Getting hit by a truck is one of the most serious types of vehicle collisions, and the injuries you suffer can affect nearly every part of your life. Your Richmond truck accident lawyer with MartinWren, P.C. may be able to help you recover compensation and help you understand what steps to take next.
Founded in 2009, our firm is here to support you after a crash, and your Richmond personal injury lawyer is available to speak with you when you are ready.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Truck crashes often happen for entirely preventable reasons. Some involve driver error, while others can be traced back to mechanical problems or poor oversight. Common contributing factors include:
- Distracted or fatigued driving
- Speeding or following too closely
- Poor maintenance or skipped inspections
- Improper cargo loading
- Driving under the influence
- Unsafe lane changes or failure to yield
- Company pressure to meet delivery deadlines
Each of these factors can affect how fault is assigned and what type of evidence is needed to support the accident victim’s claim. These details can also help counter what insurance companies may argue about liability or the extent of medical treatment needed.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident
Liability in a truck accident is not always as straightforward as it seems. More than one party may be responsible or at fault, and the details of the crash often reveal how several people or companies contributed to what happened.
Your Richmond tractor trailer accident lawyer with MartinWren, P.C. can help identify who may be legally responsible and how Virginia’s fault-based liability laws apply to your case.
Drivers, Companies, and Third Parties
The truck driver is often the first person considered when a crash happens, especially if they were speeding, changing lanes without checking or signaling, or driving while tired. However, drivers are not always acting alone.
Sometimes they are under pressure to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines or operate in poor conditions because their company failed to follow safety protocols. If that pressure contributed to the crash, the employer may also be responsible.
When Multiple Parties Share Fault
It is common for more than one party to be at fault in a trucking crash. A driver may have been distracted, but their employer may have failed to train them properly or ignored hours-of-service rules.
Or a third-party contractor may have loaded the truck incorrectly, making it harder to control during a turn. These types of cases require careful review of the facts and timelines.
What Insurance Companies Do After a Truck Crash
After a serious truck crash, insurance companies usually act fast. They start gathering information right away and may reach out to you within days. Their goal is to limit what they pay, even while you are still sorting through injuries and medical treatment.
Here are some tactics insurance companies often use:
- Offering fast settlements before medical care is complete
- Asking for a recorded statement right after the crash
- Pressuring you to sign forms without reviewing them
- Minimizing the severity of your injuries
- Delaying communication to wear you down
These strategies can make it harder for an accident victim to get fair compensation. That is why your Richmond truck accident attorney with MartinWren, P.C. steps in to help protect your rights from day one.
Our team handles communications with the insurance company and builds your claim around evidence, expert input, and the full extent of your losses.
Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (434) 817-3100
What Accident Victims Need to Know About Virginia’s Laws
Commercial truck accidents are handled differently from many other personal injury cases. State and federal regulations affect how liability is determined, what damages may be available, and how long you have to take legal action.
If you are an accident victim going through medical bills and paperwork, understanding these rules can help you make informed choices.
Fault, Liability, and Contributory Negligence
Virginia uses a fault-based system to determine who is responsible for paying damages in a truck accident claim. Under Code of Virginia § 38.2-117, the insurance company of the party who caused the crash due to negligence is responsible for covering the victim’s losses.
However, Virginia also follows a contributory negligence rule. This means that if the accident victim is found even slightly at fault, they may be barred from recovering any compensation.
Deadlines, Damages, and Filing Requirements
The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Virginia is generally two years, as outlined in Code of Virginia § 8.01-243. If the crash resulted in a fatality, wrongful death claims may also apply under Code of Virginia § 8.01-50. There may also be noticed periods that apply that are much shorter, so it is important to act quickly.
Certain claims involving government vehicles may also require early notice, so it is important to act quickly and understand what time limits apply to your case.
What Makes Richmond Truck Accidents So Serious
Truck crashes are more than just bigger versions of regular car accidents. A truck’s size, weight, and the momentum it carries often lead to more serious outcomes for everyone involved. For an accident victim, that can mean longer recovery times, higher medical bills, and more legal complexity than expected.
Why Truck Accidents Cause Such Severe Injuries
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh more than 20 times as much as a standard vehicle. When that much weight hits a car at speed, the results are often devastating. The crash may involve multiple vehicles, fires, or complete destruction of the smaller car.
That is why so many accident victims in these situations require emergency care and continued support. If a crash involves more than one driver or causes a chain reaction, your Richmond car accident lawyer may work alongside experts to reconstruct what happened and determine who is legally responsible.
Common Injuries Richmond Drivers Face
Injury severity often depends on speed, location, and vehicle position, but certain injuries appear frequently in these cases. Common examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal bleeding, and burns from fires or chemicals.
Accident victims may also suffer whiplash, vision loss, or injuries that lead to amputation or permanent disability. Some people recover quickly, while others face years of medical treatment and life adjustments.
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Speak With Your Truck Accident Attorney in Richmond Today
It can be difficult to know where to turn after a crash, especially when the injuries are serious and the details are still unfolding.
Your truck accident lawyer in Richmond from MartinWren, P.C., is here to answer your questions and help you understand what to expect. To get started, contact us now to schedule a free consultation with a team that is ready to support you.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
