Large and heavy trucks serve Richland in numerous ways. They bring in products for businesses and consumers. They’re needed on construction sites, and to build roads and buildings. When truckers conform to the rules, their work helps Richland grow. When truck drivers and trucking companies fail to prioritize safety, however, disaster can strike in an instant. Trucks are dangerous vehicles. When they collide with cars, the car absorbs most of the force. Many truck accidents are deadly. Survivors of truck crashes often live with catastrophic injuries.
At Telaré Law, our Richland truck accident lawyers understand the unique challenges involved with truck accident claims. We understand how truck accidents happen, why they happen, and who is responsible. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the federal and state laws that regulate the trucking industry. Our team works with your doctors to show just how much trauma you have. You have medical bills, constant pain, and daily worries about having an income. Our lawyers have the experience and resources to help you get justice – in the courtroom and with insurance companies.
Truck accidents are much more dangerous than car accidents. Cars are simply no match for a truck. Trucks, especially the 18-wheelers ones that drive over Interstate 82 and other roads in Southeast Washington, are bigger, heavier, wider, taller, and longer than cars. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, trucks weigh 29-30 times as much as passenger cars. They’re harder to drive and harder to stop, and when a car and truck collide, the people in the car are the ones who are most likely to suffer permanent injuries or die.
The consequences of truck accidents are severe. More than 4,100 people nationwide died in truck accidents in 2019, per IIHS, and 67% of the victims were car occupants. About 16% of the victims were truck occupants, and 15% of the victims were pedestrians, bicycle riders, and motorcyclists. About three-quarters of the fatalities involved tractor-trailers. Most of the other fatalities involved single-unit trucks.
Victims of truck accidents are likely to suffer much more severe injuries and deaths than when two cars collide. It’s just the laws of physics. Greater force means greater impact.
Our Richland truck accident lawyers represent victims who have any one or combination of the following injuries:
At Telaré Law, our lawyers work with your doctors and our network of doctors to show how severe your injuries are, why you need so much medical care, and all the ways your life is limited because of the truck accident. Many of our clients need a lifetime of medical help.
Semis, tractor-trailers, box trucks, flatbeds, dry vans, and other types of trucks have several things in common. They’re hard to drive. Drivers of most large trucks need a special commercial driver’s license. They carry cargo that can spill or shift while the truck is in operation. When crashes happen, they usually cause catastrophic injuries or deaths.
Many truck accidents happen in the same way (just on a larger scale) than car accidents. Truck accidents include head-on crashes, broadsides, rear-end collisions, and multiple-vehicle accidents.
Truck accidents also happen in ways that are unique to trucks. These types of crashes include:
Many truck accidents cause the truck or cargo to spread across several lanes of the highway creating dangers for drivers in these multiple lanes as they try to avoid the truck and the cargo.
At Telaré Law, our attorneys advocate for drivers, passengers, people on bikes and on foot, and families whenever there is a serious accident.
At Telaré Law, we understand that “why” accidents happen is the key to proving the defendants should be liable for your damage. The law requires a showing that a driver or trucking company was negligent. That negligence can include:
There are other reasons truck accidents happen that our seasoned trial lawyers examine. Roadways that are dangerous, landscaping that makes visibility difficult, and undue pressures by the trucking companies that hire the driver are known causes. Another cause of truck accidents is defective truck parts, such as defective hydraulic systems, fuel lines, brakes, and tires.
Most truck accidents are preventable. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) have regulations that govern truck safety. The state has its own truck safety laws. The trucking industry has standards that truck companies and drivers must follow.
However the accident happened, rest assured that our Richland truck accident lawyers have the experience and professional relationships to help you obtain justice.
Our lawyers file claims against everyone responsible for your truck accident injuries. Often, there are multiple defendants which means working with multiple insurance companies. Some of the likely defendants include:
We also may file a claim against a tavern or hotel that sold alcohol to a driver who was visibly intoxicated. Employers are generally liable for any accidents caused by their employees.
Telaré Law fights for every dollar personal injury victims deserve. Truck accident victims have a lot of expenses. Many may never work again. The daily frustrations and severe pain can be unbearable. Families deserve full compensation when a loved one dies.
Accident victims are entitled to the following damages from responsible defendants:
When a close relative dies, our Richland truck accident lawyers demand damages for the wrongful death. These damages include the funeral bills, loss of financial support, and losses that are personal to the family members.
Telaré Law meets clients in Richland at 1321 Columbia Park Trail, Suite B, in Richland, WA. We also meet people at our Kennewick office and at their home or a hospital if they are ill or immobile.
Contact us now. You can’t wait too long to file your claim. We need to investigate the accident site and the vehicles as soon as possible. At Telaré Law, our Richland truck accident lawyers are respected by defense lawyers, plaintiff’s lawyers, former clients, and insurance companies – across Washington – for our record of strong results and our dedication to our clients.
To discuss your legal claim, contact us to schedule a free consultation. We represent personal injury victims on a contingency fee basis.