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A collision with a commercial truck on a road like I-90 can happen in seconds, but the consequences may affect you for months or even years afterward. You may be living with pain, missing work, watching bills pile up, and getting calls from insurance companies before you even understand the full impact of the crash. You should not have to sort through the legal process alone.
If you were injured in a truck accident, the Liberty Lake personal injury lawyers at Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options. We offer free consultations so that you can get answers about your situation without added financial pressure.
Call today and learn how a truck accident attorney in Liberty Lake, WA, can fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Other Motor Vehicle Claims
Truck accident claims frequently involve complex legal and insurance issues not normally found in car accident cases. The commercial trucking industry must meet much higher standards for compliance. These cases may involve Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, such as:
- Driver training and qualification requirements
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance obligations
- Electronic logging devices and driving records
Additionally, multiple parties are often involved in the operation of these big rigs, with each carrying commercial insurance policies with substantial coverage limits.
Each of these factors can become important during an investigation. Understanding how these apply to a specific collision often plays a significant role in determining liability and building a strong claim.
Understanding What May Have Caused the Collision
Identifying what happened in the truck accident and why is often one of the most important parts of a claim. In our ten years, we have seen these common causes of truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue due to hours of service violations
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Speeding and reckless driving, including improper lane changes
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
- Mechanical failures, such as faulty brakes and tire blow-outs
- Inadequate training
We provide our clients with a thorough investigation to identify the factors that contributed to the crash, which provides a clearer picture of who may be responsible.
It’s free to speak with us and learn the value of your case today.
Call Us NowIdentifying Everyone Who May Share Responsibility
The truck driver is usually the at-fault party, but depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may have contributed to the collision. Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Trucking companies
- Cargo loading companies
- Vehicle maintenance providers
- Other motorists whose actions contributed to the crash
Determining responsibility requires a careful review of records, evidence, and the events leading up to the collision. We will identify every potentially liable party because it may affect the compensation available to you.
The Injuries Often Associated With Truck Accidents
Truck accidents frequently result in serious injuries because of the disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Common injuries we see our clients suffer include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe soft tissue injuries
MultiCare Valley Hospital can evaluate and treat the injured, but these injuries can affect a person’s ability to work, participate in family activities, and maintain normal routines. Recovery often involves significant disruptions that extend beyond the immediate aftermath of the collision.
Your claim should reflect your immediate medical bills and any long-term impact your injuries may cause.
What Must Be Proven in a Truck Accident Claim
To recover compensation for your truck accident claim, we must prove negligence. That requires establishing four key legal elements that were present in your collision:
- Duty of Care: The truck driver and other responsible parties had a legal obligation to operate and manage the commercial vehicle safely.
- Breach of Duty: A person or company failed to meet that obligation by violating a traffic law or failing to follow safety regulations.
- Causation: The breach contributed to the collision and resulted in harm.
- Damages: You suffered losses related to the accident.
Every case depends on its own facts and available evidence. The strength of a claim often comes down to whether the evidence supports each of these required elements.
The Evidence That Can Make a Difference in Your Case
Evidence is often the foundation of a successful truck accident claim. Important information can disappear quickly if it is not preserved and reviewed promptly.
Evidence may include:
- Police reports from the Washington State Patrol or the Liberty Lake Police Department
- Driver logs and electronic data recorder information
- Inspection reports and maintenance records
- Witness statements
- Photographs and video footage of the accident scene and injuries
Commercial trucking companies and insurers will begin their own investigations shortly after a collision occurs to protect their interests. However, contacting Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers as soon as possible after the accident will also us the time needed to preserve critical information before it becomes more difficult to obtain.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed through an act of negligence, you need the highest level of legal representation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationThe Types of Compensation Available After a Truck Accident
Compensation in a truck accident claim is intended to address both financial losses and the personal impact of an injury.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other documented accident-related financial losses
These damages focus on measurable financial consequences resulting from the collision.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other personal impacts associated with serious injuries
These damages recognize the ways an injury can affect your quality of life and daily experiences.
We develop personal injury claims to account for the full scope of losses caused by the collision.
Waiting Too Long Can Affect Your Right to Recover Compensation
You have a limited amount of time to act on your truck accident claim. Under RCW 4.16.080, you typically have three years after the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Spokane County Superior Court.
While you may feel you have plenty of time before the deadline on the statute of limitations expires, waiting too long can create significant challenges. Witness memories may fade, records in the possession of possible defendants may become harder to obtain, and evidence in general may become unavailable.
We can protect your rights and preserve evidence, but you must reach out to us as soon as possible.
What You Should Do After a Truck Accident in Liberty Lake
The steps you take after a truck accident can have a significant impact on both your recovery and your claim.
Important actions include:
- Calling 911 and reporting the collision
- Seeking medical attention immediately
- Preserving available evidence
- Avoiding recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance
- Keeping records of accident-related expenses and losses
These steps help create documentation that may become important later in the claims process.
How We Pursue Compensation While You Focus on Moving Forward
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we handle the legal work so that you can focus on moving forward after a truck accident.
Our approach includes:
- Investigating the collision
- Gathering and preserving evidence
- Reviewing medical records
- Identifying liable parties
- Determining damages
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Preparing cases for litigation when necessary
Once you hire our personal injury attorneys, we promptly contact insurance companies and handle communications related to the claim. Our attorneys work collaboratively to evaluate evidence, address legal issues, and develop strategies tailored to each case.
When insurers refuse to offer a fair resolution, we are prepared to pursue claims through the court process, including proceedings when appropriate.
Throughout the process, we remain focused on helping clients understand what is happening and what to expect next.
Get a free case evaluation
Schedule NowA Law Firm Built Around Communication and Accessibility
Choosing legal representation after a truck accident is an important decision. At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we believe communication and accessibility matter.
For more than a decade, we have helped injury victims pursue compensation after serious accidents. We maintain direct communication with clients and strive to ensure that questions are answered throughout the legal process.
We also offer bilingual services to assist clients from diverse backgrounds. Our experience handling injury claims helps us guide people through complex legal issues while keeping the process understandable.
Our goal is to provide clear guidance and consistent support during a difficult time.
Talk to a Liberty Lake Truck Accident Attorney About Your Next Steps
If you were injured in a truck accident, it is important to understand your rights as soon as possible. Evidence can become more difficult to obtain over time, and legal deadlines may affect your ability to pursue compensation. Taking action early may help protect important information related to your claim.
Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is available to discuss your situation during a free consultation. We can explain your legal options, answer your questions, and help you understand the next steps available as you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the trucking company denies responsibility?
A denial does not necessarily prevent a claim from moving forward. Evidence, witness statements, records, and other documentation may help establish liability despite a trucking company’s position.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the collision?
Washington follows a contributory fault system, per RCW 4.22.005. Depending on the facts, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident.
Do most truck accident cases settle or go to court?
Many claims are resolved through settlement negotiations. However, some cases require litigation when the parties cannot reach an agreement regarding liability or compensation.
What does it cost to hire Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers for a truck accident case?
We handle truck accident cases through a contingency fee arrangement. This agreement means attorney fees are collected from a recovery obtained on your behalf rather than through upfront legal bills.
