According to the Institute for Safer Trucking, there was a 160% increase in truck crash fatalities from 2010 to 2019. Truck accidents happen quite often across Washington, and an unfortunate reality, is that they sometimes result in the death of truckers and other motorists. Accident victims and their family members deserve compensation for their losses.
What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
A variety of different types of trucks are involved in Washington truck accidents. Some of the most common are semi-trucks, commercial vehicles, and tractor trailers. These vehicles are often involved in accidents because of:
- Poor weather and hazardous road conditions,
- Improperly maintained vehicles,
- Mechanical failures,
- Inadequate training, and
- Driver fatigue
What are Common Injuries in Truck Accident Cases?
Washington truck accidents can produce serious injuries. This includes injuries for truckers, truck passengers, and drivers of passenger vehicles. Common injuries in a given truck accident case include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries,
- Back injuries,
- Concussions,
- Broken bones, and
- Lacerations.
Who are Defendants in Truck Accident Cases?
If a trucker is injured in a truck accident, he/she can file a lawsuit against a variety of potentially liable parties depending on the facts of the case. Some of the most common defendants in truck accident suits include:
- Truck manufacturers (for example, in product liability cases),
- Trucking companies,
- Property owners (for example, in premises liability cases),
- Government entities (for example, if a state, county, or municipality failed to properly care for road conditions), and
- Negligent drivers.
“Negligent” drivers are motorists who fail to operate their vehicle like a reasonable motorist would under similar circumstances.
What Compensation can Truck Accident Victims Recover?
People injured in a truck or truck-related accident can receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Lost earning capacity,
- Property damage,
- Out-of-pocket expenses, and
- Pain and suffering.
Contact Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a truck-related accident, please know that Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC is here to help. Our attorneys provide free consultations to all our potential clients. Further, the attorneys at our law firm have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties and helping them file lawsuits to get the compensation they deserve. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal assistance you deserve.