Find The Best Truck Accident Lawyer In Seattle, WA (2025)

How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost in Seattle, WA?

Washington truck accident lawyers typically charge contingency fees to represent crash victims. If the lawyer recovers compensation by winning or settling the case, the client pays a legal fee equal to an agreed percentage of the compensation. The client pays no legal costs if the lawyer loses.

Washington’s Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to charge a “reasonable” fee. Reasonableness depends on many factors, including the lawyer’s experience and the time and labor involved in the case. In many instances, a reasonable fee ranges from 30% to 40%.

How to Hire a Seattle, WA, Truck Accident Attorney

Referrals from friends, family members and lawyer referral services like ConsumerShield are good places to start looking for a truck crash lawyer. Former or current clients can often detail the lawyer’s competence and client-handling skills.

Narrow down your list by researching the lawyers. Some personal injury lawyers focus their practices on specific types of cases, like medical malpractice. Make a list of lawyers who include truck accidents in their practice areas.

Finally, set up free consultations with several of those lawyers. Talking to multiple options allows you to compare them. The lawyers with the biggest billboards are not always the best for your case. Instead, find one who communicates well, knows the law and works well with you.

Average Truck Accident Settlement in Seattle, WA

The average truck accident settlement depends on your injuries. When you suffer more serious harm, you will incur greater costs and losses. This means you will be able to seek more compensation for injuries that leave permanent disabilities or require expensive and ongoing treatment or therapy.

Your settlement is often limited by the other driver’s insurance in accidents involving personal vehicles. However, the federal government requires commercial vehicles to meet substantial financial responsibility requirements.

Trucking companies that carry non-hazardous cargo must have at least $750,000 in insurance and surety bonds. Those that carry hazardous materials must have anywhere from $1 million to $5 million, depending on the type of material. As a result, the trucking company should have the resources to pay full and fair compensation for your losses.

Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Washington

Before you file a truck accident lawsuit, your lawyer must analyze who bears legal liability for your crash. Typically, the business operating the truck will be held responsible for the collision.

At the crash scene, however, it might not be readily apparent what business that is. Owner-operators and independent contractors are liable for accidents they cause, but many have a business entity that you can sue after an accident.

Conversely, trucking companies are responsible if they hire drivers as employees. Under a doctrine called respondeat superior, employers are liable for the negligence of their workers. When applied to truck accidents, trucking companies will be responsible for a driver’s negligent behavior while on the road.

Trucking businesses are also liable for company negligence, including when an accident happens after they fail to perform actions such as:

• Conducting background checks on prospective drivers
• Performing drug and alcohol tests as required by federal law
• Repairing and maintaining trucks and trailers
• Loading and securing cargo
• Reinstating drivers after medical or substance issues

Your case will likely start with a claim filed with the trucking company’s insurers and sureties. If they accept the claim, your lawyer will negotiate for a fair settlement. If they deny it, your lawyer can file a lawsuit.

How Does a Truck Accident Lawsuit Work in Seattle?

You should start on your claims promptly after your crash. Washington’s statute of limitations gives victims three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, insurers and sureties can slow-walk claims to try to frustrate you into giving up. The earlier you start, the quicker you will either settle your claims or know you need to file a lawsuit.

Most steps during a truck accident lawsuit will involve gathering evidence by exchanging documents with the other party and taking witness depositions. Your lawyer might also hire expert witnesses to help explain issues such as how a crash happened or what injuries you suffered.

At trial, both parties will present their evidence to a jury. You have the burden of proof. This means your lawyer must persuade the jurors that the other driver was at fault. If you fail to prove your case, the other party can escape liability.

Types of Truck Accident Cases in Seattle, WA

You can categorize truck accident cases according to the crash outcome. If you suffered non-fatal injuries, your lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit. If the victim dies, their estate can bring a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact ConsumerShield for Help Finding a Truck Accident Lawyer in Seattle

A truck accident can require experience and skill to resolve favorably. ConsumerShield helps crash victims understand their situations and find lawyers to help them. Contact us for a free case evaluation and attorney referral.