Truck Accident Lawyers of Washington

Terrifying truck accident statistics are anything but hard to find. Rolling out of research institutes, trucking associations, and the National Administration of Highway Safety, these statistics paint a very bleak picture of what truck accidents looks like today. More

Two people are dead after their car was rear-ended by a semi truck. It happened Tuesday at around 3:30 AM on Interstate 5 near Arlington. Reportedly, their Honda Accord had come to a stop in right lane of the freeway.  A 2005 Freightliner tractor-trailer rig coming behind could not stop in time. The sedan was struck, and the passenger, a 75 year old woman form Blaine, WA was killed. The driver was transported to Harborview View Medical Center in Seattle where he later died.  It is unknown if charges are pending against the truck driver.  (Sources: Seattle Times & Sky Valley Chronicle)

Federal law requires all truck drivers to stop and rest during long trips.  Washington State provides 46 safety rest areas for truckers all over the state.  All except one area is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.  For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Transportation website at www.wsdot.wa.gov

All of these rest areas provide parking for cars, trucks and recreational vehicles.  They have clean restrooms, water and food.  Washington also has 26 safety rest areas that offer a ‘free coffee program.’

It is advised that all truckers stop and stretch, rest awhile or nap if they are traveling a distance.  A rested truck driver is a safe driver.

Because of all the large trucks on freeways in Washington State, the number of accidents is increasing over the years.  At any given moment, you can see delivery trucks, commercial big-rigs, semis, 18-wheelers and other types of trucks on the roadways.  Washington has specific rules that all truck drivers must abide by.  Most importantly, drivers must take breaks after a certain amount of time in order to prevent fatigue.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the speed limit in the State of Washington is 60 miles per hour for all vehicles.  On rural roads, however, the speed limit for vehicles, except trucks, is 70 miles per hour.  Truck speed limits remain at 60 miles per hour.  A negligent driver trying to keep up with the flow of traffic may disregard this rule.  Since the weather in Washington is always changing, causing the roads to be slick or icy at times with little or no visibility, truck drivers are required to adhere to the slower speed limit.

It is not always easy for a driver of a big-rig or other large commercial vehicle to abide by the speed limit.  If you are a truck driver and you are involved in an accident where you were speeding, please contact a local experienced Trucking Accident attorney for help.

Did you hear about the story where a big-rig driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing a serious accident?  He had a deadline that he wanted to meet.  It did not matter that he had not slept the night before.  This driver fell asleep on Interstate 5 near the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall in Marysville – heading from California to British Columbia.  Washington State Police said he ran off the road, crashed into two trees, demolished his 18-wheeler, and his cargo (food and auto parts) flew all over the road, causing traffic for hours during the morning. 

The driver suffered minor injuries, was treated at a local hospital and released.  He will face citations for falling asleep at the wheel.  It was determined that alcohol and/or drugs were not involved.  Truckers are supposed to drive for a certain amount of hours and then rest – why didn’t this one?