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Tractor Trailer Accidents

Virginia Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Annually, more than 5,000 tractor-trailer accidents occur on roadways in the United States. Virginia tractor-trailer accidents can be caused because the vehicle is overloaded, the driver has had insufficient sleep, or the vehicle has been poorly maintained.

When an accident involves a tractor-trailer, the investigation is complex; in some cases, the driver, owner of the rig, or the driver’s employer may be at fault. Sometimes, all of the above may apply.

An accident with a truck most usually results in catastrophic injuries. The sheer size of the vehicle can cause serious damage to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Chances are, after this type of accident, victims are going to face long recovery times.

Victims of an accident or the family member of a victim who lost her life in a truck driving accident should contact a Virginia truck accident attorney immediately for help. One of our attorneys will review your case, help you determine who is at fault, and help you file the appropriate lawsuits to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Common Injuries After a Virginia Tractor-Trailer Accident

Spinal injuries to the neck or back are some of the most frequent injuries we see in car accidents. Usually, the force from the collision causes a person to jolt forward or to the side. That force pulls on ligaments in your spine that would not otherwise be damaged. Sometimes, the injury is not just to a ligament, but to a nerve. To properly treat these injuries, you have to make sure you are seeing the right doctor.
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by your brain striking the inside of your skull. There is a fluid that surrounds your brain which generally provides a cushion and protects your brain. But, when your head moves forward with any degree of force, the front of your brain moves forward and strikes the skull. Then your brain moves backward and strikes the back of your skull. This motion causes traumatic brain injuries. These injuries range in severity and can seriously affect your quality of life.
Depending on how the impact occurs, shoulder injuries from a car wreck can be very serious. Torn rotator cuffs, Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior (SLAP) tears, broken collar bones, etc. can significantly impact your daily life. The ability to use your arm is paramount for most people. If you have a physical job, but you can't use your arm, you will suffer lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
Often times, hip injuries are disguised as low back pain or groin pain. Doctors call this referred pain, in other words, the source of the pain is the hip, but it is referred to the lower back or the groin. The experts that we have worked with say that labral injuries are notoriously difficult to identify. In fact, one study noted that it takes 21 months on average and 3.3 different physicians to accurately diagnose these hip injuries. The degree of pain is usually significant.
It is not uncommon to see foot injuries depending on the mechanism of injury. Lisfranc injuries, compartment syndrome, or mid-foot fractures are common injuries after a car wreck. These injuries usually require surgery to correct and impose certain limitations to your daily life. Depending on the injury, your case may result in a permanent impairment and you are entitled to compensation for that permanent loss.

If you’ve suffered one of these injuries, you may be wondering

What Damages May I Recover?

  • Medical Expense
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Inconvenience
  • Permanent Impairment or Disfigurement
  • Lost Wages
  • Lost Earning Capacity
  • Property Damage (car repairs, total loss, or diminution of value)

Before you are able to recover any damages, there are several things that you must do and prove. Getting from point A to point B is typically a significant amount of effort and work. While you are recovering from your injuries, you should be focusing on getting better.

All the while, the insurance company is looking for ways to deny coverage or to minimize your damages. 

We certainly hope you never find yourself in need of an attorney experienced in Virginia tractor-trailer accidents. If, however, you do find yourself in that position, take some time to read through our website and gather as much information as you can. If you still have questions, we would welcome you to contact us for a free strategy session.

One of the differences between Osterbind Law, PLLC, and other law firms is that we will document our recommendations to you in a strategy session report advising you of all of the things you should be doing right now. 

There is no question that you will leave our office knowing what your future holds.

We will always tell you that one of the most important things you should do is get the treatment you need to get better. Focusing on your physical recovery, though, is hard.

Remember that, in Virginia, you only have two years to file suit or else your claim will be completely barred. If you have questions about this, we’re happy to explain further at no charge.

Let us help you.

We help people who have been injured by Virginia tractor-trailer accidents all the time. If you are ready for our help, let us know and we’ll be in touch.