Commercial truck accidents can be among the most harrowing to experience. Commercial trucks are huge when compared to the standard passenger autos they tend to collide with. In fact, many commercial trucks weigh 40 times that of a car, truck or SUV, so any meeting between the two nearly always ends badly. These virtually unstoppable mammoths oftentimes barrel down the highway, passing cars in a blur of steel and power, drivers incentivized to get where they are going as quickly as possible. Anyone or anything in the path of a commercial truck, semi, or big rig is bound to face destruction. If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, you are no doubt reeling from the disruption that the accident caused. Our Kirkland commercial truck accident is ready to help you begin the claims process and get your life back on track.
There are thousands of commercial-truck-related accidents each year in Washington State, and there are tens of thousands of injured people who find their lives upturned in every way in the fallout of a serious accident with these trucks. A major truck accident can occur in the blink of an eye, causing serious bodily injury and financial ruin to those affected.
Speeding operators are the number one cause of commercial truck accidents. Operators who fail to follow the rules of the road, or who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are also often to blame for serious commercial truck wrecks. Texting and driving is not just common among drivers of standard passenger cars; operators of commercial trucks also practice this unsafe habit. Sometimes a driver is not to blame; failures in power train, braking and steering systems or blown out tires or wheel failure can also lead to serious accidents that change lives forever.
Driver sleepiness is a big problem among commercial drivers. Drivers are often fatigued and sleepy, since they operate on tight deadlines in an effort to get their freight to its destination. The DOT places strict regulations on how long drivers can drive between rest breaks, but it is not uncommon for drivers to supplant real records with fake ones just to get back on the road sooner. Drivers who follow DOT rules drive for a maximum of 11 hours and rest for three. This doesn’t always happen, and when drivers are sleepy, horrible accidents can occur in a heartbeat.
You are not alone in the aftermath of your accident; our attorneys are here to help. In Washington State, claimants have just three years following a personal injury to seek out damages. If you miss this deadline, called the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to seek out compensation for your losses. Speak with the legal team at Russell and Hill now. Our Kirkland commercial truck accident attorney is standing by to answer your questions and get the ball rolling on your claim. Reach out to us now for a free consultation.
