Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia

Truck accidents are a bigger problem than you might think and have the potential for catastrophic injuries. According to the Virginia Highway Safety Office, 2,981 large truck crashes occurred in 2022, with 60 of those injury cases being fatal. Truck accidents are especially dangerous, considering how much mass is involved. Statistically, these kinds of accidents are much more dangerous than the average car accident, so you will want help navigating the aftermath from a Virginia personal injury attorney with a free case evaluation.

Montagna Law is a Virginia truck accident law firm with offices in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Newport News. We have a long history of protecting our injured clients against insurance companies while recovering compensation for their Virginia truck accident claims. Call us at 877-622-8100 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn how we will put our experience to work for you.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Virginia?

Virginia truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons, and knowing what to look out for can help you avoid bad situations that could lead to injuries. Here are the most common causes of truck accidents that our experienced attorneys have seen time and time again.

Speeding

Traveling too fast on the road presents an array of problems, but the primary issue is safety. Going too fast gives a driver less of a window to avoid a vehicle accident. Plus, the force of an accident is much greater when speeding, which could lead to more serious injuries.

Driving Too Closely

Trucks need more space to stop because they have much more weight behind their momentum than typical passenger vehicles. When a truck is following too closely to the car in front of them, they may not be able to stop in time should the leading car slow down suddenly.

Improper Lane Changes and Turns

Changing lanes and turning can be dangerous in their own right, but trucks are especially susceptible to trouble in these cases. Large trucks may clip other vehicles when making sharp turns with whatever they are hauling in instances where truck drivers are particularly careless.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a problem in all kinds of accidents, but truck drivers who are distracted can cause particularly serious accidents. Given how long truckers spend on the road, they could be trying to change the radio or talking on the phone while driving to alleviate the boredom. The trucking industry’s long hours could also lead to driver fatigue, and driving tired isn’t much different than driving drunk.

Road Conditions

Roadways need to be well-maintained for all vehicles, but trucks can be especially vulnerable to poor road conditions. If a truck loses traction on a bad road, it is much more difficult to regain control compared to a car.

Weather

Certain weather conditions can make it exceptionally dangerous to drive a truck, and that is more a matter of physics than legal advice. For example, trucks may be unable to safely cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel during high winds.

How Virginia Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents

There are some key differences between a truck accident and a car accident, primarily due to the size of the vehicle involved and the various parties that may be liable for damages.

More Serious Injuries and Damages

First, the average commercial freight truck weighs about 80,000 pounds or more, 20 times the weight of a passenger car. As such, truck accidents are more likely to cause severe injuries and fatalities.

Larger Medical Bills

Victims of truck accidents tend to spend much longer in the hospital for their injuries than car accident victims. Injuries sustained after a truck accident can be severe and require intensive medical care and bills. Injuries following a truck accident are often life-altering. Financial damages can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention immense emotional pain and suffering.

Greater Chance of Death

An accident with a large commercial truck is significantly more likely to result in death than a crash involving two cars.

Larger Insurance Policies

Truck drivers’ insurance policies can be up to 50 times larger than car accident insurance policies. Because of this, these insurance companies will do everything they can to prove they are not liable.

As a general rule of thumb, the more serious the resulting injuries, the more complex and expensive the claim. Truck accidents often involve extensive medical evidence and high-pressure insurance tactics that make them much more challenging than conventional auto accidents.

Carrier companies and their insurance providers know how high the stakes can be in a truck accident case and are prepared to defend aggressively. Our experienced Virginia truck accident lawyers are an undeniable asset in protecting your interests and leveling the playing field.

More Potentially Liable Parties

Liability can get complicated in truck accidents. While the truck driver may be liable, liability may also lie with the company that employed the driver or the truck’s manufacturer. Each party has its own insurance policy that may be applicable, so determining liability and how it affects your case can be tricky. Fortunately, a lawyer can help sort this out.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit After a Virginia Truck Accident?

For the most part, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Virginia after a truck accident is two years from the date of the accident, according to personal injury law. If you are filing a wrongful death suit on behalf of a loved one, then the two-year limit begins on the date of death rather than the date of the accident. If the accident victim was an infant, the statute of limitations is extended to five years according to federal regulations.

How Much Compensation Can I Get From A Virginia Truck Accident Claim?

Every truck accident is different, and the amount of compensation a victim can recover depends on the circumstances of the accident, the relevant insurance policies, and the nature of your injuries, among other considerations.

A truck accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our Virginia truck accident lawyers can not only ease the stress and anxiety that is natural in the aftermath of a truck accident but can also determine the at-fault party in the accident and what compensation should come from it.

Generally speaking, the damages available to a victim of a truck accident in Virginia include (but may not be limited to):

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Future loss of earnings
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life
• In the case of wrongful death, burial and funeral expenses

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Virginia

Truck accidents come in many forms throughout Richmond and the rest of Virginia. Here are some of the most common.

Roll-Over

A rollover accident is an instance in which the truck completely rolls over on its side or its roof in some cases.

Jackknife

When a truck jackknifes, it loses control of its trailer. The trailer comes out at an angle from the cab, potentially crossing multiple lanes of traffic and putting motorists at risk.

Wide Turn

Trucks make wide turns, and they can hit other vehicles when making those turns, even if the other vehicles are not moving.

Head-On

A head-on collision involves two vehicles colliding that are moving directly toward each other. These can be especially damaging when they involve a truck, as these accidents can result in personal injuries like traumatic brain injuries.

Rear-End

A truck rear-ends a vehicle when it collides with the rear of another vehicle.

T-Bone

A T-bone accident is one in which the truck collides with the side of another motor vehicle, forming a “T” at the site of impact.

Blind Spot

Big rigs and even dump trucks have several mirrors, but they still have blind spots that can obscure their view of other vehicles, leading to accidents.

Factors That Impact Virginia Truck Accident Claims

Whether or not a truck accident claim is able to recover damages comes down to a few factors: driver negligence, who is deemed at-fault for the accident, the extent of the damage, and the gravity of the accident.

How Does Negligence Impact My Virginia Truck Accident Case?

If you have sustained injuries in a commercial truck accident, proving the accident was a result of negligence is key to the process of recovering maximum compensation for your losses. In truck accidents, negligence can be any behavior or act that may be considered a breach of the truck driver’s duty of care.

Under the regulatory process imparted by the FMCSA, truck drivers are responsible for following certain rules and regulations while on duty, including:

• Maintaining a log of hours driven
• Driving no more than 10 hours per day
• Documenting rest and service breaks
• Abstaining from drugs or alcohol
• Loading cargo precisely
• Adhering to legal service and maintenance requirements

If you are involved in an accident with a truck driver who has failed to follow these regulations, you may be able to prove negligence on their part.

Who is Liable in a Semi Truck Accident in Virginia?

Commercial trucking accidents are litigated differently largely because truck drivers are generally employed by a trucking company. As the employer of the truck driver involved in or who caused the accident, the legal responsibility may fall on the trucking company. Other parties who may be liable in the case of a trucking accident include:

• Commercial vehicle manufacturers
• Vendors used by the trucking company
• Cargo owners
• Local government (in the case of poor road design, lacking signage, etc.)

Determining liability can be tough in a truck accident case, so you may want to hire a truck accident attorney to help. A Virginia personal injury lawyer can communicate with all of the responsible parties involved, including the insurance companies, and fight for your rights as a truck accident victim.

Why You Should Hire Montagna Law for Your Virginia Tractor-Trailer Accident Case

Open and Constant Communication

When you work with the Virginia truck accident lawyers at Montagna Law, you will never have to worry about a lack of communication. From the very first meeting with your attorney, you will notice just how simple it is to get in contact with us. Our attorneys truly care about getting to know you and your case to win the compensation you deserve.

We Will Help You Recover Maximum Compensation

We fight hard and win big. We have won millions of dollars for thousands of clients, helping them to restore their lives following destructive tractor-trailer accidents.

Over 50 Years Of Experience Serving Virginia

Our Virginia truck accident attorneys have decades of experience combating these insurance companies, both in court and out. We know the intricacies that come from truck accident claims and all of the tricks insurance companies will use to prove you are at fault. Let Montagna Law handle the complexities of your truck accident claim and get you the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovering from the traumatic experience.

If you have suffered debilitating personal injuries from a truck accident in Hampton Roads, call Montagna Law. Our truck accident lawyers will move swiftly and aggressively to hold the at-fault parties financially accountable for your lost quality of life, pain and suffering, lost work time and wages, and medical expenses.

Caring, Compassionate, and Knowledgeable

Truck accident injuries can devastate your quality of life, your emotional and physical health, and your ability to return to work and make a living. When you work with Montagna Law, 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. We will always keep you informed about the happenings of your case and the decisions we make on your behalf.

You Don’t Pay Us A Penny Unless We Win Your Case

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we recover fees only after we have reached a settlement or judgment in your favor and the money has been awarded to you. Call today to schedule your free consultation and discuss the details of your case with a skilled Virginia truck accident attorney.

Start the Road to Recovery With Us

At Montagna Law, we take pride in helping people who have had car crashes and truck accidents because we know why it’s important to give people hope after a collision. If you or someone close to you have suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence and you find yourself in need of a Virginia truck accident lawyer, our team is here for you. We will fight to make sure you get the justice that you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with lawyers who have decades of experience, knowledge, and just plain stick-to-itiveness to help you fight for your rights in Hampton Roads.