What legal remedies are available after a truck accident?

In Washington, a person injured in a truck accident can seek several legal remedies. Generally, those injured in an accident due to a truck driver’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and damages caused by the incident. Depending on the severity of the injuries and the amount of damage done, such compensation may include payment for any medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, future medical costs, and pain and suffering. In order to pursue a claim against the truck driver, the injured person must prove that the truck driver was negligent, meaning that they were not driving with the proper care and attention that a reasonable person would use while driving a truck in the same situation. This can be done through the presentation of evidence such as accident reports, pictures of the scene, and witness statements. In Washington, victims of truck accidents may also pursue punitive damages if the truck driver’s behavior was found to be particularly reckless or negligent. Punitive damages are designed to punish the truck driver for their reckless behavior and may include large awards for the victim. If the truck driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages, the victim may be able to pursue a claim from the trucking company’s insurance carrier. It is important to note that the trucking company’s insurance carrier may be liable only if the truck driver was an employee of the company, and not an independent contractor. Finally, the victim of a truck accident may be able to seek compensation from their own insurance carrier if they have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage or Medical Payments (Med Pay) coverage. UIM and Med Pay coverage can provide compensation for medical bills and lost wages even if the truck driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover the damages.

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What legal remedies are available after a truck accident?

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