Washington, DC Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured in a Commercial Truck Accident?

DC residents may not be aware of it, but commercial trucks are part of our everyday lives. On a regular basis we accept deliveries, put our garbage on the curb to be taken away, and get a broken-down car towed every so often, without giving much thought to the risks involved. The DC metro area also happens to border several major trucking routes, including I-395, I-695, and I-295. While commercial trucks are becoming more necessary than ever, unfortunately, they will always pose a significant threat to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians who share the road with them.

If you or your loved one were injured in a commercial truck accident in Washington, DC, a Regan Zambri Long PLLC truck accident lawyer can get you the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have secured millions for truck accident clients, including a $15.2 million settlement for a victim of a dump truck accident.

Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will reach out for a free consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we cover all case costs, so you won’t have to pay unless we win your case.

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Why Choose Regan Zambri Long As Your Washington, DC Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer?

At Regan Zambri Long, we understand the devastating effects a truck accident can have on an individual and a family. Expensive medical bills, extensive property damage, and possible long-term care can send the victim and their family into the throes of extreme financial distress.

In the worst cases, family members have to grieve the loss of a loved one, while trying to manage without their income. With a Regan Zambri Long commercial truck accident lawyer by your side, you will have a legal advocate throughout the entire claims process. Our lawyers have a profound understanding of DC law, federal trucking laws, and various insurance policies.

 

That local and regulatory knowledge is backed by deep professional standing within the Washington, DC legal community. Patrick Regan has been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as a “poster boy for legal ethics and integrity,” while Salvatore Zambri has been described as “one of Washington’s best, most honest and effective lawyers.” Patrick and Salvatore, along with fellow partners Victor Long and Paul Cornoni, have each served as President of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, reflecting the trust and respect they have earned from their peers. Salvatore, Patrick, and Paul are also listed among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, with Salvatore named to the Top 10, and all six partners are recognized nationally among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America.

 

We have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we will relentlessly work to secure the maximum amount of compensation for the accident so you can focus on your recover.

 

What Types of Commercial Trucks Commonly Cause Accidents in Washington, DC?

Commercial Truck at sunset, cargo truck accident lawyer

Washington, DC residents see several types of commercial trucks travel its roads on a daily basis. While each has its own important job in the DC Metro Area, each type of truck also carries individual risk of colliding with another vehicle. The different type of commercial trucks are:

 

Tractor Trailers: These types of trucks are also referred to as semi-trucks, or big rigs. While carrying cargo, tractor trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which makes slowing down extremely difficult. While sharing the road with tractor trailers, drivers should leave plenty of space between their cars and the trucks.

 

18-Wheelers: 18-wheelers are a combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers that carry freight. Like tractor trailers, 18-wheelers can weigh over 20 times the size of a regular car, causing catastrophic damages when they collide.

 

Dump Trucks: Dump trucks can be seen around DC construction sites, carrying rocks and construction material. Though not as big as tractor trailers, dump trucks can cause serious damage when they collide with cars.

 

Garbage Trucks: Garbage trucks and drivers help to keep Washington, DC safe and clean. However, because of the nature of the job, garbage truck drivers frequently make sudden stops and turns. Backing out of driveways and alleyways can cause accidents with vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

 

Tow Trucks: Tow trucks are a relief to most DC residents, towing broken-down vehicles that cannot be moved on their own. Tow trucks can be dangerous because of the places they need to stop in order to do the task they are hired for, like towing a car on a busy DC road or highway. When towing a car, tow trucks far outweigh a typical passenger vehicle and can cause devastating injuries to the passengers in the car.

 

Delivery Trucks: Most of us receive a few parcels of delivery each month, whether it’s groceries, clothes, or household goods. Although increased online shopping has undoubtedly made life easier, an increase in delivery trucks on the roads increase the risk of delivery truck accidents.

 

Moving Trucks: Although moving trucks aren’t as big as tractor trailers, or 18-wheelers, they still have very large blind spots like other commercial trucks. Oftentimes, moving trucks are operated by regular drivers who do not know how to handle the weight and size of the truck, which can increase the potential of an accident.

What Serious Injuries Can Result From a Commercial Truck Accident?

Commercial truck accidents often lead to injuries far more severe than those seen in typical car crashes. The sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles can generate tremendous force on impact, leaving drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians vulnerable to catastrophic harm.

 

In many cases, victims face long-term medical treatment, permanent physical limitations, and significant disruption to their daily lives. Some injuries affect cognitive function and memory, others impair mobility and independence, and many require ongoing rehabilitation and specialized care.

 

Understanding the types of serious injuries that can follow a commercial truck collision is essential when evaluating the full scope of damages and the long-term consequences for victims and their families.

Traumatic Brain Injuries After Commercial Truck Accidents

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are sudden injuries that cause damage to the brain. They are usually a result of a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. Motor vehicle accidents make up nearly 25% of all traumatic brain injuries in the United States. The difference of the weight and size of a commercial truck versus a regular car greatly increases the risk of a TBI for drivers and passengers in cars when they collide with commercial trucks.

Mild traumatic brain injuries can affect the victim’s brain temporarily, causing headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, problems with speech, or loss of balance.

 

More severe traumatic brain injuries can result in torn tissues, brain bleeds, or bruising and cause long-term debilitations and even death.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

It is absolutely essential to seek medical attention following a truck accident in Washington, DC – severe traumatic brain injury symptoms do not always present themselves right away. In fact, symptoms can take a few hours or days to appear after the initial blow.

 

There are several symptoms, both physical and cognitive, to look for following a severe traumatic brain injury. Victims should look for the following:

 

Physical Symptoms

 

  • Loss of consciousness for minutes or hours
  • Headache
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Convulsions
  • Seizures
  • Dilation of one or both pupils
  • Clear fluid coming from the victim’s nose or ears
  • Inability to wake up from sleep
  • Weakness or numbness in fingers or toes
  • Loss of coordination

Cognitive Symptoms

 

  • Confusion
  • Agitation
  • Combativeness
  • Unusual behavior or personality change
  • Slurred speech
  • Coma

Serious Complications and Lasting Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can lead to severe complications that can lead to permanent disabilities. The victim can suffer altered states of consciousness, such as coma or a vegetative state, which is when a person is unaware of their surroundings, but can still open their eyes, make sounds, respond to reflexes, or move. A minimally conscious state can be a sign of recovery for a commercial truck accident victim, displaying signs of minimal awareness.

 

Finally, brain death is when a truck accident victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury has no measurable activity in the brain or brainstem. Most of us know this term as “brain dead,” which is considered irreversible.

 

Other complications traumatic brain injury victims can sustain are:

 

  • Hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain that builds pressure and swelling in the brain)
  • Infections
  • Blood vessel damage
  • Vertigo
  • Facial paralysis
  • Loss or altered sense of smell or taste
  • Loss of vision or double vision
  • Swallowing problems
  • Hearing loss or ringing in the ear
  • Problems with memory, learning, reasoning, judgment, or concentration
  • Functional problems, like difficulty multitasking, organization, planning, and decision-making
  • Communication problems, like difficulty understanding speech, organizing thoughts and ideas, or participating in conversations
  • Behavioral changes, like lack of self-control, lack of awareness, risky behavior, difficulty in social situations, or verbal outbursts
  • Emotional changes like depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and anger
  • Sensory problems like persistent ringing in the ears, blind spots, a bitter taste, skin tingling, pain, or itching

We at Regan Zambri Long understand the long road to recovery you are facing. Traumatic brain injuries do not just affect the victim, but also deeply affect the victim’s family. The medical bills from traumatic brain injuries can send a family into financial ruin. Reach out to a Regan Zambri Long truck accident lawyer as soon as possible – we will work to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.

Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injuries in Commercial Truck Crashes

Spinal cord injuries are common following a truck accident and the second-leading cause of paralysis in the United States. Common types of paralysis are:

 

  • Diplegia: Paralysis that affects multiple limbs or areas on both sides of the body (i.e. both arms or both legs).
  • Hemiplegia: Paralysis that affects multiple limbs or areas on just one side of the body (i.e. your arm and leg on the same side of the body).
  • Monoplegia: Paralysis of only one limb.
  • Paraplegia: Paralysis that affects both legs and sometimes the torso.
  • Quadriplegia (tetraplegia): Paralysis that affects all limbs. Victims of quadriplegia have little to no movement from the neck down.

Symptoms of paralysis can range from weakness in the muscles to balance problems, and difficulty speaking or eating. A number of physical complications can arise from paralysis including blood clots, pneumonia, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, bedsores, and sepsisParalysis accident victims also face emotional trauma and can suffer depression and anxiety following the accident.

 

If you or your loved one suffered a serious spinal cord injury from a commercial truck accident in Washington, DC, a Regan Zambri Long commercial truck accident lawyer can work to recover damages for:

 

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment

There is no need to go through this alone. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation with a compassionate lawyer who will discuss all legal options for you and your family moving forward.

Other Injuries Suffered in Commercial Truck Accidents

While traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries may be two of the most severe outcomes of a commercial truck accident, victims can also sustain several other types of injuries. Speak with a Regan Zambri Long commercial truck accident lawyer today if you or your loved one suffered the following injuries from an accident:

 

  • Broken bones or fractures
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Rib and torso injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Seatbelt injuries
  • Whiplash
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Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Truck Accidents in Washington, DC

Can I make a claim on behalf of a family member who died in a commercial truck accident?

A: Yes. When a family member makes a claim on behalf of the deceased it is called a wrongful death claim. When family members are faced with a sudden death as a result of a negligent act, they have rights to compensation. The Regan Zambri Long commercial truck accident attorneys will work to secure compensation for the medical costs incurred trying to save your loved one, funeral costs, and loss of consortium, which is when a family member is deprived of the benefits of a family relationship. If you lost your loved one in a DC commercial truck accident, reach out to a Regan Zambri Long lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss your next steps.

Yes. While passenger vehicles have to follow state laws, commercial truckers have to follow state and federal regulations. This is why it is essential to have a Regan Zambri Long commercial truck accident attorney by your side – our attorneys are experts in both DC and federal law and will use their knowledge to secure the highest amount of compensation possible for your claim. The regulations commercial truck drivers have to follow are:

 

  • Keeping a log of their hours of service, which is limited to a 14-hour driving window. Once that limit is reached, the driver must stop for the day.
  • Commercial trucking companies must properly maintain their trucks, ensuring they are in pristine condition before sending them out on the road.
  • Electronic logging devices must be in every commercial truck to make sure the drivers are adhering to the hours of service regulations.
  • Commercial trucks must travel only on the designated truck routes within DC.
  • Trucks must be within the size and weight capacity allowed in DC.
  • All entry-level drivers must be properly trained before they are allowed to make solo trips.
  • Cargo must be properly loaded in order to avoid cargo from falling off the trailer, or causing the truck to roll over.

In 2025, large tractor trailers and trucks were involved in 130 accidents in Washington, DC, resulting in 65 injuries. In 2017 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported over 300,000 reported injuries from truck crashes. While that figure had reduced to 114,000 by 2022, according to the FMCSA’s latest report, truck accidents remain a significant cause of injury on America’s roads.  Since Washington, DC has other methods of commuting like public transportation and walking, the District can boast a low number of deaths due to auto accidents. However, when commercial truck accidents do occur, their consequences can be disastrous for the victim and the victim’s family.

Commercial truck accidents can get very complex very quickly. Truckers are often backed by large companies with aggressive insurance providers who will try to prove the accident was your fault in order to not have to compensate you for your injuries. Insurance adjusters are notorious for manipulating information in order to get you to accept a low settlement. We, at Regan Zambri Long PLLC, know all the tricks in the book and will not allow a trucking company or insurance provider to get away without being held accountable for their negligence. Our commercial truck accident lawyers will work with local police, accident reconstructionists, medical personnel, and other legal experts to determine who is at fault for your accident. Then, they will prosecute the negligent parties to the fullest extent of the law. Nothing can change what happened to you or your family member, but the Regan Zambri Long commercial truck accident lawyers will work tirelessly to provide you with a sense of justice and the compensation you are owed.

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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.

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