• Home
• About Our Firm
  • Meet the Attorneys »
    • Joseph E. Pendergast, III, Managing Partner
    • Lisa M. Voso, Attorney
    • Morton T. Hardwick, Of Counsel
  • Claims and Support Team
  • Getting Results for Clients
  • For Our Medical Colleagues
  • Firm Brochure
  • Press Room
• If You’re Injured
  • What to Do »
    • If you are injured in an automobile accident
    • If you are injured in a vehicle accident on the job
    • If you are hospitalized with major injuries
    • If you suffer whiplash and soft tissue injuries
    • If there is a wrongful death
  • What an Attorney Can Mean to Your Personal Injury Case
  • When and How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
  • Are Your Injuries Covered?
  • What You Can Expect Working with an Attorney
  • What is the Injury and Wrongful Death Claim Process Like?
  • How to Handle Your Medical Needs
  • What to Expect If There Is a Lawsuit
• Video Library
• Case Results
• Contact Us
  • Contact Our Office Today
  • Schedule a Free Consutation
  • Directions to Office

Seattle Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys

Commercial vehicles transport people and goods across Washington every day. Commercial drivers typically work long hours with little or no rest. Because of the size of most commercial vehicles, which include large trucks and buses, when an accident occurs, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. If a commercial vehicle has injured you or a loved one in Washington, please call an experienced Seattle personal injury attorney right away to discuss your legal rights and options.

Washington Truck and Bus Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were 128 truck accidents and 46 bus accidents in Washington State in the year 2010. During that same year, 160 people were injured in Washington truck crashes and 88 people were injured in Washington bus accidents.

Common Causes of Washington Commercial Vehicle Accidents

There are many potential causes of a Washington commercial vehicle injury accident. They include:

Fatigued driving: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts the number of hours commercial drivers can operate their vehicles without rest. Drivers who push the boundaries of these restrictions to meet unrealistic deadlines put everyone on the roadway at great risk.

Speed: There is no question that excessive speed is a factor in many serious Washington truck accidents. Truck drivers have the responsibility of handling extremely dangerous and powerful vehicles. Failure to practice safe driving habits can prove fatal especially when a large, heavy vehicle collides with a smaller passenger vehicle.

Drunk driving: Like fatigued driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can cause catastrophic commercial vehicle accidents.

Distracted driving: Using a handheld cell phone, laptop, GPS or any other electronic device while driving an 80,000-pound big rig or bus, can be extremely dangerous. Commercial drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times.

Lack of vehicle maintenance: Vehicles must be carefully inspected before leaving on a long trip. Truck drivers, bus operators and trucking companies are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their vehicles. Brake failure in large trucks, for example, is a common cause of truck accidents, which is often caused by poor vehicle maintenance or truck overloading.

Improper loading: When a truck is hauling heavy goods, the way it is loaded is crucial to safe travel. Trucks that are overloaded or loaded unevenly may force the trailer to veer out of control, jackknife or even separate from a truck.

Rights of Injured Victims

Injured victims of commercial vehicle crashes may pursue financial compensation by filing a Seattle personal injury claim against the at-fault driver or the driver's employer. Damages that may be covered include medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages. The experienced commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast serve all of Washington. Our Seattle-based personal injury attorneys will fight hard to protect your rights and help you secure the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.