Seattle Runaway Trailer Accident Lawyers
Tractor-trailers are enormous motor vehicles that are immensely complicated to operate. It only takes a mechanical error or a moment of negligent driving for a potentially devastating truck accident to occur. A runaway trailer accident is where the speed of the trailer does not match the speed of the truck. In some cases, the trailer may force the truck to veer out of control. In other cases, the trailer may become completely detached from the truck and crash through anything in its path until it comes to a stop. Because of the size and weight of trailers, a runaway trailer accident in Washington can cause catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Causes of Runaway Trailer Accidents
There are a number of potential causes of Washington runaway trailer accidents. It is important to understand the causes so that you can try to determine who was responsible for the crash. Common causes of runaway trailer accidents include:
- Truck brake failure: When the brakes on the trailer fail to work in conjunction with the brakes on the truck, the trailer may become detached. Did the truck driver, truck owner or shipping company fail to inspect the brakes before the trip?
- Overloaded trailers: When a trailer is loaded with cargo that is too heavy for the trailer, there is the chance of brake failure or of the truck veering out of control. Did the shipping company overload the trailer? Did an inspection official fail to notice the truck was overloaded?
- Steep declines: Trucks attempting to slow down while descending in elevation often has difficulty with their brakes. Is the roadway reasonably designed for large trucks? Did the driver fail to adjust their speed accordingly?
- Sudden turns: A trailer can become detached if the truck jackknifes or if the driver turns too rapidly. Did driver negligence contribute to the runaway trailer?
- Speeding: Drivers must adjust their rate of speed to match the type of cargo they are carrying and the conditions of the roadway. Could the driver have prevented the runaway trailer accident if they were driving more carefully?
What to do Following a Washington Truck Accident
Injured victims of runaway truck accidents in Washington would be well-advised to immediately call the authorities, exchange information with those involved in the accident, and begin taking notes. The more details you collect at the scene of the crash, the better. If you have a camera or a camera function on your cell phone, take photos of the vehicles involved, the location of the crash, and the injuries suffered. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of building a valid claim and obtaining the compensation you rightfully deserve following an accident in Washington. Throughout the process of filing a claim you may also need to seek guidance from a skilled attorney.
The Seattle trailer accident attorneys in Seattle at Hardwick & Pendergast have years of experience handling all types of Washington truck and runaway trailer accidents. We fight for our clients to receive fair compensation for the damages they have suffered. Call our law offices today for a free consultation.
