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Driving on roads or highways should be safe. If a negligent truck driver gets behind the wheel, however, you could face extreme injuries and life-changing complications. The sheer velocity and force a large semi-truck or tractor-trailer can carry is extreme. When that force impacts your vehicle or your body, the damage can be catastrophic and even fatal.
If you were injured in a truck collision due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Pursuing a case on your own can be overwhelming, especially as you try to deal with your own physical recovery. You deserve full consideration of your case by a skilled personal injury attorney. Let an experienced Yakima truck accident lawyer analyze the evidence, submit a claim, and seek financial compensation for your losses.
Determining Negligence in Truck Accident Lawsuits
Truck crash cases are similar to other motor vehicle accidents, but the analysis also differs in some key ways. In determining negligence, the attorney and client will look for how the truck driver or other party breached a duty of care. They must then show how that breach of reasonable care was the cause of the collision and the resulting injuries. This proof is critical to a winning case.
To prove negligence, the injured party and attorney must submit evidence that conforms with the Washington Rules of Evidence. Evidence that may be admissible in court to prove the claim might include, but is not limited to:
- Witness statements or testimony
- Accident reconstructions by experts
- Law enforcement and traffic reports
- Ticket or criminal offense information
- Chemical tests for alcohol or drugs
- Defective truck part evidence
- Property damage assessments and medical costs
These are just a few examples; there is a wide array of additional evidence that may be critical to proving the truck accident lawsuit. A well-versed Yakima truck wreck attorney could work to gather all of the necessary evidence in order to prove fault in a specific case.
Common Causes of Truck Collisions
A trucking accident could be caused by nearly anything. However, there are more common scenarios than others that may have brought about an unfortunate accident and led to a person’s injuries. These causes might include:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated or drugged driving
- Exhaustion from overwork or overly long hours
- Excessive speed and reckless operation
- Failure to check truck’s blind spots or mirrors
- Improper training of drivers
- Defective truck parts
- Improper cargo loading
These are just a few examples, many other situations may result in an actionable truck accident claim.
Parties Who May Be Responsible for a Truck Crash
The primary cause of most truck accidents is negligence by the driver. Their errors or failures can be the reason an injured person suffers extreme harm. They may be directly responsible for their actions and liable for the financial hardships they have caused.
Truck companies may also be responsible for the negligence of their drivers. The doctrine of vicarious liability allows an injured person to seek damages from the employer when the employee’s wrongful conduct caused their harm.
Truck companies could also be directly liable. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict hour limits on drivers. Many companies force drivers to work over these hours, often leading to increased exhaustion that could result in an accident. An experienced truck wreck lawyer in Yakima could help an injured party hold a trucking directly liable in such a situation.
Get Help from a Yakima Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking accidents can devastate your life. Not only are you seriously injured, you might also be unable to work or participate in normal life activities for an extended amount of time. Your financial health may be destroyed by medical bills, property damage, and lost income.
To seek recovery for yourself and your family, consult a seasoned Yakima truck accident lawyer right away. Reach out now.
