Truck Accidents

Truck Accident Attorney Representing Victims in Seattle, Washington

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Each year, over 500,000 truck accidents occur across the United States. A large number of these truck accidents result in serious injuries and fatalities. Statistics show that 98 percent of the time, it’s the driver or passengers in the other vehicle that are wounded or killed, as opposed to those operating the truck.

Truck accidents are common in Seattle and across Washington State, as a large number of semis, tractor-trailers, tankers, and other large commercial vehicles occupy the roadways on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are the result of the truck driver or truck company, which are logging too many hours per day or driving with defective equipment or otherwise ignoring the public interest.

Anyone who has been involved in a truck accident has the right to seek legal help. The Law Office of Richard McKinney represents victims and surviving family members of those who have been injured or killed in a truck collision. For over 40 years, Richard McKinney has been defending and protecting the rights of truck accident victims in Seattle, Washington and works diligently to obtain compensation for those hurt by the careless actions of a truck driver or company.

Turn to us for assistance with accidents involving:

  • Semi-trailer
  • Semi-flatbed
  • Tractor-trailer
  • Dump Trucks
  • Box Trucks
  • Day Cab
  • Road Sweepers
  • Crane Trucks
  • Fuel Tankers
  • Concrete Mixers
  • Mixer Trucks and other commercial truck vehicles

What Factors Contribute to Serious Truck Accidents in Seattle Area?

Numerous factors cause serious truck crashes. Truck drivers are under a lot of pressure to deliver their cargo on a very strict schedule. This leads to overworked, tired, or distracted drivers going on very little sleep and who resort to speeding or other traffic violations in order to meet their deadlines. As a result, a serious collision with other passenger cars, motorcyclists, and pedestrians often causes severe injuries including fractures, burn wounds, spinal cord damage, and even death.

Trucking companies can also be to blame for an accident. Though companies have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of safety with their vehicles, they often neglect to do so. Poorly maintained trucks and improperly loaded truck beds can lead to serious and fatal accidents.  Commercial trucks like big rigs and tankers can weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds, and that’s not even counting the weight of their cargo. If the cargo comes loose or if the truck itself has a malfunction, the results are disastrous.  Your whole life can change in a moment and you will need help in getting what you deserve from powerful insurance companies protecting the truckers.

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Driver Fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Driver intoxication or substance abuse
  • Ignoring traffic rules
  • Company’s failure to maintain trucks in safe condition
  • Company’s failure to properly train drivers
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Under-inflated tires
  • Sudden braking, leading to jackknifing

No matter what the contributing factors, an accident caused by a truck operator or company’s negligent actions can be contested in court. But while the driver or company may be to blame, it’s not always easy going up against huge trucking corporations that are backed by even larger insurance companies that make their living in minimizing claims by innocent victims. That’s where a skilled truck accident lawyer comes into play.

How an Experienced Personal Injury and Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

Truck accident victims are often entitled to receive compensation for costs associated with medical expenses, including hospitalization, physical therapy, surgery, and medication. Damages can also be awarded for lost wages and benefits due to time away from work spent recovering from the accident, as well as restitution for emotional pain and suffering, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Compensation may also be awarded to surviving family members in a wrongful death case, including funeral expense costs and loss of the daily love and companionship of the deceased.

At the Law Office of Richard McKinney, we know that going up against a large truck company and their insurance providers is not an easy task. Attorney McKinney will handle all the paperwork required in the claim and will speak to employers, drivers and insurance companies on your behalf so you’ll never have to worry about facing representatives on your own. He also takes the time to investigate each accident, obtaining evidence in favor of your claim. The legal process to file a truck accident claim can take time, but Mr. McKinney is committed to your case and will do everything within his power to secure a favorable resolution.

Protecting Your Rights as a Truck Accident Victim

You have a right to obtain justice for the negligent actions of a truck driver or company. Compensation for your pain and suffering varies greatly depending on the skill of your advocate. Our personal injury law firm represents truck accident victims in Seattle and across Washington State and is committed to securing the best possible outcome for your case. Give us a call today to discuss your options and rights.