Truck Accident Lawyer in Kent, WA
A loaded semi can weigh 80,000 pounds. Your car weighs around four thousand. When those two meet on I-5 or the West Valley Highway, the math is brutal, and the person in the smaller vehicle pays the price. Truck crashes leave people with the kind of injuries that reshape a life: spinal damage, brain trauma, crushed limbs, and worse.
We have taken on trucking companies for injured Kent families since 1984. And we will be honest with you. These are not simple car accident claims. The moment a big rig is involved, you are up against a trucking company, its insurer, and a team of lawyers whose whole job is to pay you as little as possible. They start protecting themselves within hours of the crash. So should you.
"Jeff Floyd and his team, especially Evan, are very high quality, compassionate attorneys that care for their clients and always do what is right. They are very trustworthy and very knowledgeable. I worked with Jeff and Evan on a catastrophic injury truck wreck case. I was impressed with his legal knowledge and willingness to work hard against a large corporation and the insurance companies. No matter your legal issue, you will be in good hands here, Jeff is one of the best lawyers in Washington."James B., Google review
"I've worked with Jeff and his team on several injury claims and they are very good at representing their clients, getting their bills paid and getting them a fair settlement. If you've been in a crash, talk to this man. In my experience, most insurers are more concerned with their bottom line than the health and wellbeing of their customers. Mr. Floyd will make sure they honor whatever contract you have with them. I can't say enough good things about this Jeffrey S. Floyd and associates."Skylar G., Google review
Truck Cases Have More Puzzle Pieces
A car crash usually has two drivers. A truck crash can have five or more people at fault, and that changes everything. We think of it like putting together puzzle pieces. Who might share the blame?
Why does this matter to you? Because each of those parties may carry its own insurance policy. Finding every responsible party is often the difference between a settlement that covers your care and one that runs out long before you heal.
The Evidence Disappears Fast
Here is what worries us most when someone waits to call. Trucks carry a black box, called an ECM, that records speed, braking, and hours behind the wheel. Drivers keep logs. Trucking companies keep maintenance and dispatch records. All of it can be erased or written over on a legal schedule, and some of it vanishes within weeks.
We move quickly to send a legal hold that forces the company to preserve those records. Then we read them. Federal Hours of Service rules limit how long a trucker can drive, generally 11 hours of driving inside a 14-hour window. When a driver blows past those limits to hit a deadline, the logs and the ECM often show it. That is the proof that turns "it was an accident" into "the company put a tired driver on the road."
Injuries We See in Truck and Semi Crashes
Because of the sheer size difference, truck wrecks tend to cause the most severe harm we handle. Our cases often involve:
- Traumatic brain injuries that affect memory and work
- Spinal cord damage and long-term mobility loss
- Multiple broken bones and internal injuries
- Rollover and jackknife crashes that trap or eject people
- Wrongful death, when a family loses someone they love
Types of Truck Crashes We Handle
Not all truck wrecks look alike, and the crash type often points straight to who was at fault:
Jackknife crashes
When the trailer swings out from the cab, usually tied to speed or failing brakesUnderride crashes
When a car slides beneath the trailer, among the deadliest wrecks on the roadRollover crashes
Often from an unbalanced load or taking a ramp too fastWide-turn crashes
When a trucker swinging right traps a vehicle on the insideTire blowout crashes
Frequently traced to skipped maintenance or worn retread tiresEach type leaves its own trail of evidence. A jackknife points us to the brakes and the driver's speed. A rollover sends us to the loading records. We read the crash itself to find the proof.
How We Build Your Truck Accident Case
Our approach runs on four steps, and we explain each one in plain words, not complicated legal talk.
Free consultation.
You tell us what happened. We listen and lay out your options with no fee and no pressure.Investigation.
We preserve the ECM data, driver logs, and company records, and we bring in accident reconstruction experts to map the crash.Negotiation.
We handle the trucking company and its insurer so you can heal, and we refuse to accept a lowball offer that ignores your future care.Trial, if it comes to that.
Most cases settle. If the company will not be fair, our trial attorneys are ready to take your case to a Kent courtroom.What Your Truck Accident Claim May Cover
Every case is different, so we never promise a number. What we can do is account for all of your losses, today and down the road:
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays
- Rehab and future medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning power
- Home modifications for a lasting disability
- Vehicle replacement
- Pain and the daily cost of your injuries
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
You pay $0 up front. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so our fee comes only out of what we recover for you. If we win nothing, you owe us no attorney fee. A trucking company has deep pockets and a legal team on retainer. You should have a strong advocate too, without having to drain your savings to get one. We handle related car accident claims in Kent and motorcycle crashes the same way.
Why Kent Families Trust Floyd Personal Injury Law Group
Forty years in Kent, Washington is rare. Jeffrey S. Floyd opened this firm in 1984 and still practices beside his son, Evan. We know the Kent courts, we know the freight routes where these wrecks happen, and we have built our name on honest, straight advice. When you call, a real lawyer takes your case and treats it like it matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a truck accident?
Get medical care first, even if you feel fine. Then, if you are able, photograph the scene and the truck, note the company name on the trailer, and get witness contact information. Call a lawyer before you speak with the trucking company's insurer.
What are the common causes of semi-truck accidents in Washington?
Driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, poorly loaded cargo, and skipped maintenance top the list. Many trace back to a company pushing a schedule that a safe driver could not keep.
How do Hours of Service rules affect my claim?
Those federal rules cap how long a trucker can drive. If the logs or black box show the driver exceeded them, that is strong evidence of negligence by the driver and the company.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Washington?
Most claims must be filed within three years. Because the evidence disappears so fast, though, you should not wait anywhere near that long to start.
What happens if a family member died in the crash?
You may have a wrongful death claim. We handle these cases with care, pursuing compensation for the family's losses while treating you with the respect a loss like this deserves.
Call Floyd Personal Injury Law Group in Kent for your free case review
Contact us for a free case review