In Fauquier County, Culpeper County, and surrounding areas, we help people seriously injured in truck accidents. Because of their sheer size, weight, and operating speed, tractor trailers cause devastating accidents, injuries, and wrongful death. Trucks are highly regulated at both the state and federal levels, and therefore truck accident claims are typically more complex than other types of personal injury cases.

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Tractor Trailer Accidents

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Tractor Trailer Accidents

Some Troubling Statistics

In 2004, trucking collisions in the U.S. accounted for 5,190 highway deaths and 116,000 highway injuries. These figures remained nearly unchanged for a ten year period, starting in 1995. Various studies cite to factors such as: truck driver fatigue, inadequate brake systems on tractor trailers, a shortage of rest areas for trucks, companies and drivers breaking the hours of service of rules which set driving limits, as well as unsafe driving on the part of other motorists.

Trucking plays a necessary and vital role in our economy. That being the case, we must also recognize that trucks or "big rigs" themselves pose a unique hazard to other motorists. The nature of this hazard can be devastating.

A Truck Collision Case is Never "Ordinary."

Truck accident cases are unique. First, the sheer size, weight, and operating speed of a tractor trailer means that trucking accidents tend to be major wrecks. They often cause serious, life-changing injuries or death. Second, trucks are tightly regulated at the state and federal levels. Handling these cases requires a working knowledge of the framework of trucking regulations, and this goes above and beyond the legal knowledge required for a more typical personal injury case.

In a truck accident, the key to winning the case may lie in physical evidence left at the scene, such as highway skid marks, gouge marks, debris, or other markings left by the vehicles. The key may lie in evidence recorded by the truck itself or in data already in possession of the trucking company. Alternatively, the key may lie in truck driver inattention, reckless driving, fatigue, or the trucking company's negligent hiring of an incompetent driver.

When dealing with truck accidents, the Virginia State Police employs specialized teams of officers known as Motor Carrier Safety Units. These specially trained troopers investigate trucking collisions and enforce safety regulations on trucking companies. They are trained to analyze the evidence and find the cause of a truck collision, be it faulty equipment, excessive speed, or driver inattention. These law enforcement professionals are highly trained in truck accident investigation and reconstruction techniques. The attorneys of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas have in the past and will continue to work closely with these State Police officers when dealing with serious truck collisions.

Federal and State Regulations Come Into Play.

A distinct set of federal and state regulations controls truck operation and the trucking industry. This includes driver training and licensing, driver qualifications, truck inspection, maintenance and repair, and maximum driving limits. Your attorney should have a working knowledge of these distinct trucking regulations in order to correctly establish liability against a trucking company which may be guilty of wrongful conduct.

In short, trucking cases can be complex.  The trucking companies have insurers and attorneys on their side.  You might benefit from consulting with an attorney.  Talk To Us.  We'd like to make things right.

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Blog for Tractor Trailer Accidents

Library for Tractor Trailer Accidents:

  • Trucking companies, distracted drivers and the pursuit of profit   
    Description: Distracted driving is attracting a lot of attention, both in Virginia and at the federal level. Proposed federal bans on the use of text messaging devices and onboard truck computers by interstate truck drivers are also being talked about, much to the chagrin of trucking companies. Would these bans actually save motorists from being involved in a deadly tractor trailer accident? Research seems to indicate that they would.
  • Fatal Truck Accident Statistics for Virginia   
    Description: One of the most deadly types of motor vehicle accidents on Virginia roads involve tractor trailers. Because of their immense size, they often kill or seriously injure the occupants of smaller vehicles. Throughout each year data is compiled by the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and made available to the public. This article contains a summary of fatality data for large truck accidents in Virginia from 2008.
  • What Causes Large Truck Accidents?   
    Description: Truck accidents often lead to serious injuries, even death. Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas discuss the findings of a study of large truck accidents. The study listed common reasons and contributing factors of semi-truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP at (800) 741-1012 for Culpeper or (888) 907-2631 for Warrenton.
  • Are Medically Unfit Bus and Truck Drivers Endangering Your Life?   
    Description: According to recent investigations and congressional inquiry, there are numerous bus and truck drivers on the road today who are not legally allowed to drive a bus or truck. Sadly, these medically unfit drivers have caused countless accidents and deaths over the years, many of which could have been prevented had the federal government acted sooner to crack down on illegal drivers.
  • The Deadly Facts about Tractor Trailer Accidents   
    Description: Large trucks are more likely to be involved in fatal multi-vehicle accidents than passenger vehicles, and if they collide with a passenger vehicle, occupants of the passenger vehicle are more likely to suffer injury or death because of the enormous size difference between the two vehicles. Considering how deadly large truck accidents can be, advocacy groups are calling for the federal government to do more to reduce the annual number of injuries and deaths from truck accidents.
  • What Makes Tractor Trailer Accidents Unique?   
    Description: Tractor trailer accidents aren’t like regular automobile accidents. There are a number of factors that make these kind of accidents unique – factors that need to be taken into consideration when prosecuting a tractor trailer case. If you’ve been involved in a tractor trailer accident and are wondering what a skilled law firm can do for you, this summary can help you make up your mind.

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Warrenton Office
492 Blackwell Road
Suite 201
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
Phone: 540-341-0007
Toll Free: 888-907-2631

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Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540-825-6046
Toll Free: 800-741-1012

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Tractor Trailer Accidents

Wrongful Death - $2,500,000

Back Injury - $385,000

Tractor Trailer Wreck - Spinal Injury - $300,000

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