Accidents involving passenger vehicles are substantially different than those involving large commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Accidents involving semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles typically are extremely severe and often fatal for the occupants of smaller vehicles.
The size and weight of semi-trucks make accidents involving them extremely hazardous. The average semi-truck is up to 30 times heavier than a passenger vehicle. Additionally, the height of a semi-truck’s trailer above the road creates increased potential hazards. Owing to this increased height of large commercial trucks, shorter and smaller passenger vehicles can slide underneath these large semi-trucks. Even at slow speeds, weight and size differences between these types of vehicles can lead to serious or fatal injury. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a large truck, Hunter Law Firm’s Tidewater truck accident attorneys can help. Consultations are always free. You will speak with an experienced attorney regarding your case, not a paralegal. Call us at 757.825.0400.
HOW ARE TRUCK ACCIDENTS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER AUTO ACCIDENTS?
Five of the biggest differences between truck accidents and passenger vehicle accidents are:
- The severity of injuries. Truck accidents typically result in serious or fatal injury. Even low-speed accidents with a commercial vehicle may result in both emergency and long-term medical care, neither of which can promise a full return to health. In fact, many victims of truck accidents are forced to deal with the emotional, physical, and financial consequences of their injuries for a lifetime.
- The complexity of the accident. Accidents involving passenger cars and commercial vehicles are more complex for several possible reasons. Laws regulating commercial trucking are very specific. It requires a thorough understanding of these laws in order to build a strong case that places liability on the trucker, the company he or she drives for, or another party. A lawyer familiar with these specific regulations and the unique factors involved in building a successful trucking accident case are critical to achieving the best outcome for you.
- The underlying causes of the accident. In order to successfully secure optimum compensation, the actual cause of the accident will need to be uncovered. There are many things that can go wrong while driving a semi-truck. Some of those things – speed, following distance, sleeping regularly, and staying sober, for example – are the responsibility of the driver. Others – the weight and size of the load, safety equipment, and schedule, for example – are not.
- The number of people involved. Even when an accident involves only one car and one semi-truck, multiple parties may be involved. Truck accident liability may not rest with the truck driver, even when he or she seems to be clearly to blame. Issues such as unrealistic schedules, poorly secured loads, or equipment failure may be the responsibility of people who are thousands of miles from the scene of the accident. An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to appropriately navigate how to seek reparations from the appropriate parties.
- The increased difficulty of securing compensation. Trucking companies and their drivers typically have attorneys and insurance companies working hard to minimize their liability following an accident. If you are not similarly prepared, you will likely see little if any of the compensation your injuries demand.
YOU NEED A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
The truck accident lawyers at Hunter Law Firm are experienced in representing victims of accidents involving commercial trucks. Our team knows how to investigate commercial vehicle crashes to determine their cause. This information can help us build a case for compensation that holds all responsible parties to account and seeks maximum compensation for victims. While each case is unique, it is no coincidence that counties in Virginia that have substantial logging operations lead in truck-related severe injuries and deaths. The Hunter Law Firm has handled many logging truck cases.
Left alone, you are at the mercy of lawyers and insurance agents representing the other side. Without an experienced truck accident attorney at your side, you will most likely place yourself in a position to lose. Talking to one of Hunter Law Firm’s attorneys is free of both cost and obligation. You have nothing to lose by meeting with us, but you may have a significant amount to gain. Give us a call today at 757-825-0400 to schedule your complimentary case review and learn more.
The Hunter Law Firm is based in Tidewater Virginia, with offices in Hampton, Gloucester and Chesapeake. Our award-winning attorneys serve all surrounding communities, including Virginia Beach, Newport News, Suffolk, Surry, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, York County and Poquoson.
