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Tractor Trailer Accidents

Virginia Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Each year, our nation’s roadways bear witness to over 500,000 tractor-trailer accidents, leaving behind a trail of destruction and personal injury. In the sobering statistics of 2021, nearly 5,800 lives were tragically lost in traffic collisions involving these massive rigs.

Closer to home in Virginia, we mourned the loss of 120 individuals whose lives were cut short due to the unforgiving impact of a traffic crash involving a large truck.

Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents

Behind these alarming figures lie a myriad of factors that can cause tractor-trailer accidents in Virginia.

  • Overloading, a common culprit, strains the very limits of these colossal vehicles, compromising their stability and control.
  • Insufficient sleep, a chronic issue in the industry, can turn drivers into drowsy hazards on our highways.
  • Neglected maintenance transforms these mighty machines into ticking time bombs, waiting to malfunction at the worst possible moment.
  • And then there’s the pervasive danger of driver inattention and distraction, a menace that can have catastrophic consequences.

In the midst of this chaos and devastation, our mission is clear: We are here to guide you through the legal complexities of tractor-trailer accident cases.

With years of experience and a deep understanding of the unique challenges these cases present, we are ready to fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve.

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What to Think About:

When a collision involves a tractor-trailer, the ensuing investigation unfolds into a puzzle. To secure your rightful compensation, it’s crucial to delve into the intricacies of the accident.

Here’s what you need to consider:

Ownership and Employment:
  • Start by identifying the key players: Who owns the truck? Who employs the driver? And, importantly, who is financially responsible for the transportation? These fundamental questions will lay the foundation for your legal strategy.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations:
  • Hold the driver of the truck to the highest standards by ensuring they’ve adhered to all federal motor carrier safety regulations. These regulations are designed to safeguard the public and prevent accidents caused by negligence or recklessness.
Potential Liability:
  • In some cases, the fault may lie with the driver, the rig’s owner, or the driver’s employer. If the driver has a troubling history of negligent driving, it opens the door to pursuing additional damages that you rightfully deserve.
Catastrophic Consequences:
  • Tractor-trailer accidents rarely leave victims unscathed. The sheer size and force of these vehicles can result in catastrophic injuries for other drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians. Understand that the aftermath of such an accident often entails long and arduous recovery periods.

As you face the aftermath of a collision involving a large truck, remember that you don’t have to navigate this complex terrain alone. We’re here to be your unwavering advocates, leveraging our expertise to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Commercial Insurance Policies

In the aftermath of a tractor-trailer accident, understanding the intricacies of commercial insurance policies is paramount to securing the compensation you deserve. These policies play a pivotal role in determining the available coverage for your claim.

Let’s explore the key insurance policies that come into play:

1. Commercial Auto Insurance:

Commercial auto insurance is the cornerstone of coverage for tractor-trailers. It provides protection for the truck itself, covering damages to the vehicle in the event of an accident. This insurance also typically includes liability coverage, which extends to cover injuries and damages to others involved in the accident.

2. Umbrella Liability Insurance:

Often, the damages resulting from tractor-trailer accidents can surpass the limits of standard liability coverage. In such cases, umbrella liability insurance steps in. This additional layer of protection offers coverage beyond the primary policy, ensuring that victims have access to the necessary financial resources to recover fully.

3. Employer’s Liability Insurance:

Employers of truck drivers often carry employer’s liability insurance. This policy can come into play if the accident is caused, in part, by the driver’s employer. It provides coverage for the employer’s legal liabilities in such situations.

Our experienced legal team specializes in untangling the complexities of commercial insurance, working tirelessly to identify and maximize the coverage available to you. We’re here to provide you with the guidance and advocacy you need to secure the best possible outcome in your tractor-trailer accident case.

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)

What Should You Do?

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.

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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.

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.

The insurance company is looking for ways to deny coverage or to minimize your damages. 

Hire a Lawyer

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.

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 must file your claim within two years. Otherwise, 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. If you are ready for our help, let us know and we’ll be in touch.