Truck Accident Glossary
Truck accident cases come with their own vocabulary, from federal driving limits to the ways a trucking company can share the blame for a crash. This glossary explains the terms Seattle Truck Law uses most often, in plain language, with a note on why each one matters in a Washington truck accident case. Each definition is general information, not legal advice about your situation.
C
An unsafe trucking company that changes its name or identity to escape its safety record.
C
The license, issued under federal standards, required to drive large trucks, buses, and hazmat vehicles.
C
Washington’s rule that your share of fault reduces your compensation but does not bar recovery.
E
A device that automatically records a commercial driver’s driving time for hours-of-service compliance.
E
An electronic device that can capture a vehicle’s speed, braking, and other data around the time of a crash.
H
Federal limits on how long commercial truck and bus drivers may drive and stay on duty.
J
A crash in which a truck’s trailer swings out and folds toward the cab.
N
Failing to act with reasonable care; the core of most truck accident injury claims.
N
A claim that a company carelessly chose the driver or carrier that caused a crash.
O
An enforcement order that takes a driver, a truck, or a carrier off the road until the problem is fixed.
P
Money meant to punish a wrongdoer rather than make up for losses; whether they apply is a question for a lawyer.
R
A doctrine that can make an employer responsible for harm caused by an employee on the job, such as a truck driver.
S
The destruction, alteration, or loss of evidence related to a legal claim, such as truck records or data.
U
A steel guard at the back of a trailer that helps keep a car from sliding underneath it in a crash.
W
A claim brought by the personal representative when a person dies because of another’s wrongful act or neglect.
Contact the Seattle Truck Law Team Today
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, contact Seattle Truck Law at (866) 580-4878 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. You pay no fees or expenses unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Don’t wait—the sooner you contact us, the sooner our attorneys can preserve evidence, investigate your claim, and start building your case.