Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer

Q: What Are the Common Types of Trucking Accidents in Virginia?

The six most common types of trucking accidents in Virginia include rear-end collisions, side-impact (T-bone) accidents, head-on collisions, underride accidents, jackknife accidents, and multi-car pileups. Each type of accident can result in severe injuries, and victims may be entitled to compensation. Contact Regan Zambri Long’s Virginia truck accident attorneys to start your claim.

Q: How Do I Prevent a Truck Accident Injury?

To prevent truck accident injuries, avoid a truck’s blind spots, create space between your vehicle and trucks, remain calm and avoid road rage, wear your seat belt, and stay attentive. These steps reduce the risk of accidents. If you're involved in a truck accident, Regan Zambri Long’s attorneys can protect your rights.

Q: How Does VA’s Contributory Negligence Law Affect My Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Virginia follows contributory negligence law, meaning if you are found even partially at fault for a truck accident, you cannot recover compensation. To protect yourself against false negligence claims, having an experienced attorney like those at Regan Zambri Long is crucial.

Q: What is the Statute of Limitations on a Virginia Truck Accident?

In Virginia, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim for a truck accident. During this time, an attorney will investigate your case, gather evidence, and consult medical experts to determine your claim's value. Contact Regan Zambri Long to ensure your rights are protected.

When you need a tenacious Virginia truck accident lawyer to take on powerful trucking companies, Regan Zambri Long fights relentlessly for accident victims. Getting into a trucking accident with these massive commercial vehicles can turn your life upside down in seconds, causing catastrophic injuries or death due to their overwhelming size and force. The trucking industry’s demanding schedules and driver fatigue create deadly risks on Virginia’s roads – but we hold them accountable.

Don’t let truck companies deny you compensation. Our seasoned Virginia attorneys bring decades of experience battling insurance companies and corporate legal teams. We investigate every detail of your injury claim and aggressively pursue maximum damages for our clients. Contact Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation and discover how we can champion your fight for justice.

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Why You Need a Virginia Truck Accident Attorney

The United States had more than 5,000 truck accidents in 2022. When these accidents occur, trucking companies hire powerful insurance companies to negotiate settlements on their behalf and keep costs low. Injured victims may be offered lowball settlements that won’t even pay the property damage from the trucking accident.

Virginia truck crashes require victims to prove negligence–that they were owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached, and that the breach directly caused the accident and their injuries. Even if it seems clear the driver caused the accident, it can be tough to show who is responsible for truck accident injuries and losses.

$77M Wrongful Death Settlement

$20M Brain Injury Verdict

$19.5M Wrongful Death Verdict

$16M Premises Liability Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Verdict

$15M Medical Malpractice Settlement

$14M Personal Injury Settlement

$14M Car Accident Settlement

See Many More

If you are injured in a Virginia accident, you need an injury lawyer who understands truck accident laws and has worked with trucking companies and insurance carriers. This experience ensures that you get justice for you and your family.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Virginia

Virginia has six major highways that span over 1,000 miles. Besides a few exceptions regarding toll roads, tunnels, and HOV lanes on I-64 and I-264, commercial trucks have free rein on the Virginia highways. The Virginia Department of Transportation reported nearly 3,000 crashes involving large trucks in 2022.

Many factors can cause accidents. Inclement weather, poorly maintained roadways, driver impairment, and faulty trucks can all contribute to a disastrous accident.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the following are the main causes of truck accidents in Virginia:

Mechanical failure: Mechanical failure, particularly brake failure, is the single highest cause of accidents in Virginia, making up 29 percent of crashes. Tire problems, like tire blowouts, account for 6 percent of truck accidents.
Speeding: A tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when carrying cargo. A driver has to know how to handle the weight and size of the vehicle not only when driving but, even more importantly, when stopping. If the truck driver is moving too fast, it is extremely difficult to brake quickly. Of truck accidents in 2019, 29 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were killed were in head-on collisions with a truck, while another 24 percent of vehicles were side-struck by a commercial truck.
Unfamiliarity/roadway problems: Many drivers involved in accidents are navigating the Virginia roadways for the first time. If there is a sudden, unexpected curve or the roadways are not properly maintained, the truck driver may be unable to correct the vehicle in time, leading to a crash.
Alcohol/drug impairment: truck driver impairment makes up 17 percent of accidents. Driving with a high blood alcohol content slows down reaction times, causes poor or double vision, and can even cause the driver to fall asleep at the wheel.
Driver fatigue: Though there are strict regulations regarding how long a truck driver can be on duty, many companies pressure their drivers to forego the laws to speed up deliveries and increase profits. Driving while drowsy increases the driver’s chances of highway hypnosis and falling asleep at the wheel.
Distracted/reckless driving: Unfortunately, reckless driving is becoming the norm in Virginia and the United States. Talking on the phone, fiddling with a navigation system, or texting while driving is commonplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention likens looking at a text message for five seconds to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Distracted driving is reckless and deadly.
Cargo shifts/falling cargo: If cargo is not properly secured in the truck, it can shift during the ride and cause the truck to roll over. Many Virginia truck accidents occur due to falling cargo either hitting a vehicle or creating a sudden hazard in the road that is unavoidable for a passenger vehicle.

Truck accidents are devastating for victims and families. When a trucker or trucking company is negligent, you should not have to bear the financial burden. Call Regan Zambri Long for a free truck accident case evaluation and let our VA truck accident lawyer seek compensation on your behalf.

Liability in a Truck Accident Claims in Virginia

Truck accident claims can be complicated. After investigating the accident to determine what kind of violation caused it, your VA truck accident attorney will need to determine who is liable. In some truck accident cases, truck accidents are caused by multiple parties, including:

The truck driver
The trucking company
The truck or part manufacturer
Cargo loaders
The government or entity responsible for maintaining the road

Proving negligence and liability can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Call Regan Zambri Long today, and let our Virginia accident attorneys investigate your truck accident case.

Compensation in VA Trucking Accidents

After we determine the responsible parties, Regan Zambri Long will hold them accountable for all your economic and non-economic damages, including:

Current and future medical bills
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death
Loss of consortium

Trucking accidents are often catastrophic for victims and their families. You should not be forced to shoulder the financial burden after your Virginia accident. Call Regan Zambri Long today and let us recover financial compensation for you.

Virginia Truck Accidents and Catastrophic Injuries

Most deaths in Virginia truck accidents are the occupants of passenger vehicles. In a 2019 study, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that in truck accidents that involved both a truck and a passenger car, the occupants in the passenger vehicle were 29 times more likely to be killed. For the victims that survive a truck crash, the injuries are usually catastrophic, leaving the victim permanently debilitated. Some common catastrophic injuries include:

Spinal cord injuries are damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal cord. According to the Christopher Reeve Foundation, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injury. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, leaving the victim incapable of returning to work or resuming their normal activities. Family members often have to step in to help care for the victim, which may also require them to take a leave of absence or leave work altogether.

Truck accident victims are also very likely to sustain traumatic brain injuries, which can take years to recover from if recovery is possible at all. Like severe Spinal cord injuries can have life-altering consequences, and it’s crucial to seek legal help to secure the compensation you deserve., traumatic brain injuries can leave the victim permanently debilitated, needing round-the-clock care. Other common injuries include:

Broken bones/fractures
Neck and back injuries
Whiplash
Lacerations
Rib and torso injuries

No one can anticipate a catastrophic truck accident. The financial fallout for victims and their families can be impossible to navigate. Regan Zambri Long’s truck accident lawyer can help. Our Virginia catastrophic injury lawyers are prepared to go to battle for you and your family in the courtroom to make sure that you are not burdened with crippling financial debt on top of dealing with the aftermath of the truck wreck.

Regan Zambri Long’s truck accident lawyers have helped countless victims, securing maximum compensation for them and their families. Our Virginia accident attorneys handle the legal process so you can focus on physical recovery.

Understanding State and Federal Laws in Virginia Trucking Accidents

Trucking laws and regulations are more stringent than the laws for non-commercial drivers. It is essential to have a Regan Zambri Long Virginia truck accident attorney by your side to help you understand these differences. Our truck accident lawyers are experienced in Virginia’s local and state laws and federal trucking regulations. They will use their knowledge of each law to prove your case and secure maximum compensation for you.

Virginia Trucking Regulations

Virginia trucking laws include restrictions of certain commercial trucks – mainly tractor-trailers – on highways. Certain federal highways in Virginia also prohibit commercial trucks, notably the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, George Washington Memorial Parkway, and the Colonial Parkway. Virginia also implemented the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, a special highway system specifically designated for twin trailer travel and automobile and watercraft carrier trucks. In addition to the trucking route restrictions, Virginia requires truck drivers to obtain a commercial driver’s license.

FMCSA Trucking Regulations

In addition to Virginia’s state laws, there are several federal trucking laws that Virginia and the rest of the United States must adhere to. Anytime these laws and regulations are violated, it is negligence, and you are entitled to compensation. A Virginia truck accident attorney will investigate and hold the party or parties liable for the injuries and property damage they caused. The FMCSA trucking regulations include:

Hours of Service: This regulation specifies the maximum number of consecutive hours truck drivers are allowed to operate a commercial vehicle. It also determines the number and length of rest periods truck drivers must take while they are on duty to ensure they stay awake and alert during the trip. Truck drivers must stop driving for the day after 14 consecutive hours of driving and take at least a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.

Electronic Logging Devices: Electronic logging devices are designed to track truck drivers’ service hours. All commercial vehicles must have one in place at all times to ensure the driver and trucking company comply with the hours of service regulations.

Medical exams: A commercial truck driver must undergo a Department of Transportation physical examination to determine if he or she is physically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. An FMCSA-approved medical examiner on the National Registry must conduct the exam.

Background checks: Trucking companies must conduct background checks on potential employees to check for traffic and driving violations and criminal records.

Cargo securement rules: Since many truck accidents occur because of unsecured cargo, this regulation, implemented in 2004, requires carriers to increase the number of tie-downs and make sure proper cargo securement is used during each trip.

Entry-level driver training: The FMCSA sets the baseline requirements for entry-level truck drivers. All new drivers must take the mandated courses taught by an FMCSA-approved trainer, including how to brake and handle the weight of a commercial vehicle properly.

Vehicle Maintenance: All vehicles must be routinely inspected, repaired, and maintained with the parts and truck accessories in proper condition. Pushout windows, emergency doors, and lights must be inspected every 90 days.

Virginia trucking accidents are often caused by negligence. Although trucking companies may deny liability and compensation for all your losses. You need an injury lawyer if you or a loved one are injured. Schedule your free case evaluation with Regan Zambri Long to begin claiming for your truck accident cases.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Truck Accidents

What Are The Common Types of Trucking Accidents in Virginia?

The six most common types of truck accidents are:

Rear-end collisions occur when a passenger car slams into the back of a truck.
Side impact truck accidents, or T-bone or broadside accidents, occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another.
Head-on truck accidents happen when a truck and another vehicle collide while moving toward one another. Many result in a wrongful death.
Underride truck accidents occur when passenger cars slide under the side or back of a tractor-trailer or other large truck. They are catastrophic for the car’s passengers.
Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the tractor. These crashes often cause multi-car accidents.

Anytime you are involved in a VA truck wreck and seek compensation, call Regan Zambri Long’s Virginia truck accident attorneys today to take the first step toward justice.

How Do I Prevent a Truck Accident Injury?

You can take several safety measures to prevent getting into an accident with a tractor-trailer or commercial truck, as well as steps to take to prevent severe injuries if you are involved in an accident. To avoid an accident with a commercial truck, you should:

Avoid the truck’s blind spots: Trucks have very large blind spots. A general rule to follow is that if you cannot see the driver in the truck’s side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you. When you pass a truck, always do so to the driver’s left. Pass as quickly as possible and create distance between you and the truck.
Create space: Since commercial trucks carrying cargo are extremely heavy, it is difficult for them to slow down quickly. Always leave ample space between your vehicle and the truck while driving, changing lanes, or merging. This way, if traffic comes to a stop or you have to stop suddenly, the truck has plenty of time to slow down before reaching your vehicle.
Remain calm. Be patient with others. Road rage can be deadly, no matter what types of vehicles are involved. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your next destination so you’re not in a rush, and always remember: We’re all just trying to get to our destinations as safely as possible.
Wear your seat belt and pay attention: Seat Belts can be the difference between life and death. Pay attention to the road, and don’t let yourself get distracted. Get plenty of sleep the night before, especially if you’re making a long trip.

While you are not responsible for a truck driver’s negligence, the unfortunate reality is that trucking companies will likely try to claim you share responsibility and don’t require compensation. Regan Zambri Long will protect you from false claims. Schedule your consultation today to make sure your rights are protected.

How Does VA’s Contributory Negligence Law Affect My Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Virginia is one of only five jurisdictions that still practices contributory negligence. Contributory negligence means that if you are found to have any fault in the truck accident, even one percent, you cannot seek compensation. Having a Regan Zambri Long truck accident lawyer by your side is essential to protect you from false negligence claims. Contact one of our leading Virginia truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation to get your truck accident claims started.

What is the Statute of Limitations on a Virginia Truck Accident?

Virginia gives injury victims two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. During these two years, your truck accident attorney will investigate your case, gather evidence to prove liability and consult with medical professionals to understand the fullest physical recovery you can make. They will use this information to value your claim and demand a settlement. If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait. Call Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation.

Our Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

A legal claim following a truck crash can be overwhelming. You do not have to face it alone. Regan Zambri Long has decades of experience in personal injury law in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland. We will work to ensure you recover what you are due. In a recent case, we recovered a wrongful death settlement of $15.2 million for the family of a victim killed in a dump truck accident.

Given the unique nature of truck accidents involving multiple parties and potential state and federal regulation violations, victims need to seek experienced legal help. For over 30 years, the Virginia truck accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have been dedicated to representing truck accident victims with compassion and skill.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596