Large commercial trucks are essential to the supply chain, carrying goods and services into and out of Washington State. Unfortunately, Washington’s thriving trucking industry also means that large trucks like 18-wheelers crowd the roads, along with box trucks, semi trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, and other large commercial carriers that far outweigh smaller vehicles on the road. Large trucks leave motorists vulnerable to serious or catastrophic injuries in a crash.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a large truck, the Tacoma truck accident attorneys at Sears Injury Law can provide experienced representation in this uniquely complex accident claim. Our experienced Tacoma accident attorneys will ensure you recover maximum compensation for any damages and protect your rights throughout the entire process. Call us at (253) 544-5553 to schedule a free consultation with a top-rated truck accident lawyer.
Why Choose Our Tacoma Truck Accident Lawyers?
Few experiences are as traumatic and physically and financially devastating as an accident with a large truck. Instead of taking on the additional distress of a complex legal process, leaving your claim in the hands of the Tacoma personal injury attorneys at Sears Injury Law has the following advantages:
- A free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney and a contingency-based payment, so you pay nothing until after we recover compensation in your case
- A compassionate Tacoma truck accident attorney who will come to you if your injuries make it difficult to come for an in-office consultation
- An truck accident attorney dedicated to recovering the maximum compensation available to you, with the skills, knowledge, and resources of an entire legal team and staff on your side
- A deep investigation and documentation of the necessary evidence proving liability and your damages to maximize the chances of a successful claim and full recovery of your financial losses
Our over 100 years of combined experience and history of achieving exceptional results for car and truck accident victims put a powerful voice behind your truck accident case. Through caring, dedicated legal advocacy, our personal injury law firm has recovered over $250 million for our clients, including a recent $10,000,000.00 win in a tour bus accident claim.
Client Testimonials
“If you’re looking for the absolute best injury attorney out there, look no further. They are not only incredibly knowledgeable and strategic, but extremely easy to deal with. Do yourself a favor and call Rob/team before you try anyone else. You wont be disappointed.”
Scott L.
“From the moment I contacted Sears Injury Law after my accident in Tacoma, they were on top of everything. They handled my case with expertise and urgency, making me feel like a priority. They negotiated with the insurance companies and took care of all the details, which gave me peace of mind. Their dedication led to a fantastic settlement that covered all my losses. If you’re in need of a personal injury lawyer, they’re the ones to call!”
Marina R.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents In Washington
Washington’s key location, international borders, and access to multiple ports and rail systems make it a thriving state for the trucking industry. Unfortunately, commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, which is far heavier than cars weighing an average of 4,000 pounds. The most common causes of truck accidents in Tacoma and throughout Washington include the following:
- Speeding
- Drowsy or fatigue driving
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes due to extended blind spots
- Improper merging
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper passing
- Road conditions
- Suddenly shifting loads
- Tire blowouts
- Mechanical failures
- Improper braking
- Overly wide turns
- Inadequate truck or trailer maintenance
Trucks have extended blind spots, require long stopping distances, and make wide turns, leaving other motorists sharing the roadways vulnerable to devastating truck crashes.
Common Types of Tacoma Truck Accidents
A truck accident scene is chaotic and devastating, sometimes impacting entire communities if the accident closes a major roadway or involves an explosion or chemical spill. Common types of trucking accidents our Tacoma truck accident lawyers typically see include the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Forced roadway departures
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone accidents or broadside collisions
- Jackknife accidents (the trailer comes out of alignment with the truck and causes a crash in the shape of a partly opened jackknife)
- Rollover accidents
- Underride accidents (a car wedges under the trailer)
- Override accidents (the truck rides up and over a smaller vehicle during a collision)
- Collisions with obstacles
Due to their extended size and length, truck crashes sometimes cause multi-car pileups. These can block multiple lanes and cause collisions with other vehicles when drivers do not have time to stop.
How Do Trucking Accident Claims Differ From Car Accident Claims?
In most traffic accidents, a negligent driver is at fault and liable for the injury victims’ damages. In a truck accident claim, liability is far more complex due to the multiple entities involved in hiring, loading, maintaining, and driving a commercial truck. After an accident, those involved in putting the truck on the road may point their fingers at others. It takes an experienced investigator to pinpoint the cause of the accident, the negligence that led to it, the liable party, and the appropriate insurance company with which to file an evidence-based claim for an injury victim’s compensation.
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Who Can He Held Liable For a Trucking Accident in Tacoma, WA?
The trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Commercial Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) because trucks cross state lines and national borders. Failure to adhere to regulations or neglecting to take reasonable actions to avoid an accident leaves the at-fault party liable for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Common liable parties in Tacoma truck accident cases include the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A negligent freight loading company
- A negligent truck maintenance company
- The manufacturer of a defective tire or truck part
Truck drivers must follow driving limit regulations, carefully log their hours, and perform regular inspections. Trucking companies must hire experienced drivers and carefully monitor a trucker’s driving log. They also must follow regulations for truck inspections, maintenance, and loading.
An experienced Tacoma truck accident lawyer investigates the accident and makes a compelling case for an injury victim’s compensation. Proving liability in a truck accident claim requires evidence demonstrating that the at-fault party owed a duty of care to the injury victim, they breached this duty, and the breach of duty directly caused the accident and injuries. Finally, it’s also necessary to prove that the injury victim or the family of a deceased injury victim suffered economic and non-economic damages from the injury.
What Damages Can I Recover In a Tacoma Trucking Accident Claim?
Around 70% of truck accident injuries occur to other motorists, not the truck driver. Even when an injury victim is fortunate enough to suffer only minor injuries, expenses quickly add up. A serious or catastrophic injury may cause life-altering consequences. Common damages recovered in Washington truck accident cases include the following:
- Property damage to a vehicle
- Past and future medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Past and future income loss
- Lowered future earning ability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for any catastrophic injury damages that might apply, such as organ loss, disfigurement, loss of limb, the loss of one of the senses, scarring, PTSD, or diminished quality of life
If a Tacoma truck collision caused the death of a family member, their closest surviving relative may recover compensation through a wrongful death claim. Contact our Tacoma wrongful death attorneys for help with this type of claim.
Call the Tacoma Truck Accident Attorneys at Sears Injury Law Today
Instead of adding one of the state’s most complex accident claims to your plate while you’re also dealing with the physical impacts and emotional trauma of a trucking accident, contact the Tacoma truck accident attorneys at Sears Injury Law for experienced, assertive legal action with prompt action in your case.
Visit Our Office in Tacoma, Washington
Visit us at our office in Tacoma! We are conveniently located near you at:
Second Level, 4826 Tacoma Mall Blvd
Tacoma, WA 98409
