We have some disturbing numbers from Road Safe America, a group that studies federal crash data. Across the country from 2009 to 2017, we know that 35,882 people were killed as a result of large truck crashes. They found that Washington saw the largest increase in the number of people killed during that time.
“Most of the states in this top five list have truck speed limits of 70 mph or more,” said Steve Owings, founder of RSA. He attributes many of the accidents to not requiring the use of automatic emergency braking systems or speed limiters in the trucks.
At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we know that large commercial trucks can pose significant dangers on the roadways. If you need a Seattle truck accident attorney, you can count on us to be by your side, fighting to secure the compensation you deserve.
What Really Happens?
We live in a major metropolitan area. Seattle is a busy place and we rely on large commercial trucks to keep our economy moving. From construction to delivery, large trucks are everywhere. How many of the following do you see daily?
- Eighteen wheelers
- Construction trucks
- Grocery store delivery trucks
- Cement trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Package delivery trucks
Have you ever thought about what would happen if one of these trucks gets into an accident? You probably have. In fact, most of us stay away from them when driving down the roadway. Regular passenger vehicles cannot stand up to the force of a truck that weighs tens of thousands of pounds slamming into them.
- Large commercial trucks can cause major damages and injuries.
What Goes Wrong?
Vehicle failure is one of the main causes of truck accidents. When a truck company fails to regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles, the following systems can become a problem when driving at high rates of speed:
- Tires/wheels
- Powertrain
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Lighting
- Connections
Another cause for concern is driver negligence. Yes, there is always a chance for human error behind the wheel, but that does not excuse major negligent acts like the following:
- Blatant disregard of truck laws and regulations.
- Loading a truck beyond its carrying capacity.
- Driving while distracted by phones or other devices.
- Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs.
If You Are Injured
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of a truck company or truck driver, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. These cases can be hard to fight, but we will be by your side. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, you can count on a qualified and experienced team to fight for you. We want to make sure you get compensation for the following:
- Your accident-related medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Pain and suffering damages
- Punitive damages
When you need a commercial truck accident attorney in Seattle, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.