Washington Truck Accident Lawyer – Gregory Stuck, Esq.
Commercial Truck Cases Demand Immediate Action
Trucking companies dispatch investigators to serious crash scenes within hours. The federal records that decide these cases, electronic logging device data, engine control module downloads, driver qualification files, and maintenance histories, can be lawfully destroyed on retention schedules unless a preservation demand stops the clock. Sending that spoliation letter is among the first things we do in every Washington truck case.
Why Washington’s Fault Rules Matter in Truck Cases
Serious truck crashes usually involve multiple potentially responsible parties: the driver, the motor carrier, a broker, a shipper, sometimes a maintenance contractor. Under RCW 4.22.070, Washington juries assign each entity a percentage of fault and each defendant ordinarily pays only its share. But subsection (1)(b) contains the exception that changes everything: when the injured person is found free of fault, the defendants against whom judgment is entered become jointly and severally liable. For a faultless victim, one solvent defendant can be made to answer for the group, and building the case to that finding is a core part of trial strategy.
Partial Settlements Are Protected
Washington’s settlement reasonableness procedure under RCW 4.22.060 means a negotiated resolution with one defendant gets court review before it affects the rest of the case. Handled correctly, it lets a family take certainty from one insurer while continuing the fight against the others.
Three Years, No Caps
Washington allows three years to file suit under RCW 4.16.080(2), applies pure comparative fault under RCW 4.22.005, and has no cap on compensatory damages under Sofie v. Fibreboard Corp. The full authorities are collected in the Washington Law Reference.
Free Consultation
Gregory Stuck is admitted in Washington; matters are handled by appointment and remotely, with local counsel associated where it benefits the case. Contingency representation, no attorney fee unless we recover. Case costs and expenses are explained in the written fee agreement. Call (407) 630-8692.