By Pendergast Law on November 28, 2013
Two people were injured in a Washington truck accident after a big rig lost its brakes on Highway 18 and crashed into a minivan. According to a KOMO news report, the accident occurred near the intersection of Highway 18 and Issaquah-Hobart Road. Washington Highway Patrol officials say that the semi-truck was heading westbound on the highway from Tiger Summit when it lost its brakes.
The driver exited the highway and slammed into a minivan. The truck driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle, and the female driver of the minivan was rescued by emergency personnel. Neither driver suffered life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Based on this news report, the truck lost its brakes and struck the minivan. One of the most common causes of truck accidents is mechanical failure. Brake failure, especially, is a common occurrence in big rigs. This may happen for a variety of reasons including truck overloading, poor maintenance, and defective brakes. Every trucking firm is required under federal law to maintain a maintenance log for each of its vehicles. The log usually shows if the trucking firm has been maintaining its vehicle properly.
In the aftermath of such an accident, an experienced Washington truck accident lawyer will be able to request such information in a timely manner. Truck driver logs, which show how long the driver has been on the road and how many mandated breaks he has taken, could also provide valuable insight into the cause of a truck crash. Such critical evidence must be secured before it is destroyed or lost.
The skilled Seattle truck accident lawyers at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. have a long and successful track record of helping accident victims and their families seek fair and full compensation for their losses. Please contact us at 888-539-9211 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.