Truck Accident Lawyers in Warrenton, Culpeper & Front Royal VA

Virginia Truck Accident

In 2016, trucking collisions in the U.S. accounted for 3,864 highway deaths and 104,000 highway injuries. Various studies cite factors such as truck driver fatigue, inadequate brake systems on tractor-trailers, a shortage of rest areas for trucks, distracted driving, 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. However, we must also recognize that trucks or "big rigs" themselves pose a unique hazard to other motorists, which can be devastating.

A Virginia Truck Crash Case is Never "Ordinary"

Truck accident cases are unique in Virginia. First, the sheer size, weight, and operating speed of a tractor-trailer mean that trucking accidents tend to be major wrecks. They often cause 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. Third, trucking insurance companies tend to be specialized and use different procedures for handling tractor-trailer collisions.

We've handled cases where the trucking company had its own investigator at a rural accident scene within minutes of the collision, taking statements and preserving evidence to protect themselves. Truck accident cases are serious business.

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.

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 that may be guilty of wrongful conduct.

In short, trucking cases can be complex. The trucking companies have insurers and attorneys on their side, and you might benefit from speaking with an attorney.

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Whether or not you choose to hire our firm, we'll give you simple, direct advice. It's the only way we know.

Client Review

Jackie Glidden

I only have good things to say about Andrew Thomas and his firm. I instantly felt at ease talking with him about an auto accident. His advice and guidance through the process of settlement was great. With all the stress of the accident on myself and my family, it was so nice to feel a sense of ease with him. I would recommend Andrew and his firm to anyone.

Written by: Jackie Glidden

Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas