Truck Accident Attorneys in Seattle, Washington

1. Seattle Truck Law, PLLC

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, bus accidents, commercial motor vehicle wrecks, wrongful death from trucking collisions, traumatic brain injuries from truck accidents, spinal cord injuries

Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer wrecks, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, bus crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, railroad accidents, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury cases

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, black box data retrieval, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, case referrals and co-counsel arrangements

Background: Morgan Adams, founding attorney, has been licensed to practice law since 1989. He is NBTA Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Past Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, past Chair of AAJ Trucking Litigation Group, past Chair of AAJ Bus Litigation Group. First and only recipient of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group Lifetime Achievement Award. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Member of the Belli Society, Taos Group, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Selected to Super Lawyers multiple years. Licensed in Washington, Tennessee, and Georgia. Has handled truck crash cases in 44 states. Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps (Retired).

Location: 222 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98104

Contact: (206) 456-2525 | [email protected] | https://seattletrucklaw.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis

2. Walthew Law Firm

Practice Focus: Personal injury, workers compensation, truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, motor vehicle accidents, construction site accidents, social security disability

Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, commercial truck collisions, rear-end collisions with trucks, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death from vehicle accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, workers compensation claims

Background: Established in 1930, the firm has over 90 years of experience representing injured individuals in Washington State. Attorneys include Patrick C. Cook, Michael J. Costello, Jordan P. Costello, Kathleen K. Kindred (selected to Super Lawyers), and Jonathan K. Winemiller (selected to Super Lawyers). The firm has deep institutional knowledge and is well-respected by claims managers, consultants, and insurance administrators.

Location: 3000 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Contact: (206) 623-5311 | https://www.walthew.com

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangements available

3. Pendergast Law

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, commercial vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions with trucks, jackknife accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations

Background: Over 30 years of experience handling personal injury settlements. The firm handles all communications with insurance companies and other attorneys. Works on a contingency fee basis. Licensed in Washington State.

Location: Seattle, WA

Contact: (206) 620-0707 | https://www.pendergastlaw.com

Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation, contingency fee basis (no payment unless successful recovery)

4. Khan Injury Law

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, jackknife accidents, rollover crashes, rear-end collisions with commercial trucks, delivery truck accidents, garbage truck accidents

Legal Services: Accident investigation, logbook investigation, black box data analysis, driver history investigation, maintenance record review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation

Background: Based in Seattle with a focus on King County and surrounding areas. The firm has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for accident victims. Focused experience in trucking regulations and complex truck accident cases.

Location: Seattle, WA (King County)

Contact: https://khaninjurylaw.com

Consultation: Free consultation 24/7, contingency fee (no win, no fee)

5. Smith McBroom

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, driver fatigue cases, motor vehicle accidents, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Trucking accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, commercial truck crashes, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, driving under the influence accidents

Legal Services: Accident investigation, liability determination, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical documentation

Background: Experienced in providing skilled representation for victims of trucking accidents in Washington State. The firm works with clients to identify all potentially liable parties including truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers.

Location: 16400 Southcenter Parkway, Suite 210, Seattle, WA 98188

Contact: (206) 677-5941 | https://smithmcbroom.com

Consultation: Free consultation

Driver Qualifications, Government Truck Claims and Carrier Records in Seattle Truck Crash Claims

In a Seattle truck crash, the motor carrier’s own files can show whether the driver was qualified and whether the truck had passed its periodic inspection. A state or city truck adds a claim and a 60-day wait before suit, and Washington makes leaving an injury crash a felony.

Who May Drive

Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) requires a commercial driver to be at least 21, able to read and speak English sufficiently, able by experience or training to operate the vehicle safely, physically qualified, holding a currently valid commercial license issued by only one jurisdiction, not disqualified, and to have passed a road test or hold a license or certificate the carrier accepted as equivalent.

A State or City Truck

Under RCW 4.92.110, no tort action may be started against the state until 60 calendar days after the claim is presented to the office of risk management in the department of enterprise services. Under RCW 4.96.020(2) and (4), a claim against a city such as Seattle goes to the agent its governing body appoints, and suit may not begin until 60 calendar days after presentment. In both cases the limitation period is tolled during those 60 days.

A Truck Driver Who Leaves

Under RCW 46.52.020(4), a driver who fails to stop or to give the required information and aid after a crash resulting in injury is guilty of a class C felony, and after a crash resulting in death a class B felony. Under (3), the required information includes name, address, insurance company, policy number and vehicle license number.

Accident Register and Annual Inspection

Under 49 CFR 390.15(b), the carrier keeps an accident register for 3 years after each accident, listing date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous materials release, together with copies of required accident reports. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.

Seattle Truck Accident Questions

How long do I have to sue the trucking company?

Three years under RCW 4.16.080(2), the period for any other injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed. For a state or city truck, the claim and 60-day waiting rules described above come first, and the limitation period is tolled while they run.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes. Under RCW 4.22.005, contributory fault reduces compensatory damages in proportion but does not bar recovery. For example, imagine $300,000 in damages and 20 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $240,000.

Yes, when the driver was acting as its agent or servant. Under RCW 4.22.070(1)(a), a party is responsible for the fault of another person, or for another party’s proportionate share, when both were acting in concert or when that person was acting as an agent or servant of the party.