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Are you experiencing difficulties obtaining the compensation that you deserve? Are you uncertain what to do after your trucking accident? Our Virginia truck accident lawyers can help. We can discuss your truck accident claim and plan your steps forward.
Getting into an accident with a commercial vehicle can leave a victim with devastating injuries. If you or your loved one were involved in a truck accident in Virginia, call Regan Zambri Long PLLC today for a free consultation with our expert Virginia truck accident attorneys.
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Navigating the complexities of a legal claim following a truck crash can be overwhelming. We have decades of experience in personal injury law in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland. 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.
The different factors in Virginia truck accidents such as state laws, local laws, and federal laws, as well as the many parties that could have contributed to the accident occurring, makes truck accident claims very complicated. Our nationally recognized truck accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have over 100 years of combined experience and will determine which party or parties are liable for the accident. After we determine the responsible parties, we will hold them accountable to pay damages for the following:
No stone will be left unturned – we will investigate the driver, the trucking company, the maintenance crew, the cargo loaders, and the truck manufacturers. If we find any fault with these parties, you can rest assured we will seek justice and compensation in court.
Virginia is home to six major highways that span over 1,000 miles throughout the state. What do these highways have in common? They are major trucking routes. Besides a few exceptions regarding toll roads, tunnels, and HOV lanes on I-64 and I-264, commercial trucks have free rein of the Virginia highways.
Many factors can cause truck accidents, some of which can take place days, weeks, or months before the actual crash. Inclement weather, poorly maintained roadways, driver impairment, and faulty trucks can all play a role in a disastrous accident.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the following are the main causes of truck accidents in Virginia:
Most deaths in Virginia truck accidents are the occupants in the passenger vehicle. In a 2019 study, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that in truck accidents that involved both a truck and a regular 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.
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, about one-third of all spinal cord injuries are from motor vehicle accidents. 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.
The truck accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have helped countless clients who were once in your very situation. For those clients, our truck accident attorneys have worked tirelessly to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible so our clients’ sole focus could be on recovery. Now, we want to do the same for you. If you were in a truck accident in Virginia and suffered a spinal cord injury that left you paralyzed, speak to a Regan Zambri Long truck accident attorney today. You and your loved one will be shown the utmost compassion in the conference room and the fiercest defense in the courtroom.
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, traumatic brain injuries can leave the victim permanently debilitated, needing round-the-clock care. Chances are, you and your family were not financially prepared for such a catastrophic event, but that’s where our truck accident lawyers want to step in. Our 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 accident. Call today for a free consultation to speak with one of our truck accident attorneys who can guide you through the claims process for spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or other injuries a victim can sustain from a Virginia truck accident:
Trucking laws and regulations are very different from the laws and rules we follow as drivers of typical passenger vehicles. These differences are one of the many reasons it is essential to have a Regan Zambri Long Virginia truck accident attorney by your side. Our truck accident lawyers are experts in Virginia’s local and state laws, as well as federal trucking laws. They will use their knowledge of each law to prove your case and secure the maximum amount of damages for your injuries.
The Virginia state truck 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. The state of Virginia also implemented the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which is a special highway system specifically designated for twin trailer travel and automobile and watercraft carrier trucks. In addition to the trucking route restrictions, Virginia also requires truck drivers to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
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. It is important to know, if any of these regulations were not being properly practiced at the time of your truck accident, that is considered 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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) trucking laws include:
Hours of Service
This regulation specifies the maximum amount 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 the drivers 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 or ELDs are designed to keep track of truck drivers’ hours of service. All commercial vehicles must have an electronic logging device in the truck at all times to make sure the driver and truck company are complying 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. The exam must be conducted by an FMCSA-approved medical examiner on the National Registry.
Background checks
Trucking companies must do a background check on potential employees to check for traffic violations, driving, and criminal records.
Cargo securement rules
This regulation was implemented in 2004 to prevent cargo shifting inside the truck, or falling off the truck on the road. Since many truck accidents occur because of unsecured cargo, this rule required carriers to increase the number of tiedowns and make sure the proper cargo securement was used during each trip.
Entry-level driver training
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set the baseline requirements for entry-level truck drivers. All new drivers must take the mandated courses taught by an FMCSA-approved trainer, including courses on how to properly brake and handle the weight of a commercial vehicle.
Vehicle Maintenance
All vehicles must be routinely inspected, repaired, and maintained with the parts and truck accessories in proper conditions at all times. Pushout windows, emergency doors, and lights must be inspected every 90 days.
Even if it is clear the truck driver caused the accident – it can still be tough to show who is responsible for injuries and losses. There are many parties who can be held liable. Trucking companies hire powerful insurance companies to negotiate settlements on their behalf and keep costs low. The injured may be offered lowball settlements that won’t even pay the property damage involved in the accident.
Hire a lawyer who understands the truck accident law and has worked with trucking companies and insurance carriers, and knows how to make sure that you get the justice you and your family deserve.
The personal injury lawyers of Regan Zambri Long are experienced in handling truck accident cases and will work to prove who is responsible for your truck injuries. Our lawyers will investigate your accident, build a case to show who is at fault, and prove who is responsible for your severe injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and other losses.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
A: The six most common types of truck accidents are:
A: There are several safety measures you can take 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 getting into an accident with a commercial truck you should:
A: 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. This is why it is essential to have a Regan Zambri Long truck accident lawyer by your side. We will not only work to determine all the parties at fault, but we will also work to prove that you, in no way, contributed to the accident. Contact one of our leading Virginia truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation to get your claim started.
