A fully-loaded 18-wheeler, weighing 80,000 lbs or more, can cause severe and often fatal accident injuries to passengers in cars and other smaller vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,964 people were killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks in the most recent year for which statistics are available. Only 691 of the people killed were large truck occupants, while 2,824 fatalities were occupants of other vehicles.
Why Work with a Lawyer After a Truck Accident in Virginia?
After you have been involved in any motor vehicle accident, it will benefit you to work with an experienced lawyer. The lawyer will work hard to pursue the maximum amount of compensation for your losses.
For many reasons, it is especially important to seek help from a lawyer after you or a loved one is involved in a crash involving a large commercial truck. Those reasons include:
- Truck accidents demand prompt action. Trucking companies – and their insurance providers – have much on the line when accidents occur. They will put their own investigators and lawyers on your case right away. You should have your own legal team at work on your case as soon as possible, making sure evidence is gathered and preserved and taking other steps to protect your rights.
- Many parties may be liable. In most car accidents, a claim may be brought against only one party – the other driver. However, in a tractor-trailer accident, many parties may be legally responsible, including the driver, trucking company, shipping company, warehouse owner and manufacturer. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case and determine all parties who should be held accountable.
- Insurance claims may be highly complex. A truck accident could involve multiple insurance policies as well. These policies can range from standard liability coverage to commercial liability policies that may provide several millions of dollars worth of coverage. A lawyer will know how to navigate the highly complex insurance issues that may arise in your case.
- Violations of trucking regulations may be involved. The trucking industry in Virginia and across the country is highly regulated. A comprehensive list of state and federal rules cover everything from how often trucks should be inspected and maintained to how many hours a trucker should be allowed to be behind the wheel. A lawyer should have a firm understanding of these rules and how a violation could play a role in your case when it comes to seeking compensation.
- Your injuries could be severe. Due to their size, weight and the cargo they are carrying (such as hazardous materials), 18-wheelers can cause catastrophic injuries when they collide with other vehicles. A lawyer can conduct a comprehensive review of your medical records, consult with experts in life-care planning and other fields and carefully prepare a claim for all of your past and future medical expenses and other damages.
Because of our experience with handling truck accident cases for victims and their families throughout Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, Kendall Law Firm is well-positioned to provide the legal help you need during this difficult time.
When you contact us, our legal team can get to work on your truck accident case immediately and provide the skilled, creative and aggressive legal representation that these cases demand.
Remember: We will work with you on a contingency fee basis. We will charge no costs or attorney fees unless we obtain a financial recovery for you.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Collisions between large trucks and passenger vehicles can be the fault of either driver. However, when truck drivers or large truck vehicle failures cause accidents, it is the passenger vehicle occupants who are likely to suffer serious injuries or death.
In a study published by the American Trucking Associations in February 2013, researchers determined that the following truck driver errors contributed to truck-car crashes:
- Vehicle-related failure
- Following too closely
- Asleep at the wheel
- Overcompensation in evasive steering
- Physical impairment, such as a heart attack
The study also found certain truck driver, vehicle, and environmental factors associated with these car-truck collisions, including:
- Brake problems or failure
- Truck driver not familiar with the roadway
- Driver was under work pressure
- Driver fatigue
- Tire problems
- Aggressive driving
- Driver illness
- Illegal drug use
- Driver alcohol consumption
Injuries from Truck Accidents
In the most recent year for which these statistics are available, NHTSA reports that 104,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving large trucks. Among the injured people, 76,000 were occupants of vehicles other than the large trucks. Passenger vehicle occupants can suffer serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries in collisions with these large and heavy vehicles. Injuries they are likely to sustain include:
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Burns
- Back and neck injuries
- Rib and torso injuries
- Internal injuries
- Death
If you have been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, it is in your best interests to consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our firm and we will tell you, free of charge, if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim. Please remember to take pictures of your accident and injuries with your smartphone. It helps to document as much as possible at the time of your accident. Those photos can be very helpful later on.
Contact the Charlottesville & Harrisonburg Truck Accident Law Firm
At the Kendall Law Firm, we help people who have been injured in collisions with large commercial trucks, also known as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers or big rigs. Truck accidents are often complex cases, involving several potentially liable parties and federal regulations governing the trucking industry. Our Virginia truck accident attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively represent the rights and interests of our clients. We will stand up to large companies and their teams of defense lawyers.
If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, call us today (434) 296-2378 or contact us online today to speak with a:
Sources:
- NHTSA: 2013 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview
- American Trucking Associations: Relative Contribution/Fault in Car-Truck Crashes
- NHTSA: Traffic Safety Facts: 2012 Data: Large Trucks
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