Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

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What to Do After a Truck Accident in Burien Washington

Posted Friday, July 21, 2023 by Chris Thayer

An accident with a truck can result in greater injuries and significant damage to your car or truck. The Seattle Times reported two people were seriously injured in a collision between a semi-truck and cars near Burien. Two patients were transported by medics and taken to Harborview Medical Center.

If you have been involved in a car collision involving a truck, talking with an experienced personal injury lawyer may help to understand your legal options.

*Understanding the Laws for a Truck Accident in Burien*Trucking accidents are governed by a variety of laws, including federal and state laws. To familiarize yourself, it may help to gain a basic understanding of Washington laws.According to the Washington Revised Code Title 46, motor vehicles must follow specific statutes. The ones specifically about trucks are Chapter 46.25, which covers the uniform commercial Driver’s license act.

The statutes may take some work to navigate. Talking with an expert legal advisor may help you understand the precise letter of the law.

*Proving Your Case in a Truck Accident in Burien*The main legal concept to understand in a commercial truck accident case is the idea of “negligence.” Legal arguments must show proof that a person injured in a commercial truck accident was negligent.

This may be demonstrated with evidence confirming that the driver or trucking company owed a duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care under the circumstances. The person who is injured must show that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care and that this failure was the cause of the injury.

*Truck Accidents Must Be Reported in Washington*The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that a truck accident must be reported if a person was killed or injured; or if the accident resulted in $1000 or more of property damage.

*Know the Statute of Limitations in Burien Washington*A statute of limitations is a rule regarding how long you have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Washington. The general guideline is three years, although there are specific details as to when the three years begin. For injury to a person or property damage, the statute is three years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death, the clock starts ticking from the date of death. This may be later than the accident, for example, if a person is hospitalized and then dies at a later date.

*Be Alert: State Laws May Change*One thing to be aware of is that state laws are subject to change. Whether it is new legislation, public initiatives, federal decisions, or other factors, state guidelines are not set in stone.

*Speak to a Diligent King County Personal Injury Attorney*Trucking accidents can be complex and challenging. If you have questions about what to do after an accident involving a truck, it may be a good idea to speak with a diligent personal injury attorney. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner they can start to fight for justice.