Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer

Surviving a truck accident can be a traumatic experience with long-term effects on your entire life. You could face steep medical bills and expensive property damage. A truck accident lawyer in Seattle can help you recover compensation for your losses and hold the at-fault party accountable.

Phillips Law Firm takes on big truck companies and insurance companies to protect victims’ rights. We have over 80 years of combined legal experience helping injured victims rebuild their lives.

Our Seattle personal injury lawyers will build an evidence-based case that clearly shows how the collision changed your life. Call for a free consultation today.

Seattle Truck Accident Attorneys Fight for Justice

When you’re injured due to someone else’s reckless behavior, you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of the aftermath on your own. As you concentrate on your recovery, a skilled truck accident attorney in Seattle, WA, can step in to manage your claim every step of the way.

Loyalty to our clients’ best interests drives our actions. We always fight for maximum compensation, whether it involves negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing litigation. Everyone deserves justice. Our history of successful case results shows our dedication to winning.

Compassion is at the heart of our practice. We take the time to listen to your concerns and understand your unique situation. Each experience is different, and we respect your journeys toward recovery. By providing emotional support and practical guidance, we alleviate some of the stress you face during this challenging time.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases More Complicated?

We understand that a serious truck accident can leave victims dealing with physical injuries, emotional stress, and financial challenges. Our lawyers will guide you through each step of the legal process, making sure you feel supported and informed throughout.

Trucks are subject to a wide range of state and federal trucking regulations. These regulations govern everything from driver qualifications and vehicle maintenance to hours of service and load restrictions.

Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles, the impact of a collision can lead to catastrophic injuries and substantial property damage. You may face long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and significant financial losses.

Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 708-6000

Truck Accident Victims Can Get Compensation

A truck accident can have a serious financial impact on the victim. Medical bills for emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation can quickly add up, especially if long-term treatment is needed. You may also lose income if you are unable to work during recovery, causing further financial strain for your family.

In addition to these immediate costs, there may be ongoing expenses for things like physical therapy, medications, or adaptive equipment. As experienced catastrophic injury lawyers in Seattle, we will show your long–term expenses and file a comprehensive claim.

Available damages after a truck accident include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

As a truck accident victim, you have a right to recover your losses. Phillips Law Firm will calculate how much money you spent after the crash and how much more you are likely to spend until your life returns to normal.

Call or text (800) 708-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Identifying the At-Fault Party in a Truck Crash

Since multiple parties could be responsible for a truck collision, this step can be difficult without professional legal support. Your attorney will investigate the crash and use all the available evidence to determine the at-fault party or parties correctly.

Any of the following parties could be responsible for a truck accident:

• Truck driver: Common causes include reckless driving behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Fatigue is also a major factor, as drivers may exceed their allowed hours on the road, leading to drowsy driving.
• Trucking company: Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their drivers are properly trained and comply with federal and state regulations. If a trucking company fails to meet these responsibilities, it could be liable for an accident.
• Vehicle maintenance company: Trucks require regular maintenance to ensure that critical components like brakes, tires, and steering systems are functioning correctly. If the maintenance company neglects these duties or performs poor-quality repairs, the truck may become unsafe to operate.
• Vehicle manufacturing company: A truck manufacturing company can be responsible for a truck accident if the vehicle or any of its parts are defective. For example, if the truck’s braking system, tires, or steering mechanism fails due to a defect, the manufacturer may be held liable for any accidents that occur as a result.
• Loading company: If a loading company does not distribute weight evenly or exceeds the truck’s weight limits, the vehicle can become unstable, increasing the risk of rollovers or loss of control. Additionally, improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, creating hazards that may lead to collisions with other vehicles.
• Government entity: Poorly marked lanes, lack of proper signage, or hazardous conditions like potholes or debris increases the risk of accidents. In such cases, victims may pursue claims against the government entity responsible for the road’s maintenance or design.

Identifying who is at fault determines the direction of the investigation and influences the legal strategies used in your truck accident case. A Seattle truck accident lawyer from Phillips Law Firm will create a personalized legal strategy based on the details of your case.

For example, if the truck driver is found to be negligent, their insurance company may be responsible for covering your damages. On the other hand, if a government entity is involved, the legal process can become more complicated due to specific rules and protections that apply to public agencies.

For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Seattle, call
(800) 708-6000

Understanding Washington’s Pure Comparative Negligence System

Washington operates under a pure comparative negligence system, which means that in a personal injury case, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault in the incident.

For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault for an accident and are awarded $100,000 in damages, you would receive $70,000 after your share of the fault is deducted.

This system allows for a fair recovery. Even if a plaintiff is partially responsible for the accident, they can still recover damages based on the degree of negligence attributed to others. You can recover compensation as long as you are not 100% at fault for the collision.

How to Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident

Negligence refers to the failure of a party to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation, resulting in harm to another person. In the context of truck accidents, negligence can involve various actions or omissions by different parties.

To prove negligence, your truck accident attorney in Seattle will focus on the following key elements:

• Duty of care: Establish that the defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care to prevent harm to others. This includes the responsibility of truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties to operate safely and adhere to regulations.
• Breach of duty of care: Demonstrate that the defendant failed to meet the standard of care expected in the situation. This could involve actions such as reckless driving, violating traffic laws, or neglecting proper vehicle maintenance.
• Causation: Prove that the breach of duty directly caused the accident and the resulting injuries. This involves showing that if the defendant had not acted negligently, the accident would likely not have occurred.
• Damages: Document the actual damages you suffered as a result of the accident.

Proving negligence in a personal injury case establishes liability, which is necessary to recover damages. Your lawyer will investigate the accident scene, gather relevant evidence, and closely listen to your account to determine what happened.

The black box, or event data recorder, captures crucial information about the truck’s speed, braking patterns, and engine performance just before the accident. This data can help establish whether the driver was operating the vehicle safely or engaging in reckless behavior, such as speeding or hard braking.

Additionally, the lawyer may gather other evidence, such as GPS data, maintenance records, and driving logs, to support your case. Eyewitness testimonies and photographs from the accident scene can also play a significant role in painting a comprehensive picture of the events leading up to the crash.

Don’t Trust the Insurance Company

While adjusters are supposed to help victims recover costs for damages and injuries, their primary goal is to protect their bottom line. They will try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Before you accept any offer from the insurance company, consult a lawyer.

Insurance adjusters might pressure you to settle quickly, often before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or damages. They may also use tactics to undermine your claim, such as questioning the details of the accident or downplaying your injuries.

Work with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Seattle, WA, to tip the scale in your favor. Phillips Law Firm is familiar with the tactics used by insurance adjusters, and we know how to protect your interests.

Our team will present a convincing case and negotiate for the highest settlement. If the insurance company refuses to be reasonable, we are prepared to take your case to court.

Compassionate Legal Guidance After a Fatal Truck Accident

If you lost a loved one in a deadly truck crash, please accept our sincere condolences. As experienced wrongful death lawyers in Seattle, we know how devastating the untimely loss of a family member can be. Our compassionate attorneys can handle the wrongful death claim so you can focus on healing.

Wrongful death damages after a truck accident can cover the following:

• The victim’s last medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses
• The value of lost household services the deceased victim would have provided
• Lost financial support the deceased would have contributed to their family
• Loss of the deceased’s love, affection, care, training, and companionship

In Washington, only the personal representative of the deceased victim’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the decedent did not leave a will or if the named person can’t serve, the court will appoint someone for this role. While the executor of the victim’s estate files the lawsuit, the awarded damages are meant for the surviving family members.

Washington’s Statute of Limitations for Lawsuits

The statute of limitations determines how much time the victim has to initiate a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Under Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 4.16.005, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years. Wrongful death lawsuits have a similar three-year deadline. However, the unique details of your case impact how much time you have.

To learn the exact deadline for your truck accident case, consult a lawyer. If you miss the statute of limitations, you may no longer be able to fully recover your losses. The sooner you call us, the more time we have to work on your claim.

Call a Truck Accident Lawyer in Seattle Today

Being injured because of someone else’s carelessness can be devastating. At Phillips Law Firm, we offer the support and representation you deserve. You can trust us to always represent your best interests.

Our firm is known for delivering outstanding results. Our reputation is built on vast experience and proven success. With years of practice in the legal field, our team has encountered a wide array of cases, equipping us with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex legal challenges effectively.

If you or a loved one has been hurt due to another person’s negligence, we will stand up for your rights and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you start rebuilding your life.

Real People. Real Justice. (800) 708-6000