Any automobile accident could have catastrophic consequences. However, semi-truck collisions are often devastating to another level, thrusting victims to the brink of physical collapse and financial ruin. While Washington law affords victims the right to file a claim for compensation, negotiating a fair settlement could prove an immense challenge, with the insurance company’s attorneys and adjusters employing every imaginable strategy to reduce their own liability—often, unfortunately, at the accident victim’s expense. Our Kirkland auto accident attorney explains more.
The Biggest Signs You Need to Speak to an Attorney
People often make the mistake of thinking they can take on the insurance company by themselves. However, transportation and logistics is a multi-billion-dollar industry: even small, mom-and-pop companies—let alone their Fortune 500 competitors—usually have their own attorneys, whose sole objective is ensuring that their clients remain as profitable as possible.
Unfortunately, paying big settlements is rarely good for a corporation’s bottom line. While the trucking company and its insurer might offer compensation, their settlement may not account for the totality of your damages.
Before negotiating with the adjuster or signing off on a settlement, consider whether:
- You have suffered serious injuries. If your injuries have left you in debt, unable to work, or in need of additional medical care, the insurance company might be reluctant to offer compensation beyond what you already owe—even if you need more money for future expenses.
- The accident has left you disabled. Semi-truck accidents can be so catastrophic that transportation companies are required by law to retain large liability insurance policies. While the policy may be able to accommodate disability-related expenses, calculating the costs of your long-term health care requirements, anticipated medical expenses, and loss of opportunity can be incredibly difficult without the right legal background.
- A third party contributed to your accident. Any collision involving a commercial vehicle has the potential to quickly become complicated, especially if a third party’s misconduct caused or contributed to the accident. An experienced Washington semi-truck accident attorney could help investigate the circumstances of your crash, holding every wrongdoer—be it the semi-truck driver, the trucking company, a vehicle parts maker, or a cargo shipper—responsible for their negligence.
How a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Could Help You
A semi-truck accident attorney could help you:
- Determine liability. Semi-truck accidents often involve multiple defendants. Even if the truck driver single-handedly caused your accident, their mistake could have been influenced by poor employer policies, inadequate maintenance, or a cargo loading oversight. An attorney could help you establish liability and file claims against multiple defendants, maximizing your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
- Construct a case. Your 18-wheeler accident lawyer could investigate your case, analyze law enforcement reports, review the trucking company’s safety history, and interview eyewitnesses—building a compelling, evidence-based claim for compensation while you focus on maintaining your physical health and emotional well-being.
- Advocate your interests. While you might think that you have an open-and-close case, you will still need to persuade the insurance company or the court that the trucking company’s negligence caused your accident. Oftentimes, this is far easier said than done, requiring repeated exchanges of evidence and out-of-court attempts at mediation.
Your Potential Damages After a Commercial Vehicle Collision
Max Meyers Law could help you claim compensation for damages such as:
- Past, present, and anticipated medical expenses
- Physical rehabilitation
- Reconstructive surgery
- Prescription medication co-pays
- Lost income from work
- Diminished earning potential
- Disability
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of limb
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Washington state does not currently cap the compensation available to semi-truck accident victims. However, you have to act fast: the Evergreen State has a strict statute of limitations on all personal injury claims. If you wait too long to take action, the court could automatically dismiss your claim, preventing you from recovering anything.
