Drivers share the roadways with commercial truckers safely and without incident on a daily basis, and truck drivers play a vital role in the nation’s economy. They haul products across the country to be sold in stores or use work trucks to provide services to people in need. However, when commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are involved in accidents, the damage to persons and property alike can be devastating. Many commercial trucks are heavy trucks, weighing several tons, and the large size of these vehicles can turn them into deadly weapons when they are involved in road collisions. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a crash with a CMV, the attorneys at Russell & Hill, PLLC can help you file a claim and obtain just compensation for the injuries suffered.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration publishes reports including truck accident statistics each year. According to their most recent data, more than 4,500 people were killed in accidents involving either heavy trucks or buses, and of those accidents in which a truck driver occupant was fatally injured, truck driver distraction was a factor in 6 percent of cases, and speed was a significant factor in 17 percent of cases.
After a truck accident, it is important to do the following:
If the truck driver was negligent and their poor driving choices led to an injury collision, that driver can be held liable—or legally responsible—for the damages they caused. As such, the insurer of the driver and the company who employs the driver may have to pay for the damages caused by the negligent driver. The company the trucker worked for may also be held liable in some cases. For example, if the driver was hired by a company who did not perform a thorough background check (or did, but ignored it) and the driver they hired had multiple traffic violations, such as DUIs, then the commercial truck company could be considered responsible for putting that driver onto the roadways and could also re liable for damages.
If you were hurt in a crash with a commercial vehicle and want to talk over your rights and options with a commercial truck accident attorney in Seattle, contact the legal team at Russell & Hill, PLLC. Our expert attorneys commercial truck accident injury cases, and we believe that accident victims deserve to get justice for the pain and suffering they were forced to endure. Negligent truck drivers and their employers should be held liable for the damage they caused, and you may qualify to receive financial compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
