Seattle Auto and Truck Accident Attorneys
Motor vehicle accidents devastate far too many victims and their families. When you have been hurt or lost a loved one in an auto or truck accident that was someone else’s fault, you have the right to compensation for your expenses and losses. That is why drivers are required to carry liability insurance. Our Seattle auto and truck accident attorneys can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Even in cases where the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, we may be able to recover substantial compensation for you.
Auto Accident Injuries
Auto accidents are commonplace, but when it happens to you it can change your life forever. Auto accident survivors can suffer severe injuries and injuries that cause permanent disabilities. Examples of common auto accident injuries include:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Chemical burns
- Crush injuries
- Organ damage or loss
- Respiratory damage
- Nerve damage
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Coma
- Death
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Common causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
- Distracted driver
- Fatigue
- Intoxication
- Speeding or excessive speed for the conditions
- Following too closely
- Failure to signal
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe passing
- Reckless driving
- Defective vehicle
- Defective roadway
In addition to the common causes of both auto and truck accidents listed above, commercial truck accidents are commonly caused by:
- Unrealistic schedules imposed on truck drivers
- Inexperienced truck driver
- Improper loading
- Overweight truck
- Inadequately secured load
- Inadequately maintained truck
Truck Accident Liability
Truck accident cases are far more complex than accidents involving only passenger vehicles. State and federal trucking regulations play an important role in determining who can be held liable for a truck accidents. Truck drivers, trucking companies, and others in the trucking industry must adhere to very strict rules and keep extensive records to prove compliance.
Trucking companies, in particular, have many legal duties including proper hiring practices, maintaining their trucks, and much more. Typically, when a truck driver is at fault for an accident, the trucking company can be held liable. After a truck accident, one or more of the following may be held responsible:
- Trucking company
- Truck driver
- Freight shipper
- Freight broker
- Third party logistics provider (3PL)
- Another driver whose behavior caused the accident
- Government entity responsible for design, construction and/or maintenance of defective roadway
- Manufacturer of defective truck, parts, or equipment
- Seller of defective truck, parts, or equipment
- Truck rental or leasing company
- Third party contracted to perform truck repairs or maintenance
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident in the Puget Sound area or anywhere in Washington State, please call the Seattle auto and truck accident attorneys of Budigan Law Firm at (206) 284-5305 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.
