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According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), truck accidents accounted for nearly 3,000 crashes statewide in a recent year. Of these, over 800 involved injuries, and 60 were fatal. Tragically, the vast majority of all injuries and fatalities from truck accidents affect individuals in passenger vehicles.
If you’ve unexpectedly found yourself included in these statistics, a Warrenton truck accident lawyer at Marks & Harrison can help you seek the compensation you deserve from those to blame. Contact us today to get started with your free initial consultation.
What Makes Truck Accidents More Severe Than Car Accidents?
Truck accidents present a substantial danger to drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles because trucks are so much larger and heavier. Heavy trucks also do much of their travel at highway speeds, which adds to the danger. The sheer velocity and force with which commercial trucks strike passenger vehicles in an accident makes them a far deadlier threat than cars, small trucks, or SUVs.
What Are a Truck’s “No-Zones”?
No-zones are the blind spots near the front, back, and sides of a commercial truck. Truck blind spots are particularly large due to the size of these vehicles, sometimes spanning several lanes in either direction. When truck drivers fail to monitor these no-zones closely, they increase the risk of preventable blind spot truck accidents with other vehicles or pedestrians.
What Types of Trucking Accidents Occur Frequently?
Some of the common types of truck accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife incidents
- Wide turn accidents
- T-bone collisions
- Accidents involving spilled cargo
- Sideswipe accidents
Remember, what might be a relatively minor collision when it involves two passenger vehicles can be far more severe or even deadly when a large truck is involved. Contact our Warrenton truck accident attorney today.
What Are the Common Causes of Warrenton Truck Accidents?
Truck crashes have a variety of potential causes, many of which come down to negligence on the part of drivers or trucking companies. Some of the more common driver-related causes include:
- Failure to check blind spots
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Cargo loading errors
- Driving while fatigued, impaired, or distracted
Trucking companies can also contribute to collisions through lack of driver training, failure to adequately repair or maintain their vehicles, and pushing drivers to break federal regulations.
The cause of a trucking accident can impact the sources of compensation available. A Warrenton trucking accident attorney will help determine who is responsible and fight to hold them accountable.
What Injuries Can Result from a Truck Accident?
Truck accident victims can suffer a wide range of injuries, including:
- Head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal injuries
- Severe bleeding
- Limb loss
- Fatal injuries
The type and severity of injuries can vary based on numerous factors, including the crash speed, type of accident, point of initial impact, and more. With more severe injuries come greater losses you will likely suffer. Your truck accident lawyer can help ensure you pursue the full amount you are owed to cover your injuries and expenses.
Are There Federal Regulations That Trucking Companies Must Follow?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the commercial trucking industry in the United States. It puts strict rules on various aspects of commercial trucking operations, such as:
- Driver work hours
- Safety standards
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Vehicle maintenance
- Hazardous materials transportation
If a truck driver or their employer violates FMCSA regulations and causes a collision, you can hold them accountable for your injuries. A knowledgeable Warrenton truck accident lawyer will understand these laws and can use them to prove liability for the crash and resulting losses.
Who May Be Held At Fault in a Warrenton Truck Accident?
While the truck driver is often the most obvious responsible party in commercial truck accident cases, several other parties could be at fault, too. Other potentially liable parties include:
- Trucking companies
- Cargo loaders
- Truck manufacturers
- Mechanics or repair shops that work on commercial trucks
Your attorney can investigate every aspect of the truck accident to identify all liable parties and options for pursuing compensation.
How Will You Prove Who Is Responsible for the Trucking Accident?
Your Warrenton truck accident attorney will show who is at fault in your truck collision case by evaluating all the evidence related to the crash, including:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Evidence from the accident scene
- Surveillance footage
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Trucking company records
- Data from the truck’s “black box”
What Should I Do If I Have Been in a Truck Accident?
Once you receive appropriate medical care for your truck accident injuries, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney right away. They can review your legal options and help you find the best path forward. They can also handle all third-party communications so you don’t have to deal with the stress or worry about saying things that could damage your case.
Be sure to send any documents you receive from insurance companies, medical providers, or other relevant parties to your lawyer. Beyond that, your job is to focus on your physical healing. Attend all medical appointments as scheduled and follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter while your attorney handles the legal process.
Can I Be Compensated for My Injuries and Damages?
When you work with a skilled truck accident lawyer in Virginia, they can prepare a comprehensive claim seeking fair compensation for the full extent of the harm you suffered. Depending on the circumstances, this could include compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs you incur due to the accident
- Income losses from missed time at work
- Lost future earning capacity due to long-term or permanent injuries
- Subjective losses like pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Virginia?
Virginia Code § 8.01-243 gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit following a truck accident. You should contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible so they can start building your case and handling all procedures in time.
Contact a Warrenton, VA Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a truck crash, you might be facing a lengthy physical recovery, overwhelming medical expenses, stress about missing work, and concern for your future. The team at Marks & Harrison has over a century of experience representing Virginians and recovering the fair compensation they deserve after serious accidents. Our Warrenton truck accident lawyers are prepared to fight for your legal rights, too.
We understand that you might be worried about the cost of legal services adding to your financial burden after an accident. When you retain our attorneys, you’ll only pay us if we recover compensation for you. Let us shoulder your legal burden while you focus on your health.
Contact Warrenton personal injury lawyers Marks & Harrison today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
