Seattle Truck Accidents
Trucking Accidents and Injuries
If you and your family are involved in an accident with a commercial truck -- also known as a semi, a tractor trailer or an 18-wheeler -- there's a high likelihood that you've suffered devastating injuries. Due to the immense size, speed and weight of tractor trailers, trucking accidents often involve multiple vehicles and can result in multiple severe injuries or deaths. Every year in the U.S., more than 500,000 trucking accidents occur. One of every eight traffic deaths is the direct result of a tractor-trailer accident -- and when there is a catastrophic injury or death, the people in the passenger vehicles are nearly always the victims.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident in Seattle or the surrounding communities, you need a skilled legal advocate to stand up for you against the trucking company. Contact Kenneth Selander, Jr. toll-free at 1-866-681-0002 or submit an online contact form. We handle tractor trailer injury cases across Washington State, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Edmonds, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Renton, Lynnwood, Federal Way, Burien, Everett, Auburn, Kent, Issaquah and Tacoma.
Truck drivers are responsible for the safe operation of their vehicle. This means driving within acceptable speed limits, making safe turns, and allowing space between their truck and other vehicles. Semi trucks have great difficulty making sudden stops or turns, and when truckers drive negligently, they increase the likelihood that their vehicle will turn over, jackknife or rear-end a smaller vehicle.
A 2007 federal study listed several hazards that were contributing factors in many truck wrecks. They included: traffic congestion, prescription and over-the-counter drug use, cell phone use, tailgating, speeding, unfamiliarity with local roads and driver fatigue. Other studies have focused on the fatigue factor, noting that as many as 40% of tractor trailer accidents are caused by tired truckers. There is a reason for this -- many trucking accidents are the result of pressure placed on the drivers to make their deliveries as quickly as possible. This pressure can result in drivers skipping breaks and sleep, or taking drugs to stay awake. Since fatigue leads to so many wrecks, federal regulations place strict limits on the amount of time that truckers can spend behind the wheel each day. Despite these regulations, tired drivers continue to cause wrecks, often with catastrophic results.
Dealing with trucking companies can be a difficult task. The drivers have the backing of their company's lawyers and insurers, and they are in contact immediately after the accident. The driver's interests are being protected -- and you deserve equal protection for our rights. Your best course of action is to immediately contact an experienced Washington truck accident attorney.
Our Experience
The Seattle truck accident lawyers of Selander O'Brien, PLLC have more than 20 years of experience protecting the rights of victims and their families. We understand the difficult times you face following a tragic personal injury. We offer advice on what type of legal action to take, and we listen closely to our clients and answer any questions that may arise. Our law firm believes that when you're struggling to recover from truck wreck injuries – or dealing with the loss of a loved one – you shouldn't have to fight the insurance companies or attempt to navigate a complex legal system on your own.
Our Commitment
When you contact Ken Selander at Selander O'Brien PLLC, you ensure that your case receives the full commitment of a skilled legal team. We handle each case on an individual basis, and we treat you and your family with the respect and compassion you deserve. We work tirelessly to help you obtain the financial compensation you need. This commitment has earned us the privilege of being a law firm our clients recommend to their friends.
Here are the high marks we received from one of our clients: "Every decision we made on my case was done in partnership and I felt a sense that he was not just an attorney in it for the money. My experience of Ken is one of professionalism with a lot of personal caring and attention to the details."
If you or someone you know in the Seattle area, or anywhere within Washington State, needs legal representation or the trusted legal advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer, contact the Washington truck injury lawyers of Selander O'Brien, PLLC today at 1-866-681-0002, or fill out our quick and easy contact form to begin your free consultation. We do not charge attorney fees unless we recover damages for your case.
