Tacoma Truck Accident Lawyer

Tacoma’s busy port means more big trucks on the road than many cities. Every day, we share our highways and city streets with semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and construction vehicles. And most of the time, we do so without incident. However, sometimes there are collisions. Unfortunately, the massive size of trucks can seriously injure people in smaller passenger vehicles. 

If you’ve found our site today because you’ve been a victim of a truck accident, we’re glad you’re here. Our law firm helps victims every day navigate the complexities of these claims. Undoubtedly, you have questions about what happened to you or your loved one. Please contact a Tacoma truck accident lawyer from our team for a free case review.

Truck Accident Crash Statistics

Here are some key findings from Washington’s 2019 Target Zero report:

• 60% of all accidents with heavy trucks are caused by passenger cars or motorcyclists
• 27% of all accidents with heavy trucks are caused by truck drivers
• 11% of all fatal crashes in Washington involve a heavy truck
• 7% of all serious injuries in traffic crashes involve a heavy truck

Unfortunately, the data indicates that accidents with heavy trucks are on the rise in Washington State.

How are Truck Accident Claims Different?

There are several key differences when you’re facing a truck accident.

• Severity of injuries. Due to their size, commercial trucks pose greater danger to other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are common.
• Multiple liable parties. There could be more than one at-fault party in a truck collision. We’ll explain more about liability in the next section.
• Multiple victims. Many times, we’ll see multiple victims in a truck accident. If a truck driver loses control or jackknives, it could cross several lanes, striking more than one vehicle.
• Higher insurance policy premiums. A commercial trucking company is likely to have a higher insurance policy than a typical passenger vehicle. While this means a higher source of funds to collect from, you should also be prepared for a fight to get it.

For these reasons, it’s important to hire an experienced Washington 18-wheeler accidents law firm.

Who’s Responsible in a Truck Collision?

It’s important to your claim to identify who caused the crash. Usually, the at-fault party is financially on the hook for paying for the victim’s medical bills and property damage.

Depending on the circumstances of your collision, you could have multiple parties responsible, including:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• Mechanic
• Freight handlers
• Another driver
• You

Were you partially to blame for your injuries? Maybe your maneuvers contributed to the crash. If so, we still encourage you to call us. Washington state has a comparative fault law that allows victims to recover a partial settlement in these situations. Working with a lawyer may be even more critical for you!

Preventing a Collision with a Heavy Truck

Remember, more than half of all collisions with heavy trucks are the passenger car driver’s fault – not the truck driver.

Given that, here are a few tips for staying safe around trucks:

• Drive sober. Impairment is often a factor in crashes, including those with heavy trucks.
• Give trucks space. Trucks need more space than other vehicles to maneuver and turn. Plus, it will take them longer to slow down and come to a full stop.
• Avoid driving in a truck’s blind spot. Keep your vehicle in the truck driver’s view.
• Stay vigilant. Use extra care when passing a large truck. Stay alert if a truck’s load seems unsecured.
• Be courteous. As you’re able, give trucks room to make a lane change or turn safely. Getting impatient can be a recipe for aggressive driving.

For more information on this topic, see our post on how to prevent collisions with big vehicles.

A Tacoma Truck Accident Attorney May Be Able to Help

If you have suffered an injury after a truck accident in Tacoma, you have the right to demand compensation for your losses.

For instance, your losses could include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages – including future income potential
• Nursing facility costs
• Funeral expenses
• Pain and suffering

An attorney will help prove that the trucker’s negligence was the source of your collision. Our attorneys know how to gather evidence to build your case and negotiate fair settlements. In the event we feel negotiations are stalling, we can file a lawsuit.

When Your Loved One is Killed in a Truck Accident

If your loved one did not survive their injuries, we may still be able to help. In Washington State, close family members can file a wrongful death claim. This is the path you would need to take to receive compensation.

While a settlement in no way replaces your loved one, it could bring tremendous financial ease for your family.

Get a Free Review

The best way to know if you have a case and if we can help is to reach out to a Tacoma truck accident lawyer from our team. We do not charge for an initial consultation. In fact, we only charge a fee if we’re able to win you a settlement. There’s no risk or obligation by reaching out, so call us today. We’d love to hear from you.