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Were you injured in a truck accident in the Hopewell area of Virginia? If so, you could be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses you suffered.
The Hopewell, Virginia, truck accident attorneys at the law firm of Marks & Harrison have the necessary knowledge and resources to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation.
How Can Our Hopewell Truck Accident Attorneys Help You?
Truck accidents can be incredibly complex to investigate. You need a solid legal team to represent your interests, defend your rights, provide you with legal advice, and guide you through the claims process.
If you hire our Hopewell truck accident lawyers, we can:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into the truck accident that caused your injuries.
- Move quickly to gather and preserve evidence to support your case. If the trucking company refuses to turn over certain evidence that could demonstrate liability, we won’t hesitate to use the legal system to acquire that evidence.
- Document all your financial expenses and quantify your non-financial losses like pain and suffering.
- Determine liability through the evidence we gather as part of your case, identifying all liable parties involved and potential sources of insurance coverage.
- Negotiate for a settlement with the insurance company on your behalf. If we cannot reach a fair settlement, or if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, we will not hesitate to take legal action.
- Take your case to trial. If necessary, we will file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party on your behalf and present your case before a judge or jury.
Working with an attorney from our law firm can significantly improve your chances of success. Our Hopewell truck accident lawyers are ready to handle every aspect of your case for you so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Hopewell Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are complicated to investigate because, unlike a typical car accident, multiple parties may be at-fault, which means multiple insurance companies to deal with as a result. While it might seem obvious that the truck driver who hit you is liable, other parties could contribute to the accident.
Common liable parties in a truck accident include:
- The driver – Most of the time, truck driver negligence is a factor in truck accidents. Truckers can be negligent in many ways. Distracted driving (such as texting), drunk driving, fatigued driving, speeding, reckless driving, following too closely, and failure to yield are all examples of negligent driving behavior that can cause accidents.
- The trucking company – The trucking company could potentially have liability as well. For example, suppose the trucking company pressured the truck driver to exceed their hours-of-service limit, hired the driver despite a lack of experience, failed to provide proper training, or failed to perform proper maintenance on the truck. In that case, they could be found partly responsible for the crash. If the trucker was an employee, the company would be vicariously liable for the trucker’s negligence.
- The truck’s owner – Sometimes, trucking companies lease their trucks from the truck’s owner. If the owner leased out a defective truck, they could potentially be on the line as well.
- Cargo loaders – If the truck accident occurred due to unsecured cargo, cargo loaders could potentially be held liable. Unsecured cargo can shift in a truck’s trailer, throwing off the truck’s center of gravity. If the truck’s trailer is a flatbed, unsecured cargo can roll off, crashing into cars on the road or triggering wrecks.
- Parts manufacturers – If a defective part caused the crash, such as malfunctioning brakes, the brake manufacturer could potentially be held partly responsible for the crash.
Because it can be difficult to pinpoint all possible liable parties, it is imperative to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney right away.
How Is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident Claim in Hopewell, VA?
Determining fault for a truck accident involves demonstrating that the driver or another party was negligent in a way that led to the accident.
For example, if the driver was distracted because they were talking on the phone before the crash, that could be negligence. Your attorney could use cell phone records, witness statements, or surveillance camera footage to show that the driver was distracted by their phone, which led to the accident.
You will also need to show that you suffered losses due to the accident. For instance, if you broke your arm and incurred medical expenses, that could qualify as a loss.
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What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Truck Crash?
If you were injured in a truck accident, you could qualify to seek compensation for your expenses and other losses. Depending on your situation, you could potentially recover compensation for:
- Present and future medical expenses, including hospital bills, rehabilitative care, surgery, prescription medications, and other medical costs
- Lost wages if you cannot work while you are being treated for your injuries
- Lost earning potential if you are temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to perform the full extent of your typical job duties
- Pain and suffering, including loss of enjoyment of life, physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and PTSD
- Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle
In rare cases, if you can show that the defendant acted maliciously or with a reckless disregard for your safety, then you might be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the liable party and deter future behavior by others.
Virginia Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuits
Victims of a tractor-trailer accident in Virginia have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must do it within this time frame. Otherwise, the court will likely dismiss the case, and you will give up your ability to seek compensation through the legal system. This two-year time frame is known as the Statute of Limitations.
Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in Hopewell, VA Today
If you were involved in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to the Hopewell truck accident lawyers at the law firm of Marks & Harrison. We have extensive experience helping injury victims seek justice, and we are ready to do the same for you. Contact our Hopewell personal injury lawyer today.
Contact us today for a free consultation and analysis of your legal issues.