More than 11 million trucks are operating actively across the United States. Each day, truckers load their vehicles up for the long haul. Too often, these drivers are overworked and hauling hazardous materials. It takes just one overly tired, distracted trucker to change your life instantly.
RECOVERING COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURIES AND ANGUISH AFTER AN ACCIDENT THAT WASN’T YOUR FAULT
If you’ve been seriously injured in a Virginia tractor-trailer crash, we recommend contacting a Virginia truck accident lawyer for a free consultation. Commercial trucking companies and their insurance have tremendous financial resources and will do everything they can to avoid liability after an accident. Contact Virginia personal injury lawyer Richard Serpe to level the playing field to protect your right to the financial recovery and justice you deserve.
VIRGINIA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Richard Serpe is a highly-skilled attorney with meticulous preparation and presentation. Mr. Serpe is frequently associated with complex litigation, managing cases with difficult scientific and medical issues. He has experience managing large case cohorts, including the extensive use of database and litigation support software. Richard Serpe has a tremendous track record of success in obtaining favorable verdicts and settlements for his clients.
Awards and Recognition: Best Lawyers® : (2005 – Present), Super Lawyer : (2006 – Present), Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent Rating, and Avvo.com: Rated 10/10 – “Superb.”
COMMERCIAL TRUCKING ACCIDENT CASES ARE COMPLEX
Virginia truck accident cases can get incredibly complicated. That’s because there are often multiple parties liable for the accident.
For example, if an accident was caused by a poorly-maintained truck, the driver may be responsible for not doing their due diligence before getting behind the wheel. The company that manufactures the truck might also be to blame, especially if there is a history of maintenance issues with that particular make or model. The trucking company that employs the driver may also share some of the accident’s liability. These parties hold their insurance coverage, so seeking compensation can become complicated.
SERIOUS INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH
Of course, truck accidents also result in severe injuries and even wrongful deaths. Victims may suffer lifelong spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limb, or other debilitating wounds. This further complicates the issue of seeking compensation, as it may be difficult to predict how the injuries may impact the rest of your life.
HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP
Here are a few ways a Virginia truck accident attorney can use their legal education, experience, and expertise to protect your right to compensation:
- Investigate your accident and determine the potential value of your personal injury claim
- Protect you from abusive insurance company tactics and costly mistakes
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a favorable financial recovery
- File a lawsuit if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement
If you or your loved one has been injured in a Virginia truck accident, contact us to discuss your situation. We offer free consultations and do not charge legal fees unless we settle or win your case.
COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Truck Accidents Caused by Alcohol & Drugs
While we assume most trucking accidents are just that – accidental – the reality is that many such collisions could have been prevented. When truck drivers choose to drink or take drugs behind the wheel, their driving inevitably suffers. Given that even certain prescription medications can impact a person’s motor skills significantly, it’s no surprise that a large percentage of truck crashes are caused by drivers under the influence.
Trucking companies have taken efforts to prevent these behaviors, frequently testing their drivers for drugs in their systems. Unfortunately, there are ways of getting around such tests.
When this kind of recklessness results in an accident, the damage can be deadly. No accident victim should be left burdened by the fallout of a drunk or drugged driver’s mistakes. Personal injury claims can help survivors recover after such a collision.
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Accidents
Tractor trailers often weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Drivers who are eager to make their deadlines sometimes travel at high speeds to reach their destinations on time. This combination can be deadly, as heavy trucks traveling at high speeds are more prone to rollovers. These accidents occur when loads are unevenly distributed on the truck, when a driver turns a corner too suddenly, or anytime a driver is distracted.
The resulting crash can be serious. Depending on the material being transported, spills onto the highway can clog roadways and even up the chances of someone sustaining a serious or fatal injury. When this happens, it’s critical to speak with a Virginia truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Nobody should be forced to pay for things like medical bills or lost wages – that’s the responsibility of the person or company who caused the accident.
Truck Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become an epidemic over the last decade. Given our reliance on our smartphones for everything we do, it’s no wonder so many drivers find themselves tempted by their devices. Truck drivers are held to strict standards when it comes to cell phone use. They’re allowed to use their phones, but must do so while utilizing hands-free technology. Fines and disqualification await those who break these rules.
Unfortunately, though, rules and the threat of fines aren’t always enough to disincentivize distracted driving. Truckers who take their eyes off the road for mere seconds can cause life-threatening accidents. In fact, research shows that truck drivers who text while operating a vehicle are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a “safety-critical” event, like a collision.
Rear-End Truck Collisions
It’s essential for motorists to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicles ahead. This is doubly true for truck drivers. Given the weight of their trucks and cargo, they need more time to come to a stop than other kinds of vehicles might.
When road conditions are bad, following distance becomes even more important. Whether due to traffic, weather conditions, or other disruptions in the road, trucks must constantly adjust their following distance to prevent rear-end collisions. Should they fail to pay adequate attention, accidents are inevitable. Reckless, risky choices behind the wheel can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities.
Tire & Brake Failure Accidents
When truck drivers fail to adequately maintain their vehicles, though, the consequences can be deadly. According to the Department of Transportation, just under a third of all truck accidents involve brake failure. Though these may seem like unforeseeable accidents, truck drivers and the companies they work for are required by law to maintain their vehicles to reduce the risk of such collisions.
Truck companies and their drivers are held to high safety standards for a reason; when their vehicles fail on the road, they risk the lives of every motorist around them. Given the extensive wear-and-tear of the trucking industry, damaged and worn down tires are all too common. When tire or brake failure results in an accident, the victims may have a personal injury claim.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (DEADLINES)
In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, Virginia provides a two-year deadline, also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances may apply that can alter that deadline.
Once the statute of limitations has passed, you will never again be allowed to ask for compensation related to your accident and injuries. Consider contacting a Virginia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
CONTACT A VIRGINIA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you or your loved was injured in a Virginia truck accident, contact the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC for a free consultation. Call or text us anytime at (757) 233-0009 to get started.
