Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer
Serving the Injured in Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Everett & the Greater Washington State Area
Any motor vehicle accident can be damaging and deadly, but crashes involving big trucks and tractor trailers can be especially dangerous. Due to their hefty weight and sheer size, semi-trucks can cause major damage to any other vehicle, pedestrian, or motorcycle that crosses their path. When drivers are inexperienced, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, simply careless, or if the truck was badly loaded or poorly maintained, it could cause a serious accident.
Unfortunately, trucking companies typically have substantial insurance coverage and teams of attorneys to fight personal injury claims laid against them. In order to go up against these trucking companies, you need to work with an experienced, committed Seattle truck accident lawyer. Attorney Robert Kornfeld is prepared to provide you with the guidance, representation, and comprehensive help you need to recover.
Call Kornfeld Law today at (425) 657-5255. Our Seattle truck accident lawyer wants to help you fight for the compensation you deserve!
Putting Our Experience to Work for You
Truck accidents cause significant and catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries that can have long-lasting effects on your emotional and physical health. Attorney Rob Kornfeld has more than 38 years of professional experience working on personal injury cases, including those dealing with truck accidents. He knows what it’s like to be injured, having survived a motor vehicle accident himself, and he will fight for your best interests in order to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Washington State
All truck companies, operators, and drivers have a duty to adhere to the rules of the road, as well as state and federal trucking regulations. When negligence occurs and rules are broken, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Accidents involving semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, Mac trucks, and other large vehicles are often caused by the following:
- Improperly maintained vehicles
- Tired or distracted drivers
- Rollover accidents from lane changes
- Loss of load or haul
- Poorly loaded or secured cargo
- Tire, brake, or other mechanical failure
- Loss of control
- Head-on or rear-end collisions
Truck Drivers & Distracted Driving Dangers
Truck drivers have several electronic devices that can easily distract them. From their e-logs to their dispatch radios and cell phones, plenty of distractions are within easy reach. Long-haul truckers are especially prone to distractions because they frequently speak with family members or dispatch teams while behind the wheel. In fact, many distracted driving accidents occur because of cell phone conversations.
Of course, distracted driving is dangerous no matter what type of vehicle you drive, However, a study conducted by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truck driver cell phone usage is a paramount danger on U.S. highways. According to the study, truck drivers who text and drive are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash while reaching for their device.
Unfortunately, the pressure placed on truck drivers to push themselves beyond reasonable limits lead many to drive under dangerous conditions to meet strict deadlines. As a result, countless truckers drive while drowsy or they employ dangerous distractions to help keep them occupied and awake. This is more true today than ever before with the increased demand on truck drivers to keep grocery stories full stocked through the demand of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
If you were involved in an accident caused by a fatigued or distracted truck driver, the dedicated Seattle truck accident attorneys at Kornfeld Law are here to fight for compensation on your behalf.
Truck Maintenance Regulations
It is mandatory for all truck drivers to perform an inspection of their truck prior to driving to ensure that it is in a safe operating condition. If any problems are discovered, the driver is obligated to report and perform any necessary repairs before taking it on the road. If there are any potential dangers or hazards while on the road, the truck must be taken to the nearest available mechanic for the necessary repairs.
Some of the most frequently ignored maintenance duties include:
- Checking brakes
- Maintaining tires
- Upkeep of trailer control systems
- Maintaining fluid levels
- Replacing and repairing operating lights
What Makes Our Firm Unique
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40+ Years of
Proven Legal Experience -
Aggressive & Personalized
Representation
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Committed to Securing
Justice for Each Client -
No Fees Unless
We Win Your Case
Representing Serious Injuries & Wrongful Death
Hundreds of thousands of individuals are hurt or killed in truck accidents on an annual basis. The terrible results of a motor vehicle accident can be devastating, especially if those results are permanent or life altering. These types of violent crashes can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, paralysis, internal damage, and even death. When serious injuries like these occur, you need to speak with Robert Kornfeld to discuss your legal options. Our firm takes cases on contingency, which means you will not pay unless your case wins. We accept cases in Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett, and the Greater Washington State Area. We also take out-of-state cases!
Call (425) 657-5255 today for a free consultation, or email Rob at Rob@Kornfeldlaw.com for a quick answer to your legal questions. Our firm specializes in brain injuries or other serious injuries caused by accidents with a truck.
Our Settlements & Verdicts
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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$225,000 Age Discrimination
Age Discrimination and Wrongful Termination: 62 Year old woman employed by insurance company for over 25 years years is replaced by younger and less skilled worker because of her age and her inability to be treated equally as younger workers. Our client claimed she was constructively discharged and was forced to quit. Settlement short of trial was for $225,000.
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$2,825,000 Brain Injury
John Doe v. Hospital and Doctor, (Superior Court – Confidentiality Settlement) Baby suffered from hypoxia and traumatic brain injury during birth caused by negligence of treating doctor and hospital nursing staff.
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$2,500,000 Brain Injury
Jane Doe v. Health Care Center (Superior Court – confidentiality settlement) Patient suffered from horrific headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred and double vision–was told she had the flu. Over several weeks no imaging studies were ordered of the patient’s brain to rule out an intracranial bleed or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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$300,000 Brain Injury
Mild traumatic brain injury at a local Jr. High School where a student fell over an unguarded edge to the pavement five feet below.
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$300,000 Brain Injury
An ex Army veteran recovered $300,000 after suffering a mild traumatic brain injury in a car accident. There was no objective signs of injury but neuropsychological testing was abnormal.
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$750,000 Brain Injury
Pierce v. Reliance: A commercial truck driver suffered a brain injury and underwent spinal surgery with placement of steel rods in his back.