Richland Truck Accident Lawyer

Are you facing painful injuries and unforeseen expenses from a truck collision? If so, you need a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Richland to demand fair compensation for your recovery. 

At Mariano Morales Law, we pride ourselves on our empathetic approach and relentless pursuit of justice for our clients. We dig deeply into each case, leaving no stone unturned to bolster your claim and maximize your settlement or verdict.

Our team is adept at cutting through the red tape and taking on complex legal challenges so you can focus on what’s most important: your recovery. Reach out to our office by calling (509) 853-2222 or complete our online form for a free consultation for more details about how we can help after you were injured or lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident.

Why Richland, WA, Truck Accidents Require a Lawyer with Extensive Experience

The stakes are high and the legal proceedings are daunting in truck accident cases, so effective legal representation is essential. Unlike standard car accident cases, truck accident injury claims present unique challenges due to the following factors:

  • Severity of Injuries – 18-wheeler accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. This increases the medical, emotional, and financial toll on victims.
  • Higher Compensation Stakes – The severity of injuries often means larger claims. Experienced lawyers are adept at calculating and negotiating for fair compensation that accounts for the full extent of the harm you have suffered.
  • Multiple Parties Involved – Truck accidents often involve numerous parties, from drivers to trucking companies, manufacturers, and even government entities. 
  • Evidence Gathering – Truck accident cases demand extensive evidence, including driver logs, truck maintenance records, and electronic control module (ECM) data. 
  • Insurance Company Tactics – Insurance providers that represent trucking companies often use aggressive tactics to minimize or eliminate potentially large payouts.

Choosing Mariano Morales Law for your truck accident case means partnering with a firm that has over three decades of dedicated experience in this highly specific practice area. As members of the prestigious Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, our firm boasts a national reputation for handling and winning complex truck cases. Let us protect your rights and demand the fair compensation you deserve.

How Our Richland Truck Accident Law Firm Can Help You

The assistance of a skilled lawyer is essential in a truck accident case. If you suffer injuries in a Richland truck accident, the team at Mariano Morales Law can help you by:

  • Investigating the truck accident for useful evidence and information
  • Gathering and analyzing accident scene photos and video footage
  • Interviewing witnesses to obtain detailed statements
  • Reviewing and interpreting the truck driver’s logs for violations
  • Compiling and assessing your medical records to document your injuries
  • Consulting medical experts to understand the full impact of your injuries
  • Collaborating with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case
  • Handling all legal paperwork and court filings related to your case
  • Negotiating with insurance companies to maximize your settlement value
  • Representing you in court if your case goes to trial
  • Communicating with all parties involved on your behalf
  • Advising you on legal strategies and options throughout the process
  • Assessing the full extent of your economic and non-economic losses
  • Challenging low settlement offers and negotiating for fair compensation

How We Investigate Truck Accident Cases in Richland

At Mariano Morales Law, our truck accident lawyers conduct thorough and independent investigations to gather evidence establishing the cause of the accident and potentially liable parties. Each type of evidence plays a role in piecing together the events of the truck accident and building a solid case for the compensation you deserve. 

Some common types of evidence we use to prove truck accident injury cases include the following:

  • Accident Scene Photos – Photos from the accident scene provide visual evidence of the crash’s impact, road conditions, and the positions of vehicles, allowing us to reconstruct the event.
  • Witness Statements – Testimonies from people who witnessed the accident can offer useful details about what happened, adding context and perspective to the incident.
  • Truck Driver’s Logs – These logs contain information about the driver’s hours on the road, rest periods, and adherence to driving regulations, which can indicate driver fatigue or violations.
  • Truck Maintenance Records – Maintenance records can indicate if mechanical failure due to poor maintenance contributed to the accident, which might point to the trucking company’s liability.
  • Electronic Control Module (ECM) Data – The truck’s ECM records data like speed, brake usage, and engine performance, providing details about the truck’s operation just before the crash.
  • Traffic Camera Footage – Video from nearby traffic cameras can capture the accident as it happened, providing real-time evidence of the events leading up to and during the collision.
  • Cell Phone Records – If distracted driving is a suspected factor, cell phone records can show if the driver was using their phone at the time of the accident.
  • Expert Testimonies – Specialists in fields like accident reconstruction or medicine can offer insights into the causes and consequences of the truck accident.

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

Commercial trucking operations involve several parties, each playing a role in the vehicle’s operation and maintenance. Any of these parties could be liable in a truck accident injury case, including the following:

  • Truck Driver – The driver could be liable for wrongful actions such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
  • Trucking Company – The company employing the driver could be liable, especially if it overlooked safety regulations, enforced unrealistic schedules, or failed to maintain the truck properly.
  • Cargo Loaders – If improper loading of the truck’s cargo contributed to the accident, the parties responsible for loading and securing the cargo might be liable.
  • Truck Manufacturer – A truck manufacturer could be responsible in cases where a mechanical failure from a manufacturing defect caused the accident.
  • Maintenance Providers – If poor maintenance is a factor, the service provider responsible for the truck’s upkeep could be accountable.
  • Other Motorists – Sometimes, other drivers’ actions on the road contribute to truck accidents, leaving these third parties potentially liable.

Demanding Full Compensation for Crash Victims in Richland

When you file a truck accident claim, the goal is to secure compensation that covers both the economic and non-economic impacts of the accident. Economic compensation aims to cover quantifiable financial losses, like medical expenses. Non-economic compensation is for more subjective, personal losses, such as lost quality of life. 

Here are some examples of common types of losses that could entitle you to truck accident compensation:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of consortium
  • Property damage costs

Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuits in Richland

In Washington, the statute of limitations imposes a strict filing deadline for truck accident lawsuits. This law says you have three years from the date of the accident to sue. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, you lose your right to sue for the harm you have suffered. This can mean forfeiting compensation for injuries, pain, suffering, and more.

Causes of Truck Accidents in Richland

Big rig accidents often result from a variety of factors, including driver errors and mechanical issues. Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents include the following:

  • Driver Fatigue – Long hours on the road often lead to driver fatigue, making it a frequent cause of truck accidents. This is because tired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment.
  • Distracted Driving – If truck drivers focus on texting or other distractions instead of paying attention to the road, they can cause serious crashes, especially given the massive size of trucks.
  • Speeding and Reckless Driving – Speeding or driving recklessly in a truck can have devastating consequences due to the vehicle’s considerable size and momentum. High speeds reduce the driver’s ability to react to road hazards and increase the severity of any impact.
  • Improper Loading – If a truck’s cargo is not properly secured or is unevenly distributed, it can cause the truck to become unbalanced or the cargo to fall off. This can lead to loss of control or create road hazards for other vehicles.
  • Mechanical Failures – Regular maintenance is critical for trucks, as mechanical failures like brake failure or tire blowouts can lead to accidents. Mechanical failures can also result from manufacturing defects, in which case a manufacturer could be liable.
  • Inadequate Safety Measures – When trucking companies fail to implement or follow proper safety measures, it can lead to accidents. This includes not enforcing driving hour regulations, skipping necessary vehicle inspections, or ignoring safety equipment requirements.

Injuries You Could Sustain in a Semi-Trailer Truck Accident

Truck accidents can inflict a variety of physical injuries, ranging from minor to potentially life-threatening. Below are examples of some common injuries that people often suffer in truck accidents:

  • Death
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Organ damage
  • Lacerations
  • Burns
  • Amputations
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Paralysis
  • Herniated discs

Talk to a Richland, WA, Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney Today

Mariano Morales Law can provide the support and guidance you need, no matter how complex your truck accident case might be. Experience the peace of mind that comes with professional legal assistance. Call us at (509) 853-2222 or complete our online form to talk with a Richland truck accident lawyer.