Trucking Accident Attorney in Virginia

Commercial truck drivers spend many hours on the road transporting goods across Virginia. Unfortunately, tractor-trailers and semis are involved in many serious crashes with passenger vehicles, and truck accidents tend to be more serious than car accidents. In fact, large trucks are disproportionately represented in severe accidents.

One of every eight traffic deaths in Virginia in 2019 involved a large truck, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most of those killed in large truck crashes are occupants of automobiles and smaller vehicles due to the difference in size and weight of trucks and cars.

If you were injured in a Virginia truck accident caused by a negligent truck driver, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries and related losses. The money sought in a truck accident lawsuit can help pay for the medical care you need to recover and for the disruption to your life.

At The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, principal attorney Dr. Michael Wilson applies his experience in the medical and legal fields to fight aggressively for the rights of clients. For more than 30 years, Dr. Wilson has worked to hold those who cause preventable harm fully accountable and has secured more than $100 million for injured victims. Contact our firm today to learn more about how Dr. Wilson can help you with a truck accident claim.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Catastrophic?

Accidents that involve large commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and tanker trucks, tend to involve more significant damage and a greater risk of serious or fatal injuries. The following characteristics of large commercial trucks can make truck accidents especially dangerous:

• Trucks are much larger and heavier than most other vehicles – Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Large trucks are 15 to 20 times heavier than most passenger cars. That means the occupants of the smaller vehicles will sustain the brunt of the injuries in a collision with a large truck, with this often causing serious injuries.

• Trucks need more time to slow down and come to a stop – Trucks can require 20 to 40 percent more room to stop than smaller cars. If highway traffic comes to an unexpected stop, truck drivers who are following too closely or not reducing speed in congested traffic conditions may not have enough time to avoid a devastating rear-end collision.

• Trucks lack the maneuverability of smaller vehicles – A large commercial truck has blind spots into which smaller vehicles may disappear and be overlooked by the truck driver. Trucks require more time and room to turn. When sudden obstructions or hazards appear on the road, a negligent truck driver may try to switch lanes hurriedly and sideswipe or collide with a vehicle already occupying the lane, causing severe injuries.

• Trucks often carry potentially hazardous cargo – If heavy freight falls or flies out of the back of a truck, it can collide with other vehicles and cause additional damage. Cargo spillage truck accidents that involve flammable liquids or caustic chemicals can be particularly serious.

What Are Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in VA?

Passenger vehicle occupants are at significant risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries in collisions involving large commercial trucks. The massive force of impact with a multi-ton truck can leave car drivers and passengers with devastating injuries, such as:

• Head and brain injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as herniated discs and cracked vertebra
• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains
• Spinal cord injuries, which can cause partial or total paralysis
• Bone fractures in the arms, legs, ribcage, chest, or collarbone
• Burns, bruises, cuts, and lacerations
• Amputated limbs or digits
• Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What Compensation Is Available for Truck Accidents in Virginia?

The compensation you may seek in a truck accident claim depends on the nature of the truck accident and your injuries. Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D., has the knowledge and experience required to hold negligent parties accountable and seek maximum compensation for:

• Medical expenses for past, current, and future care for your truck accident-related injuries
• Incidental costs you incur as a result of the truck accident, such as travel expenses to and from medical appointments
• Repair or replacement costs for any personal property damaged in the crash
• Losses in income or future earning potential if your accident-related injuries prevent you from returning to work or completing your normal job duties
• Pain, suffering, and losses in your overall quality of life

What Are Some Virginia Truck Accident Statistics?

According to data released by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in 2020 alone:

• There were 6,654 Virginia traffic crashes involving large trucks or commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), which accounted for approximately 6.3 percent of accidents that year.
• Among all truck and CMV accidents, there were 3,633 injuries and 167 fatalities.
• More than six percent of statewide traffic-related injuries and more than 19 percent of traffic-related fatalities were the results of truck and CMV collisions.
• 29 percent of truck and CMV accidents were the result of speed-related factors.
• More than 13 percent of truck and CMV crashes involved distracted driving.

How to Know If You Need Legal Help After a Truck Accident in Virginia

In some cases, people involved in minor traffic accidents can handle the process of seeking compensation for car repairs on their own. Unfortunately, many victims of truck accidents are severely impaired by a catastrophic injury, and will need legal representation to pursue just compensation for serious injuries.

If any of the following apply to your circumstances, the chances are that you would benefit from the help of a knowledgeable attorney:

• You sustained injuries that required long-term treatment, surgical treatment, or a hospital stay
• You were forced to miss work as a result of your injuries
• Your accident-related injuries are likely to affect your long-term health
• Someone was fatally injured in the truck accident
• It’s not clear who was at fault for the truck accident
• The truck driver or the insurer is seeking to blame you for the accident
• The truck driver’s insurance provider refuses to offer a reasonable settlement
• You have questions about estimating the value of your claim.

Contact a Virginia Trucking Accident Attorney Now

Dr. Michael M. Wilson has a unique background as both a physician and a lawyer that allows him to evaluate his clients’ conditions and successfully pursue the full and fair compensation they deserve. The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates can review your truck accident claim at no charge. If we believe we can help you, we will offer to handle your truck accident injury claim on a contingency fee basis. Our experienced truck accident attorneys will not charge you any legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you.

Contact us today to get started with a free case review with a top truck accident lawyer in Virginia. We can help you seek compensation for your truck accident injuries, including compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.