WASHINGTON TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Car accidents are inherently traumatic. This trauma, however, can sometimes reach new heights when trucks, especially large ones, are involved. These vehicles are bigger, longer, heavier, and more difficult to steer and slow than ordinary ones. Over ten people are killed every day in a large truck accident, in part because many of the accidents involve head-on collisions. Even in non-fatal truck-related accidents, injuries can be severe. In either scenario, it is important to consult with an experienced Washington truck accident lawyer regarding your legal options. Washington Auto Law helps people across the State, including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Olympia, Bellingham, and Kent.
The Science Behind Large Truck Accidents
One of the most terrifying types of truck accidents to be involved in is a rollover crash. These types of accidents occur most frequently when a truck driver fails to adjust the truck’s speed to any one of a number of factors, including curves in the road, the load being carried, condition of the truck’s brakes, road surface, and intersection conditions. Besides speed adjustment mistakes, inattentive driving and steering errors are other causes of rollover crashes. Furthermore, rollover crashes are also a function of forces that are more likely to affect larger vehicles driving at high speeds on curved surfaces. Centrifugal force, specifically, can cause a large track to lean away from the direction of a road curve as the truck travels on a curved lane.
What to Do If You Have Been Involved in a Truck Accident in Washington
Virtually all automobile accidents result in damages to persons and/or property. When trucks, especially very large ones, are involved, these damages can be immense. An accident involving a large truck will often result in medical bills, future medical treatment costs, lost income from missed work, pain and suffering, and in the worst cases, death. In the aftermath, it is imperative that victims in a truck accident obtain the services of an experienced Washington truck accident lawyer to file a timely claim against the parties at fault. Because automobile accidents, especially those involving large trucks, can involve multiple parties engaged in a chain of events at high speeds in traffic, the skill of such a lawyer will be needed in establishing the element of causation – an essential component of most all accident-related claims. Washington Auto Law – a prominent law firm in the area of personal injury – provides precisely the highly effective and experienced lawyers needed to handle truck accident-related personal injury claims. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to learn how we can serve you in this time of need. Washington Auto Law is dedicated to serving the community with its highly effective and experienced injury lawyers.
Sleep Deprivation is a Major Cause of Large Truck Crashes
Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle collisions. To a trucker, miles are money, and miles take time. In their minds, they are not paid to sleep or rest, and the faster and farther they drive, the more profit they take home. Therefore, federal regulations are routinely disobeyed by truck drivers. Drivers are only allowed to driver a maximum of 11 hours in one day, in which a 30-minute break must be included. The maximum hours a truck driver can work in one week is 70 hours. This 70-hour work week must be followed by a mandatory 34-hour rest period in which no truck driving can take place. Additionally, the federal restart of the work week includes regulations enforcing two periods between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Truck lobby groups have repeatedly tried to battle these regulations to boost their profits, while safety advocates are calling for more enforcement and stricter regulations to save lives.
The Department of Transportation estimates that 13 percent of all large truck crashes are caused by fatigued drivers, based off of the Large-Truck Crash Causation Study. While the American Trucking Association cites police report statistics of just two percent of large truck crashes being caused by fatigued truck drivers, transportation safety experts of the National Safety Council argue that because truck drivers facing criminal charges often invoke their Fifth Amendment rights, and that there is no blood test that can detect fatigue levels, police reports will always under represent the problem of fatigued drivers. However, there is hope yet to prove negligence on the truck driver’s behalf. If you were injured by a negligent truck driver, the cause may have been lack of sleep. We will look through the records of the trucker’s driving logs to find out if sleep deprivation was the cause of the crash. Regardless of any federal rules that the driver violated or did not violate, we will work to prove that the driver handled their vehicle in a careless, unsafe fashion that resulted in the crash and injuries to you and/or your family.
Practical Steps to Take After a Washington Truck Accident
As is all too apparent from the foregoing statistic, truck accidents are not uncommon on American roadways. In order to strengthen your case, it is necessary to take certain measures in the direct aftermath of an accident. Most importantly, speak with the police and make sure an accident report is created at the scene of the accident. A police report can be an invaluable piece of evidence in a future case. Also, attempt to preserve any evidence from the accident, and exchange information with the other driver and with any witnesses. Finally, seek medical treatment for any injuries, and contact a lawyer immediately thereafter. Contact our Washington truck accident lawyers right away.
You May Be Able to Recover Compensation for Damages Suffered During Your Truck Accident in Washington
All Washington truck, car, and motorcycle operators are required to drive responsibly on roads. More specifically, drivers owe others a duty of care, and must not drive negligently or in a reckless fashion. If another driver operates their vehicle negligently or recklessly, and subsequently injures you, you may be able to seek compensation. Or, if you have lost a loved one as a result of another’s failure to observe the rules of the road, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased. For help in your case, contact a skilled and experienced Washington truck accident lawyer today. We are prepared to advocate on your behalf in your case, and are ready to begin today. To understand your legal options, contact a skilled and experienced Washington truck accident lawyer.
Contact our Experienced Washington Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Washington Auto Law – one of Washington’s most prominent in the area of personal injury – provides precisely the highly effective and experienced Washington truck accident lawyers needed to handle truck accident-related personal injury claims. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to learn how we can serve you in this time of need. Washington Auto Law is dedicated to serving the community with its highly effective and experienced Washington personal injury lawyers.