Helping a Loved One After a Tractor-Trailer Accident
When a friend or relative is injured in a tractor-trailer accident, it can be stressful and overwhelming for everyone involved. These massive vehicles can do immense damage and leave lasting, life-changing injuries in their wake. Knowing how to support your loved one and navigate the legal process can make a significant difference in your loved one’s recovery. Here's what you can do to help and why finding the right Virginia accident lawyer is crucial.
Why Tractor-Trailer Accidents Can Be Much Worse Than Other Accidents
The sheer weight and size of these vehicles are enormous compared to regular cars and trucks. Tractor-trailers can weigh anywhere from 35,000 to 80,000 pounds, depending on how much of a load they’re carrying. Cars weigh an average of 4,100 pounds, and even pickup trucks are only 5,000-7,000 pounds. When your vehicle is hit by a tractor-trailer, massive damage can occur, resulting in devastating consequences and severe injuries.
Other factors that make tractor-trailer accidents more serious can include:
- Type of cargo. Unstable cargo can lead to tons of debris on the road after an accident. If it is hazardous cargo, there is the potential for dangerous spills, fires, and explosions.
- Complexity of liability. While it may seem obvious who was at fault in an accident, determining liability in tractor-trailer accidents can be complex and can involve multiple parties, including the driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and any third parties that may be at fault, such as workers in a construction zone or other vehicles that may have caused the tractor-trailer to crash.
Liability in Virginia
Determining liability in Virginia accidents is important because of the state’s contributory negligence law. This means that if you were the victim of an accident and someone else is at fault, they must be 100% at fault for the accident, or else you cannot file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your expenses and damages. If you share even 1% of the blame for an accident, your lawsuit will not be entertained by the courts.
Insurance companies are always looking for ways to minimize what they may have to pay out and may try to shift the blame onto you or get you to agree that you were partially at fault for an accident. Be careful when speaking with insurance adjusters after an accident. Stick to the facts of what happened. If they offer you a settlement right away, they may be trying to get out of having to pay more later on by getting you to quickly agree to a lesser amount.
An experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer knows how to talk to insurance adjusters about tractor-trailer accidents, liability, and negotiations.
How to Help Your Loved One
After a tractor-trailer accident, you can be of great help to your loved one by doing the following:
- Offering emotional support
- Taking or accompanying them to medical appointments
- Handling logistics such as paperwork, insurance claims, and appointment-setting
Why Finding a Lawyer to Help Your Loved One Is Important
Experienced Virginia accident lawyers understand the intricacies of tractor-trailer accident cases and can navigate the legal process on behalf of your loved one. They will work to ensure your loved one gets compensation available by law for their injuries, including reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How to Choose a Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer
- Research. Look for lawyers with experience handling tractor-trailer accident cases in Virginia. Review their case results and client testimonials to gauge their track record of success.
- Consultation. Schedule free consultations with your top potential choices to discuss your loved one's case. Pay attention to their communication style, empathy, and rapport.
- Ask questions. Ask how they handle tractor-trailer accident cases, what their strategy is for maximizing compensation, and how available they will be to answer your questions and concerns.
Supporting a loved one after a tractor-trailer accident requires patience, empathy, and practical assistance. By understanding the unique challenges of these accidents and enlisting the help of a skilled Virginia accident lawyer, you can ensure your loved one receives the support and compensation they need to recover and move forward.