What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Washington?

Commercial trucks travel across Washington every single day, transporting goods, materials, food, and countless other products from one part of the state to another. Though these trucks are obviously necessary, the unfortunate reality is that when a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident with a smaller passenger vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. Continue reading to learn more about the most common causes of truck accidents in Washington and how a seasoned motor vehicle accident lawyer from Calbom & Schwab Law Group PLLC can help you fight for the compensation you deserve if you’ve been wrongfully injured in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are some of the most common causes of truck accidents?

There are many different reasons why truck accidents happen, and, in many cases, more than one factor may have contributed to a collision. For example, a truck driver may have been traveling too quickly, but poor vehicle maintenance or improperly loaded cargo may have made the accident significantly worse. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Washington are as follows:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers frequently spend long hours behind the wheel and may be required to travel hundreds of miles in a relatively short period of time. Unfortunately, when drivers become overly tired, their reaction time, judgment, and ability to safely operate their vehicles can be seriously affected.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers, like all motorists, can become distracted by cell phones, navigation systems, food, controls inside the cab, and other things while driving. Even looking away from the road for only a few seconds can be enough to cause a serious accident.
• Speeding: Commercial trucks take far longer to stop than ordinary passenger vehicles, especially when they are carrying heavy cargo. Therefore, when a truck driver is speeding and traffic suddenly slows or another hazard appears, avoiding a collision may become extremely difficult.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, and even certain over-the-counter medications can impair a driver’s ability to react appropriately and operate a commercial vehicle safely.
• Improperly loaded cargo: Cargo that is overloaded, unsecured, or unevenly distributed can affect the way a truck handles. In certain cases, cargo can also fall from a trailer and strike nearby motorists.
• Poor truck maintenance: Commercial trucks contain many components that must be regularly inspected and maintained. Worn brakes, damaged tires, defective lights, steering problems, and other mechanical issues can all result in dangerous accidents.
• Unsafe lane changes: Tractor-trailers have large blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see nearby vehicles. If a truck driver changes lanes without properly checking these areas, another motorist may be sideswiped, struck, or forced off the road.
• Following too closely: Because trucks need additional distance to come to a complete stop, following another vehicle too closely can become particularly dangerous if traffic suddenly slows.

Who can be held responsible for a Washington truck accident?

One of the things that makes truck accident cases somewhat different from ordinary car accident claims is that more than one person or company may potentially be responsible. Though the truck driver is often the first person people think of after a crash, liability does not necessarily end there. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, liable parties may include the following:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company or motor carrier
• The company responsible for loading the truck
• A maintenance or repair company
• The manufacturer of a defective truck or truck component
• Another driver who contributed to the accident

What should I do after being injured in a truck accident?

If you are injured in a truck accident in Washington, one of the first things you should do is seek medical attention, even if you initially believe your injuries are relatively minor. Certain injuries do not immediately become obvious, and medical documentation can also become important if you eventually bring a personal injury claim.

You should also report the accident to law enforcement and preserve as much evidence as you reasonably can. This may include photographs of the accident scene, medical records, insurance correspondence, repair estimates, witness information, and any other documents connected to the crash.

Finally, you should strongly consider speaking with a Washington truck accident lawyer about your situation. Here at Calbom & Schwab Law Group PLLC, we are dedicated to fighting for accident victims throughout Washington, and we stand ready to fight for you, too. Contact us today so we can get started working on your case.