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Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer

Getting into an accident with a commercial vehicle can leave a victim with devastating or fatal injuries, due to the sheer size snd weight of trucks. 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.

Were You Injured in a Truck Accident in VA?

Are you experiencing difficulties obtaining the compensation that you deserve? Are you uncertain what to do after your trucking accident? Our Virginia personal injury attorneys can help. We can discuss your truck accident claim and plan your steps forward. We will work tirelessly to secure full and fair financial compensation for our clients, dealing with insurance companies and trucking company legal teams. Reach out today for a free case review.

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Our Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

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.

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. Given the unique nature of truck accidents, involving multiple parties and potential state and federal regulation violations, it is essential for victims to seek help from firms with the necessary expertise and resources. Contact Regan Zambri Long Virginia truck accident attorneys to learn more about your legal rights and options.

$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
$14M Personal Injury Settlement
$14M Car Accident Settlement
$11M Med. Malpractice Settlement

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Virginia?

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:

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

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.

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What Causes Truck Accidents in Virginia?

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:

  • Mechanical failure: Mechanical failure, particularly brake failure, is the single highest cause of truck accidents in Virginia, making up 29% of crashes. Tire problems, like tire blowouts, account for 6% of truck accidents.
  • Speeding: A tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when carrying cargo. A driver not only has to know how to handle the weight and size of the vehicle when driving, but even more importantly when stopping. If the truck driver is moving too fast, it is extremely difficult to brake quickly. 29% of passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in a truck accident in 2019 were in head-on collisions with a truck while another 24% of vehicles were side-struck by the commercial truck.
  • Unfamiliarity/roadway problems: Many truck drivers involved in accidents are navigating the Virginia roadways for the first time. If there is a sudden, unexpected curve or if the roadways are not properly maintained, the truck driver may not be able to correct the vehicle in time, leading to a crash.
  • Alcohol/drug impairment: 17% of truck accidents are due to the truck driver’s impairment. 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, distracted driving is becoming the norm in Virginia and across the United States. It is commonplace to talk on the phone, fiddle with a navigation system, or text while driving. 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 rollover. Many Virginia truck accidents occur due to falling cargo either hitting a vehicle, or creating a sudden hazard in the road that is unavoidable to a passenger vehicle.
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Virginia Truck Accidents and Catastrophic Injuries

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:

Understanding Virginia’s State and Federal Trucking Laws

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.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Laws

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.

Why Do I Need a Virginia Truck Accident Attorney?

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.

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Call Our Experienced Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers Today

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Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Truck Accidents

Q: What are the different types of truck accidents in Virginia?

A: The six most common types of truck accidents are:

Q: How do I prevent truck accident injuries?

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:

Q: What is contributory negligence? Will it affect my truck accident claim?

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.

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

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