?

Truck accidents are among the most devastating traffic collisions. The sheer size and weight of trucks mean that these accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries and significant trauma. A loaded single trailer semi weighs approximately 80,000 lbs., while the average passenger car only weighs approximately 4,000 lbs. They also bring long-lasting stress and financial strain to an accident victim and their family alike through medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. 

Are you or a loved one suffering a catastrophic injury because of a truck accident in Washington State? If someone else was to blame, Mariano Morales Law is here to help, no matter how complicated your case is. Our attorneys can pursue compensation on your behalf, taking on the powerful trucking companies while you concentrate on healing. Contact us at (509) 853-2222 or complete our online form to discuss the specifics of your case in a free, no-obligation consultation with a Washington truck accident lawyer. 

Why Choose Mariano Morales Law for Your Washington Truck Accident Claim?

Semi-trucks — also known as 18-wheelers, big rigs, and large commercial trucks — are inherently dangerous because of their large size and unwieldy design. Handling a truck case is more complicated than a standard car accident.  If you or a loved one is catastrophically injured in a truck accident, having an experienced lawyer by your side is essential to your quest for compensation and accountability. A skilled attorney can handle all the legal aspects of your truck accident case, protecting your rights as they seek the full and fair compensation you deserve. 

Among the key ways an experienced lawyer can assist you after a truck accident include the following:

  • Evaluating Your Case – An experienced lawyer will evaluate your situation to determine the strength of your truck accident claim and advise you on your options.
  • Gathering Evidence – Lawyers who know how to handle truck accidents understand the importance of collecting comprehensive evidence. This includes a safety inspection of the truck by an expert, recovering accident reports, witness statements, driver time logs, dash cam videos, the truck’s electronic data showing speed, braking, inspection of the scene, checking for compliance with federal trucking regulations, and any video or photographic evidence. An attorney can also work with experts to reconstruct the accident scene if necessary.
  • Dealing with Insurance Companies – Insurance carriers usually take advantage of truck accident victims who try to handle their own claims or lawyers not experienced in truck cases. This is because unrepresented victims do not know how much their cases might be worth, and an insurance adjuster will often pressure them into accepting an insufficient settlement. But an experienced attorney knows the tactics that insurance companies employ in their efforts to avoid payouts — and won’t be susceptible to them. Insurance carriers know who the experienced trucking lawyers are.
  • Negotiating on Your Behalf – An experienced attorney has strong negotiation skills, which are essential for securing fair compensation. We will fight the insurance companies and other parties on your behalf to reach a fair and reasonable settlement that covers your medical expenses, income losses, pain, suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
  • Representing You in Court – If the other side won’t agree to a fair settlement, an experienced lawyer should be ready to take your case to trial. Seasoned attorneys have the courtroom ability to effectively present your case at trial, fighting on your behalf to persuade the jury and achieving full justice for your losses.

How Our Washington Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You?

If you’re dealing with a truck accident injury in Washington State, Mariano Morales Law can provide the comprehensive support you need. Established in 1994 by Mariano Morales, Jr., our firm has been representing injured Washingtonians for three decades. We are proud to serve our neighbors in Yakima, the Tri-Cities, Grant and Chelan counties, and Wenatchee, as well as throughout the entire Evergreen State. 

With Mariano Morales Law, you receive personal, one-on-one attention at every stage of your claim. Our team understands the challenges of pursuing truck accident cases and will work tirelessly to seek the justice you deserve. We know that many of our clients are in tight financial positions, so we do not charge fees unless and until we win compensation. That way, you can pursue the compensation you deserve without worrying about how you will pay for it.  

The Legal Process for Truck Accident Claims in Washington

If you’ve suffered injuries from a trucking accident, it can be challenging to concentrate on anything but your recovery. But the actions you take in the days and weeks that follow can impact your claim for compensation significantly. 

In order to protect yourself and help build a compelling claim, you should take the following proactive steps: 

  • Get the truck driver’s license, name of their employer, and their insurance information.
  • Document the accident scene, if possible, and ask for the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
  • Report the collision to the authorities and ask for a copy of the police accident report in the days that follow.
  • Get a doctor’s examination as soon as possible following the accident, in order to document any injuries.
  • Follow all treatment instructions from your doctor.
  • Retain all bills, receipts, and invoices for your medical care, vehicle repairs, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash.
  • Gather your pay stubs or income statements, if you had to miss work or you have a reduction in earnings while you recover from your accident-related injuries.
  • Avoid posting on your social media platforms, as insurance companies can use what you post against you when adjusting your claim.

Finally, contact a Washington truck accident attorney from Mariano Morales Law. Our law firm can work to hold every negligent party liable for the harm you suffered in the crash. 

How Washington Truck Accident Cases Are Investigated?

Trucking companies train their drivers to call the company first when in a wreck. Their insurance carriers then often deploy rapid response teams immediately to the scene, talking to witnesses, and hiding or destroying evidence that helps your claim. At Mariano Morales Law, we investigate truck accident cases thoroughly to recover valuable evidence, such as: 

  • Demanding immediate and detailed preservation of evidence
  • Accident scene and injury photos
  • Surveillance camera footage
  • Dashcam videos
  • Truck and trailer inspections by experts
  • Police accident reports
  • Witness statements
  • Medical records
  • Medical bills
  • Expert witness testimony
  • Truck driver’s logbooks
  • Truck maintenance records
  • Truck GPS data
  • Cell phone records
  • Driver employment records
  • Trucking company policies
  • Cargo loading records
  • Accident reconstruction reports
  • Road and weather condition reports
  • Traffic signal data
  • The truck’s black box data
  • Toxicology reports

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Semi-Truck Accident in Washington? 

Determining who is responsible for a semi-truck accident is crucial to securing compensation. Depending on the specifics of the crash, any or several of the following parties could be to blame. 

The Truck Driver

A truck driver can be liable if their actions directly contributed to the accident. This includes scenarios where the driver was speeding, driving under the influence, distracted, or engaging in reckless driving behaviors. If the driver violates traffic laws or trucking regulations, they could be responsible for the resulting injuries. 

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies can be liable for accidents involving their vehicles or employed drivers. These can include situations where a company fails to enforce proper safety standards, does not adequately maintain its fleet, or pressures drivers to violate hours of service (HOS) regulations. A company’s negligence in hiring, training, or supervising drivers can also lead to liability. 

Cargo Loading Teams

If an accident results from improperly loaded or secured cargo, the team or company responsible for these tasks can be held responsible. This liability can stem from failing to adhere to safety standards regarding cargo weight, balance, or securement, leading to rollovers or lost cargo accidents. 

Manufacturers

Truck and component manufacturers can be liable if a mechanical failure caused by a defect in design or manufacturing contributes to a truck accident. Common defective parts include faulty brakes, tires, and steering components. The manufacturer might be held responsible under product liability laws in such cases.

Brokers

Brokers arrange the loads from the shipper to its destination with trucking companies. They have a legal duty to make sure that the trucking companies they assign to the loads are safe and do not have a history of causing wrecks, bad drivers, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations violations, falsifying driver logs, overweight violations, faulty equipment, and other bad behavior that puts the motoring public at risk.

Recoverable Damages in Truck Accident Cases in Washington

If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident someone else caused, a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can demand fair compensation for the full extent of any harm you suffered as a result. Depending on your situation, truck accident compensation could cover your: 

  • Medical bills
  • Future medical costs
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Income losses
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost quality and enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement/scarring
  • Emotional and psychological trauma
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Loss of consortium

What is the Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Washington?

In Washington State, you have three years from the date of an injury accident to file your truck accident lawsuit. If you file after this period expires, the court will likely dismiss your case. This strict deadline emphasizes the need for prompt action and professional support. 

A lawyer can manage your claim efficiently and thoroughly, from gathering evidence to filing demands and complaints to negotiating with insurance companies. By engaging an experienced Washington truck accident attorney immediately after your accident, you protect your right to compensation and maximize your chances of a favorable outcome. 

What Are the Top Causes of Truck Accidents in Washington?

Truck accidents have many different causes. Some of the most common in Washington State include the following: 

  • Driver Fatigue – Truck drivers often work long, unusual hours that increase the risk of being tired. This results in slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making accidents more likely.
  • Speeding – Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for conditions is a common cause of truck accidents. Trucks require more time to stop because of their large size and weight, making speeding particularly hazardous.
  • Distracted Driving – Doing things such as talking and texting on cell phones, eating, or adjusting the radio can take a truck driver’s attention off the road, leading to serious accidents.
  • Improper Loading – Cargo that’s loaded incorrectly or is unsecured can shift during transit. This can cause the truck to become unbalanced, increasing the risk of a rollover or loss-of-control accident.
  • Lack of Maintenance – Failing to properly maintain a truck or its components can lead to mechanical failures that cause accidents.
  • Inadequate Training – Truck drivers require specialized training to do their jobs safely. Inadequate training in handling or maneuvering their vehicle or in safety protocols can lead to preventable accidents.
  • Driving Under the Influence – Consuming alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can impair a truck driver’s ability to drive safely, which can lead to severe accidents.
  • Reckless Driving – Reckless and aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield the right of way can lead to devastating truck accidents.
  • Equipment Failures – Mechanical issues, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, are common contributing factors in truck accident cases. If these issues result from manufacturing defects, the companies that produced the faulty components could be held liable.
  • Negligent Trip Planning – Hazards on the route such as bad weather, road conditions, construction zones, and more often result in preventable collisions. With today’s technologies, truck companies can and should plan their routes to avoid unnecessary risks to the motoring public. 
  • Negligent Brokers – Brokers arrange the loads from the shipper to its destination with trucking companies. They have a legal duty to make sure that the trucking companies they assign to the loads are safe and do not have a history causing wrecks, bad drivers, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations violations, falsifying driver logs, overweight violations, faulty equipment, and other bad behavior that puts the motoring public at risk.

What Injuries Often Happen in Washington Truck Accidents?

Truck crashes can result in a wide range of injuries, many of which are severe due to the massive forces involved in a collision. Some of the more common examples of possible truck crash injuries include the following: 

  • Death
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Amputations
  • Disfigurement
  • Herniated discs
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Organ damage
  • Eye injuries
  • Ear injuries
  • Nerve damage

If a family member or loved one is involved in a fatal truck accident, you may be able to cover compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Need to Discuss Your Truck Accident? Contact Our Washington Law Firm Today.

If you have suffered traumatic injuries in a Washington truck accident, your journey toward recovery and justice starts with a simple conversation. Mariano Morales Law wants to hear from you. Contact our law firm at (509) 853-2222 or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Washington State. You’ll learn how we can demand the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.