In the blink of an eye, a collision involving a commercial truck can cause irreversible harm. These large and powerful vehicles, weighing upwards of 80,000 pounds, have the potential to inflict life-changing injuries and even fatalities. Victims of truck accidents in Puyallup may be left dealing with medical bills, lost income, physical pain, emotional trauma, and a complicated insurance battle.
This is where Jacobs and Jacobs steps in. With our century of legal legacy and a formidable track record of settlements and verdicts, our personal injury attorneys in Puyallup are strongly positioned to take on powerful trucking companies and large insurers on your behalf. To get strong legal help for truck accidents in Puyallup, call us to set up a free case evaluation.
Types of Commercial Truck Accidents in Puyallup, WA
Our Puyallup truck accident law firm is equipped to represent you in all types of commercial truck crashes, including:
- Rear-End Collisions: When trucks follow too closely or fail to adjust their speed, they may slam into slower or stopped traffic. The massive force behind such a collision can cause serious spine and head injuries.
- Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, it can block multiple lanes and cause devastating multi-vehicle pileups. These often occur due to improper braking, speeding, or slippery road conditions.
- Wide Turn Accidents: Right-hand turns taken without adequate space can trap or sideswipe nearby vehicles. Urban streets and intersections in Puyallup are common sites for such mishaps.
- T-Bone Collisions: Also known as side-impact crashes, these occur when a truck runs a red light or fails to yield at an intersection.
- Underride Collisions: These happen when a smaller passenger vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck, resulting in fatal or catastrophic injuries. Lack of underride guards or sudden stops can contribute to such accidents.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Large trucks have extensive blind spots on all sides. If a truck driver changes lanes or turns without checking these zones, smaller vehicles can be sideswiped or crushed.
- Rollover Accidents: Due to their high center of gravity, commercial trucks are vulnerable to rollovers, especially on tight turns or uneven surfaces. These crashes can spill cargo, posing secondary risks to other motorists.
- Lost Load or Cargo Spills: Improperly secured cargo can shift or spill onto roadways, causing secondary crashes. Puyallup’s high truck traffic areas, like Meridian Avenue or SR-512, are particularly vulnerable.
- Head-On Collisions: Though rare, head-on crashes involving trucks are almost always catastrophic or fatal due to the sheer size and force of the impact.
Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Puyallup
Our truck accident attorneys at Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group will collect physical and forensic evidence, access black box data, talk to eyewitnesses, and hire accident reconstructionists to determine how and why your accident and injuries occurred. Common causes that may contribute to a truck accident include:
- Texting while driving or other forms of distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated due to alcohol or drugs
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Driver fatigue or drowsiness, often due to HOS (Hours of Service) violations
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Tailgating (following too closely)
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to maintain a proper lookout
- Running red lights or violating other traffic laws
- In-vehicle technology or communication systems distracting the driver
- Overloaded, unsecured, or unauthorized cargo
- Tire blowouts or defective tires
- Brake malfunction or other mechanical issues due to negligent maintenance
- Employer pressure to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines
- Inadequate driver training or improper commercial licensing
- Failure to conduct thorough background checks on drivers
- Violation of FMCSA safety regulations
- Negligence by road construction companies leading to unsafe traffic conditions
- Poorly maintained roads or dangerous road designs
At Jacobs and Jacobs, we leave no stone unturned in identifying all liable parties and building a rock-solid case for full compensation. Whether it’s a truck driver, a freight company, a maintenance provider, or a third-party vendor, our Puyallup truck accident lawyers will aggressively pursue your personal injury claim.
Common Arguments the Insurance Company Will Use to Deny Liability
In personal injury cases, the negligent truck driver who caused your accident has the right to defend themselves. Just the same way that there are types of negligence that you can assert against the defendant, they can assert certain court-recognized defenses against you.
Failure to Show Proximate Cause
The insurer may argue that the injuries weren’t a direct result of the accident. Our personal injury attorneys will counter this with detailed medical records, expert testimony, and accident reconstruction reports to establish a clear causal link.
Act of God
Defendants may claim that unforeseeable events like inclement weather were to blame. We investigate weather conditions, truck maintenance records, and driver behavior to prove negligence despite external conditions.
Pre-existing Injuries
In personal injury lawsuits, insurers may claim your injuries weren’t caused by the truck accident. We use your complete medical history and expert opinions to differentiate between pre-existing conditions and accident-related trauma.
Fault of a Third Party
If another party may have played a role, the defense may attempt to deflect blame. The legal team at our law office will investigate all potentially liable parties and pursue compensation from every responsible source.
Unavoidable Collision
The insurance company may argue the crash was inevitable. Our Puyallup personal injury lawyers will disprove this with black box data, surveillance footage, and driver behavior analysis.
Comparative Fault of the Plaintiff
Insurers may claim you were partially at fault to reduce their payout. Washington follows comparative fault, but we will aim to minimize your share of liability through compelling evidence and strong advocacy.
Steps Our Puyallup Truck Accident Lawyers Take to Prove Liability and Pursue Fair Compensation
Get You the Best Medical Assistance
We’ll help ensure you’re seeking appropriate medical treatment for your injuries. From emergency surgery to long-term rehabilitation, we may work with top specialists to get you the best care.
Visit the Crash Site for Evidence
Our legal team will promptly visit the accident scene with photo and video experts to capture:
- Position of the vehicles
- Skid and gouge marks
- Property damage
- Road and weather conditions
- Traffic signals and signage
This documentation is vital for reconstructing the crash accurately.
Send Preservation Notice to the Trucking Company
We will promptly send a spoliation letter or obtain a court order requiring that the trucking company preserve all relevant evidence. At the same time, we will collect surveillance footage from businesses, homes, or traffic cams that may provide critical visual proof.
Download and Analyze EDR (Black Box) Data
We’ll obtain and analyze the truck’s event data recorder (EDR), which reveals:
- Speed changes
- Braking patterns
- Acceleration and gear changes
- Impact forces
This data can contradict the truck driver’s version and support your claim.
Secure Employment and Operational Records
Our attorneys will request the trucking company’s full records, including:
- GPS data
- Dispatch logs
- Driver qualification files
- HR reviews
- Drug and alcohol tests
- Medical certifications
- Company safety protocols
These documents can reveal patterns of negligence or corporate pressure.
Obtain Maintenance and Inspection Records
Our investigative team will dig into maintenance logs to assess whether faulty brakes, worn tires, or mechanical defects contributed to the crash and your serious injuries. Independent engineers may be hired for further analysis.
Investigate Cargo and Load Practices
If the truck was overloaded or the cargo was improperly secured, the trucking company or a third-party loader may be liable. We will assess weight compliance and cargo restraint methods.
Identify and Interview Eyewitnesses
Time is of the essence in personal injury or wrongful death cases involving high financial stakes. We will locate and interview eyewitnesses to document their accounts via video, audio, or written statements before memories fade or contact is lost.
Engage Expert Witnesses
Depending on your case, we may bring in:
- Accident reconstructionists
- Medical experts
- Economic and vocational experts
- Forensic professionals
These experts help quantify damages and establish liability.
Shield You from Unfair Insurance Tactics
Insurers may employ the following tactics:
- Offering a lowball settlement
- Requesting recorded statements
- Delaying or denying claims
- Misrepresenting your rights
Our lawyers will handle all communications and help you maintain proper records of medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress in order to recover fair compensation.
Negotiate Aggressively While Remaining Trial-Ready
Our attorneys will issue a detailed, evidence-backed demand letter outlining the damages and liability. We negotiate with the insurance adjusters to achieve a fair settlement agreement with the at-fault parties. We may begin trial preparation from day one to demonstrate our resolve. This can increase your leverage during settlement negotiations.
FAQs on Puyallup Truck Accident Claims
Can I sue both the truck driver and the trucking company in my Puyallup truck accident case?
Yes, Washington law allows you to pursue claims against both the negligent driver and their employer under the doctrine of vicarious liability or for independent negligence, like poor hiring practices or failure to supervise.
What if the truck driver who hit me was an independent contractor?
Even if the driver is classified as an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be held liable depending on how much control they exerted over the driver’s schedule, route, and working conditions.
What should I do if the trucking company destroyed important records?
If a trucking company engages in spoliation of evidence, our attorneys can seek court sanctions against them and request an adverse inference that the destroyed evidence was unfavorable to them.
Is black box (EDR) data admissible in court?
Yes. We frequently secure and use EDR data from commercial trucks to demonstrate speed, braking patterns, and throttle position, which can strongly support liability in your claim.
How are truck accident cases different from car accident cases in Puyallup?
Truck accidents often involve federal FMCSA regulations, larger insurance policies, more severe injuries, multiple parties, and a higher burden of investigation and expert testimony.
Can I recover damages for PTSD or emotional trauma from a truck crash?
Absolutely. Washington law permits recovery for mental anguish, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages if properly documented and linked to the accident.
What if I was injured by a truck carrying hazardous materials?
Truck accidents involving hazardous cargo may involve special federal safety rules, and additional claims may be pursued against the carrier or shipper responsible for failing to label or secure the material properly.
What if the at-fault truck driver left the scene (hit-and-run)?
We can help you pursue compensation through your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy and investigate to identify the hit-and-run driver using surveillance footage and witness leads.
Can I sue a third party, like the cargo loader or a repair shop?
Yes. If an improperly loaded truck or negligent maintenance caused the accident, our Puyallup truck accident attorneys can pursue personal injury claims against those responsible third parties.
What happens if the truck wasn’t properly maintained?
Our investigation will include inspection records, maintenance logs, and expert mechanic evaluations. If maintenance negligence is found, we will hold the trucking company or maintenance provider accountable.
Can you still help if I don’t live in Puyallup but was injured there?
Yes, we represent clients statewide and out-of-state who were injured in truck accidents in Puyallup. We can handle everything remotely or arrange to meet you where it’s most convenient.
Choose Our Top-Rated Truck Accident Lawyers
At Jacobs and Jacobs, award-winning Puyallup truck accident lawyer Tom Jacobs leads our team with decades of courtroom experience, relentless dedication to his clients, and deep roots in the community. Tom is an Eagle member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and a proud member of the American Trial Lawyers Association.
Tom has successfully represented over 20,000 clients, recovering millions of dollars in settlements, arbitration awards, and jury verdicts. With his leadership, Jacobs and Jacobs brings more than a century of legal heritage and results-driven legal representation to the people of Puyallup.
If you’ve been injured in a Puyallup truck accident, our lawyers will take the burden off your shoulders and fight fiercely for your financial recovery. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 253-342-4965 or contact us online.