Seattle Head-On Collision Truck Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one was injured in a head-on collision accident with a truck in Seattle, you need an experienced Washington truck accident attorney. A head-on collision with a larger vehicle like a truck is not only a traumatic experience. It can cause serious injuries, and in the worst cases, even death.

There are thousands of trucks on the road every day in America, and it’s inevitable that accidents will happen. However, nobody should have to suffer because another driver or company made an avoidable mistake and caused an accident. If you were injured in an accident with a big rig, don’t hesitate to contact a Seattle trucking accident attorney today.

At Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers, we represent clients who have been wrongfully injured in head-on collisions with trucks. We’re not afraid to take your case to court to fight for a fair settlement, and we know how to hold all negligent parties accountable. To find out how to file a claim and obtain compensation for your injuries, contact us today at (206) 312-0954 or online for a free consultation.

Do I Need a Head-On Collision Lawyer After an Accident?

There are many reasons you should contact a lawyer after a head-on collision with a commercial truck. 18-wheeler accidents are more complex than a typical car accident, and filing a personal injury claim for a trucking accident can be a long and complicated process, and making a mistake could jeopardize your claim. An attorney will make sure you cover all the bases and meet the appropriate deadlines.

An experienced head-on collision lawyer can help you determine the appropriate amount of compensation for your claim, collect evidence to prove who was the at-fault party, and represent you in a court case if need be.

A lawyer can also field any calls you get from insurance companies, protecting your rights and making sure you are not taken advantage of. Often insurance companies try to offer a low amount of compensation in order to save money. They may even go so far as to persuade victims not to hire a lawyer so the insurance company can keep more money for itself. Don’t fall for it. A lawyer will have your best interests in mind. The insurance companies do not.

Why Should Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers Handle My Case?

For over a decade, Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers has represented victims wrongfully injured in trucking accidents in Seattle and across Washington State. We are proud to use our skills, knowledge, and trial experience to fight for the rights of the people who need it most.

Because of our dedication, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients. This money has been used to pay hospital bills, compensate for missed time from work, and to help restore our clients’ quality of life.

If you’ve been injured in a head-on collision with a truck, don’t let insurance agencies and trucking companies take advantage of you. Get an experienced head-on collision truck accident attorney on your team.

What Causes Head-on Collisions?

Head-on collisions or “frontal collisions” occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide nose to nose, or “head-on.” This type of accident is dangerous between any types of vehicles, but when a truck is involved, the results can be lethal. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and often carry dangerous or explosive materials, making fatalities from head-on collisions more frequent than in any other type of accident.

Though federal and state rules and regulations about many aspects of the trucking industry are in place to prevent as many accidents as possible, mistakes are still made, and accidents happen. Listed below are some of the common causes of head-on collisions:

Fatigued or distracted driving. Truckers put in long hours and spend a lot of time alone when they’re driving. Sometimes they can become fatigued or distracted, and just a split second of inattention can cause a collision. Activities such as texting, eating or drinking, and talking on the phone are discouraged, and driving hours are limited to promote safety. However, accidents due to fatigue and/or distraction are still common.
Weather conditions. Professional truckers are trained to drive in all sorts of weather conditions, but that doesn’t mean difficult driving conditions such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail can’t cause an accident. Icy or slippery streets can potentially cause a trucker to lose control of their rig and drift into the opposite lane, making a head-on collision likely.
Road conditions. Sometimes poorly maintained roads or debris scattered on a highway can make a truck swerve and head into oncoming traffic.
Previous accident. When an accident occurs in front of a truck, the truck driver may swerve or lose control, which could lead to a head-on collision.
Wide turns. Because trucks require much more space to turn than smaller vehicles, they often swing into oncoming traffic lanes when they do so. If truckers fail to look out for oncoming traffic when making wide turns, they can cause a head-on collision.
Passing at the wrong time. When truckers ignore a solid yellow line indicating no passing, they risk causing a head-on collision with another vehicle. Still, truckers sometimes take risks and try to pass when it is unsafe, putting their own lives and the lives of other drivers at risk. Trying to pass on curves is also dangerous.
Driver intoxication. Truckers under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have decreased levels of focus and judgment. This is a deadly combination and can cause any number of trucking accidents, including head-on collisions.
Unknown roads. When truckers are unfamiliar with roads in an area, they could turn down a street the wrong way and cause a head-on collision.

For your claim to be successful, you must prove that another party was at fault for the accident. Trucking accidents are more complicated than accidents between two passenger vehicles because the potential for multiple parties to be involved is far greater.

Below are some parties that could potentially be responsible for a trucking accident:

The truck driver
The trucking company
The cargo loading company
Mechanics or equipment inspection company
A shipping agency
A government entity

Having a professional truck accident lawyer on your team can help you find the negligent party or parties and hold them responsible for your injuries.

Injuries Associated with Head-On Collisions

Because head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents on the road, drivers of passenger vehicles that collide head-on with a truck are often killed or seriously injured.

Here are some injuries that frequently result from head-on collisions between passenger vehicles and trucks:

Back and neck injuries. When two vehicles traveling at fast speeds collide, the people inside the vehicles experience a sudden change in direction. This jerking back-and-forth motion can lead to serious back and neck injuries. Whiplash, an injury that occurs when your torso stays put, but your head and neck snap forward, is a common injury that can cause lifelong pain and suffering.
Spinal cord injuries. If your spinal cord is injured in an accident, it can cause paralysis in the legs, pelvis, arms, shoulders, and torso. The paralysis could be temporary or permanent and partial or complete. Spine injuries can require months, years, or even a lifetime of treatment.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Brain injuries can be caused when someone’s head collides with a window, steering wheel, other part of the vehicle, or flying debris.
Amputations and disfigurement. The sheer force of a large truck colliding head-on with a passenger vehicle can crush the car’s occupants and cause permanent disfigurement. In some cases, amputation of limbs can result. This type of injury has lifelong physical, financial and emotional effects.
Broken bones and lacerations. Broken bones can require expensive treatments and limit a person’s ability to work, while lacerations and cuts from shattered glass or sharp metal from the vehicle can leave disfiguring scars. Lacerations must also be treated so that they do not lead to life-threating infections.
Burns. When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, there is a risk of rupturing fuel tanks. This can cause a fire to spread around the vehicles, and occupants of both vehicles risk severe burns.

The effects of head-on collisions are not just physical. People who survive head-on collisions with trucks are often scarred emotionally as well. Ongoing conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are common after trucking accidents, and many victims also must seek out psychological care to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I determine what my claim is worth?

Every case is different, and there is no way to determine the exact value of your claim beforehand. However, factors such as the severity of the injury, the cost of hospital bills and medical treatment, and how the injury affected your overall quality of life will be considered. An experienced attorney can help you determine a fair compensation amount.

How long do I have to file my claim?

In the state of Washington, you have three years after the date of a trucking accident to file a claim. However, we recommend you contact an attorney and start the process as quickly as possible.

How expensive is a lawyer?

Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers takes cases on a contingency fee basis. That means that clients do not pay any fees upfront. Our clients only pay our fees if we are successful in getting them compensation for their injuries.

Contact the Head-On Collision Attorneys at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers in Seattle

If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured in a head-on collision with a commercial truck in Seattle or Washington State, we’re ready to work on your behalf and defend your rights in court. Contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (206) 312-0954, or contact us online to set up a free consultation with an attorney and to get started on your claim.