Call Us atCommercial trucks are strictly regulated by federal laws because they carry extremely heavy loads across the country. Truckers are required to have special licenses to drive and are held to a higher standard than most drivers of passenger vehicles. That is because serious or even fatal harm is common in accidents that involve an average-sized car and a semi-truck. When a truck driver chooses to drink and drive, they create an even greater risk of harming surrounding motorists. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect a motorist’s reflexes and judgment.
If you or a loved one were involved in a collision with a drunk trucker, you can recover compensation for your injuries and losses. For a person involved in a truck crash, there can be permanent harm that affects the trajectory of the rest of their lives. Due to the sheer weight of big rigs, injuries tend to be catastrophic. Our truck crash lawyers have the skills and experience to hold trucking companies and their insurers accountable. Contact our office when you are ready to pursue the compensation you deserve after a drunk driving truck accident in Bothell.
Holding Parties Liable After a Crash Caused by a Drunk Trucker
When a semi-truck driver causes a collision as the result of a DUI offense, they are not the only party that a person could hold responsible. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash, some of the different parties that could be held liable include their employer, the owner of the vehicle, cargo loading businesses, truck part manufacturers, and maintenance companies.
The driver is undoubtedly liable in most scenarios. In order to hold other entities responsible, an injured person must clearly prove the negligence of each party involved in the incident. A person must prove four factors to have a successful negligence claim:
- The party had a duty of care to others to act in a manner that avoids causing harm
- The at-fault party failed to uphold their duty of care and harmed others
- The plaintiff was harmed because of that breach of the standard of care
- That breach directly caused your damages
It is essential to have strong evidence to prove a claim. The evidence that law enforcement seizes in its criminal investigation can also be used in a civil suit, but the two cases are completely separate. A practiced Bothell attorney could collect evidence, recreate the scene of the wreck caused by the drunk trucker, and consult with expert witnesses to craft a successful case.
Compensation After a Drunk Driving Truck Crash
A person injured in a truck accident involving alcohol may be entitled to financial compensation for their collision-related losses. This may include:
- Economic damages like lost wages, medical bills, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages like pain and suffering in performing daily activities, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
- Punitive damages Are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar future conduct
An injured person’s own negligence is also considered when the court assesses the damages they claim they are entitled to. Alaska follows a comparative negligence model, which means the injured party’s own fault reduces the amount of damages they are awarded.
Due to the difference that can make in the amount of money a person ultimately receives for their injuries after a collision caused by a drunk trucker, it is extremely important to hire an experienced Bothell lawyer to help you prove the other side was mostly liable.
Reach Out to a Bothell Law Firm After a Drunk Driving Semi-Truck Wreck
It may feel like you have a lot of time to start your legal case, but you should contact a legal professional as soon as possible. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. You can count on the professionals at Libbey Law to handle your case while you focus on recovering. We do not charge fees unless you are compensated for your losses. Call us today to get started.
