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Every day, commercial trucks travel through Spokane on roads like I-90, carrying goods across Washington and the rest of the country. While these vehicles play an important role in the economy, they can also cause devastating collisions when something goes wrong.
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be dealing with medical bills, time away from work, and pressure from insurance companies, but at Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our Spokane personal injury lawyers help truck accident victims hold negligent parties accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. A truck accident attorney in Spokane, WA, with our law firm can help you seek maximum compensation.
Why Work With Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers After a Spokane Truck Accident?
When choosing legal representation after a truck accident, it is important to work with a firm that can effectively manage the challenges these cases often present. At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we provide:
- More than a decade of experience representing injury victims: For over ten years, we have helped injured individuals and families pursue compensation after serious accidents.
- A collaborative attorney approach: Multiple attorneys contribute to case strategy and preparation, providing clients with the benefit of shared insight and experience throughout the claims process.
- Prompt communication with insurance companies: Once representation begins, we contact insurers immediately so that our clients can focus on their recovery and personal responsibilities.
- Bilingual legal services: Our staff can provide support in Spanish to better serve the diverse communities we represent.
These advantages allow us to guide clients through complex truck accident claims while providing clear communication and dedicated legal representation from start to finish.
It’s free to speak with us and learn the value of your case today.
Call Us NowCommon Causes of Truck Accidents in Spokane
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. Identifying what caused a crash is often one of the most important parts of determining liability and building a strong claim.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue: Drivers who exceed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours of service regulations can experience impaired judgment, reaction time, and a decline in overall driving performance.
- Distracted driving: Cell phones, navigation systems, dispatch communications, and other distractions can take a driver’s attention away from surrounding traffic and road conditions.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: As commercial trucks require greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles, excessive speed, following too closely, and unsafe lane changes can increase the risk of a serious collision.
- Failure to adjust for weather or traffic conditions: Truck drivers must account for changing road conditions, reduced visibility, construction zones, and congestion.
- Poor maintenance and mechanical failures: Violations of FMCSA truck maintenance regulations can result in brake failures, tire blowouts, steering problems, and other mechanical issues.
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo: FMCSA also sets regulations for securing cargo; shifting cargo, overloaded trailers, and improperly secured freight can affect a truck’s stability, increase rollover risks, and make the vehicle more difficult to control.
We will investigate your accident to determine what contributed to your truck accident, identifying who may be responsible and whether violations of safety regulations played a role in the crash.
Determining Liability After a Spokane Truck Accident
What few accident victims realize is that truck accident claims frequently involve more than one potentially responsible party. While the truck driver may have played a role in the collision, other individuals or businesses may also share responsibility.
Depending on the circumstances, other possible liable parties may include:
- The trucking company: A motor carrier may be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, poor supervision, unrealistic delivery expectations, or failing to maintain its fleet in a safe condition.
- A maintenance or repair company: Businesses responsible for inspecting, servicing, or repairing commercial vehicles may share liability when poor workmanship or overlooked safety issues contribute to a crash.
- A cargo loading company: Companies that load freight may be responsible when cargo is improperly secured, overloaded, or distributed in a way that affects the truck’s stability and operation.
Identifying every responsible party is vital because multiple sources of insurance coverage may be available.
Evidence Can Strengthen Your Truck Accident Claim
The key to proving negligence is evidence. However, truck accidents are unlike many passenger vehicle crashes because critical evidence in your case may be in the possession of the trucking company or other possible defendants.
Important evidence may include:
- Electronic logging device data
- Black box information
- Driver qualification files
- Maintenance records
- Inspection reports
- Cell phone records
- Witness statements
- Photos and surveillance footage
- Police reports
These records can reveal valuable information about how the collision occurred. It may help establish driver conduct, vehicle condition, or company practices leading up to the crash.
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 ConsultationCompensation Available After a Spokane Truck Accident
Truck accident victims may be entitled to pursue compensation for both financial and personal losses.
Economic Damages: More Than Immediate Out-of-Pocket Costs
Economic damages are intended to address measurable financial losses caused by the collision. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
These losses can place a significant burden on victims and their families, making a full financial evaluation an important part of any claim.
Non-Economic Damages: The Effects Beyond Financial Costs
Some losses cannot be easily measured using bills or receipts. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or impairment
These damages recognize the broader impact a serious truck accident can have on a person’s daily life and future.
Wrongful Death Damages: Compensation After a Fatal Truck Accident
The loss of a loved one in a truck accident can leave a family devastated. While no legal claim can undo what happened, a wrongful death action may provide surviving family members with financial support.
Depending on the circumstances, a wrongful death claim may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost financial support
- Loss of services and support
- Loss of companionship
During this difficult time, we help families understand their legal options, gather the necessary evidence, and seek the compensation available while they focus on their loved ones and the challenges ahead.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Washington?
Washington law, RCW 4.16.080, imposes deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits after an accident. In most cases, the statute of limitations for filing with the Spokane County courts is three years. This deadline starts on the day of the accident or when your loved one passes, and missing the deadline can have serious consequences.
In addition to jeopardizing your right to pursue compensation, waiting too long can make it more difficult to obtain evidence, locate witnesses, and build a strong case.
Because filing deadlines can be affected by specific facts and legal issues, it is important to contact us as soon as possible to evaluate your case.
Get a free case evaluation
Schedule NowWhat to Do After a Truck Accident in Spokane
The steps you take after a truck accident can affect both your well-being and your legal claim. You should:
- Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Document the scene when possible.
- Gather witness information.
- Preserve records and evidence.
- Avoid discussing fault publicly.
Depending on where the accident occurred, the Spokane Police Department, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, or the Washington State Patrol will respond and generate an accident report.
Following a serious collision, emergency treatment may be provided at facilities such as Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where accident victims can receive immediate care.
For the success of your claim, it’s important to take these actions and then contact Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers.
Talk to Our Spokane Truck Accident Attorneys For Help With Your Case
A truck accident can leave you facing difficult questions about your health, finances, and future. Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you understand your options and take the next steps.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We can review your situation, answer your questions, and explain how Washington law may apply to your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Possibly. Washington follows a pure comparative fault system under RCW 4.22.005. An injured person may still recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the accident. However, any recovery may be reduced based on that person’s percentage of fault.
What happens if the trucking company denies responsibility?
It is not uncommon for trucking companies or their insurers to dispute liability after a serious accident. A thorough investigation may be necessary to determine what happened, identify responsible parties, and gather evidence supporting the claim. Even when liability is disputed, injured victims may still have legal options for pursuing compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Attorney fees are paid from a recovery obtained on your behalf rather than through upfront legal fees. During your free consultation, we can explain how our fee structure applies to your specific case.
Will my case settle or go to court?
Many truck accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations, but some cases require litigation. Whether a case settles or proceeds to court depends on factors such as liability disputes, the severity of damages, and the willingness of the parties to reach a fair resolution. Every case is different.
