Commercial Vehicle Accidents


Often more serious, often more complicated legally

When someone is injured or killed in an accident with a commercial vehicle, the resulting injuries are often more serious. A commercial vehicle is any motor vehicle that is used to transport goods or passengers. They can include semi trucks, vans, buses, and taxicabs.

Commercial vehicles are bigger, heavier, slower to maneuver, and harder to drive. They also tend to be covered by larger insurance policies and guarded by insurance adjusters who fight aggressively to avoid paying a full settlement.

If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, or if a loved one has been killed in a crash, then you need an attorney experienced in dealing with these complicated claims.

Bill Coats is that attorney. He has worked with many injured clients, and with the families of those killed in accidents with commercial vehicles. Bill understands the complexities of a commercial vehicle claim, which are different than a more typical car accident claim.

Contact Bill Coats today to get answers to your questions and learn more about your potential claim.

Why are Commercial Vehicle Accidents Different?

Even when an accident was clearly caused by a commercial vehicle driver, it’s not always easy to figure out who is legally liable. In general, an employer is liable for the wrongful acts committed by its employees , provided the acts were unintentional and were committed within the scope of employment. But sometimes the at-fault driver is an independent contractor, making the search for insurance coverage more complicated.

You need an experienced personal injury attorney to handle a complicated commercial vehicle claim.

What Does it Cost to Hire Bill to Represent You?

Since Bill works on a contingency fee basis, there is no upfront cost to have him represent you in your claim. Bill gets paid from the settlement or verdict.

What are The Most Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

Both commercial vehicle drivers and drivers of passenger vehicles can contribute to an accident. Common causes of crashes include:

  • driving in zones where a commercial vehicle driver has limited visibility;
  • changing lanes or slowing abruptly in front of a commercial vehicle;
  • unsafe passing;
  • driver fatigue;
  • commercial trucking systems that pay drivers for driving faster and longer, and encourage unsafe driving practices.

Who is Responsible When a Commercial Vehicle Driver Causes Injury or Death?

This is where an accident or wrongful death claim can get very, very complicated. Consider the possibilities when trying to identify what party is responsible in a commercial vehicle crash, which may include:

  • the vehicle’s driver;
  • the owner of the vehicle;
  • the person or company that leased the vehicle from the owner;
  • the manufacturer of the vehicle, tires, or other parts that may have contributed to the cause or severity of the accident;
  • the shipper or loader of improperly loaded cargo that contributed to an accident.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, an injured person needs immediate assistance to ensure that they have a strong, well-documented claim to bring before an insurance adjuster. After an accident, it is crucial to begin the research to discover the entities that are responsible, to gather necessary documentation, to talk to witnesses, and to build a comprehensive claim that will enable a full settlement.

To begin the process of healing, contact Bill Coats by calling 360-303-0601 or by completing this confidential contact form.

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