Puyallup Truck Accident Lawyer

Passenger vehicles must share the space with trucks in Puyallup every day, whether it’s on a major interstate like I-5 or a busy road like Meridian. Unfortunately, this presents many opportunities for collisions to occur. More often than not, it’s the occupants of the smaller vehicle that end up with debilitating injuries. If you’ve been the victim of such a crash, it’s a good idea to call a Puyallup truck accident lawyer for help.

Here’s why: you could be eligible to receive a settlement for your medical bills, pain, and suffering. And working with a skilled injury attorney greatly increases your chances at receiving fair compensation.

Truck Accidents by the Numbers

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports the following data about truck accidents in the United States:

4,119 people were killed in large truck crashes in 2019
There was a 31% increase in fatalities from 2009 to 2019
Of those killed, 67% were occupants of other vehicles and 15% were pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists
16% of those killed were truck occupants

Clearly, the greater risk in a truck crash is to those not in the truck. And it’s no surprise: trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle. Victims can be left with serious injuries that require emergency room care, surgeries, and physical therapy.

Causes of Truck Accidents in Puyallup

Puyallup is a bustling city of mixed residential and commercial space. It’s also close to freeways and the Port of Tacoma, which are heavily used by large trucks. Here are some common causes where a truck and passenger vehicle may collide:

Truck driver error. A truck driver could lack the necessary experience, particularly in making a panic maneuver.
Truck driver fatigue. Many truck drivers work long hours and battling sleepiness can be a real problem.
Inattention. Cell phones are a common distraction.
Intoxication. Thankfully, truck driver intoxication has dropped dramatically over the years due to tighter regulations. However, it is still a possible cause.
Driver error. Of course, a driver may be at fault. Some drivers underestimate how long it takes a truck to come to a stop or how much space a truck requires to make a turn.
Mechanical failure. People have been seriously injured and killed when a truck’s brakes malfunctions or tires blow out.
Weather. Inclement weather can increase the likelihood of a collision; however, it generally doesn’t excuse a driver of all responsibility.

When a collision is the result of someone’s negligence, the victims can pursue compensation for their injuries and damage to their vehicle.

Possible At-Fault Parties in a Truck Collision

Truck accidents are often more complex than typical automobile collisions. One of the reasons is that a truck accident may have at-fault parties you aren’t expecting, including:

Truck driver
Trucking company
Auto mechanic
Truck or tire manufacturer
Municipality (for instance, unreasonable road hazards)
Property owner
Another driver
You (if you’re partly to blame, we may still be able to help)

One of the first steps our personal injury lawyers take is to identify who was negligent. This helps us identify who’s responsible, and who we may be able to recover compensation from on your behalf. Rest assured; we will pursue every eligible source of funds.

We Serve Clients in Puyallup

Ready to speak to a Puyallup truck accident lawyer from our team? Our team is pleased to offer free case evaluations. Best of all, our team works on a contingency fee basis. Put another way, you only pay us if we’re able to win you a settlement.

Call us today and get all the questions you have answered by an experienced lawyer.