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TACOMA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Washington Truck Accident Attorney Serving Clients in Tacoma
Whether you are driving amidst significant traffic in Tacoma on I-5 or are traveling on more local roads, a truck accident can result in debilitating and even fatal injuries. Large trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and big rigs, frequently travel on major highways such as I-5, and these massive vehicles can pose serious injury risks to drivers and passengers in smaller cars. According to a fact sheet from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks that are federally regulated weight 10,000 pounds or more. As such, a collision with a passenger vehicle at high speeds on the interstate can be deadly.
If you or someone you love recently sustained injuries in a truck accident in Washington, an aggressive Tacoma truck accident lawyer can assist with your case. We have extensive experience assisting clients in Tacoma and can explore your options with you today.
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GET THE FACTS: TRUCKING ACCIDENT FATALITIES IN WASHINGTON STATE
How common are large truck accidents, and how frequently do they result in serious and fatal injuries? According to a fact sheet from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most deaths involving semi-trucks are passengers who were occupants of smaller vehicles. To be sure, the IIHS emphasizes that big rigs tend to weigh about 20 or 30 times as much as a passenger vehicle. In addition, since large trucks are much taller than passenger vehicles and have more ground clearance, passenger vehicles can underride a large truck in a collision. The following are some key facts and figures from the IIHS that underscore the severity of semi-truck accidents:
- In 2015, there were 3,852 fatalities in large truck crashes;
- Of the large truck fatalities in 2015, 16 percent were truck occupants while 69 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles;
- About 15 percent of the deaths in large truck collisions are pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists;
- Fatalities in semi-truck accidents are on the rise, with a 22 percent higher rate of crash deaths in 2015 than in 2009;
- Truck occupant deaths in collisions has also been rising, showing a 34 percent increase between 2009 and 2015;
- Around 11 percent of all motor vehicle accidents involved large trucks;
- About 75 percent of fatalities that resulted from large-truck accidents involved tractor-trailers; and
- 60 percent of large truck occupants who sustained fatal injuries in crashes last year were killed in collisions that involved another large truck.
As you can see, large truck accidents commonly result in fatal injuries. It is important to take steps to prevent trucking collisions, but in the event that a crash does cause severe injuries, you should learn more about filing a claim for compensation.
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WHERE AND WHEN DO MOST TRUCKING ACCIDENTS HAPPEN?
Where and when do most large truck accidents occur? The IIHS highlights the following facts:
- 30 percent of large truck fatalities happen on interstates and freeways;
- 53 percent of large truck accidents resulting in deadly injuries occur on other types of major roads (aside from interstates and freeways);
- Only about 14 percent of large truck collisions occur on minor roads;
- 42 percent of deaths in large truck accidents occurred between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in 2015, while only about 30 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents that did not involve large trucks occurred within that same time window;
- A majority of large truck fatalities occur during daylight hours;
- Fewer large truck accidents resulting in fatalities occur on Saturdays and Sundays (only 17 percent) than motor vehicle collisions not involving large trucks (about 36 percent); and
- In 2015, the fewest fatal large truck accidents occurred on Sundays, while the highest number occurred between Tuesday and Friday.
As you can see, while large truck accidents can be considered in relation to other motor vehicle accidents, they tend to have very distinct statistics in terms of when and where they occur.
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COMMON INJURIES SUSTAINED IN TACOMA LARGE TRUCK ACCIDENTS
We have emphasized the severity of large truck accidents, including the high risk of a fatal accident in the event of a collision. When drivers and passengers survive a semi-truck accident, they often suffer debilitating injuries that require extensive medical care. Common injuries sustained in large truck accidents include but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs);
- Other head and neck injuries;
- Back injuries;
- Broken bones or fractures;
- Severe bruises and lacerations;
- Disfiguring facial cuts and other injuries; and
- Amputations.
If someone you love suffered a debilitating injury in a truck accident, it is important to discuss the case with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Tacoma who can speak with you about options for obtaining compensation. Many of the types of injuries listed above require immediate medical attention, including expensive surgeries, and post-surgical care and medication. In addition, numerous injuries sustained in trucking collisions require months, and sometimes even years, of rehabilitation, which can be very costly. As you are figuring out how to pay for the high costs of healthcare and treatment, it is very likely that you are unable to work and thus have also experienced the added injury of lost wages.
DAMAGES IN WASHINGTON STATE TRUCK ACCIDENTS
At the Khan Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the costs—physical and emotional, as well as economic—of a severe truck crash. We are dedicated to assisting Tacoma residents who have suffered serious injuries caused by another party’s negligence. What kinds of damages might you be able to obtain if you file a truck accident claim? Under Washington law, you may be eligible to receive compensatory damages of two types:
- Economic damages: these cover objective costs, such as medical bills and lost wages; and
- Non-economic damages: these cover more subjective costs, such as pain and suffering associated with the injuries or disfigurement caused by the crash.
We can help you to begin the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit today to seek compensation for your losses.
CONTACT A TACOMA TRUCKING ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you were injured in a truck accident in Tacoma, you deserve to seek financial compensation. A Tacoma truck accident attorney at our firm can assist with your case. Contact the Khan Law Firm, PLLC today to learn more about the services we provide.