About 40,900 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year in the U.S., and roughly 11 percent of those deaths occur in crashes involving large commercial trucks. In 2023, a total of 4,354 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks such as tractor-trailers. Of those fatalities, approximately 65 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles, 16 percent were truck drivers or passengers, and 17 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists who were struck during the crash.
Common causes of commercial truck accidents include driver fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, improper loading, equipment failure, and inadequate training or maintenance. Even when the other driver is in a noncommercial truck or SUV, the sheer force of impact in a collision between a commercial truck and another motor vehicle is often disastrous. The impact between a commercial truck and a motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian is almost always catastrophic. The types of injuries caused by a commercial truck often lead to rapid medical decline or death at the scene, leaving families with little time to prepare for the emotional and financial aftermath.
When a wrongful death by commercial truck accident occurs, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages. While no legal action can bring back the person who was lost, a wrongful death lawsuit can hold the at-fault party accountable and help families recover a financial settlement for their loss.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Provide Support After a Deadly Commercial Truck Accident
If your loved one was killed in a deadly commercial truck accident, you do not have to face the burden of a wrongful death claim on your own. An experienced, local wrongful death attorney can provide support through the claim process, gathering evidence and ensuring all paperwork is filed correctly and on time. They will work to negotiate the maximum settlement to compensate you for your loss, including medical bills, pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs, lost income and future earnings, loss of consortium, and more.
If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated out-of-court, your attorney will represent you in court, presenting a compelling case – often with the help of expert witness testimony – to pursue a jury award.
Top 5 Things Wrongful Death Attorneys Want Families to Know
If you find yourself navigating the aftermath of a fatal commercial truck accident, here are the top five things you should know about wrongful death claims:
- You must prove negligence
To pursue a wrongful death claim, you’ll need to show that the driver or another party was negligent and that their actions directly or at least partially caused your loved one’s death. - Only certain family members can file
In most states, including Washington, spouses, children (dependents), and sometimes parents of the deceased are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. - There is a time limit to file
Wrongful death claims must be filed within a certain timeframe known as the statute of limitations. This period is usually 1–3 years from the date of death, depending on the state. In Washington State, the representative of the estate has three years to file a wrongful death claim, though a claim should never be left until the last minute. - Compensation should cover more than just medical bills
In addition to compensation for medical bills incurred before their loved one’s passing, families may be entitled to damages for funeral costs, lost income and future earnings, and loss of companionship, etc. - Insurance companies are not on your side
Insurers may offer quick settlements that don’t reflect the true value of your claim. An experienced wrongful death attorney can protect your rights and help you pursue full and fair compensation.
Seek the Help of a Wrongful Death Attorney
If you lost a loved one due to a preventable medical error or the reckless/negligent behavior of another, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced wrongful death attorney fight for justice on your behalf. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a wrongful death lawyer. Call the most experienced practicing wrongful death attorneys Bellingham has at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
