Truck Accident Attorneys in Kennewick, Washington

Large trucks are a common sight on the roads of Kennewick and other parts of Washington state. Our state is a hotspot for the trucking industry and home to hundreds of trucking companies. Unfortunately, Washington is also no stranger to devastating and fatal truck accidents. According to statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the state of Washington saw 500 fatal truck accidents in the state between 2010 and 2020.  

When victims of trucking accidents are lucky to survive, they may still suffer life-threatening and debilitating injuries. At Gierth-Eddy Law Offices PLLC, we understand how traumatic these accidents can be and what victims and their family members may be going through. However, you do not have to face these challenges alone. Our truck accident attorneys in Kennewick, Washington, offer compassionate service and top-quality legal representation to injured victims and families of those killed in accidents involving large trucks throughout the state of Washington, including Yakima, Pasco, and Richland. 

Types of Truck Accidents

Trucks (which include semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and flatbeds, to name a few) are large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver, which makes them prone to being involved in devastating accidents. Large trucks are commonly involved in the following types of accidents: 

• Rollover accidents. When a truck swerves at a high rate of speed or takes a curve too quickly, it can roll over onto its side.  

• Jackknife accidents. If a truck driver suddenly applies the brakes or turns sharply, the truck’s cab and trailer may fold in on itself at the point of separation, forming a V-shape. 

• Tire blowout. When one of the truck’s tires loses air pressure to the point that it “blows,” the driver of the truck may lose control of the vehicle and end up hitting other vehicles or stationary objects.  

• Wide turns. Since truck drivers need to make wide turns when turning left or right or executing other maneuvers, accidents are likely to happen when such wide turns are executed.  

• Sideswipe accidents. A truck may strike another vehicle headed in the same direction when changing lanes, resulting in a sideswipe accident. 

• Underride/override accidents. Underride accidents happen when a passenger vehicle hits the rear or side of a large truck and goes underneath its trailer, while override accidents occur when a truck strikes a passenger vehicle from behind, and the truck ends up over the top of that vehicle.  

Other common types of truck accidents occur T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, and rear-end crashes. If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of truck accident in Kennewick or other parts of Washington state, our attorneys at Gierth-Eddy Law Offices PLLC can help you pursue financial compensation and hold the liable parties accountable.  

Liable Parties in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases are notoriously complex ones due to the possibility that there could be multiple at-fault parties. When a truck accident occurs, potentially liable parties include: 

1. The truck driver. The operator of the truck can be held liable for the accident if they were negligent, violated traffic laws, or failed to comply with any applicable regulations in the trucking industry.  

2. The trucking company. When the truck driver is hired to work for a trucking company, the company may share the blame for the accident if its negligence can be proven (e.g., failure to perform proper inspections of the vehicle or violating safety regulations).  

3. The manufacturer. If the accident is the result of a defective part in the truck or its parts, the manufacturer of the truck/parts may be held accountable for the resulting damages and losses.  

4. The cargo loader. In many cases, trucking companies contract other companies to load the cargo that their vehicles will carry. Cargo loaders can be held liable when they fail to perform their duties responsibly and this causes a truck accident.  

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Gierth-Eddy Law Offices PLLC aggressively pursue all potentially liable parties on behalf of our clients to help them obtain the compensation they deserve.  

Personal Injury Claim and Wrongful Death Claim After a Truck Accident

Due to the catastrophic nature of truck accidents, they can result in severe injuries and/or the loss of life. In either of these two scenarios, the injured victim or their surviving family members can pursue a legal claim for compensation: 

• Personal injury. Washington is a fault-based insurance state, which means the injured victim can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company to seek compensation. If the at-fault party’s insurance is insufficient to cover the losses, the victim can file a lawsuit against the liable parties.  

• Wrongful death. If a truck accident results in someone’s death, the surviving family members of the deceased person can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable parties. Under Washington law, most wrongful death claims must be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate.  

Our truck accident attorneys at Gierth-Eddy Law Offices PLLC represent clients in both types of cases: personal injury and wrongful death. We can assist you with the proper handling of your claim to ensure that you get the maximum compensation to which you are entitled under the law.