Eastern Shore Truck Accident Lawyers
Tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks travel nearly every roadway throughout the United States, transporting goods to and from hundreds of thousands of locations. Though commercial trucks account for a very small percent of total registered vehicles, these behemoths are involved in more fatal crashes than any other type of vehicle.
Truck accidents are extremely complex and require representation from a specially trained and experienced truck accident lawyer capable of handling cases of this magnitude. At Anchor Legal Group, PLLC, our Eastern Shore truck accident lawyers are exceptionally experienced in representing victims of truck accidents, securing hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
What Types of Truck Accident Cases Does Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Handle?
Our skilled Eastern Shore truck accident lawyers have advocated for victims and families in numerous types of truck accidents, including but not limited to:
- Head-on collisions
- Jackknife accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Underride accidents
What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents?
In many cases, the destruction caused by semi-trucks in an accident is considerable and devastating, making what caused the vehicle extremely difficult to determine. According to accident reports, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Blown tires
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drowsy driving
- Equipment or safety system failure
- Failure to yield or stop at lights or intersections
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Inexperienced drivers
- Poor maintenance
- Poorly maintained roads
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe company practices and policies
- Weather
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Truck Accidents?
The size and weight of a fully loaded semi-truck create a massive force of impact during a collision. The truck’s speed during the accident can dramatically increase the impact force, resulting in a 97 percent fatality rate in truck-related accidents. Any survivors suffer catastrophic and life-altering injuries, including but not limited to:
- Amputated and crushed limbs
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Crushed or severed limbs
- Disfigurement
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Nerve damage
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Psychological trauma
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident Injuries?
Determining liability in accidents involving commercial trucks can be especially challenging, as there could be multiple responsible parties, such as:
- Driver: If the truck’s driver engaged in a reckless or intentionally dangerous manner, such as speeding or cutting off other motorists, they could be responsible for the accident.
- Trucking company: The trucking company may be responsible if the driver’s employer owns the truck, which is the case in most truck-related accidents.
- Truck owner: Tractor-trailers are often owned by a third party, who may be responsible if the truck is poorly maintained, does not meet federal safety regulations, or fails inspection.
- Truck manufacturer: When defective parts or safety systems are at fault for the accident, the manufacturer may be responsible, particularly if the company continues to use or market the faulty part after discovering the defects.
Despite the difficulty in determining liability, gathering evidence in commercial truck accidents is typically easier than in car accidents. Evidence and data can be gathered through sources such as:
- Black box data
- Braking data
- Cargo loading manifests
- Driver data, including driving and violation records, cell phone use, breaks, and more
- Dashcam images
- Dispatch instructions
- Driving maneuvers
- Maintenance reports
- Service records
- Speed records
What Should I Do Following a Truck Accident in Eastern Shore?
Gathering evidence following a truck accident can provide powerful information for an accident claim. Unfortunately, the severe injuries caused by truck accidents prevent most victims from gathering their own, and a knowledgeable lawyer and their network of experts and investigators work on their behalf. If possible, you should take the following steps:
- Call the police and report the accident and any injuries.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver but minimize further conversation. What you say can be used against you later.
- Photograph the scene, including vehicle damage, injuries, weather and road conditions, signage, and other contributing factors.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information and a statement regarding the accident.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries are minor. Some internal injuries have delayed symptoms and can be life-threatening if left untreated. You will also need a medical report documenting your injuries for your claim.
- Maintain all medical records, communication, and invoices related to the accident.
- Hire a skilled and experienced truck accident lawyer who understands the complexities of these cases, can negotiate with insurance companies, and seeks maximum compensation.
What Compensation Can I Seek for My Truck Accident Injuries?
Compensation for accidents and injuries in commercial truck accidents is significantly higher than in passenger car accidents due to the severity of injuries and extent of damage and losses. Compensation is based on economic damages, such as medical bills, repairs, and other finite costs, and non-economic damages, such as disfigurement, loss of life enjoyment, pain and suffering, and other intangible losses.
Depending on the circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded if it can be proven the driver intentionally caused the accident by driving behaviors or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Is Virginia’s Statute of Limitations for Filing a Truck Accident Claim?
Virginia’s statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is two years from the date of the accident or death.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
The majority of accidents involving tractor-trailers result in devastating outcomes, including catastrophic injuries, significant financial hardship, and fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured by a commercial truck, our experienced Eastern Shore truck accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, LLC can:
- Investigate the scene of the accident.
- Review police and trucking company reports.
- Collaborate with your medical team to determine your current and future medical needs.
- Prepare and file all necessary documents.
- Consult experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, if applicable.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation.
- Represent you in court should the case proceed to trial.
Accidents involving commercial trucks are often preventable and have life-altering consequences when they do happen. Our Eastern Shore truck accidents at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC have decades of experience representing victims of commercial truck accidents.
Our Eastern Shore Truck Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Help Clients Injured in Tractor-Trailer Collisions
Accidents involving commercial trucks have serious consequences. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, our experienced Eastern Shore truck accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC can help. Call us today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia.
