According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 32,000 heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers employed in the state of Washington. Besides the Washington truck drivers driving through our state, there are truck drivers from other states who regularly travel Interstate 5 right through Federal Way. I-5 is the only continuous west coast interstate that drivers can take all the way from Mexico to Canada. Since large semi-trucks and logging trucks are a common site on our local highways, drivers who share the road with these trucks may get complacent and forget that large trucks present significant dangers when involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Our Federal Way truck accident attorneys do not get complacent when it comes to truck accidents because we frequently represent injured parties and people who lost their loved ones in large truck accidents. We know that truck accident injuries can be catastrophic and can turn a family’s life upside down. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact our truck accident experts at Russell & Hill, PLLC to schedule a consultation. Our attorneys are committed to representing truck accident victims whose injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence so that they can get the financial recovery that they need and deserve.
Our truck accident experts know that conducting an accident investigation is often the most important component in maximizing a truck accident victim’s financial award. We look into the entirety of the accident facts and circumstances, review accident reports, interview witnesses, and obtain and preserve any available accident footage. We hire medical experts to help evaluate injuries and their long term effects. We may also hire accident reconstructionists to help prove liability if it is contested.
Part of the accident investigation is also looking into the truck driver and employer’s compliance with federal and state rules and regulations. Commercial trucking is heavily regulated and any noncompliance can be used to show negligence. Regulations that are frequently violated relate to the driver’s hours of service, driving history, vehicle maintenance, freight securement, and safety training.
The accident investigation allows us to build a solid case to prove both liability and injuries and this helps strengthen our position when negotiating with insurance companies. When insurance companies realize that a plaintiff has a solid case and that they are at risk of having to pay a large jury award, they are typically more willing to settle for an amount that is fair to the plaintiff. Not only do they not want to risk a large jury award against them, but they also prefer to avoid massive litigation expenses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact our Federal Way truck accident attorneys at Russell & Hill, PLLC so that we can review the details of the accident and injuries sustained. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, we will look into wrongful death and survival claims in order to compensate close family members and the decedent’s estate.
