Kent Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucking accidents are complicated events that can lead to severe injuries due to the substantial size and weight of these commercial vehicles. These incidents often involve federal regulations and multi-party liability issues, making them even more complicated. Having a skilled Kent personal injury lawyer by your side is critical in navigating the aftermath of a truck accident and securing just compensation for any losses or injuries sustained. If you’ve been affected by a truck accident, contact Brumley Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer.
Why Hire Brumley Law Firm For Your Truck Accident Case?
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Kent, securing representation from a lawyer is key to navigating the aftermath successfully. Here’s why you should work with us:
- With almost a decade of legal experience, we have the necessary experience to deal with the complexities of truck accident claims.
- Our track record showcases our capability; we’ve successfully concluded over 300 cases for our clients in just the last year.
- Having former insurance attorneys on our team provides us with unique insight into how these companies operate, enabling us to counter their tactics effectively.
When facing the challenges of a truck accident case, you can trust your case with Brumley Law Firm. Contact our truck accident lawyers today to schedule your free case evaluation.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Kent, WA
Taking the right steps after a truck crash can be crucial for your safety, health, and any subsequent legal actions.
- Ensure Safety: If you can, move to a safe location without risking further injury, and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Call 911: Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important to report it to the police. They will document the scene and create a report vital for insurance and legal processes.
- Seek Medical Attention: Some injuries might not be immediately apparent. It’s essential to be checked by medical professionals as soon as possible.
- Exchange Information: Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and the truck’s license plate number. If there are witnesses, collect their contact information as well.
- Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, your vehicle, the truck, and any visible injuries. This can be crucial evidence for your claim.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Be careful about what you say after the accident. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
Then, contact a truck accident lawyer in Kent, Washington. At Brumley Law Firm, we’re equipped to advise you on what comes next.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
Truck accident victims may be eligible for several types of damages, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of their injuries.
- Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitative therapy, and any future medical care related to the injuries.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost due to the inability to work following the accident and future lost earning capacity if the victim’s injuries affect their ability to earn income in the future.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Any additional costs incurred because of the auto accident, such as travel expenses to medical appointments.
Common Injuries in a Trucking Accident
Truck accidents can be severe due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved, leading to significant injuries or fatalities. Here are some common injuries that may occur in a trucking accident:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: These are common in many types of vehicular accidents, including trucking accidents. The sudden impact can cause the head to jerk violently, damaging the neck’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Back and Spinal Injuries: The force of a trucking accident can lead to herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injuries, potentially resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis.
- Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain injuries. These can occur even with the use of seatbelts and airbags, especially if there is a strong impact.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The intense impact of a trucking accident can cause broken arms, legs, ribs, and other fractures. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment and lengthy recovery times.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a collision can cause internal organs to be bruised or punctured. These injuries are particularly dangerous because they may not be immediately apparent.
- Lacerations and Bruises: Flying debris, shattered glass, and the sheer force of impact can cause severe cuts and bruises. These might require stitches and can sometimes lead to infection if not treated properly.
- Burns: If a truck accident leads to a fire or if hazardous materials are involved, burns can occur. These injuries can be extremely serious and require specialized medical care.
- Psychological Trauma: Aside from physical injuries, victims of trucking accidents may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Prompt medical attention is crucial after vehicle accidents in Washington state, as some injuries might not present immediate symptoms but can lead to long-term health issues.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
In Kent, Washington, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including those arising from truck accidents, is three years from the accident date. This means you must file a lawsuit within three years after the truck accident to seek compensation for injuries and damages.
The same three-year statute of limitations typically applies to property damage claims, such as damage to a vehicle.
It’s important to note that failing to file within this timeframe usually results in losing your right to sue. If your claim involves a government entity, such as a government-owned truck involved in the accident, there may be different notice requirements and shorter deadlines, requiring prompt action.
How a Kent Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You With a Truck Accident Case
In the complex aftermath of truck accidents, having the assistance of a Kent truck accident attorney is invaluable. Here’s what they can do for you:
- Conduct a detailed investigation of the accident scene, driver records, logbook evidence, and the trucking company’s compliance history to build a strong negligence case.
- Deal with complicated negotiations involving multiple insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident.
- Represent you in court if settlement discussions do not reach an adequate resolution, making sure you get fair compensation.
With appropriate legal support, you can confidently pursue the compensation you deserve after a truck accident. Contact Brumley Law Firm to discuss your case and see how we can help.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents Leading to Personal Injury Cases
Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons in Washington state, many connected to the unique challenges of operating large commercial vehicles. Some common causes leading to personal injury cases include:
Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often suffer from inadequate rest due to long hours on the road and pressure from their employers, increasing the risk of accidents.
Distracted Driving: Distractions, like cell phone usage or other distractions inside the cab, can lead to a lack of concentration, with severe consequences due to a truck’s size and required braking distances.
Equipment Malfunction: A failure in essential parts like brakes or tires can compromise a truck’s safety, leading to accidents. This could be the result of defective parts or a lack of maintenance.
Poor Training or Screening: Insufficient training for handling large vehicles or inadequate screening of drivers’ backgrounds and skills can increase the risk of accidents caused by driver errors.
Understanding these common causes is critical when building a personal injury case after a truck accident and determining liability.
Potential Liability in Kent Truck Accident Cases
Determining liability in truck accident cases can be complicated due to the number of entities involved in a truck’s operation. Here are some parties who might be held liable:
Truck Driver: The driver may be responsible if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident, which is the most common situation.
Trucking Company: Trucking companies are often liable for accidents resulting from insufficient training or the pressures they put on drivers to ignore safety regulations and drive longer hours than legally permitted, as well as poor maintenance of their fleet.
Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded or secured cargo might cause shifts in balance or spilling of contents that lead to accidents, which can then lead to the loaders being responsible for damages.
Truck Manufacturers: If a truck defect caused or contributed to the accident, manufacturers could be held accountable, as they are tasked with creating safe tractor-trailers and components.
Another Driver on the Road: Circumstances can arise where a third-party driver’s actions contribute to an accident involving a truck, such as unsafely cutting in front of it and causing the truck driver to suddenly brake or veer into another lane.
Determining liability in truck accidents can be complicated due to the potential parties that could be responsible. For help, you should contact a Kent car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Brumley Law Firm To Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, reaching out for legal guidance is a critical first step. At Brumley Law Firm, our Kent truck accident attorneys are ready to leverage their experience and knowledge to investigate your claim and explore potential compensation avenues. Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation so we can evaluate the specifics of your truck accident claim and plan an effective legal strategy.