Truck accident lawyers in Virginia

What causes truck accidents?

Truck drivers must be specially trained and take extra safety precautions because of the size, weight, longer stopping distances, and potentially hazardous cargoes of their large commercial trucks. Although some large truck collisions are caused by drivers of other vehicles, most truck accidents are caused by the large trucks and the conduct of their drivers, which may include the following factors:

• Truck driver fatigue (despite federal regulations limiting the hours a driver can log)
• Truck equipment failure (particularly brake problems)
• Distracted driving (operating mobile devices behind the wheel)
• Unsafe driving practices (such as speeding or following too closely)
• Improper truck maintenance

What should I do if I’m hit by a truck?

If you are involved in a collision with a large commercial truck, the first thing to do is call 911 for emergency medical attention and report the accident to the police. Do not move your vehicle unless it is in an unsafe place. Its position can help experts reconstruct what caused the crash.

Cooperate with the police when they arrive, but do not give them unnecessary details. Do not talk to insurance company representatives other than your own. Never give the other insurance company a statement in writing, by phone, or sign anything for them until you consult with an attorney.

Get medical attention for your injuries immediately. Take down information from the other drivers involved, including their insurance company and how to contact them. If possible, take photos or record license plate numbers so the driver can be located easily. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene, and check for any surveillance cameras in the area if possible. Notify your insurance carrier of the accident. Then, schedule a consultation with a skilled Virginia vehicle accident lawyer.

Before filing a truck accident claim, you’ll need to find out how bad your injuries are and who is responsible. Our Virginia truck accident lawyers at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys will assess your injuries and thoroughly investigate your accident. We can obtain documentation from the other side, including the truck driver’s log book and the truck’s onboard data recorders, scale tickets, and bills of lading to determine if the truck driver or trucking company was at fault.

What are some common types of big rig truck accidents in Virginia?

A tractor-trailer is the biggest vehicle on the road, so it’s not surprising that big rig truck collisions cause tremendous damage, especially when they crash into motorcycles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and regular passenger vehicles.

Some types of accidents result from the sheer size of trucks and the way they are built:

• Jackknifes occur when a truck’s trailer swings around, leaving the cab and trailer sprawled across the highway. Multi-car pileups result from truck jackknifes because several vehicles are forced to stop at the same time. Jackknifes are caused by sudden turns, improper braking techniques, and poorly loaded trailers.
• Rollovers. Trucks have a much higher center of gravity than other vehicles. When drivers make a sharp turn or swerve to avoid another vehicle, the truck will often tip over. These accidents cause serious injuries to other drivers and their passengers, especially when the truck lands directly on top of another vehicle.
• Blind spots accidents. A blind spot is an area around the truck where other vehicles cannot be directly seen by the driver. Trucks have large blind spots on all four sides, and the passenger side blind spot extends across several lanes. That’s why it’s crucial for truckers to signal and make sure the lane is unoccupied before changing lanes.
• Rear-end collisions are caused by speeding and tailgating truckers. These accidents frequently result in whiplash and other serious injuries for people traveling in other vehicles.
• DUI. Driving under the influence impairs several skills that are required for safe driving, including judgment, vision, reflexes, and coordination. In Virginia, the legal BAC limit for someone with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is 0.04 percent, while the BAC limit for other drivers is 0.08 percent.
• Runaway trailer accidents result when the trailer gets detached from the truck and veers out of control on the highway. Speeding, unsafe turns, and poor truck maintenance are major causes of runaway truck crashes.
• Cargo spill accidents. Trucks may be carrying hazardous or even toxic cargo, including rocks, dirt, sand, HAZMAT products, and flammable gasses or liquids. Poorly secured loads and dangerous driving practices lead to hazardous spills on the highway.
• Distracted driving. Truck drivers must pay attention to the road in front of them at all times. A momentary lapse in concentration may lead to a collision that results in catastrophic injuries. Frequent causes of distracted driving include eating, talking, reaching for an object inside the cab, and using a handheld device for talking, texting, checking social media, checking GPS, or any other reason.

What types of trucks can cause dangerous accidents?

Types of trucks that are likely to cause accidents that result in serious injuries include:

• Big-rig trucks. Safely operating a tractor-trailer requires experience, patience, and maturity. It’s difficult to find qualified drivers for the low wages that many trucking companies are offering, so trucking companies may often hire inexperienced drivers and people with unsafe driving records. Negligent hiring creates serious risks for everyone on the road.
• Moving trucks. Moving trucks are big, bulky, and difficult to drive. But you don’t need a special license to operate one. In many cases, people who rent U-Haul-type trucks have little or no experience operating these vehicles, and this creates a real hazard for other drivers. Rental moving trucks undergo a lot of wear and tear, and in many cases, they aren’t properly maintained and inspected by moving companies. That means brakes and other safety features may not be functioning correctly.
• Tow trucks offer limited visibility for drivers, particularly when they are hauling another vehicle. Drivers are often in a hurry to get to their next client, and they can make dangerous maneuvers to position themselves in front of disabled vehicles. A lot of service stations and towing companies hire tow truck drivers with limited experience. Tow truck drivers are not legally required to have a commercial trucking license (CDL) unless they tow vehicles that weigh at least 26,000 pounds.

What types of injuries are often caused by truck accidents?

People injured in a truck accident often suffer severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment followed by a long period of recovery. That means it could be months or longer before you’re able to go back to work.

Injuries that cause disability and chronic pain may prevent you from ever resuming your career. Your quality of life may suffer dramatically if you are unable to perform basic tasks, such as driving, holding your child, or sitting for an extended period of time.

Frequent truck accident injuries include:

• Loss of limb
• Back and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Severe burns
• Whiplash
• Nerve damage
• Broken hips
• Internal organ injuries

What kinds of compensation are available for Virginia truck accident victims

“Damages” is a legal term that refers to money awarded to compensate victims and their families for injuries or loss of property caused by another person’s negligent behavior. A truck accident injury claim or lawsuit includes the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses
• Ambulance transport
• Medications
• Emergency room treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Wheelchairs and other mobility aides
• Lost wages
• Reduced enjoyment of life
• In-home nursing care
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Occupational therapy
• Wrongful death

Were you injured by a careless truck driver?

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we’ve dedicated our law practice to getting justice for people who were injured by the careless actions of others. We consider our work to be a calling.

We serve all of our clients with excellence and compassion, and we have a unique perspective on what you’re going through because both of our partners have been injured in senseless accidents themselves.

Call us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to schedule a free consultation today.