If you drive your car and get into an accident with a truck or tractor trailer, you may not be responsible. To find out if this is the case, consult with a Forest truck accident lawyer. Ultimately, if another party is liable for your collision, you may hold them responsible for your accident-related losses.
In 2023, the personal injury lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. were responsible for the 3 of the 14 largest verdicts in the state, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. We proudly represent clients in truck collision cases and are here to assist you in any way we can. Request a free case consultation with a Forest personal injury lawyer from our team.
Truck Laws in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has size, weight, and equipment requirements for trucks. It is the responsibility of a trucker and their employer to understand and comply with these requirements. Choosing not to do so can be dangerous, as an overloaded truck or one that is too large or too wide may be prone to a tip-over or rollover.
Along with Virginia’s truck laws, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts how long a trucker can operate their vehicle before they must take a break. These hours of service (HOS) regulations apply to truckers and truck companies nationally. If truck drivers ignore HOS rules, they could become tired and cause an accident.
If you are involved in a truck collision in which a trucker or their employer violated state or federal laws, seek legal help. A Forest truck accident attorney from MartinWren, P.C. can review your case and let you know if they believe now is the right time to move forward with a lawsuit. Contact us for more information.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
How to Get Compensation After a Truck Accident
Virginia has auto insurance requirements, and if you drive a car in the state, you must have appropriate coverage. Following a truck collision, you can file an insurance claim, which may allow you to recover compensation for your losses. The insurance claims process can be tricky, and a truck collision attorney can offer guidance at each stage.
If you submit an insurance claim, your insurer may connect with a liable trucker’s insurance carrier. Together, these insurance companies may find that you are not responsible for your crash. In this scenario, the at-fault truck driver’s insurance company could provide you with reasonable compensation.
There are times when a truck driver is liable for an accident, and their insurance company commits time and resources to dispute a claim. A truck accident lawyer in Forest can assist you if you face this situation. They can provide insights into different truck accident scenarios and, if warranted, submit a lawsuit on your behalf.
How Much Time You Have to File a Lawsuit
The Virginia statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of a truck collision. If you are considering taking legal action against an at-fault trucker or any other parties liable for your truck crash, ask a lawyer to examine your case. A truck accident attorney in Forest can determine if your case is valid and help you file your lawsuit immediately. Some cases require that notice be provided in a much shorter period of time or else the right to bring a claim is forever lost.
Suing an at-fault party does not guarantee you will recover damages. You must show that this party was negligent to compel a judge or jury to rule in your favor. A truck collision lawyer understands the elements of negligence and can help you prove to the court that these were present at the time of your accident.
Most injured parties receive compensation without having to bring their case to trial. As an example, the defendant in your lawsuit is concerned about the strength of your argument and proposes a settlement. If you approve this offer, you will get compensation in less time than what would be required if you had to present your case to a judge or jury.
But if the insurance company refuses to give a reasonable settlement, our attorneys will be prepared to take the case all the way through a jury trial to get you the money you deserve.
Forest Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 434-817-3100
Damages You Can Get in Your Lawsuit
Your lawyer can explain the different types of personal injury damages. In your lawsuit, you could receive economic and non-economic damages, which can vary based on the severity of your injuries and other factors relating to your case. A judge or jury may offer damages for many reasons, such as:
- Car repairs or replacement
- Loss of income, past and future
- Loss of earning capacity
- Medical bills, past and future
- Pain and suffering, past and future
- Inconvenience, past and future
How you present your case to a judge or jury can have far-flung effects on your ability to secure maximum damages. If you have a strong body of evidence, it may be clear to a judge or jury that you should not be held accountable for any of your accident-related losses. Thus, the judge or jury could require the defendant in your case to pay 100% of the damages you are requesting.
How Contributory Negligence Can Impact Your Lawsuit
Your lawyer understands the difficulties of dealing with contributory negligence in a truck accident lawsuit. With contributory negligence, you must be able to show that the defendant in your case is completely liable for your accident and that you did not contribute to the crash that caused your injuries. Otherwise, if a judge or jury finds you to be even partly to blame, you may be unable to recover damages.
As part of your legal strategy, your attorney may consider a wide range of evidence. They may use accident scene photos and videos, witness statements, medical records, and other proof. Our attorneys will build a case that will make it difficult for the defendant to contest.
If you have a lawyer at your side, you are in a great position to secure damages. Your attorney can guide you through the legal process and answer your questions about contributory negligence and similar topics. Over the course of your legal proceedings, your lawyer can help you make informed decisions.
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Let a Truck Accident Lawyer Assist You
The team at MartinWren, P.C. fights tirelessly for truck accident victims. Give us the opportunity to represent you in your truck collision case, and we will do everything we can to help you secure fair compensation from any liable parties. Schedule a free case consultation.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
