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Chesapeake Trucking Accident Lawyer
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In 2023, the DMV of Virginia reported over 2,847 large truck crashes, which resulted in 49 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Chesapeake is the third largest city in Virginia and home to several important roadways. In Chesapeake alone, there are thousands of motor vehicle accidents across all categories each year, most of which occurred near intersections and major highways. No matter if you were driving on a rural road such as the dangerous Shillelagh Road or on major highways like the Chesapeake Expressway or I-664, truck accidents can occur at any moment. After you’ve been injured in a car or motorcycle accident involving a truck driver, their insurance company will use clever tactics to try and pay you the lowest possible amount, no matter how severe your injuries or significant your expenses. Despite how friendly they might try to sound, they are not going to advocate for you. You need an experienced Chesapeake truck accident lawyer on your side. If you or a loved one have been affected by a truck accident in the Chesapeake area, the attorneys at Montagna Law are ready to help you. Contact our law firm today by calling 877-622-8100 or complete the online contact form to request a free consultation.
Work With Montagna Law’s Chesapeake Truck Accident Attorneys
When working with a Chesapeake truck accident lawyer at Montagna Law, you will never have to worry about a lack of communication. Our attorneys will provide you with one-on-one personalized attention. From the very first meeting with your attorney, you will notice just how simple it is to get in contact with us.
Our truck accident attorneys truly care about getting to know you and your case so that we can position you to win the highest compensation possible. We take your injury claim seriously and understand how truck accident injuries can be devastating to you and your life. Injuries sustained in a truck collision can severely affect your quality of life, your emotional and physical health, and your ability to return to work and make a living.
When you work with our law office, we keep your focus on restoring your health following your accident without weighing you down with the stress of the case. We take the burden off you but also keep you involved in the case so you never feel like decisions are being made without your confirmation. Also, we work on a contingency fee basis with a zero-dollar, no-obligation consultation policy.
Where We Are Located
Our Chesapeake personal injury office is located at 425 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510 near the Norfolk Scope Arena on the same block as the Granby Theater. Call our office at 877-622-8100 or visit our office to speak with one of our attorneys.
Types of Chesapeake Truck Accidents We Handle
- Jackknifing accidents
- Roll-over accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Head-on accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Blind spot accidents
What Types of Injuries Are Most Common with Truck Accidents in Chesapeake?
Sadly, auto accidents that also involve a big rig often leave accident victims with serious injuries. If you were involved in a truck accident, it is vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the crash so your provider can evaluate your condition and look for potentially hidden injuries.
- Fractures and broken bones: Victims of motor vehicle collisions often suffer from fractures or broken bones in their hands, feet, ribs, and other areas that might not be detected right away.
- Spine injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis for victims of truck accidents.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Victims who suffer TBIs experience life-altering changes of varying degrees, depending upon the extent of the injury. Days, weeks, or even months could pass before the full impact of a TBI is realized.
- Internal organ damage: The impact of a crash involving a heavy truck can seriously damage internal organs, compromising the victim’s health.
- Wrongful death: Victims of truck accidents are ten times more likely to experience wrongful death when compared to those involved in auto accidents because the weight of trucks tragically creates a very powerful impact.
Life after a truck collision can be a difficult time, especially knowing the cause of the crash was, in many cases, preventable.
How Can a Chesapeake Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
- Investigating your accident: Our legal team will conduct a thorough investigation. We will gather evidence such as the police report and truck maintenance records, which an individual may have a more challenging time receiving if they file a claim without legal help.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: In a regular car accident, insurance companies can be a nightmare to communicate with. When your injuries are due to a truck accident, the process can be even worse, as trucking companies will have their own set of attorneys and likely their own insurance adjusters. If you decide to hire an attorney, all communications and negotiations from the insurance company regarding your case will go through your attorney.
- Proving liability: Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, such as drivers, trucking companies, or manufacturers. Knowing which party is liable will be paramount for your case. An experienced attorney at Montagna Law will be able to identify the responsible parties and work to prove liability.
- Calculating damages: Our legal team will assess your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering to determine the compensation you deserve.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Chesapeake?
Under § 8.01-243, the Commonwealth of Virginia stipulates you must file a claim within two years from the date of the accident. The time for this statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident for injuries and, for a wrongful death case, on the date the victim died.
Even if you think you may have missed the statute of limitations, consult a personal injury lawyer because this rule has some exceptions.
What Types of Compensation are Available for Truck Accident Injuries?
In personal injury cases, there are typically two categories of damage: economic and non-economic. Victims who suffer serious injuries are often able to pursue both in crashes involving big rigs or other commercial truck accidents.
- Economic damages: Easily calculable losses such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of future wages, therapy, surgery, and damage to a car are referred to as economic damages. When losses go beyond insurance coverage, in Virginia, victims are permitted to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver or another responsible third party.
- Non-economic damages: These damages are losses in which an exact price is not easily identifiable, such as pain and suffering. The trauma truck accident victims suffer is not always measurable.
When putting together a car accident case, skilled car accident lawyers who know Virginia law and have negotiation and litigation skills can help victims recover the most compensation possible.
Trucking Accident Settlement Results
At Montagna Law, our track record speaks for itself. We have successfully secured substantial settlements and verdicts for our Chesapeake clients, reflecting our dedication and experience. Our commitment to client satisfaction is unwavering, as evidenced by numerous positive testimonials and recognitions.
See Recent Case Studies:
- $900,000 for our client after being hit by a tractor-trailer
- $450,000 after a tractor-trailer rear-ended our client’s car, pushing it into the vehicle in front of them
Testimonials
“My experience from beginning to end was extremely smooth. From the sweet voice of Grace to the firm handshake from John, all made me feel secure in knowing that I made the best choice of hiring Montagna Law to represent me. You will not regret their service.” – Constance H.
“They really came through for me They represented me well and we had a positive result. Incredible firm with fantastic legal aids thank you so much, Katy!” – Wessie P.
“I have been a client of Montagna Law since 2014. Because the customer service is exceptional, I have established a rapport with everyone in the office. As a customer for 8 years, it is noted that this firm goes above and beyond for the clients.” – Eric E.
Do Not Be Intimidated Into a Low Settlement
Chesapeake is a suburban city with many rural areas. Due to this landscape, many large vehicles, such as commercial trucks and farm tractors, pose a high risk to cars, motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Driving in Chesapeake can introduce you to several unfamiliar landscapes that can threaten your safety. If you are in a serious accident, the personal injury attorneys at Montagna Law will fight ruthlessly for you.
Montagna Law is a recognized injury law firm in Chesapeake. With over 50 years of helping clients in Hampton Roads recover the maximum compensation for their truck accident cases and other injury-related practice areas, we have a proven track record. Our Chesapeake attorneys move aggressively to see negligent parties held financially responsible for your lost quality of life, pain and suffering, physical impairment, lost wages, future earnings, and medical expenses. Call us today for a free consultation* at 877-622-8100 or via our online contact form. Our lawyers also provide support to victims of trucking accidents in Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.
*We have a free, no-obligation consultation policy. You do not pay us a dime unless we win your case. Our fees are recovered from the money awarded to you when we win. You will not owe us a thing until we have reached a settlement or judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have been in a car accident before, you might assume that a truck accident claim proceeds in a similar fashion. However, the average commercial freight truck weighs about 80,000 pounds or more, 20 times the weight of a passenger car. As a general rule of thumb, due to the sheer size of most trucks, victims tend to suffer more severe injuries and fatalities, creating a more complex and expensive claim. Truck accidents often involve complex medical evidence and high-pressure insurance tactics that make them much more challenging than conventional auto accidents. For example, carrier companies and their insurance providers are well aware of how high the stakes can be in a truck accident case. They are prepared to defend aggressively. Our experienced Chesapeake truck accident lawyers are committed to protecting your interests and leveling the playing field.
- Whether or not your truck accident claim recovers maximum damages depends on a few factors: The presence of negligence
- The party deemed at fault for the accident
- The extent of the damage
- The gravity of the accident
The legal guidance of a truck accident attorney is critical to seeking a claim. Truck drivers must maintain a strict level of on-the-road awareness. More so, under regulations set by the FMCSA, truck drivers must follow these rules while on duty:
- Maintaining a log of hours driven
- Driving no more than 10 hours per day
- Documenting rest and service breaks
- Non-use of drugs or alcohol
- Precise cargo loading
- Adhering to legal service and maintenance requirements
Gathering information to verify that the driver failed to meet these objectives or was negligent in another manner requires legal insight in many situations. Further, your ability to file a truck accident claim requires identifying all parties potentially responsible. Other potential at-fault parties may include:
- Commercial vehicle manufacturers
- Trucking Companies
- Cargo owners
- Local government in situations where poor road design, lack of signage, and other problematic issues exist
Under § 8.01-243, the Commonwealth of Virginia stipulates you must file a claim within two years from the date of the accident. The time for this statute of limitations begins on the date of the accident for injuries and, for a wrongful death case, on the date the victim died. Even if you think you may have missed the statute of limitations, consult a personal injury lawyer because this rule has some exceptions.
Most motor vehicle accidents involve negligence, recklessness, and other types of human errors. Sadly, this means many truck accidents occurring in Chesapeake and the greater Hampton Roads area are entirely preventable if drivers take due care.
- Reckless driving: Reckless driving includes behaviors such as DUI, speeding, illegal passing, and tailgating.
- Road hazards: Chesapeake road hazards may include ongoing construction, confusing traffic signals, unexpected detours, and other dangers, such as potholes.
- Inadequate maintenance: Poorly maintained trucks increase the possibility of equipment failure and/or manufacturer defects.
- Weather conditions: Hazardous driving conditions due to heavy rains, winds, and ice may warrant not driving or driving cautiously.
- Improper lane changing: Improper lane changing to skirt in and out of traffic creates unsafe road situations.
- Poor cargo loading: Improperly loaded cargo creates dangerous situations where cargo spills onto the roadway.
- Unrealistic time constraints: Unrealistic time constraints on drivers may cause them to speed and/or break federal rules. Fatigued drivers are often dangerous drivers.
Written By Jon Montagna
Jon Montagna received a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from American University in Washington D.C. and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1999. Jon practices law in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area, focusing on personal injury, family law, workers’ compensation, and more. Jon Montagna focuses on serving and achieving favorable results for his clients.
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