If you have been involved in a crash with a large commercial truck, you need a lawyer with extensive experience in truck accident law. You need to know that you are backed by someone with expertise, someone who can leverage their skill to protect you and your loved ones. That is what a good legal advocate should do for our friends and neighbors here in Richmond. The right lawyer will work closely with each individual client, gaining a deep understanding of each case so the responsible party can be held accountable and the road can be a safer place for everyone.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors which make truck accident law a unique and complicated field, so you can be best empowered to choose a skilled and discerning attorney—one who can help you receive fitting compensation for the costs you incurred from a commercial truck accident you did not cause.
Commercial truck accidents, although statistically less frequent per mile than passenger vehicle wrecks, can be the most destructive. Studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that the majority of deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. In 2019, 4,119 people died in large truck wrecks, and 67% of those people were passengers of other cars involved in the crash. Although operating a large commercial truck is a hazardous occupation, the risk can be even more considerable for drivers who share the road with these trucks weighing 20-30 times more than a car.
What Happens When You Are in a Truck Accident?
In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a crash with a tractor-trailer, your attorney should partner with you to exhaustively investigate the details of your case. Only by thoroughly understanding the circumstances will your lawyer be able to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. During the process of working with your lawyer, inquiries will be made into numerous aspects of the collision. This will help address questions regarding the cause of the wreck, the party at fault, and the consequences of the accident. The following pieces of evidence can support your claim:
- Details of the police report
- Photographs of the crash scene
- Medical records
- Eyewitness reports
- Footage taken from cameras in truck cabs
- Auto mechanic statements about the condition of the vehicles
- Information taken from truck black boxes
An attorney familiar with truck accident cases will know where to find and how to identify critical evidence that can prove your claim. They will also possess knowledge specific to potential complications of which you may not be aware. For example, a skilled lawyer will know how to legally obtain your relevant medical records, how to identify a reliable eyewitness and discredit an unreliable one, how to properly manage essential documents and timelines, and how to communicate with insurance companies following the accident.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Vehicular crashes of all types are predominantly caused by a handful of common yet highly unsafe behaviors. The most prevalent risky behaviors include speeding, distracted or reckless driving, and failure to follow traffic rules. There are also several factors which are specific to truck drivers, many of whom spend up to 11 consecutive hours behind the wheel:
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Drowsy driving
- Driving at night
- Failure to adjust to weather conditions
- Improper or incorrect handling of the vehicle
- Losing control of the truck on turns or inclines
- Substance abuse
Oftentimes, the truck driver is responsible for the collision, but that is not always the case. The fault sometimes lies with the other driver in the wreck, or with an entity or person who was not even present at the time of the incident. In many cases the accident is a combination of several factors and causes. One or more of the following parties may be responsible for a truck-involved crash:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or truck owner
- The truck manufacturer or maintenance company
- The personnel responsible for loading cargo
- The passenger vehicle driver involved in the crash
- Another driver on the road uninvolved in the crash
Determining cause and fault is essential in a truck accident case, but it is never a simple endeavor. For example, as listed in the final bullet point, another driver who was not even involved in the wreck may be partially or fully to blame for the accident. This could occur when a car speeds past and cuts off a tractor-trailer, causing the truck driver to lose control and collide with cars behind or beside the truck. A lawyer who is devoted to your case will expend the extra effort to track down every detail relevant to your case, ensuring that the responsibility is placed on the appropriate party, and that you rightfully receive the compensation you need.
Our Lawyers Have Experience
When you suffer from serious injuries and other damages, you need to receive compensation, so you do not have bear the financial responsibility of an accident you did not cause. We at Golden Law Office want to help you recover your health and wellbeing. We will conduct a painstaking investigation into what happened. We look beyond the immediately-evident facts to see how your injuries have affected your life, health, happiness, and ability to work and contribute to our community.
Our lawyers are passionate about protecting fellow Richmond citizens from injustice. We will fight to make sure that you receive fair compensation for the damage you sustained. We invite you to contact our office today so we can schedule a no-obligation meeting to discuss your case.
