Richmond Truck Accident Attorneys

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Around 500,000 big rig accidents occur each year in the United States according to www.truckcrashes.co. In Virginia alone, 107 fatal truck accidents took place. Truck crashes are often fatal or catastrophic in nature due to their mass. The state of Virginia is in the top 15 U.S. states for truck accident fatalities, largely in part to the state’s large agricultural industry.

Victims and left-behind loved ones often feel overwhelmed and have difficulty determining the next course of action. The purpose of this page is to help you understand the nuances of a truck accident and how to best proceed with your case.

Experienced & Trustworthy Guidance for Truck Accident Victims

If you or your loved one was involved in a collision with a big rig or tractor-trailer, the legal team at Breit Cantor Grana Buckner can help. Our Richmond truck accident attorneys have been fighting for injured victims and their loved ones for more than 40 years and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We understand the immense impact that truck accidents have on the lives of victims and their families; our goal is to secure the maximum compensation you are owed for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages. Our award-winning attorneys are prepared to fight for you throughout the entire legal process.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

There are numerous factors that can lead to a truck accident, but we wanted to cover a few that might not be taken into account. Your truck accident claim attorney should carefully assess every element of the case to determine the liable party and the damages accrued. Here are some common, but not often considered, causes of truck wrecks:

• Vehicle defects – In some cases, the cause of the truck accident is actually the team in charge of maintenance and repair, rather than the driver. Common issues include brake failure, tire blowouts, and steering errors.
• Fatigue or sleep apnea – In many cases, truck drivers are overworked and under substantial amounts of pressure. Long hours of driving can result in serious cases of fatigue. In addition, truck drivers often suffer from sleep apnea, which is a disorder that results in daytime drowsiness. When a driver does not get adequate sleep, the result can be disastrous for others on the road.
• Drug use – Whether it is prescription or over-the-counter drugs, abuse of drugs is a common cause of trucking accidents. Common medications can cause drowsiness or blurred vision.

Determining Liability in Truck Accident Claims

Unlike other types of motor vehicle accident cases, truck accident claims present unique challenges. One of the primary factors that makes these types of injury cases more complex than other auto accident claims is the fact that there may be multiple liable parties. While a truck driver may cause an accident, his or her employer could be liable for the resulting damages. Furthermore, the manufacturer of a defective truck part may be responsible for damages if the defective part is shown to have led to the accident.

In a given truck accident, any of the following parties may be liable:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company that employs the driver
• The person/entity responsible for truck maintenance
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer
• The truck driver’s supervisor

At Breit Cantor, we conduct in-depth, thorough investigations into the cause of the accident. Our legal team often works with a variety of experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, in order to determine exactly how the accident was caused—and who is liable. We also look at the full extent of your damages, including the anticipated lifetime cost of medical care for your injuries, as well as non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. From there, we are able to build a case aimed at securing the maximum compensation you are owed.

When Are Truck Accidents Caused by Negligence?

In order to successfully pursue a truck accident claim, you must show that another person, company, manufacturer, or entity acted negligently, carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally and that this led to your injuries.

It is important that you work with an experienced Richmond truck accident lawyer who can look at the various factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as:

• Whether or not the truck driver acted negligently, for example, if he/she was texting while driving, operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol, or driving while fatigued
• If the trucking company failed to enforce hours of service rules, which dictate how long a truck driver may operate a vehicle without taking mandatory breaks
• Whether or not the trucking company explicitly or implicitly encouraged truck drivers to meet unreasonable quotas or follow unsafe schedules
• If the truck involved in the accident received proper maintenance and safety checks prior to being on the road
• If the truck was overloaded or improperly loaded and whether this contributed directly or indirectly to the accident
• Whether or not a defective vehicle part—such as the truck’s brakes or tires—failed to operate as expected, leading to the accident

How to Handle the Insurance Company After Your Truck Accident

Let’s start by covering what not to do after a truck accident. The words “I’m sorry” may seem harmless enough, but can prove disastrous when spoken following a truck accident. Just like with any other accident, apologizing can demonstrate a level of guilt and can be used against you when dealing with the insurance company.

So then how should you deal with the insurance company? The simple answer is that you shouldn’t. Allow your attorney to work with them and answer the insurance adjuster’s questions. If you are confronted by the insurance company, however, here are some keys to keep in mind:

• The insurer’s objective is to pay the minimal amount for each claim.
• The adjuster is trying to get you to respond in specific ways that can incriminate you.
• In some cases, the insurance company wants to delay the claims process.
• Your insurance company will put its own best interests first.

Make sure to work with an experienced attorney who will handcraft your case based on the specifics of the truck accident and your situation.

Our attorneys have extensive experience handling these types of cases. We know what to look for, and we know how to win. We are here to help you use your power by giving you a voice.