Seattle Truck Accident Attorney | Certa Law Group

Certa Law Group brings together a powerhouse duo of Seattle truck accident attorneys. With a combined experience of more than 30 years under our belt, we know how to ensure that you get the payout you deserve after a truck crash.

You probably landed on this page after typing “semi-truck accident lawyers near me” – or something along those lines – into a search engine. If so, you have already done the crucial first step to filing a successful claim for damages: seeking expert legal representation.

A Certa Law Group Seattle truck accident attorney can help you get compensation for your truck accident-related medical expenses, any future treatments, loss of earning capacity, emotional pain and suffering, and more. If you have lost a loved one in a truck crash, you may also be eligible for damages for final expenses and loss of companionship.

About Certa Law Group

Need a Seattle truck accident attorney? We have two of Washington’s finest.

Our brilliant lawyers, Cheryl Farrish and Pellegrino “Pino” Certa have dedicated their entire careers to personal injury matters, insurance claim disputes, and motor vehicle accidents.

Supported by a stellar team of paralegals, Cheryl and Pino have over three decades of combined experience defending personal injury victims and their families – and winning maximum compensation for their clients.

Our law firm is based in Edmonds, but we also represent clients in Seattle as well as statewide. So, wherever you may be in Washington, do not hesitate to contact us if you have been in a truck accident in the past three years. We want to hear from you.

Truck Accidents in Washington May Be More Common Than You Think

Most people tend to think that serious truck crashes are a relatively rare occurrence. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

There were 4,903 truck accidents in Washington in 2020 alone. Sadly, 40 were fatal, and 98 resulted in serious injury. Nearly one-third of all truck crashes in the state – 1,464 – took place in King County. Snohomish County registered 407.

As far as the city-specific statistics go, Seattle and Edmonds had a total of 447 and 15 heavy truck accidents, respectively. While six of Seattle’s crashes involved serious injury, none of these were fatal. In other good news, Edmonds recorded no fatalities or cases of severe injury in 2020.

Causes of Most Heavy Truck Accidents in Seattle

Nearly every Seattle truck crash is due to one or more of the following:

Speeding

Speeding is always risky, but it can be particularly problematic with semi and heavy trucks. Due to their sheer weight, these massive vehicles cannot stop as fast as a car or even a regular truck. The driver of a speeding heavy truck will have even less time to react and come to a complete halt if they run into an unexpected obstacle, such as a traffic jam, a pedestrian, or another vehicle.

Improperly Loaded Trailer

A trailer that has not been loaded and secured properly may cause the load to shift when the vehicle makes a turn, accelerates, or brakes. In turn, a shift in the load may cause the trailer to jackknife or roll. Alternatively, it could propel the cab forward, resulting in a collision.

Inadequate Truck Maintenance

Regular and proper maintenance is a must for both semi and heavy trucks. The failure to do so may increase the likelihood of an accident exponentially.

Note that a truck driver may not necessarily be the one responsible for loading and securing the trailer and/or maintaining the vehicle. In that case, you may have to sue a third party, such as:

  • The trucking company
  • The maintenance company
  • The mechanic assigned to that particular truck
  • The manufacturer of the vehicle or some of its parts

Driver Fatigue

State and federal regulations both set limits on how long a truck driver may be on the road. Nevertheless, some trucking companies continue to pressure their drivers to meet unreasonable or downright dangerous deadlines. As a result, there are many drivers out there that may be too tired to accurately gauge the distance between their trucks and other vehicles on the road or react swiftly enough to prevent an accident.

Distracted Driving

Despite Washington’s total ban on handheld devices, which has been in effect since 2017, distracted driving remains a serious problem in our area. At least 37 of the 138 fatal and serious injury truck crashes in 2020 involved distracted drivers.

In Washington, at least 37 of the 138 fatal and serious injury truck crashes in 2020 involved distracted drivers.

Driving Under the Influence

In 2020, there were 19 fatal and serious injury truck accidents involving drug or alcohol-impaired drivers. At first glance, that may not seem like a lot compared to the total 592 DUI fatal/serious motor vehicle crashes for that year. However, heavy truck accidents can be disproportionately damaging due to the size of the vehicles.

Another thing to note here is that most semi and heavy truck drivers are required to hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). To get one, they must pass a special state test. Truck drivers also need to undergo specialized training and pass additional tests to be allowed to haul certain types of materials.

Due to their professional training and education, the law holds commercial truck drivers to a higher standard when it comes to DUI. Passenger vehicle drivers may have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of up to .08%. In contrast, CDL holders may not have a BAC higher than .04%.

Source: https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/dui.html

What to Do If You Have Been in a Heavy or Semi-Truck Accident in Seattle

If you were involved in a Seattle truck crash, do the following to protect your interests and maximize your chances of getting optimal compensation:

  • Seek medical treatment. If you are hurt, get medical attention right away – even if your injury is not an emergency. Be sure to also document everything and keep copies of all medical paperwork.
  • Do not speak with the trucking company’s attorney or insurer. Their only goal is to build their case and compromise yours.
  • Do not sign anything. Do not sign any document provided by the other side before showing it to your lawyer first.
  • Consult with a Seattle trucking accident attorney. The Certa Law Group lawyers can advise you on your legal options, possible next steps, and any compensation you may be entitled to.

How a Seattle Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

Truck crashes are very different from car crashes. A Seattle commercial trucking accident attorney would be best placed to help you navigate the process and get maximum payout.

For instance, did you know that, unlike cars, commercial trucks have black boxes similar to those used in airplanes? A Seattle truck accident attorney can get the black box of the truck involved in your accident right away to gather vital information about your case.

Commercial trucks have black boxes similar to those used in airplanes that contain crucial information.

Steps Involved in a Truck Accident Lawsuit

The first stage of a typical truck accident claim involves negotiating payout with the trucking company and the insurance company. If you could not come to an agreement – and you should not let yourself be pressured into an early settlement – the matter may progress to a full-blown lawsuit.

A Seattle truck accident attorney from Certa Law Group can advise you on whether settling or going to court is in your best interest.

Truck Accidents in Seattle: FAQs

Below, we have put together a few questions we often get from clients to help offer more insights into your case. Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Do I Need an Accident Attorney? Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer for Minor Truck Accident?

Yes, to both questions. If you want to collect the maximum compensation possible, you need a Seattle truck accident attorney, even for minor crashes. No one is in a better position to support you throughout the claim process.

When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Truck Accident?

As soon as possible and, ideally, right after the accident.

What is a Good Settlement Offer?

It is hard to say. The answer to this question depends on multiple factors, including:

  • The insurance policies of the drivers
  • Any property damage, medical, or other expenses you may have incurred
  • If relevant, your loss of wages or future earning capacity
  • Your emotional pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life

You may be able to get damages for your emotional pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.

Why Choose a Seattle Truck Accident Attorney from Certa Law Group

If you need a commercial trucking accident attorney in Seattle, the legal experts at Certa Law Group would be happy to assist. Truck accident cases are complex. Fortunately, we live and breathe personal injury law and will stop at nothing to win your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Our lawyers will:

  • Navigate you through the claim process from A to Z
  • Speak with the police, the other driver, and any eyewitnesses
  • Collect information and evidence to build a strong case
  • Negotiate with the insurance companies and the attorneys on the other side
  • Represent you in court
  • Appoint experts to estimate the value of your damages or recreate the crash
  • Ensure you get just compensation for your suffering

Get a free case evaluation today