When two cars get into a fender-bender accident, they will typically pull off to the side of the road and exchange information without a major disruption to traffic. That is not always the case with a truck accident. Case in point: KIRO Newsradio reported on a jackknifed semi-truck that shut down all five lanes of I-5. The size of trucks makes any impact more forceful. Seattle sees its fair share of truck accidents. There can also be a lot of factors that contribute to a truck accident with [...]
Do you ever tense up when you have to change lanes in front of a semi-truck? Do you feel anxious when they approach at fast speeds in your rearview mirror? You’re right to feel apprehensive and be on extra alert. A minor “tap” from an 80,000-pound fully loaded 18-wheeler will cause the average car to spin out and end up in a severe wreck. If you find yourself in this scenario, you need to speak with a skilled attorney to determine how to maximize your compensation for a [...]
When you are in a trucking accident, you may have injuries and need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages when you can’t do your job, and other expenses. But how do you know if you are legally entitled to file a lawsuit? We look at the role of the plaintiff. What is a Plaintiff? To understand if you are legally entitled to file a lawsuit, you need to understand the roles in a lawsuit. The roles in a lawsuit are: Parties A legal party is one [...]
Take into account the number 154,993. That’s the number of individuals injured in traffic accidents that involved semi-trucks in a single year, according to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Reaching an agreement in a personal injury case helps bring a sense of closure to the plaintiff. Anyone involved in this type of incident will ask, “How long after a truck accident settlement do I get paid?” The answer depends on who is cutting the check and who is advocating for your cause. Five Steps [...]
How serious are accidents involving big rig trucks? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the minimum amount of liability insurance that a trucker must carry is between $750,000 and $5,000,000 (depending on what's being transported). An accident claim can generate a remedy for the victims in that range of amounts and possibly even more if you factor in punitive damages. Understanding the difference between a truck accident settlement and a verdict could impact the final compensation number. The Verdict A verdict is the conclusion of a [...]
When fully loaded, the typical tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, compared to only 4,329 pounds for the average passenger vehicle. The sheer size and weight difference between big trucks and passenger vehicles means that in an accident, the most extensive property damage and most severe injuries are going to occur among occupants of the smaller vehicle. Getting your life back on track following a truck crash is not easy. It takes time, medical care, rest, and access to sufficient financial resources. But if you’re hurt [...]
