If a truck hits your vehicle while making an unsafe lane change in Vancouver, Washington, you may be able to file a truck accident claim. Filing a claim is about more than holding unsafe truck drivers responsible; it also ensures you get the compensation you need to cover things like medical bills and property damage.
If you have been a victim of a truck accident where liability fell on the truck driver or truck company, you need to hire a truck driver accident attorney to represent you as you file your claim. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of truck accident lawyers has handled hundreds of truck accident cases in Washington and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Keep reading to find out how liability works under Washington law and how you can prove fault after a truck accident.
Dangers of Unsafe Lane Changes From Trucks in Vancouver, WA
Unsafe lane changes are already a significant risk to Vancouver drivers since they can result in a variety of collisions. However, the risk is much greater when a truck is involved since these vehicles are much larger and heavier and have more substantial blind spots. Because of this, if you have been a victim of a truck accident due to an unsafe or reckless lane change, it is very likely that you have physical or property damage.
Depending on how fast the vehicles are going and where your vehicle is struck, this type of collision can result in things like internal damage, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, burns, loss of limbs, and even death.
There are also instances where the unsafe lane change may have been due to negligence or recklessness on the part of the truck driver. For example, the truck driver may have:
- Failed to check for other vehicles.
- Failed to signal before making the lane change.
- Misjudged the distance of the car.
- Drove while fatigued.
- Drove while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Made a lane change at an inappropriate time.
- Made a lane change while distracted.
- Made a lane change into the incorrect lane.
Because truck drivers operate such large vehicles, they have even more responsibility than the average driver in Vancouver. If a truck driver caused a collision due to any of these reasons, you need to hire a Washington trucking accident law firm to represent you and help you file your claim. Having legal representation will be essential for the success of your claim, especially when you are negotiating a settlement.
Understanding Truck Accident Liability
According to Washington law, vehicles are legally required to use turn signals in order to make safe lane changes that alerts other vehicles in the lane. Truck drivers have even more responsibility and legal standard of care since they have more significant blind spots and can cause much more damage to other vehicles. Due to these reasons, it is very likely that a truck driver or the trucking company will be held liable for any accident caused by an unsafe lane change.
The truck driver or trucking company may be held individually responsible, or both may be found to be at fault. For instance, if the driver was driving under the influence, the company may also be found at fault for hiring a negligent driver. If the turn signals do not work or are faulty, the company may be held solely responsible for failing to maintain the truck.
Different aspects of what led to the accident will be examined in comparison to traffic laws and commercial trucking laws for the purpose of determining who is liable after the accident. These types of cases can be a bit more complex since trucking companies and truck drivers have their own set of laws that they have to follow in combination with Washington traffic laws.
Keep in mind that there are rare instances where you may be found at fault if the truck driver did not make an unsafe lane change and followed Washington traffic laws. For example, you need to allow trucks to make lane changes to the best of your ability so that everybody on the road can stay safe.
How to File a Successful Truck Accident Claim
To get the compensation you need after a truck accident in Vancouver, Washington, you will need to file a truck accident claim. The process of filing a claim is relatively straightforward, but there are certain things you need to include to make it more substantial so that you have a higher chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
The very first thing you need to do is hire a truck accident lawyer to help you gather evidence to prove liability before you file your claim. They can help you access medical documentation, police records, and eyewitness reports to prove that you were not the one at fault. An attorney can also handle negotiation with insurance providers so that you do not accidentally say something incriminating or accept a low settlement amount.
If at all possible, it can be very helpful for your claim if you are able to gather evidence directly after the collision. Things like photos of property damage and physical injuries, as well as photographs of the collision scene, can all be helpful later on. However, if you are substantially injured, the police report will often include evidence that can support your claim.
Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm
Being involved in a truck accident in Washington can be very overwhelming, especially if this has resulted in physical injuries. It is essential that you take the necessary steps to build a thorough claim so that you can prove truck accident liability and get the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers are committed to defending the downtrodden and helping victims of truck accidents get the representation they need. For expert legal representation from one of our attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our online form.
