18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Different types of accidents happen every day on American roads. Many personal injury lawyers always have to deal with motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and other types of accidents. While many road crashes cause devastating conditions, only a few are as disheartening as truck accidents especially involving 18-wheelers.

18-wheeler trucks (or semi-trucks) are typically used as commercial vehicles and have ten tractor wheels and eight trailer wheels. Much larger than a regular car, a truck crash with a motor vehicle will impact passengers and other vehicle occupants more than the trucker. Catastrophic injuries from such an accident can cause worse complications and death. Common types of truck accidents include truck rollover crashes, tire blowouts, blind spots, etc.

Truck accident victims can get compensation for their injuries through personal injury claims. However, they’ll always need the services of an experienced truck accident lawyer to fall back on. That’s especially if they’re considering a truck accident lawsuit.

How Does an 18-Wheeler Crash Occur?

About 4,119 people died in large truck accidents in 2019, with occupants of cars, passenger vehicles, etc., being the major casualties. Eleven percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2019 occurred in large truck crashes.

Trucking accidents are avoidable accidents that are usually due to driver error. Driver error includes the following:

  • Drowsing Driving

Driver fatigue is one of the major causes of tractor-trailer accidents, especially for commercial truck drivers. Many commercial trucking accidents can be traced to drowsing driving because commercial drivers typically work long hours with short breaks.

Fatigued drivers are a danger to other road users as they can sleep off and cause accidents. This type of commercial vehicle crash can cause fatal injuries.

  • Distracted Driving

Distracted driving happens when the drivers of tractor-trailers fail to pay adequate attention to their driving. Distracted driving could mean using cell phones, playing loud music, being engrossed in thoughts, etc.

Like drowsy drivers, distracted drivers pose a threat to every motorist on the road.

  • Overloaded Trucks

Many commercial trucks face the problem of overloading as they try to minimize costs by transporting many goods per trip. This behavior increases the driver’s risk of causing a commercial vehicle accident as the truck becomes difficult to control.

  • Aggressive Driving and Traffic Violations

Aggressive driving is a general term for any risky behavior or blatant disregard for traffic laws on the road. In some cases, aggressive drivers may turn violent. Road rage is another name for aggressive driving.

  • Break Failure/ Defective Brakes

A faulty brake means that a truck may not be able to come to a complete halt. This is a recipe for severe injury in auto wreck cases.

Who Is Liable in My Truck Accident Claim?

As an accident victim, you must determine the liable parties in your crash for a successful claims process.

  • The Trucking Company

Trucking companies can be liable for their negligent drivers’ actions. They may also be liable for failure to carry out routine maintenance checks. For example, failure to carry out brake inspections can make the trucking company liable. That’s especially if the cause of the crash was a brake failure.

  • Aggressive Truck Drivers

Any driver who disobeys traffic laws by speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, etc., will be liable if they caused the crash.

  • Cargo Owners and Cargo Loaders

Improper cargo loading can make 18-wheelers unstable and limit the truckers’ vehicular control. In other cases, the cargo may contain hazardous substances that can cause severe injury. Cargo owners and loaders who negligently loaded the trucks can be liable.

  • Truck and Parts Manufacturers

You could file a claim against manufacturers if your accident were due to a piece of defective equipment.

Common Injuries in Tractor-Trailer Accidents

These are the most common tractor-trailer accident injuries in Virginia Beach:

  • Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is one of the most devastating trucker accident injuries. It’s difficult to diagnose because the injury happens inside the body and shows no external symptoms. Internal bleeding can quickly lead to death if the victim doesn’t receive urgent medical attention.

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury is due to a violent blow or jolt to the head in an auto crash. This injury affects the victim’s physical, sensory, and mental health. Complications from this injury can lead to coma and brain death.

  • Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries that affect the spinal cord will typically cause paralysis and excruciating back pain.  A spinal cord injury can either be complete or incomplete. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing, spasms, loss of bowel control, etc.

  • Loss of Limbs and Amputation.

Truck accident victims can hurt different body parts in the crash, especially the limbs. When doctors can’t save the victim’s life and the limbs simultaneously, they’ll have to perform an amputation.

  • Broken Bones and Fractures

Broken bones happen when an external force is stronger than what the bones can bear. Fractures are painful and usually cause swelling in the affected part.

  • Wrongful Death

Wrongful death arises when the victim dies due to complications from an accident injury.

Why Should I Hire an Experienced Attorney?

You’ll need aggressive truck accident lawyers to handle your compensation claims for the following reasons:

  • Expert Legal Counsel

After a truck accident, you may be too confused to know what to do. In such confusion, you can easily make a mistake that’ll harm your claims. Having skilled attorneys by your side prevents that from happening. They’ll advise you on the best legal steps to take to avoid losing your case.

  • Gathering of Valuable Evidence and Accident Investigations

Your truck accident attorney needs different types of evidence to prove your case. From gathering driver logs to cell phone records, police reports, etc., your lawyer will put facts together. Sometimes, they may go as far as working with accident reconstructionists to determine liability in your case.

  • Negotiations

Negotiating with insurance companies can be pretty tough. Only experienced lawyers know how to deal properly with them

  • Legal Assistance in the Courtroom

Sometimes, filing a lawsuit is the only way to recover damages for your loss. In such a situation, your attorney will handle the filings and documentation. They’ll also present your case and convince the judge or jury to rule in your favor.

Schedule an Appointment With Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Virginia Beach Right Now!

You can get compensation for loss of wages, property damage, and medical expenses from the responsible party in a truck crash. You may also get punitive damages in a truck accident lawsuit. However, you can jeopardize your chances of a successful trucking accident or wrongful death claim by not contacting experienced lawyers.

Contacting our personal injury attorneys at Virginia Injury Law can make all the difference in your case. As an experienced truck accident law firm, we’ve got all the resources at our disposal to help your claims process. We wouldn’t take a break until you’ve gotten your fair settlement sums. Visit us today and let our truck accident lawyers get started on your case.