Lynchburg & Forest, Virginia Truck Accidents Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Virginia, there’s a good chance that you have been seriously injured and are also quite angry and confused about your options. Compared to most car accidents, big rig accidents can be violent events that leave victims with catastrophic injuries and a lifetime of consequences.
At the Straw Law Firm, PLLC, we extensive experience helping victims of these tragic accidents recover the compensation they deserve, so they can put their lives back together. These are complex cases due to a variety of factors, but our goal is to give you the best chance of collecting full and fair compensation from the party (or parties) responsible for your injuries.
Severe Truck Accident Risks on Virginia’s Roads
Of the 127,375 crashes on Virginia’s roads in 2017, over 2,300 involved large trucks. More than half of these resulted in serious property damage, 822 in injuries, and 45 in at least one death. Of those who are injured and killed, an overwhelming majority are not the drivers or passengers of the trucks, but of other vehicles.
The extreme risk involved with commercial truck accidents is that these vehicles far outweigh anything else on the road and have an unfair advantage if involved in a crash. If your 3,000-pound passenger car is involved in an accident with an 80,000-pound tractor trailer, it is fairly clear which vehicle is usually going to have the most damage and injuries.
Large trucks are unique not only for their size, but also for their restricted visibility and maneuverability on the road. Trucks have blind spots that prevent them from seeing many vehicles in their vicinity. They also need more room to stop and turn than the average vehicle.
Just like any other accident, either party can be at fault. However, because of the nature of the business, there are certain factors that put truck drivers at greater risk of causing accidents.
Most truck drivers are paid by the load and are under tremendous pressure to make more deliveries to earn more money. Even though there are rules in place to prevent this, some drivers will circumvent them to drive longer hours or distances, creating a danger to others on the road.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Virginia include:
- Fatigued drivers that have been on the road too long without a break.
- Drivers who use alcohol or drugs, especially stimulants to help them stay awake longer.
- Aggressive driving among truck drivers who are attempting to meet a deadline.
- Missing safety equipment including the absence of lights, reflectors, or other warning devices.
- Poorly maintained trucks that compromise tires or brakes.
Damages in a Virginia Truck Accident
Getting the appropriate medical care after a truck accident is vital to protecting your health, but this can also lead to having a mountain of unpaid medical bills. The stress over these bills can often lead an accident victim to accept a settlement offer that is entirely too low and completely unfair. It’s important to remember that an insurance company wants to close the case for as little as possible and have you sign a piece of paper releasing it from further liability.
If you were involved in an accident with a truck and it wasn’t your fault, you have the right to ask for compensation from the responsible parties. Some of the types of compensation you may be eligible for include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
At the Straw Law Firm, we will advocate for your right to recover damages from those responsible for your injuries. We provide personalized and aggressive representation to clients whose lives have been changed by these catastrophic events.
Who is Responsible in a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident cases are not simple matters. These involve different regulations than those that apply to a passenger vehicle and the parties responsible can also vary. It is essential that you have an attorney in your corner who understands these complex rules. For example, a violation of a safety law by a trucking company or a truck driver can result in a special type of liability.
Few truck drivers or trucking companies are going to be 100% cooperative when there is a serious accident. Some of these parties are shady, have deep pockets, or both, and will do everything possible to hide or destroy evidence so that you can’t prove your case.
When you’ve been injured in a crash with a commercial truck, there can be several different parties responsible. The obvious one is the other driver, but the trucking company is also a possibility. Others that could have potential liability include parts manufacturers, materials loaders, and a designated maintenance company. These are issues that you can and should discuss with your attorney as quickly as possible after the crash.
How Much Does a Trucking Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many people are reluctant to hire an attorney out of fear of the legal costs. At the Straw Law Firm, we take all our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that your attorney will not be paid unless you win your case or settle outside of court. This allows you to have the competent legal representation you need without having to put yourself in further financial jeopardy during a difficult time.
Contact an Experienced Virginia Truck Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love was in an accident with a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, this is likely to be an overwhelming and difficult time. If a fatality or serious injury resulted, handling the resulting complicated legal matters just adds to the stress of an already tough situation. At the Straw Law Firm, we can take this burden off your shoulders as we provide representation and support to you and your loved ones.
In a serious case like this, you deserve to know your rights and get an estimate of the damages that you may be due. Contact our Lynchburg area office now at (434) 595-3581 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
