Call Us atTruck accidents can leave you with life-altering injuries and significant financial strain. When multiple parties share responsibility for a collision, determining liability becomes complex. At Libbey Law Offices, LLC, our experienced truck accident attorneys could help you understand contributory negligence in Bothell truck accidents and how it can influence your ability to recover damages.
You deserve a legal team that understands both the local traffic conditions and the legal nuances of the state’s negligence laws. Our firm combines deep legal knowledge with compassionate advocacy to ensure you do not receive unfair or excessive blame for a crash.
What Is Contributory Negligence?
State law governs contributory negligence using the principle of pure comparative fault. This means that even if you were partially responsible for an accident involving a truck in Bothell, you may still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. Your compensation is reduced only by your percentage of fault. Although this is often called “contributory negligence” in conversation, Washington law does not bar recovery for partial fault. The state’s Revised Code § 4.22.005 codifies the fair distribution of fault among all parties involved.
After a serious truck accident, questions of contributory negligence often determine the allocation of compensation. Insurance companies may try to increase your level of fault to limit what they owe. A skilled lawyer could counter these tactics by gathering critical evidence—such as crash reconstruction reports, driver logs, and roadway maintenance records—to establish the true cause of the collision.
In many cases, external factors—such as poorly maintained roads or negligent loading practices—contribute to a crash. When applicable, the state’s Department of Transportation or local contractors may also share responsibility for the accident. This level of detailed investigation helps our firm strengthen your case and secure the compensation you need.
Proving Fault in Complex Truck Accident Cases
Establishing liability in a truck accident requires a comprehensive understanding of both state negligence law and federal trucking regulations. Our attorneys work with experts to reconstruct the scene, analyze vehicle data, and assess driver behavior under the federal motor carrier safety regulations. These efforts help determine how factors such as fatigue, mechanical failure, or unsafe driving contributed to the collision.
Big rig collisions in Bothell are rarely straightforward, and contributory negligence claims often hinge on how you present evidence. Eyewitness statements, electronic logging device data, and maintenance records could all play a decisive role in determining fault. Our team could help ensure a fair distribution of responsibility by showing exactly how the actions of each party influenced the outcome.
Damages Recoverable Despite Shared Fault
Even when comparative negligence applies in your case, you may still pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages address losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Washington law allows recovery of these damages even when fault is shared.
Our legal team carefully evaluates every aspect of your losses, ensuring that we accurately account for future medical care and diminished earning capacity. We present a strong, evidence-based claim to help prevent insurance companies from unfairly reducing your compensation due to partial fault.
Working with a Bothell truck crash attorney experienced with contributory negligence cases could help ensure courts and insurers fully recognize your damages, even if you are partially at fault.
Speak With a Bothell Lawyer About Partial Fault in Truck Crashes
If a collision involving a large commercial vehicle injured you, do not assume that partial responsibility bars you from financial recovery. At Libbey Law Offices, LLC, we understand how contributory negligence in Bothell truck accidents can affect your case, and we are ready to fight for your rights.
Our team provides the experience and determination necessary to navigate the state’s complex negligence laws and hold neglectful drivers and companies accountable.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you pursue justice and compensation for your injuries.
