Most people who get into a car accident must only deal with one other individual and the liable driver’s insurance company. However, commercial truck accidents could involve the driver, employer, insurer, manufacturer, trucking company, or a shipper of the goods they carry.
With the possible involvement of multiple parties, you might face large corporations and their high-powered lawyers, numerous insurance adjusters, and other entities who do not look out for your best interests.
Having a Seattle truck accident lawyer by your side is an excellent way to ensure someone represents your interests and will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 430-1030 for a free consultation with a team member.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported 2,308 crashes involving large trucks in King County in 2019, with one in four causing injuries. If you become involved in an accident with a commercial truck, there are several steps you should take to protect your legal rights and better your chances of fully healing from any injuries you suffer.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Addressing injuries should be your primary concern after getting involved in a truck accident. Within 72 hours, insurers would expect you to see a doctor for medical attention. Otherwise, you risk a reduction in the compensation you could receive. A Seattle truck accident lawyer can help you get compensation to cover long-term medical costs associated with your severe injuries.
Contact the Police
Immediately after the accident, you should contact the police to report the accident. The police report would show the people involved in the accident, and the drivers involved might make statements that you could use as a reference. The police report is often instrumental in determining liability for the accident.
Gather Evidence
If you have not lost consciousness and can talk to eyewitnesses, ask them to provide a statement. You can also take photos of the accident scene to support your claim.
Even if it seems obvious to you that the truck driver caused the accident, you still must prove it. As such, a truck accident lawyer knows the ins and outs of compiling evidence that will support your claim.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Seattle, call (844) 430-1030
What You Need to Prove in a Truck Accident Case
A Seattle truck accident attorney can help you gather the facts that prove that the following negligence elements are present in your case.
Duty
The truck driver has the legal obligation to act reasonably while driving their vehicles and obeying road rules. They must observe traffic signals, maintain proper speed and control of their vehicle, and exercise caution and awareness of their surroundings.
Breach
As the plaintiff, you must prove that the defendant breached their duty to follow traffic rules and drive safely. You can establish the defendant’s liability by providing clear evidence such as:
- The defendant’s admission of fault
- Surveillance video of the accident
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police reports
- Photographs of skid marks or other circumstantial evidence from the accident scene
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
Causation
The plaintiff must prove that the truck driver’s breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries and other damages. If you cannot prove that the defendant caused your injuries, you will have a hard time winning your case. Most truck accident lawsuits revolve around causation, which determines liability, with the defendant often arguing that they did not cause the plaintiff’s injuries.
Harm
Your lawyer needs to prove that the defendant’s conduct has caused the injuries that require compensation to make you “whole” again. You could recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, car repair bills, and other damages.
Seattle truck accidents occur when the truck driver—who must exercise reasonable care for the safety of everyone on the road—acts negligently and causes a crash. While you cannot predict when or how a motor vehicle accident will happen, negligent driving such as speeding, distracted driving, or drowsy driving makes them more likely to happen. When you or your loved one suffers an injury because of such negligence, you could hold the truck driver, their employer, and other associated parties liable for the accident.
While many factors explain the cause of a truck accident, you can only recover compensation when you can prove the negligence elements discussed above. A Seattle truck accident lawyer can prove the basis for your claims for medical expenses, physical therapy, mental health counseling, pain and suffering, lost wages or diminished employment opportunities, and other losses. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to discuss your case with a team member.
Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 430-1030
State Laws That Can Impact Your Case
If you or someone you know ever becomes involved in a truck accident in King County, some laws can apply to your situation.
Statute of Limitations
In Washington, a three-year statute of limitations applies to personal injury and property damage cases. While certain exceptions exist, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 4.16.080 states that you have a deadline of three years to file a lawsuit after your truck accident.
Statutory Damage Caps
Washington does not impose a cap on noneconomic damages, meaning there is no limit on awards you could receive for injuries that a court cannot quantify with specificity, such as pain and suffering, or losses that affect your quality of life.
Contributory Negligence
RCW § 4.22 details how the state follows a doctrine of contributory fault in apportioning liability and recovering damages. RCW § 4.22.005 explains that if a court finds that you contributed to causing the accident, it will reduce your award proportionately to your share of the blame.
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Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Is Here to Represent You
If you need help trying to determine the liable parties and how you can recover compensation for your injuries, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is here to help. We can explain your rights and legal options and tell you whether we can resolve your case quickly through an insurance claim or if a personal injury lawsuit is your better choice.
Our Seattle truck accident lawyers can get to the heart of the matter and help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call our office today at (844) 430-1030 to inquire about your free, no-obligation consultation with a team member. We can help you pursue recovery at no cost unless we win you a settlement or verdict.
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