Hurt In An Underride Accident? Our Law Firm Can Help You

Vancouver, WA attorney Colin Scott fights for truck accident victims

When a semi-truck brakes suddenly, a nearby car may not be able to stop in time to prevent a truck accident. Due to the difference in height, the car may slide underneath the truck. This is called an underride accident, and it can leave people seriously hurt or even killed. The Scott Law Firm, PLLC fights for the rights of victims.

Underride accidents can cause very severe injuries. They can range from broken bones to spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury. Many people hurt in underride accidents never fully recover. They may require lifelong treatment, and the medical expenses can become overwhelming.

Truck accident attorney Colin Scott knows the impact that injuries can have on families. He is dedicated to helping victims recover the financial compensation they need and deserve to help them rebuild their lives as much as possible.

How underride accidents happen

In a rear underride collision, a semi-truck stops suddenly and the car behind crashes into the rear of the truck. Trucks are required to have rear underride guards. But design defects or poor maintenance can cause these guards to fail. In a side underride accident, a car crashes into the side of the truck. Most trucks do not have side underride guards at all, so these crashes can be devastating.

Truck drivers are supposed to remain alert to avoid situations where they need to brake suddenly. A driver who is texting or fatigued is not paying full attention to the road. Trucking companies also have a responsibility to give drivers realistic schedules. Drivers given unrealistic schedules may be fatigued from driving too long or speeding to try to make up time.

Attorney Colin Scott can investigate to find out what really happened. This process can involve examining police reports, medical records and other documents. It may also involve identifying witnesses and interviewing them. In some cases, it may also involve hiring consultants and experts to help determine liability.

In addition to the above, Colin can take action to preserve evidence in possession of the trucking company that may strengthen your case. Examples include maintenance records and hiring records maintained by the trucking company. It can also include service logs, the driver's recorded hours, and the truck's "black box" data, which can provide information about the operation of the truck just before the crash.

We fight for the best possible outcome in your case

Insurance companies typically try to pay as little as they can to victims. This is also true with truck crashes, where there can sometimes be a lot of money at stake. They may question the extent of your injuries or even try to blame you for what happened. Our firm works diligently to build a strong case that insurance companies can't ignore.

This approach is sometimes enough to convince insurance companies to negotiate a settlement. But we are only interested in a resolution that meets the client's needs. This includes compensation for all medical expenses related to your injury - now and in the future. It can also include compensation for additional damages incurred as a result of the collision such as lost wages as well as pain and suffering.

If you were hurt in an underride accident, learn more about how we can help you. Contact us online or call 360-718-3640 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Colin can go over your legal options and answer any questions you have.