Truck accidents in Washington
A crash with a semi or commercial truck is a different claim from a crash with a car: more parties can be responsible, federal safety rules apply, and the evidence is held by the trucking company.
Federal rules that apply to interstate trucks
Interstate carriers are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 C.F.R. Parts 390–399): hours-of-service limits on driving time, electronic logging devices, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, and inspection and maintenance records. A violation of those rules is often the backbone of a truck claim.
Federal rules also require interstate carriers to carry far higher insurance than a private car — at least $750,000 for general freight under 49 C.F.R. § 387.9, more for hazardous materials.
Source: 49 C.F.R. Parts 387, 390–399
Who can be responsible
The driver; the motor carrier that employed them; the owner of the tractor or trailer if different; the shipper or loader if cargo was loaded improperly; and a maintenance contractor or manufacturer if equipment failed.
Evidence disappears fastest here
Electronic logging device data, engine control module data, dashcam footage, and dispatch records can be overwritten or discarded under routine retention schedules. A written preservation demand to the carrier early in the claim is the standard way to stop that.
Washington rules still govern the claim
Under Washington’s pure comparative fault rule, a driver found 30% at fault recovers 70% of their damages, and a driver found 80% at fault still recovers 20%.
The 3-year statute of limitations applies (Rev. Code Wash. § 4.16.080(2)).
Real Washington results
Documented Washington verdicts and settlements from public court records.
| Case | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
Liu v. State Farm Ins. Co 2021 · Car accident | Car accident | $1,500,000 verdict |
Gomez v. Clark 2022 · Car accident | Car accident | $400,000 verdict |
Laughner v. Spokane Authority Spokane County, 2015 · Rear-end collision | Rear-end collision | $1,500,000 settlement |
Mershon v. Hurley 2024 · Intersection crash | Intersection crash | $375,000 verdict |
Brown v. Aguilar King County, 2021 · Car accident | Car accident | $1,484,417 verdict |
Real cases, shown as recorded in public court records. Verdicts are jury awards; settlements are agreed payments. They are other people’s cases and not predictions of what your case is worth. Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
How much insurance does a semi-truck carry?
Interstate carriers of general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage under federal rules; many carry more.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Washington?
3 years for an injury lawsuit (Rev. Code Wash. § 4.16.080(2)), with shorter deadlines if a government vehicle was involved.
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This page is general information about Washington law, reviewed September 2026. It is not legal advice, laws change, and the right answer for your claim depends on its facts. CaseChecker.ai is not a law firm; it connects people with independent attorneys licensed in their state.