Our Seattle Semi Truck Accident Lawyer Supports Victims of Commercial Truck Crashes
When semis, tractor-trailers, or other large commercial trucks are involved in collisions with other motorists, the results can be catastrophic or even deadly, with the drivers and occupants of the smaller, lighter passenger vehicles typically bearing the brunt of the injuries, property damage, and fatalities. You might be entitled to compensation if a negligent truck driver, trucking company, or another party caused a Washington State truck accident that left you injured, drowning in medical bills and other unexpected expenses, or writing a loved one's eulogy.
However, these crashes can lead to complex and time-consuming lawsuits that pit victims and their families against powerful trucking companies, insurers, and defense attorneys. Fortunately, you don't have to face litigation alone. At Kode Law Firm, experienced Seattle truck accident lawyer Preet Kode provides trusted and highly skilled legal counsel to help clients level the playing field, protect their rights, and fight for the rightful recovery they deserve.
Making Sense of Washington State Truck Accidents
Serious injury and fatal truck accidents are tragically common in the Evergreen State. In an average year, large trucks like big rigs and 18-wheelers play a role in approximately 6,000 crashes, killing more than 50 people and injuring hundreds of others. Here's what you should know.
Truck Crashes Can Cause Severe and Wide-Ranging Injuries
Often resulting in permanent impairments that require costly ongoing or future care, truck accidents can change your life's trajectory. The vast disparities in commercial truck and passenger vehicle size and weight contribute to the characteristically severe or life-altering injuries often associated with these crashes. Common truck accident injuries include:
- Abrasions, contusions, and lacerations
- Broken or crushed bones
- Heat or chemical burns
- Back and neck injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage, which can cause paralysis below the injury site
- Amputation or limb loss
- Organ damage or internal bleeding
- Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Common Causes and Potentially Liable Parties
Truck and car accidents often share similar causes, including drowsy driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, reckless driving, and driving too fast for the current road or weather conditions. Truck accidents have several unique causes, such as inadequate hiring or training practices, insufficient supervision, improper cargo loading, infrequent truck inspections, and improper truck maintenance and repair. As a result, potentially liable parties might include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Mechanics
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers
- Other motorists
Washington follows pure comparative fault rules, which means multiple parties can share liability for an accident, including victims. Preet Kode fights to protect your right to a fair recovery.
After a Commercial Truck Accident, Our Seattle Law Firm Is Here to Help
Truck accidents aren't your typical fender benders. These crashes often result in significant injuries and damages, paving the way for sizable settlements or financial awards. Personal injury and wrongful death plaintiffs can encounter substantial challenges when seeking compensation for their injuries and losses.
Fortunately, we're not your typical law firm. Small by design and prioritizing speed, communication, and results, Kode Law Firm has the experience, skill, and resources to resolve even the most complex truck accident cases. Preet leads a team of knowledgeable legal professionals dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the justice and recovery you deserve. We're here for you at every stage, from investigating the crash and gathering evidence to determining liability and losses, negotiating settlement offers, and presenting your case in court.
What a Washington Truck Accident Recovery Might Include
What you could recover can vary based on each case's circumstances. Depending on the facts and evidence in your Washington truck accident case, your recovery might include compensation for:
- All accident-related medical expenses. This can include emergency transportation and care, hospitalizations, surgical procedures, doctor and specialist visits, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, mobility devices, and the estimated cost of ongoing and future medical treatment.
- Lost wages and/or earning potential. These damages compensate truck accident plaintiffs for wages lost while out of work healing from their injuries and reduced or lost earning capacity due to permanent impairments.
- Pain and suffering. These non-economic damages compensate plaintiffs for intangible injuries and losses that cannot be quantified monetarily, such as physical pain, emotional distress, scarring or disfigurement, permanent disability, and reduced quality or enjoyment of life.
Wrongful death recoveries can include compensation for the decedent's related medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of their income, love, companionship, affection, and consortium.
