Seattle Truck Driver Negligence Lawyers
Truck drivers who drive recklessly, negligently, or under the influence have the potential to cause devastating injury accidents. It only takes a moment of distracted driving or recklessness for a catastrophic truck accident to occur. Injured victims of negligent truck drivers may seek financial compensation for their injuries with the help of a skilled Seattle overloaded truck crash attorney.
Negligence in Civil Lawsuits
Not all injury accidents have a clear at-fault party. Unless an injured victim is able to prove that the other driver caused the crash, they may not be able to seek compensation for the collision. If, however, the victim is able to prove that the other driver was negligent in some way, the negligent driver may be held accountable for the injuries and other losses suffered. Negligence is when someone has a responsibility and fails to live up to it. For example, truck drivers are required to obey traffic signals, drive within the speed limit, and remain sober and attentive while driving. Commercial drivers are also bound by federal hours-of-service regulations that require them to take adequate rest before getting on the road. A failure to fulfill these obligations amounts to negligence.
Washington Traffic Violations
Many forms of driver negligence result in traffic violations. Here are a few examples of Washington traffic violations that can prove fatal when done by truck drivers:
- Drunk Driving (46.61.502): Driving under the influence in a truck can put everyone on the roadway in danger. This type of offense is so dangerous, it often leads to the truck driver losing their commercial driving license (CDL) and job.
- Illegal U-Turn (46.61.295): Trucks that make illegal U-turns can cause devastating side underride accidents if a car crashes into the side of the trailer. Depending upon the height of the trailer, this kind of crash can result in roof crush or even occupant decapitation.
- Reckless Driving (46.61.500): Washington law defines a reckless driver as "any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property."
- Running a Red Light or Stop Sign (46.61.500): Failure to obey a traffic control device can result in catastrophic intersection accidents.
- Speeding (46.61.400): Not only must truck drivers make sure not to exceed the speed limit, but they also must adjust their speed to accommodate to traffic conditions. Any truck driver who drives at an unsafe rate of speed may be held accountable for any resulting accidents they cause.
A truck driver does not have to be cited by the authorities to be held civilly liable by the injured victim of the crash. Criminal proceedings and traffic violations are handled separately from civil litigation. Only a civil lawsuit may result in financial considerations for the injured victim.
Holding Negligent Truck Drivers Accountable
It is not easy to pursue financial compensation from a negligent truck driver or trucking company. It is common for drivers to claim they weren't negligent and for claims to be denied. The skilled Seattle truck accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast know how to prove liability and how to get their clients fair compensation following an injury truck accident in Washington. Call our law offices today for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.
