Commercial truck accidents are some of the most devastating accidents our firm sees. Unfortunately, they are all too common on the major highways and roads serving Bellingham and Whatcom County.
If a truck accident injured you or a loved one, reaching out to a Bellingham truck accident lawyer is one of the best steps you can take to rebuild your life.
Whether it’s the heavily traveled I-5 corridor, State Route 11 running through Bellingham’s urban core, the scenic State Route 20 heading east toward the North Cascades, or State Route 539 connecting I-5 to the Canadian border, the potential for devastating truck wrecks is ever-present.
These multi-lane roadways see a constant stream of semi-trucks, delivery vehicles, and commercial haulers sharing the road with passenger vehicles.
Contact us today at (360) 543-1010 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Bellingham Truck Accident Guide
- Why Choose Walton Law for Your Bellingham Truck Accident Case?
- What Is the Value of My Truck Accident Claim?
- Why Truck Accidents are Extremely Dangerous
- What Causes Truck Accidents?
- Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?
- Don’t Fight With the Insurance Companies
- Who May You Hold Liable for a Truck Accident Case?
- Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Bellingham?
- How Can a Lawyer Help with My Bellingham Truck Accident Case?
- Contact the Bellingham Truck Accident Lawyers at Walton Law Today
Why Choose Walton Law for Your Bellingham Truck Accident Case?
In an instant, a negligent truck driver or trucking company can turn your life upside down, leaving you with overwhelming injuries, staggering medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain future. At Walton Law, our Bellingham personal injury lawyers want to fix that.
After a truck accident, you need a law firm with the experience and resources to take on big trucking companies and their insurers.
Our team of truck accident lawyers has over 25 years of experience representing clients in complex truck accident cases. We have a proven record of success and a deep understanding of the unique challenges involved in these cases.
Christopher C. Walton, our founding attorney, is recognized for his exceptional legal skills and commitment to his clients.
He has been named a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics magazine and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
What Is the Value of My Truck Accident Claim?
Your truck accident claim’s value depends on the damages you’ve suffered. Damages are the losses you’ve experienced as a result of the accident. These damages fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are the quantifiable losses you’ve incurred, such as:
Medical expenses (past and future)- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle, property damage
- Non-economic damages are more subjective and can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (for spouses)
In cases involving wrongful death, surviving family members can usually receive compensation for financial support, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other expenses and losses.
Your Bellingham truck accident lawyer will thoroughly review your case to estimate your damages.
At Walton Law, we know how to maximize the value of your truck accident injury claims, and we won’t back down until you and your family receive all the compensation you deserve.
Why Truck Accidents are Extremely Dangerous
Truck accidents are particularly dangerous due to commercial trucks’ sheer size and weight. When fully loaded, these massive vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, dwarfing the average passenger vehicle by about 75,000 pounds.
Some of the most common and dangerous types of truck accidents include:
Jackknife accidents- Underride accidents
- Override accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Blind spot accidents
When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are at a much higher risk of catastrophic injuries or death.
Few things are as difficult for us to witness as a client who suffered debilitating injuries and families that lost loved ones because the truck driver, trucking carrier, or other party failed to comply with proven life-saving safety regulations.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
While there can be many contributing factors, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
Driver fatigue- Hours of Service violations
- Distracted driving
- Improper maintenance
- Oversized or overloaded trucks
- Aggressive driving
- Alcohol or drug use
- Inclement weather conditions
- Defective truck parts
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Shifting cargo
- Defective truck or component
Our experienced Bellingham truck accident lawyers thoroughly investigate your case’s potential causes and contributing factors. They’ll pursue all avenues of compensation from all liable parties, whether it’s the truck driver, trucking company, loading company, parts manufacturer, or another third party.
Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?
Most personal injury claims, including those involving truck accidents, are based on negligence.
To have a successful truck accident case, you’ll need to establish the following four elements:
- The truck driver (or another party) owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal obligation to act in a reasonable way to avoid causing harm to others on the road.
- They breached that duty of care – that responsibility – with their actions or inactions.
- The breach directly caused the accident.
- You suffered damages (injuries, losses, etc.) as a result.
Proving negligence, especially establishing the duty of care owed, can be complex in truck accident cases involving multiple parties. The special complexity of multi-vehicle truck crashes is one reason to have an experienced truck accident lawyer like those at Walton Law on your side to build a strong case. Our firm has an outstanding record of proving negligence and getting our clients the full compensation they deserve.
Don’t Fight With the Insurance Companies
After a truck accident, an insurance company representing the trucking firm or other liable parties may contact you. They may offer you a quick settlement for your injuries and losses. However, it’s important to understand that these initial offers are usually lowball amounts that don’t fully compensate you for your damages.
Insurance companies are in business to make money, and they’ll try to pay out as little as possible. Don’t accept any settlement offers without first consulting a truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer will know how much compensation you should get and won’t back down from insurers that want to pay less. At Walton Law, our truck accident attorneys will take your case to trial if needed.
Who May You Hold Liable for a Truck Accident Case?
In a truck accident case, you can hold multiple parties liable for your injuries and damages, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The company that loaded the truck
- The truck manufacturer (in cases involving defective parts)
- Other third-party companies or individuals
Your Bellingham truck accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your case to identify all potentially liable parties.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Bellingham?
In Washington, a statute of limitations governs how long you have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident. In most cases, you must file a lawsuit within three years from the accident date.
However, consult a Walton Law truck accident lawyer right away to ensure you don’t miss the deadline. Detailed memories of an incident fade over time and documents can get lost, so the sooner you act, the better.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Bellingham Truck Accident Case?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Bellingham, having an experienced lawyer on your side can make a significant difference.
At Walton Law, we can help you:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Calculate the full extent of your damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit if necessary
- Represent you in court
- Ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a truck accident can take, and we’re here to guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
Contact the Bellingham Truck Accident Lawyers at Walton Law Today
Christopher C. Walton, Bellingham Truck Accident Lawyer
Don’t hesitate to seek legal representation if you or a family member suffered injuries in a truck accident in Bellingham or the surrounding areas.
At Walton Law, our dedicated team of truck accident lawyers is ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations so you can learn more about your options without any risk or obligation.
Contact us today at (360) 543-1010 for your consultation and take the first step toward getting all the compensation you deserve.
Walton Law, A.P.C. – Bellingham Office Location
2219 Rimland Dr Suite 301,
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: (360) 543-1010