Spokane Truck Accident Attorneys Fighting for Maximum Recovery

Spokane truck accidents often happen without warning. On busy freight routes like I-90, Division Street, or Trent Avenue, a single negligent act by a semitruck driver can change your life instantly. Our truck accident attorneys at Bernard Law Group represent victims hit by commercial vehicles throughout Spokane County. We move immediately, preserve important evidence, and force trucking companies to take responsibility. Over the past few years, over 5,000 fatalities were caused by large truck accidents across the country, said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, most due to preventable driver carelessness and neglected equipment.

When your vehicle is struck by a delivery truck or a semi-truck, you need quick legal protection. Bernard Law Group builds strong cases with Spokane-area knowledge and aggressive legal strategies. No matter where the accident was in the University District area or on Sunset Highway, we understand how to beat lowball insurance offers and fight for maximum recovery.

Call 206-752-2233 today for a free case review. We do not charge legal fees unless we prevail in your case.

Understand the Legal Time Limits After a Spokane Truck Crash

Truck accident cases in Spokane follow strict legal rules. If you do not act quickly, you lose your chance to hold a trucking company accountable. Washington law sets a deadline on filing personal injury and wrongful death claims. Once that time runs out, the courts will not hear your case. That means no compensation for lost wages, medical bills, or long-term suffering.

Our Spokane truck attorneys file claims immediately to preserve your rights and gather time-sensitive evidence. We know how quickly trucking companies move to erase logs, replace damaged vehicles, or shift blame to innocent drivers. The sooner you act, the stronger your case becomes. Learn more about filing deadlines in Washington law through this resource from the Washington Courts.

Three-Year Deadline Applies to Spokane Truck Injury Lawsuits

The most common deadline after a Spokane semi truck collision is three years. This statute applies to cases where victims suffer injuries caused by negligent truck operators, carriers, or third-party contractors. The countdown starts the day the crash occurs. It includes injuries caused by 18-wheelers, commercial delivery trucks, and dump trucks operating on city or state roads.

This legal rule applies whether your collision happened along Sunset Boulevard, near Spokane International Airport, or on North Division near the Gonzaga campus. You may be entitled to full compensation for emergency care, orthopedic treatment, long-term rehab, and emotional trauma. However, you must take legal action before the deadline expires.

Insurance Claims Do Not Pause the Filing Clock

Filing an insurance claim after a Spokane truck crash does not stop the legal deadline from running. Even if you are in negotiations with a claims adjuster or receiving medical treatment, the clock keeps ticking. Many people believe insurers will settle fairly within three years. In reality, they often delay to run out the clock and avoid full payment.

That is why our legal team builds every claim for litigation from the beginning. We use trucking logs, cell phone records, vehicle inspections, and medical documentation to prepare strong lawsuits. If the other side refuses to settle, we are ready to file before the statute runs out.

Property Damage Deadlines Differ From Personal Injury Timelines

If you are only pursuing a claim for vehicle damage after a Spokane truck accident, you may follow a different timeline. However, most injury claims involve both personal harm and property loss. Always confirm which deadlines apply to your case with a legal team familiar with Washington’s truck accident laws.

We help clients throughout Spokane file all claims properly and on time. This includes personal injury, lost vehicle value, rental reimbursement, and diminished resale value. Each claim requires documentation and proper submission under state law.

Shorter Deadlines Apply to Crashes Involving Government Vehicles

Not every Spokane truck crash involves a private company. When city-owned trucks, state snowplows, or county maintenance vehicles cause a collision, the rules change. You must submit a special notice to the government within 180 days. That is less than six months to protect your case.

Failure to file that notice prevents any lawsuit. According to the Washington State Risk Management Division, the claim must include specific details such as date, location, type of vehicle, and injury descriptions. If you miss the deadline, the state is immune from liability.

Crashes Involving School District or Municipal Trucks Require Fast Action

If you were hit by a truck operated by Spokane Public Schools, Spokane Transit, or a City of Spokane utility department, your case follows the 180-day rule. These collisions often happen near high-traffic intersections, school zones, or during road work. We frequently file claims involving distracted city employees, poor driver training, or failure to yield in congested areas.

We handle the entire claim submission process and make sure all required forms are filed correctly. Do not wait to start this process. Government crash claims must be prepared with more care and submitted earlier than other injury cases.

We Track Every Deadline and Take Over the Filing Process

Victims recovering from serious injuries do not need to worry about legal paperwork. We track every legal deadline from the moment we take your case. Our team prepares your government notice, lawsuit filings, and demand letters while you focus on recovery. We also coordinate with healthcare providers to document your injuries and create long-term care plans.

This preparation is key in large truck injury claims. Carriers and state entities defend these cases aggressively. Early legal pressure makes them take your injuries seriously.

Wrongful Death Claims After Spokane Truck Fatalities Also Follow the Three-Year Limit

Families who lose loved ones in Spokane truck collisions must also act within three years. Wrongful death lawsuits are filed by surviving spouses, children, or parents. These cases seek compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional toll of a preventable death.

Washington allows these claims when a trucking company or driver causes a fatal crash through negligence, unsafe operation, or equipment failure. We have handled many such cases across Spokane, including deadly rollovers on I-90 and underride crashes near freight terminals.

We Help Spokane Families File Claims for Fatal Truck Collisions

Wrongful death cases must follow a strict legal process. We gather crash scene reports, interview witnesses, and work with physicians to confirm how the injuries led to death. We also calculate the long-term financial impact on your household, including lost future income and care expenses.

Our firm has recovered millions for families across Washington, and we fight to hold trucking companies fully responsible for their role in fatal crashes. Learn how families can seek justice after a truck death through this legal overview from the National Center for State Courts.

Losing Time Means Losing Your Case

Insurance companies delay investigations and push back on death claims to protect their own interests. Many families feel overwhelmed by grief and unsure how to start. We step in immediately, begin preservation of evidence, and file claims on your behalf. This gives your family time to process while we move forward with legal action.

Call Bernard Law Group today at (206) 752-2233 to protect your claim before your legal rights expire. We are available 24 hours a day and serve clients across Spokane County.

Hold More Than the Driver Accountable in Spokane Truck Collision Cases

Truck crashes in Spokane often involve more than just the person behind the wheel. While the driver may be the one who caused the impact, responsibility frequently extends further. At Bernard Law Group, we investigate the entire chain of liability. That includes the trucking company, cargo contractors, leasing firms, and logistics managers. Holding all responsible parties accountable leads to stronger claims and higher compensation. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, systemic issues inside transportation companies play a major role in commercial vehicle crashes.

In many Spokane truck wrecks, carriers pressure drivers to skip rest breaks, overload trailers, or ignore brake maintenance. These decisions come from management, not the road. We dig deep into hiring records, safety logs, and inspection histories to uncover every layer of fault. When corporate negligence leads to injury or death, we take legal action to make sure it cannot be hidden.

Trucking Companies Can Be Liable for Unsafe Driver Behavior

Employers are legally responsible when they fail to train or supervise their drivers. That includes trucking firms operating in and out of Spokane’s industrial zones and warehouse corridors. If a company hires a driver with a known history of traffic violations or DUI arrests, they can be held accountable when that driver causes a crash.

This type of case often involves tractor-trailer crashes near the Spokane Valley Industrial Park or around the Spokane International Airport freight zone. When a driver makes a careless decision, it may point to larger safety failures at the company level. We prove those patterns through employee records, training gaps, and digital logs.

We Subpoena Driver Files and Employment Histories

We do not rely on accident reports alone. Our team demands access to the driver’s full employment file, past safety violations, and company disciplinary history. If that driver had a preventable safety record or if the carrier failed to follow hiring protocols, we use that evidence to strengthen your case.

This documentation helps us show that the trucking company ignored clear red flags. It also provides critical leverage during negotiations. When carriers know their conduct will be exposed, they settle faster and for more money.

We Investigate Company Training and Route Scheduling Practices

Many truck drivers are pushed to meet unrealistic delivery timelines. We often find internal schedules that violate federal rest rules or route expectations that force speeding and fatigue. These corporate choices directly contribute to highway crashes near Spokane and other high-traffic corridors.

We secure dispatch records, driver shift logs, and route planning data. These internal communications often reveal pressure from company managers that encourage unsafe behavior. Holding the employer accountable is often the only way to achieve full justice.

Freight Loaders and Maintenance Contractors May Also Share Fault

Truck collisions caused by brake failure or unbalanced loads are not always the driver’s fault. In Spokane, many carriers use third-party maintenance crews and warehouse contractors. If those crews neglect safety checks, fail to secure cargo, or ignore manufacturer specifications, they can be held liable.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require that all parties in the trucking operation maintain compliance. When someone along that chain cuts corners, they endanger the public. We work to hold those individuals and businesses accountable when they fail their duty.

Unsecured Freight Creates Dangerous Rollover and Underride Crashes

Cargo must be properly tied down, weight-balanced, and secured before any commercial truck can take to the road. Improper loading causes trailers to sway, overturn, or crush passenger vehicles during braking. These cases often result in fatalities or life-altering injuries.

Our Spokane truck attorneys examine load plans, shipping manifests, and warehouse surveillance footage. When we prove that freight workers ignored securement rules, we add their employer to the lawsuit. This expands the available insurance coverage and increases the total recovery.

We Examine Brake Records and Mechanical Work Orders

Maintenance failures are a leading cause of commercial truck accidents in Washington. Whether it is worn-out brake pads or skipped inspections, these mistakes cause rear-end crashes and jackknife collisions across Spokane. We investigate the shops and vendors who last serviced the vehicle.

By obtaining mechanic certifications, parts invoices, and DOT inspection reports, we uncover negligent repair work that contributed to the wreck. These third-party contractors cannot hide behind the trucking company’s insurance. We go after every party that played a role in your harm.

Shipping Companies and Logistics Firms May Influence Unsafe Operations

Large national shippers often outsource their routes to smaller carriers in Spokane. These freight brokers and logistics firms coordinate tight schedules and aggressive delivery expectations. When those decisions lead to crashes, we pursue them as well. Courts have repeatedly found that companies who direct driver behavior can be held accountable for the results.

The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated multiple crashes tied to logistics chain failures and pressure from shippers. We use those findings to strengthen our legal claims and show that unsafe operations start well above the driver’s level.

These Corporations Often Carry Higher Insurance Policies

When we name shippers and brokers in your claim, we tap into more insurance coverage. These companies often carry multimillion-dollar policies that provide higher compensation than the driver’s or carrier’s policy alone. That means you have a better chance of recovering the full cost of your medical bills, lost income, and long-term disability.

We focus on building claims that expose every layer of liability. That legal strategy puts pressure on corporations to settle before trial and reduces the chance of lowball offers.

Call Bernard Law Group now at (206) 752-2233 to find out which parties can be held responsible in your Spokane truck accident case. We offer free consultations and take no legal fees unless we win.

What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Spokane County

Spokane truck collisions happen for many reasons, but nearly all involve preventable mistakes. From aggressive lane changes near North Division Street to overworked drivers speeding west on I-90, the root cause usually traces back to negligence. At Bernard Law Group, we investigate every contributing factor in a truck crash. That includes not only the driver’s behavior but also company policies, vehicle maintenance, and road conditions. These patterns repeat across Spokane County and reveal a larger failure in the freight industry.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human error plays a role in over 90 percent of large truck crashes. Spokane’s freight corridors are no exception. We use this insight to hold truck operators and their employers accountable when they violate basic safety rules and put others in danger.

Speeding Trucks Increase Collision Risks on Spokane’s Arterial Routes

Truck drivers in a rush to meet delivery deadlines often exceed posted speed limits. This behavior is especially dangerous on Spokane’s curved highway exits, steep grades, and crowded arterials like Francis Avenue and Wellesley Avenue. When commercial trucks take corners too fast or ride too closely behind smaller vehicles, they increase the risk of rear-end impacts and rollover crashes.

High-speed truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries because of the force involved. These crashes may eject passengers, crush vehicle cabins, or trigger multi-car pileups. Our team gathers speed data from event recorders and GPS logs to prove violations and secure full compensation for our clients.

Crash Data Shows Speeding Is a Top Cause of Fatal Truck Accidents

The Washington State Department of Transportation regularly identifies speeding as one of the top three causes of fatal large truck crashes in the state. In Spokane County, stretches of US 2 and Highway 395 see frequent high-speed wrecks, especially during nighttime or early morning hours when traffic enforcement is light.

We use crash reports, witness interviews, and onboard truck diagnostics to show how fast the driver was traveling before the crash. This evidence helps connect reckless driving to the injuries our clients suffer.

Driver Fatigue Leads to Dangerous Mistakes Behind the Wheel

Long-haul routes through Spokane Valley and across the Idaho border lead many truck drivers to push past their legal drive-time limits. Fatigued drivers often lose focus, fall asleep at the wheel, or fail to react to traffic signals in time. These errors create deadly results, especially on two-lane rural roads and interstate corridors where speeds are higher.

Even a few seconds of drowsiness can cause a semi-truck to drift into another lane or rear-end a car stopped at a light. We secure driver logs and electronic time records to prove hours-of-service violations under federal rules.

Trucking Companies Often Encourage Overwork to Meet Delivery Goals

Freight carriers know the risks of overworked drivers, yet many still pressure employees to ignore rest breaks and logbook rules. These shortcuts are designed to move cargo faster, not safer. Our attorneys investigate these scheduling practices and subpoena communications that reveal company pressure to keep moving regardless of fatigue.

We use those records to build strong legal claims and hold carriers liable for the harm caused by their decisions. These findings often help increase settlement values for injured clients.

Improper Lane Changes and Blind Spot Merges Trigger Truck Crashes

In Spokane, many truck crashes happen when drivers change lanes without checking mirrors or signal lights. Blind spots on big rigs extend along the sides, front, and rear of the vehicle. When a driver fails to clear these zones before merging, the result is often a devastating side-impact collision with a smaller vehicle.

These crashes happen frequently on I-90 near downtown Spokane and along Sprague Avenue during rush hour. Smaller cars often get trapped between a trailer and a guardrail or pushed across multiple lanes of traffic.

We Use Traffic Footage and Dash Cameras to Prove Unsafe Lane Changes

Video footage is critical in proving fault in lane-change crashes. We recover surveillance footage from nearby intersections, public buses, and private businesses. In some cases, our clients have dash camera recordings that clearly show the truck entering their lane without warning.

When these videos confirm the truck driver failed to yield or check their mirrors, we use that footage to pressure the insurance company into a full payout.

Distracted Truck Drivers Cause Delayed Braking and Missed Hazards

Commercial truck drivers have one job behind the wheel: keep their attention on the road. But many fail to do that. Texting, using navigation systems, or adjusting in-cab devices all pull focus away from traffic. In Spokane, distracted truck drivers regularly cause crashes on Division Street, I-90, and Market Street where pedestrian traffic and bike crossings create extra risk.

A distracted truck driver may not see a red light in time. They may not notice that traffic has slowed in a work zone. We build these claims by subpoenaing phone records and cab technology data to prove the driver was not paying attention.

Federal Data Shows Distraction Is a Major Factor in Truck Crash Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving causes thousands of serious injuries every year. For truck drivers who control up to 80,000 pounds of moving cargo, that risk multiplies.

We partner with accident reconstruction teams who analyze skid marks, braking patterns, and driver behavior to prove distraction and link it to your injuries.

Overloaded or Unbalanced Cargo Causes Spokane Truck Rollovers

Cargo that is too heavy, improperly balanced, or loosely secured shifts during transit. When a trailer tips or wobbles through a turn, it can crush smaller vehicles or roll over onto sidewalks and medians. These crashes often occur near construction zones and Spokane freight hubs, especially when trucks navigate tight corners or uneven roads.

We Review Load Sheets and Inspection Logs to Find Cargo Violations

Cargo claims require detailed inspection of load manifests, driver sign-off sheets, and third-party contractor checklists. We trace the cargo from warehouse to destination and identify every point of failure. That includes missing tie-downs, unsecured pallets, or improperly stacked materials.

By holding the loader and the carrier accountable, we increase your options for recovery and access additional insurance coverage. These cases often produce serious injuries and require long-term medical support.

Reach out to Bernard Law Group now at (206) 752-2233 if a Spokane truck caused your injuries. We dig deep into every contributing factor and build cases that force results.

Talk to a Spokane Truck Injury Attorney Who Knows How to Win

We have recovered over $500 million in compensation for Washington families. Our casework includes trucking collisions on I-90, deadly underride crashes in Spokane Valley, and log truck rollovers on rural highways. When insurance companies deny your injuries or try to delay your case, we push back with hard evidence and proven results.

Bernard Law Group handles all types of serious injury cases, including brain injuries, wrongful death claims, and multi-vehicle crashes. We serve Spokane County and the surrounding region, offering local knowledge and aggressive legal support from the moment you contact us.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win Your Truck Crash Case

We take every Spokane truck accident case on a contingency basis. That means you do not pay legal fees unless we recover money for you. We also cover upfront costs, handle all filings, and coordinate with doctors and investigators at no out-of-pocket expense.

You should never feel pressured to fight a commercial trucking company on your own. Let us do the heavy lifting while you focus on getting medical care and moving forward with your life.

Call (206) 752-2233 or contact us online now to speak directly with a Spokane truck accident lawyer. Your consultation is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. Let us get started before valuable evidence disappears.