Seattle Truck Accident Attorney
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18 Wheeler, Commercial and Delivery Truck Accidents in Seattle
If you live in western Washington, you know how congested our Interstate highways can be and how dangerous it is to be on the road with huge semi trucks and large commercial buses. If you live in eastern Washington, you know how strong winds can blow dust and dirt across the highway causing decreased visibility and other dangerous driving conditions for truckers and other drivers.
On both sides of the state, we can have severe weather in which driving conditions make trucking accidents, SUV rollovers, bus accidents, and other motor vehicle accidents all too common. Additionally, operators of commercial vehicles have a duty to make sure their vehicles adhere to both state and federal regulations including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety regulations. For example, owners and operators of 18-wheelers, logging trucks, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and other commercial trucks must comply with regulations such as:
- Hours of operation and rest requirements to prevent driver fatigue
- Driver qualifications
- Truck safety inspection and repair standards to catch preventable problems
- Standards relating to truck size, weight, distribution of loads, and operation
- Log books, manifests, and travel records
- Drug and alcohol testing
Since the highways and weather conditions throughout Washington are often changing, drivers of commercial trucks must also adhere to a strict and slower speed limit than other vehicles.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, you need to make sure that evidence surrounding the crash is preserved and that the crash is properly investigated. Be careful what you say in any conversation that you have with the trucking company’s insurer. Their job is to minimize your compensation; ours is to maximize your compensation. If you feel overwhelmed or feel that the insurer is trying to take advantage of you, contact us for a free consultation over the telephone. When you call, you will be put through to an attorney who can answer your questions and give you some guidance on your rights.
