Yakima Truck Accident Attorneys

Where Truck Accidents Tend to Happen in Yakima

Certain areas in Yakima are more prone to truck accidents, often due to heavy vehicle traffic or challenging road conditions. Whether your truck accident took place on a busy highway or a neighborhood street, our legal team has the legal knowledge and local insight needed to understand the details of your case and handle it on your behalf.

A few high-risk locations in and around Yakima, Washington, include:

• Major highways such as I-82 and US-12, where large commercial trucks frequently travel at high speeds.
• Busy intersections, where trucks may struggle to stop or maneuver in time to avoid collisions, such as Yakima Avenue near the freeway.
• Industrial and warehouse areas, which see increased truck activity during loading and unloading, such as certain blocks around River Road.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents frequently occur due to negligence on the part of truck drivers or trucking companies. When truck drivers and trucking companies fail to prioritize safety, the consequences can be catastrophic—and it’s only right for the injured to seek compensation for their losses through legal action taken against the liable party.

Common causes of truck accidents in Yakima include:

• Truck driver negligence:
  • Fatigue: Drivers may push beyond legal driving hours to meet tight deadlines, leading to dangerous levels of exhaustion.
  • Distracted driving: Talking, texting, or using GPS while driving takes a driver’s focus away from the road.
  • Speeding or reckless driving: Operating a large truck at unsafe speeds or engaging in aggressive driving behaviors can lead to devastating crashes.
  • Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drug use can impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination.
• Trucking company negligence:
  • Poor vehicle maintenance: Trucks require regular inspections and repairs. Overlooking mechanical issues can lead to dangerous equipment failures, such as brake malfunctions.
  • Overloading cargo: Exceeding weight limits puts dangerous strain on the vehicle and increases stopping distances.
  • Unrealistic schedules: Companies often pressure drivers to meet demanding deadlines, encouraging unsafe behavior like speeding or skipping rest breaks.
  • Unacceptable hiring practices: Failing to properly vet, train, or monitor drivers can lead to underqualified individuals behind the wheel.

Why You Will Probably File Against a Trucking Company

While a truck driver’s actions may contribute directly to a truck accident, it’s often the trucking company that is legally responsible. The liability is often passed upward to trucking companies because employers can be liable for the actions of their drivers under the legal premise of vicarious liability.

Additionally, trucking companies may be directly at fault if they violate federal or state regulations. Examples might include neglecting proper vehicle maintenance, exceeding cargo weight limits, or failing to comply with safety standards. Trucking companies must also follow strict rules for hiring and training drivers, and cutting corners can lead to preventable accidents.

Why Truck Accidents Cause Severe Injuries

The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks mean that when a collision happens, the force of the impact can cause incredibly serious injuries to anyone in a smaller, lighter vehicle. Catastrophic injuries often require extensive, long-term treatment and create significant challenges for victims.

Common severe injuries from truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Life-altering head injuries that can disrupt cognitive and physical functions.
• Spinal cord injuries: Severe damage that can result in partial or complete paralysis.
• Internal organ damage: Life-threatening injuries requiring emergency care and long recovery periods.
• Severe burns: Truck accidents involving hazardous materials or fires can cause serious burns and disfigurement.
• Crushing injuries: The massive weight of a truck may cause injuries requiring amputation or reconstructive surgery.
• Broken bones and fractures: Often complex and requiring multiple surgeries to heal properly.

Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim

When you’ve been injured in a truck accident due to another party’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Our Yakima truck accident lawyers can calculate how much compensation you are owed and then pursue it through settlement negotiations and possibly litigation if necessary.

Potential damages in a truck accident claim may include:

• Medical expenses: Covering past, current, and future medical treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages: Reimbursement for time missed from work and compensation for reduced future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: Acknowledging the physical and emotional toll of the accident.
• Property damage: Paying for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any personal belongings damaged in the crash.
• Punitive damages: Financial penalties for trucking companies or drivers who demonstrated especially reckless behavior; a rare type of damage that isn’t available in every case.