Truck Accident Attorney in Washington DC

Convoy of heavy semi trucks on the highway.

Commercial trucks present an outsized danger to other drivers on the road. The average 18-wheeler weighs anywhere between 30,000 pounds when empty and 80,000 pounds when loaded. By contrast, most passenger vehicles weigh less than 5,000 pounds. This size differential alone means that occupants in the smaller vehicle are at an enormous disadvantage in an accident. The consequences can be catastrophic.

If you were injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you should consult with a Washington D.C. truck accident attorney right away. You are likely entitled to legal compensation, but the road ahead may be difficult. The high stakes involved and the robust defense you are likely to encounter in opposition to your legal claim mean that you need an experienced and aggressive legal team fighting on your behalf.

Since 1911, Marks & Harrison has proudly defended the right of accident victims to full and fair compensation for their injuries. In that time, we have built our reputation for excellence by providing the best legal representation possible to each and every one of our clients. Let us do the same for you. Contact a Washington D.C. truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation.

Are Commercial Truck Drivers Highly Regulated?

Yes, because commercial trucks pose a high risk of serious injury to other road users, their operators are required to comply with a wide range of regulations meant to keep everyone safe. Some are imposed nationwide by the federal government, and some by the District of Columbia within its jurisdiction.

This section explores a few of the most significant rules governing the commercial trucking industry:

  • Commercial License – First and foremost, all truck drivers must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To obtain this license in Washington, drivers must pass a test demonstrating they possess the advanced knowledge, experience, skill, and physical ability required to operate a commercial vehicle. They must also take Entry-Level Driver Training with a provider approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
  • Insurance Requirements – Commercial truck drivers who haul goods in interstate commerce must also comply with federal insurance requirements. Trucks carrying nonhazardous cargo must have at least $750,000 in coverage, and those carrying hazardous cargo must have between $1-5 million in coverage.
  • Hours-of-Service Limits – According to the NSC, fatigued drivers are three times more likely to cause an accident than other drivers. To reduce the risk of accidents caused by fatigued truck drivers hauling goods over long distances, they must adhere to hours-of-service regulations set by the FMCSA. Among other limits, they may not drive more than 11 hours without taking at least a 10-hour break.
  • Stricter Alcohol Limits  – In most states, the legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) limit is set at 0.08 percent. However, underscoring the heightened risk of driving a commercial vehicle while intoxicated, the FMCSA has set the national limit for truck drivers at 0.04 percent.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

One prominent feature that distinguishes commercial truck accidents from more commonplace accidents is the higher number of at-fault parties they may involve. The trucking industry is quite complex, and goods transported over long distances may pass through many hands before reaching their final destination.

Therefore, it is important that injured victims in truck accidents consult with a skilled Washington D.C. truck accident lawyer who can thoroughly investigate all potential sources of liability.

At-fault parties in truck accidents may include:

  • Truck driver
  • Trucking company
  • Truck owner
  • Cargo loaders
  • Cargo owners
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Truck inspectors
  • Truck and parts manufacturers

In some cases, these parties may be part of the same entity. In others, they may be distinct. Liability may also be shared among multiple defendants, in which case they and their insurers will strive to shift blame among themselves. The truck crash legal team at Marks & Harrison has the experience, resources, and skill to handle even the most complex litigation these kinds of accidents can generate.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

In most truck accident injury cases, including those involving trucking accidents, compensation is normally secured by proving that someone was negligent. If the accident was caused by the violation of a safety regulation, the at-fault party might also be held negligent per se. Finally, in situations involving defective truck parts/equipment or abnormally dangerous activities (e.g., transporting hazardous substances), strict liability may come into play.

Once fault is established through any of these routes, injured parties may be compensated for both the economic and non-economic impact the accident has on their lives. In general, economic losses include things that can be reduced to an objective dollar value and are therefore much easier to calculate.

Economic losses in truck accidents include things like:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost earnings
  • Property repair or replacement costs

By contrast, non-economic losses are much more subjective. Because each person is likely to place a different value on them, they are generally more difficult to calculate. That said, unlike many jurisdictions, D.C. places no limit on the amount of non-economic compensation injured victims may receive.

Non-economic losses in truck accidents include things like:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Diminished quality of life

In rare cases, injured parties may also be awarded punitive damages, otherwise known as exemplary damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party rather than to compensate the injured victim. In this way, they take on the character of a criminal sentence. Accordingly, courts are normally reluctant to award this form of damages in civil cases, but it may be available in situations involving egregiously irresponsible behavior. Contact one of our Washington D.C. truck accident lawyers today.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Claim?

Yes, the deadline is set by a law known as the statute of limitations, which normally gives you three years from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Because the deadline is strictly enforced and comes with very few exceptions, missing it nearly always destroys your ability to sue. And when the at-fault party and their insurers realize that a lawsuit is no longer a threat, they will have little to no incentive to make a fair settlement offer. Our truck accident attorney can help.

Contact a Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving large trucks are often some of the most catastrophic we see. Further, because the amount of money at stake in a truck accident lawsuit can be much higher than in other more commonplace accidents, the defending parties will push back hard to reduce the compensation they are ordered to pay injured victims. Accordingly, victims need a strong legal team to push back harder.

At Marks & Harrison, we are ready to evaluate your case, identify all liable parties, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. With over a century of experience defending the rights of injury victims to full and fair compensation, we are ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Washington, D.C., truck accident lawyer.

Resources available to help truck accident victims in Washington DC.  Here are some organizations that may be helpful:

  1. Truck Safety Coalition: The Truck Safety Coalition is a national non-profit organization that advocates for safer trucking practices and provides support to truck accident victims. They offer resources and assistance for victims and their families.
  2. District Department of Transportation (DDOT): The DDOT may have information and resources related to truck safety and accident prevention in Washington, D.C. You can visit their website for information on traffic laws, trucking regulations, and contact details: https://ddot.dc.gov/
  3. Washington, D.C. Mayor’s Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants: This office provides support and assistance to victims of various crimes, including truck accidents. They may offer counseling, legal services, and other resources to help victims navigate the aftermath of an accident. You can find more information on their website: https://ovsjg.dc.gov/