What Causes Truck Crashes in Washington?
Posted Friday, September 2, 2022 by Chris Thayer
Since 2009, the number of large truck wrecks has increased by a staggering 47%. When these cases go to court, they are incredibly complex. Truck crash victims usually sustain severe burns, head injuries, internal wounds, and other catastrophic injuries. As a result, the medical bills often exceed $100,000. Additionally, most truckers have licenses in several different states. That makes evidence collection difficult. Finally, the shipping or transportation firm that owns the truck, usually an out-of-state conglomerate, is financially responsible for damages, at least in most cases.
A Burien personal injury attorney helps victims get through this trying experience. Attorneys immediately connect victims with doctors and other providers who usually charge nothing upfront for their services. Then, our team does the dirty work and collects evidence that supports your claim and refutes insurance company defenses. Much of this evidence, like electronic evidence, is unavailable at the scene. Finally, when the case goes to court, we never stop fighting for you. The long and winding road that leads to fair compensation begins with determining the cause of the wreck.
*Driver Impairment* Driver error causes about 98 percent of the truck wrecks in Washington. Some specific driver errors include:
- Drugs: To try and counteract the effects of fatigue, which is another common kind of truck driver impairment, about half of truckers admit they use amphetamines while they are behind the wheel. These pills help drivers feel more alert, but they do not address other fatigue issues. Moreover, when these drugs wear off, users almost always crash hard and fast.
- Fatigue: Due to continuing supply chain issues since COVID-19 hit America in 2020, federal and state regulators have relaxed many HOS (hours of service) rules. These regulators often don’t strictly enforce the remaining rules. Therefore, many truckers stay behind the wheel for dangerously long periods of time. Driving after eighteen consecutive awake hours is like driving with a .05 BAC level, which is above the legal limit in Washington.
- Distraction: Many truckers, especially long haul drivers, spend long hours on mostly empty highways. As a result, the temptation to use cell phones and other devices while they drive is strong. Most of us are well aware of the dangers of using a hand-held device while driving. Using a hands-free device isn’t much safer. In fact, according to one study, using such a gadget while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk.
The Safety Maintenance Report, which is a multistate driving record, helps a Burien personal injury attorney obtain valuable information about these impairments and their underlying problems, like sleep apnea (fatigue) and a history of alcohol use (drugs).
*Aggressive Driving in Burien* Trucks are so large and so heavy, and the driver’s line of sight is usually so poor that almost any aggressive driving violates the duty of care. That’s especially true in Washington, where common carriers, like truckers, usually have a higher duty of care. As a result, almost any driving error constitutes negligence, or a lack of care.
Excessive speed may be the most common form of aggressive driving. Velocity multiplies the risk of a wreck as well as the force in a collision.
Other kinds of aggressive driving include tailgating, making an unsafe lane change, and failing to obey a traffic control device. Aggressive truck driving is especially common on surface streets. Many truckers aren’t used to sharing the road.
Connect With a Dedicated King County Attorney
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Burien, contact Pivotal Law Group, PLLC. Attorneys can connect victims with doctors, even if they don’t have any money or insurance.