It’s hard to get anywhere in Spokane or Northern Idaho while trying to avoid the fast-moving lanes of Interstate 90. The busy interstate connects Spokane and Spokane Valley with Seattle, Coeur d’Alene, Montana, and the rest of the country.
Daily motorists on I-90 may be on their way to work, school, or the mall. And on their trips, they are likely to encounter dozens of large trucks and vans moving goods in and out of the area. These big rigs are part of a healthy supply chain, but they also pose some dangers to all travelers.
Their heavy, large presence in the lanes is frightening enough. But when a truck driver loses focus on the road, the chances of a devastating accident increase dramatically. When these frightening crashes take place injured victims must demand support from drivers and the trucking companies they work for.
Contact CCD Law for a Free I-90 Truck Accident Consultation
After a scary big rig crash injures you or a loved one, it’s a smart idea to stay informed on the benefits available to your family. It’s also smart to know what you’ll face when asking an at-fault truck driver and transportation company for help with medical expenses.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers at CCD Law serving the Spokane area and Northern Idaho for a free, no-obligation case consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your injury is worth and how to hold unhelpful insurance companies to what’s fair. If we can help you earn more for an injury claim, we’ll tell you. If we can’t, we’ll make sure you are equipped with the knowledge to file a successful claim yourself.
I-90 Big Rig Accident Dangers in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene
It doesn’t take long when riding alongside a tractor-trailer or a box truck to notice the potential dangers to you and your passengers. Loaded down big rigs can swerve in and out of lanes and well into yours. They also sit up high and it’s not encouraging to be beside one and realize how easy it would be to end up underneath a big rig in a collision.
Around Coeur d’Alene, Interstate 90 also hits mountains forcing steeper grades and curves. A reckless truck driver might be traveling too fast to make these curves and jack-knife into multiple other vehicles.
In 2021, The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) monitored big rig crashes across Spokane County. WSDOT defines a heavy truck as a vehicle with 2 axles and 6 tires or larger, dump truck, semis, etc.
They recorded 386 crashes involving heavy trucks for the year. Of those accidents, 9 people were suspected to have serious injuries. Three people tragically lost their lives in those accidents. A large percentage of these big rig crashes occurred along I-90’s path through Spokane.
What to Do After a Truck Accident on Interstate 90 in Spokane
After a truck accident occurs, you’ll want to make sure everyone is okay and that your vehicle isn’t in a spot to get hit again. In fact, Washington vehicle codes require you to move your vehicle out of the lanes if your accident only involves property damage.
Call 911. Then, once emergency crews have secured the scene, you should work quickly to collect as much evidence as possible. Some of this evidence will only exist until the crash has been cleared. So, if you are physically strong enough, get proof of everything you can.
Try to secure these details:
- Allow EMTs to check out every pain you have. Go to the hospital if necessary. If you can’t remain on the scene, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to collect evidence for you.
- Give Washington State Patrol investigators every detail you recall from before the crash. Include if you saw the truck driver using a cellphone or speeding. A collision report provides valuable evidence for your case.
- Get photos and video. Show the damage to all vehicles involved. Show lane markings and show skid marks left by the big rig. Take pictures of any visible injuries. Also, show any signs on the truck that illustrate what company the driver works for.
- Swap details with all drivers. Get driver’s license and commercial truck insurance information from the driver. Try to get an employee number from the driver.
- Chat with witnesses and find out how your Spokane Truck Accident Lawyer can contact them.
- Contact a skilled big rig I-90 accident attorney. Truck accidents can cause severe injuries and require expensive medical care. The higher the bills go, the harder a truck insurance company will fight to avoid blame and limit the support you receive. Your Spokane personal injury lawyer is your greatest defense against unfair treatment. A skilled lawyer builds a strong case that’s difficult for insurance companies to reject so that you can request more in a settlement and win critical support.
Who Can I Sue After a Big Rig Accident on Interstate 90?
After a devastating truck accident, victims can face a mountain of hospital bills all while losing paychecks at work as they heal. Filing a claim for damages should secure money to rescue victims from a financial disaster. They should also receive full compensation for the physical pain they endure and the emotional trauma suffered.
To do this, filing a claim against several responsible parties may be necessary. For starters, big rig drivers may work for themselves or as contract workers and will carry commercial truck accident insurance. Drivers may be employers for a larger company or nationwide shipping corporation. In this case, a larger insurance policy could be available to victims.
In some cases, a large truck may be on the road for the City of Spokane or WSDOT when their employee causes a crash. A government department may have to contribute to the recovery costs. And in some cases, a truck malfunction could have caused the collision, making the truck manufacturer potentially liable.
Your Spokane Big Rig Accident Attorney would work diligently to make sure every party with liability in your accident was identified and targeted with an injury claim. Your attorney would also make sure every hardship you should expect compensation for was included in the claim.
Contact an I-90 Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Victims
After a serious I-90 accident involving a big rig in the Spokane area or Northern Idaho please speak with an experienced Spokane Truck Accident Lawyer. Your attorney battles frustrating truck insurance companies to make sure you and your family receive the maximum in compensation.
Crary, Chuang & Domanico, P.S., has been protecting accident victims for over 70 years. Â You can trust CCD Law attorneys to give you an honest assessment of your case and tell you what you should receive in financial support.
Contact CCD Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation for your family. We serve victims across eastern Washington and are also licensed to represent victims in Northern Idaho after big rig accidents on I-90 and along any roadway.
