How Do I Sue Milky Way Trucking After a Wreck?
Milky Way, now a division of TLI Inc., is the largest bulk milk hauler in the Pacific Northwest. The company made a name for itself hauling “sensitive liquids” in the 1940s. Today, they maintain a fleet of roughly 350 trucks and employ more than 500 drivers.
Milky Way Trucking also has a history of crashes. Milk is notoriously difficult to transport, especially when the tank isn’t full. The moving milk can slosh on the road, making for a dangerously unsteady load. This, in addition to other factors, can cause milk delivery trucks to crash.
Were you hurt in a crash involving a Milky Way, TLI Inc. or another milk hauling company? Keep reading to learn more about how to get compensation for your injuries.
Hurt in a Milk Truck Accident? There Could Be Multiple Causes
Milk truck crashes are dangerous and all too common. Part of the problem is that milk trucks are inherently unstable — the moving liquid inside the truck’s tank can cause the weight of the load to shift unpredictably, especially when the tank is partially full. If drivers are under-trained or driving in poor conditions, or if a truck part malfunctions, the risk increases.
However, it’s not always easy to identify all the factors involved in a milk truck crash unless you have experience investigating these types of wrecks. Common crash factors include:
- Old truck parts that haven’t been maintained properly
- Defective parts
- Driver error, especially from not receiving enough training
- Distracted driving, including texting, talking, messaging, or eating behind the wheel
- Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or improperly used prescription medications
- Driving too long without rest breaks
- Improper loading
- Poor weather conditions
When a crash happens, the trucking company will have no interest in helping you find out what caused the collision. In fact, they may even try to cover up evidence that could prove their negligence. So, if you were hurt in a wreck, it’s important to move quickly and contact an experienced truck accident lawyer so you can preserve the evidence and protect your claim.
3 Ways an Experienced Truck Wreck Attorney Can Help You With Your Suit
Semi-truck crashes can be devastating. While some victims may try to get justice by filing an insurance claim or law5suit against the company on their own, you’ll have a much better chance of getting fair compensation when you work with an experienced attorney.
Here are a few advantages to working with an attorney after a large truck crash.
Your Attorney Will Handle the Paperwork
Suing a large trucking company can be a long, complex, and stressful process that involves a lot of paperwork. This process requires incredible attention to detail, organization, and knowledge of the law, including relevant state and federal trucking regulations. Even attorneys who don’t specialize in handling truck wreck cases can struggle with these complex cases. For an injured victim with no legal training, it’s almost impossible to manage the process on your own. When you hire the right lawyer, they’ll take care of every aspect of the legal process so you can focus on your health and family.
An Experienced Attorney Can Uncover and Preserve Evidence
To prove that your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence, you’ll need evidence. However, many important pieces of evidence can quickly disappear if not preserved correctly by an attorney. The truck’s electronic log, or “black box,” can legally be wiped after a certain amount of time has passed. Physical evidence will get cleared from the road where the crash occurred. And surveillance footage of the crash from nearby businesses, gas stations, and traffic lights will get erased. Unless you and your attorney move quickly to protect the footage from being deleted, the critical evidence to support your claim could end up lost forever.
A Truck Wreck Attorney Understands Large Truck Crashes
Semi-truck crashes are different from any other type of injury lawsuit. The stakes are higher, the injures are more devastating, and the cases are more complex. It takes years of experience fighting for truck wreck victims to understand how to correctly determine a case’s value, uncover critical evidence, and help clients get the compensation they deserve. If you find yourself in this difficult situation, you need to contact a personal injury attorney who focuses on handling big truck wrecks and has a strong track record of success with these cases.
RELATED: Coping With Mental Health Issues After a Truck Wreck
Hurt by a Milky Way Trucking Vehicle in Washington? Call Seattle Truck Law Today
If you’ve been hurt by a truck owned by Milky Way Trucking, TLI Inc., or any other trucking company, Seattle Truck Law is here to help. We’ll provide a free consultation where you can learn about your options, find out how much your case is worth, and get advice about what to do next — all at no cost.
Schedule your free consultation with an experienced lawyer from the Seattle Truck Law team by calling 866-580-HURT or using our quick online contact form.
References
Magoci, J. (2017, January 6). Top 10 Trucking Companies in Washington. FueLoyal. Retrieved from https://www.fueloyal.com/top-10-trucking-companies-in-washington/
Quick Transport Solutions, Inc. (2020, September). Milky Way. Crash Reports. Retrieved from https://www.quicktransportsolutions.com/crashreports/milkyway-usdot-254079.php
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.