Truck Accident Negligence After a Car Accident

The trucking industry is critical to our supply chain, and other large trucks carry out essential services like garbage pickup and construction work. As necessary as large trucks are to our society, these immense vehicles far outweigh standard family cars and loom over them on Washington’s highways and community roadways. In an accident with a truck that can outweigh a standard car by as much as 76,000 pounds, motorists in smaller vehicles face a high risk of severe or catastrophic injuries.

For those in areas like Kent, where both industrial and residential zones see frequent large truck traffic, the aftermath of a crash can be especially overwhelming. A knowledgeable Kent truck accident lawyer can help victims navigate the legal process and build a strong case against the responsible party.

In fault-based insurance states like Washington, a truck accident injury victim must prove that the at-fault party was negligent to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the liable party.

What Types of Negligence Cause Truck Accidents?

Because commercial freight vehicles commonly cross state lines and national borders, the trucking industry is subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA has strict regulations in place for all aspects of trucking, including driving hour limits, logbook requirements, inspection and maintenance requirements, and cargo securing regulations.

When any entity involved in keeping a well-maintained truck with secured cargo on the road, and a rested, well-trained driver behind the wheel, fails to follow regulations, the results can be a serious accident. Failing to follow safety regulations and neglecting to take all reasonable measures to avoid an accident is negligence and can result in severe injury to other motorists sharing the roadway.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), about 70% of truck accident injuries happen to those in other vehicles, not the truck driver.

Who Is Liable for Damages Caused by Truck Accident Negligence?

It often takes an in-depth investigation into all aspects of a truck accident to uncover the cause of the accident, the negligence that led to it, and the correct liable party. Common defendants in truck accident negligence cases include the following:

• The driver
• The trucking company
• A negligent truck maintenance company
• A negligent freight-loading company
• The manufacturer of a defective part or tire

In some cases, the investigation shows other negligent parties that caused or contributed to the accident, such as a negligent road maintenance company or a third-party driver.

What Types of Truck Accidents Directly Result From Negligence?

Truck accidents are devastating scenes, often with severe or catastrophic injuries. In some instances, a major truck accident caused by negligence impacts an entire community due to hazardous chemical spills, fuel leaks, and explosions. Common types of truck accidents caused by a negligent party in the trucking industry include the following:

• T-bone accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Tire blowout accidents
• Sideswipes
• Jackknife accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Underride accidents
• Override accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Multi-car pileups
• Cargo spills

Injuries caused by negligence in the trucking industry can result in severe injuries and costly damages to injury victims.

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Because commercial trucking is a complex industry, it takes a skilled investigation to determine the correct liable party and document compelling evidence of negligence. Contact us at Caffee Accident & Injury Attorneys to speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer who can make a powerful case for compensation on your behalf.