Renton Truck Accident Attorney

The trucking industry is a business that has been growing significantly in the past 20 years. Unfortunately, the increase in trucks on the road has also brought an increase in accidents. Truck drivers are required to follow safety rules and regulations set by federal law, but sometimes these laws aren’t enough to keep people safe from harm.

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Renton, Washington, it’s essential to contact our law group composed of experienced Renton truck accident lawyers. Doing so will help you collect the damages you deserve after your accident. Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you every step of the way. Contact us with questions or to set up a free consultation by calling (206) 312-0954 or by filling out our online contact form.

Renton Truck Accident Legal Resources

• What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
• What Is Negligence in a Big Rig Accident?
• What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
• What Types of Damages Can I Collect From a Truck Accident Claim?
• How Can I Pay My Bills If I Miss Work After a Truck Accident?
• Who Is Responsible For Truck Accident Damages in Renton, WA?
• Contact Us

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Renton, WA?

If you are involved in a commercial trucking accident, there are several things you should do, including the following:

• Call the police and file a report.
• Get medical attention if you need it.
• Contact a personal injury accident attorney to discuss your case.
• Do not speak to the truck driver, truck company or insurance company without an experienced Renton truck accident lawyer in your corner.

What Is Negligence in a Big Rig Accident?

Negligence is generally required to for a big rig accident claim to succeed in court. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care while operating the truck, which can result in injuries or damages. In order for someone to be held liable for negligence, the injured party must be able to prove the following:

• The defendant owed the injured party a duty of care;
• The defendant failed to meet that duty of care;
• You suffered injuries; and
• The defendant’s actions caused the injury or damage.

Truck drivers have a duty to operate their motor vehicle safely and follow all safety and traffic laws. If they fail to do so and cause an accident, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages.

What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Semi-truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons and can differ from car accidents in severity. The most common is typically human error. This often includes a truck driver texting while driving, eating while driving, speeding, driving recklessly, or being too tired from working too much.

Another very common cause of trucking accident is negligence on the part of the trucking company. This can include negligent hiring practices, failure to train their employees correctly, making the driver work overtime when they are too tired to safely drive, and more. It’s also the responsibility of the trucking company to ensure that the truck is safe and has passed all necessary safety inspections – and that the required inspections are actually completed. Many trucking companies cut corners because they’re understaffed or want to save money, but this puts every other driver on the road in danger.

What Types of Damages Can I Collect From a Truck Accident Claim?

A large truck accident can leave victims with life-altering severe injuries. If you or someone close to you have suffered serious injuries from a semi-truck accident, our Renton truck accident attorneys can help. 

Generally speaking, truck accident victims can recover compensation to help offset damages from the accident. These damages are generally lumped together as economic damages and non-economic damages.

There are several types of damages that you may be able to collect from a commercial truck injury claim:

• Medical expenses. This includes any hospital or medical bills, medications you need to take, rehabilitation you need to complete after your hospital stay, and anything else you had to spend money on for your physical health as a result of your injuries from the accident.
• Lost wages. You may be able to recover lost wages from the time you are out of work until the time your case is concluded. It’s also possible to recover monetary damages for wages you will lose out on in the future due to the injuries. An experienced lawyer can help you determine this amount and make sure you recover what you deserve.
• Pain and suffering. This is a more subjective type of damage, but it’s just as real as any physical injuries you suffered. In the event that an accident lead to a wrongful death,
• Property damage. If your car was damaged or destroyed – or other items you had with you were broken or damaged – you should be able to recover compensation for the damage that has occurred. If your car has been damaged in Renton, you should speak with a Renton car accident lawyer today.

Economic Damages & Truck Accident Claims

Economic damages are designed to offset the monetary costs associated with the accident. These damages are easily calculated and involve monetary losses that may include property damage, medical expenses, medical devices, loss of employment, loss of business, costs to update residence to accommodate needs, cost of domestic service and medical assistants. Economic damages are intended to reimburse the victim for the fiscal damages associated with the accident.    

Non-Economic Damages & Commercial Truck Accidents

Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate and more nebulous in nature compared to economic damages. Non-economic damages help victims recoup compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium. 

Non-economic damages are subjective and are intended to help injured victims recoup compensation for the pain and suffering endured from the sustained injuries. 

Are Punitive Damages Available in Semi-Truck Accident Claims in Washington?

Generally speaking punitive damages are not available for injured victims in Washington. Washington is one of the few states that does not allow injured auto accident victims to pursue punitive damages in accident claims.

How Can I Pay My Bills If I Miss Work After a Truck Accident?

If you have been injured in an accident and cannot work while recovering from injuries, there are options available so you don’t miss out on wages during this difficult time. Consider the following:

• Short-term disability benefits through employers’ policies
• Long-term disability benefits through employers’ policies
• Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)
• Worker’s Compensation Benefits, if applicable to your case.

There are several options available while you’re out of work recovering from injuries sustained in a commercial truck accident. If you have been injured in a car accident involving a commercial or 18-wheeled vehicle, contact our pedestrian accident lawyer in Renton today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and let you know how we can help. As a full-service firm, we try to handle every aspect of the injury case, including assisting you while the case is ongoing. Our main goal is to help injured victims recover compensation to recoup damages for what was lost.

Who Is Responsible For Truck Accident Damages in Renton, WA?

If you were involved in an accident involving a truck, you might be wondering who you would file a claim against – the driver, the insurance company, or the employer of the truck driver? In some accident cases, you might even need to file a claim against a manufacturer if the accident occurred as a result of something being wrong with the truck. It’s very fact specific and your injury case will need to be reviewed by an experienced Renton personal injury attorney to determine who can be held responsible. It’s also possible that several parties are responsible for your injuries, in which case you can try to hold all of them accountable.

Contact Us

If you were involved in a trucking accident in Renton, Washington, you’re probably going through a difficult time. Physical and emotional injuries are common in these types of accidents, and the injuries can be quite severe due to the size of the commercial trucks. An experienced truck accident lawyer at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers can assist you with every aspect of your injury case from start to finish.

When you go up against a trucking company or an insurance companies without a lawyer, you run the risk of leaving money on the table or failing to file a successful claim due to inexperience and a lack of knowledge of rights regarding the legal system. Our Renton truck accident lawyers have many years of experience handling trucking accidents and know how to present a winning case. Contact us with questions or to set up a free case evaluation by calling (206) 312-0954 or by filling out our online contact form if you or a loved one have suffered injuries resulting from a commercial trucking accident.