What Happens When a Car Accident Involves a Commercial Vehicle in Washington?

Car accidents can be complex, especially if they involve a commercial vehicle. Unlike a standard collision, a commercial car accident can involve multiple liable parties, federal and state regulations, and higher insurance coverage limits. There can also be more severe injuries, damages, and legal complications. If you were hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, bus, or other vehicle, it’s important to understand who can be held liable and ensure you preserve your right to compensation.

What is a Commercial Vehicle?

Under Washington law, a commercial vehicle is defined as “any vehicle the principal use of which is the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, animals, or passengers for hire.” Such vehicles may include large passenger vehicles if transporting for compensation, dump trucks, tractor trailers, delivery vans, semi-trucks, paid taxicabs, buses, and shuttles. The law excludes recreational vehicles from the definition of commercial vehicles.

What are the Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

There can be many causes of commercial vehicle accidents, depending upon the type of vehicle involved and the facts and circumstances surrounding the transportation. While some accidents may be caused by factors beyond a driver’s control, such as bad weather or roadway conditions, many collisions are caused by negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. Whether a personal injury action can be brought for injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle accident will depend upon the specific facts of the crash.

Some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents can include:

• Driver fatigue: Operators of commercial vehicles often work long hours or drive through the night. Fatigue can be a major contributor to collisions, especially if the driver exceeds any applicable federal hours of service regulations.
• Distracted driving: Driving while texting, talking on the phone, or being distracted in any way can slow reaction time and mask hazards. Failure to pay attention to the road can result in a driver not breaking in time and swerving to avoid a vehicle, resulting in rollovers, jackknife accidents, and multi-vehicle pileups.
• Speeding: Drivers of commercial vehicles may be in a rush to reach their destination and exceed the speed limit, leaving no time to avoid a collision.
• Reckless driving maneuvers: If a commercial vehicle operator violates the traffic laws, ignores weather conditions, or drives aggressively, such reckless driving maneuvers can result in collisions.
• Overloaded cargo: Overloaded cargo can strain the mechanical components of a commercial vehicle, increase stopping distance, or cause the driver to lose control.
• Equipment failure: Brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, steering system failures, and malfunctioning headlights or taillights caused by defects or improper vehicle maintenance can lead to commercial vehicle accidents.
• Inadequate training: While many commercial vehicles involve drivers who are expected to be trained and qualified, some commercial car accidents can be traced back to lack of proper training by the employer.

Commercial car accidents involving a driver’s negligence can result in severe and debilitating injuries, extensive medical treatment, and time lost from work. They can also cause a significant amount of pain and suffering. In such cases, it’s crucial to hold the responsible parties accountable for the resulting physical, emotional, and financial harm.

Who’s Liable for a Car Accident Involving a Commercial Vehicle?

Liability in a commercial car accident can be highly nuanced. There are often multiple parties involved who share responsibility. While the driver can be held accountable for their own negligent actions, an employer or trucking company may be held liable under the doctrine of vicarious liability if their failure to train or supervise contributed to the injuries. An employer can also be held responsible if the accident arose in connection with negligent hiring processes or failing to properly maintain their vehicles.

Other potentially liable parties can include manufacturers or parts suppliers if a defective vehicle or component played a role in the accident. Maintenance providers or repair shops may incur liability if negligent servicing or overlooked defects caused the crash. In addition, if the accident was caused by hazardous road conditions that a municipality knew (or should have known) about, it may be named in a personal injury action for any harm that occurred as a result.

It’s necessary to conduct a thorough investigation after a commercial car accident to ensure all parties responsible for the crash answer for their negligence. Because multiple insurance policies may be involved, identifying all potentially liable parties is often key to maximizing monetary recovery. Compensation for injuries sustained in a commercial car accident can include unreimbursed medical expenses, lost wages, out-of-pocket costs, and pain and suffering damages. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help ensure an injury claim is valued properly and all available sources of compensation are pursued.

Contact an Experienced Washington Personal Injury Attorney

If you were hurt in a car accident involving a commercial vehicle, it’s essential to have a personal injury attorney by your side who understands the intricacies of these types of cases. With locations in Burien and Bellevue, Herron Law Office, PLLC is dedicated to helping auto accident victims in Washington secure the compensation they deserve for their injuries. We welcome you to contact us for a consultation to discuss your case by calling (425) 600-2580.