Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer

A truck accident can devastate victims, causing profound physical, emotional, and financial problems. The size and weight of commercial vehicles make collisions particularly dangerous, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. A truck accident lawyer in Richmond, VA, will help you pursue justice.

The sooner you seek legal assistance, the more time your attorney will have to strengthen your truck accident claim. Allow me, Ed Atkinson, to fight for your full financial recovery. As an experienced Richmond personal injury lawyer, I have seen how lives can change in the blink of an eye.

I will compassionately guide you through the legal process and help you get the compensation you need to reclaim your life. With over 15 years of legal experience advocating for injury victims, I know how to build a winning case. Call me today to review your legal options.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases so Complicated

The sheer weight and size difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles often results in property damage and catastrophic injuries, raising the stakes even higher. As you are dealing with the shock of the traumatic event, you might not know what to do after a truck accident.

Taking legal action after a collision can feel particularly intimidating due to the involvement of trucking companies. These companies often have legal teams and insurance adjusters to protect their interests.

The trucking company’s aggressive approach could lead you to fear the potential consequences of pursuing legal action, such as facing a lengthy legal battle. However, you can turn the table by getting immediate legal assistance. As your Richmond truck accident attorney, I will protect your rights and represent your interests.

Recover Damages After a Truck Crash in Richmond

Commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. This means that collisions often lead to severe injuries or fatalities for occupants of smaller cars. You should always seek medical care after the collision. Prompt medical attention is crucial for your health and can also support any potential legal claims.

Survivors may experience severe injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBI), that will forever change their lives. If you were diagnosed, I can also serve as your Richmond traumatic brain injury lawyer and focus the claim on how the condition changed your life.

Medical expenses can quickly escalate after a truck crash due to the extent of injuries sustained. Lost wages or even the loss of future earning capacity may add to the financial strain, especially if the injuries result in long-term disability.

Available damages for truck accident victims include:

• Medical expenses and the cost of future medical care
• Loss of income and loss of earning potential
• Property damage
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

During my legal practice, I have built a track record of successful case results. As an experienced personal injury lawyer in Richmond, VA, I understand the far-reaching financial impact of truck accidents.

I will collaborate with you closely to prove the full extent of your losses. I aim to leave no stone unturned in uncovering how the accident has affected your life. By working with an experienced attorney like myself, you can get more than the average settlement for a truck accident in Virginia.

Possible Punitive Damages After a Severe Truck Accident

Punitive damages aim to punish the defendant for their behavior and deter others from acting similarly. Generally, you must prove that the at-fault party demonstrated an unlawful disregard for your rights.

A classic example of a case eligible for punitive damages is a drunk driving accident. If the driver responsible had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15%, their actions demonstrate a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Under Code of Virginia § 46.2-341.31, commercial drivers are not allowed to drive with any amount of alcohol in their blood. If you believe the truck driver who caused the crash was intoxicated, you may qualify for punitive damages.

Virginia limits punitive damages. The maximum amount that can be awarded for punitive damages is $350,000. However, this amount is in addition to recovering your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. As your Richmond drunk driving accident lawyer, I will review all your options to recover more compensation.

The Right Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer to Handle the Insurance Company

Despite their assurances of looking out for your best interests, insurance adjusters are ultimately working to protect their company’s profits. Adjusters are trained professionals skilled at minimizing the amount they pay in claims.

Remember, their job is to save the insurance company money, not to help you receive fair compensation for losses. That is where I come in. As your Richmond truck accident attorney, I will protect your interests before insurance companies and fight for maximum compensation.

During my legal practice, I have successfully represented many accident victims and am well-versed in dealing with insurance companies. I understand their tactics and am fully prepared to counter their efforts to undervalue your truck accident claim.

At-Fault Parties in a Richmond Truck Accident

Multiple parties could be involved in a trucking accident case, each with their insurance policies and legal teams. As your attorney, I will analyze all available evidence to correctly identify the liable parties.

One or more of the following parties could be responsible for the truck crash:

• Truck driver: The commercial driver may be at fault if they were negligent, distracted, tired, drunk, or violated traffic laws.
• Trucking company: The trucking company may be liable if it fails to properly train its drivers, enforces unrealistic schedules that lead to driver fatigue, or disregards safety regulations.
• Vehicle manufacturer: The manufacturer may be held responsible if a mechanical failure or vehicle defect causes the accident.
• Third-party contractor: In some cases, a third-party contractor responsible for loading or securing cargo onto the truck may be at fault if their negligence contributed to the collision.
• Government entity: Poorly maintained roads can also contribute to truck accidents, potentially making a government entity responsible.
• Other drivers: In multi-vehicle accidents involving trucks, other drivers’ actions may have caused the collision.

Identifying the liable party will impact how we move forward with the case. For example, if the commercial driver caused the crash, the legal process is slightly different than filing a claim against a negligent government entity.

How to Prove Negligence After a Truck Crash in Richmond

Negligence occurs when a party fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or damage to others. As your truck accident attorney in Richmond, I will investigate the circumstances of the crash and build an evidence-based case showing how the at-fault party’s negligence caused your losses.

To prove negligence after a truck collision, I will focus on the following key elements:

• Duty of care: The first step is to establish that the defendant (the truck driver, trucking company, or another party) owed a legal duty of care to the plaintiff (the injured party). This means demonstrating that the at-fault party was required to operate the truck safely and follow traffic laws to avoid causing harm to others on the road.
• Breach of duty of care: The next step is to show that the defendant breached this duty. This involves proving that their actions or inactions were not what a reasonably prudent person would do under similar circumstances. Examples of breaches include speeding, driving while fatigued, or not performing necessary vehicle maintenance.
• Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the collision and the resulting injuries. There is a clear link between the negligent actions and the harm you suffered.
• Damages: Finally, you must prove that you suffered actual damages as a result of the accident. As your Richmond truck accident lawyer, I will use receipts, bills, and other financial documents to show how much money you lost.

Determining liability influences the strategy for pursuing compensation and the parties from whom we can seek damages. It helps identify who is legally responsible for the harm caused and guides us in collecting evidence to support our claim.

Taking Legal Action After a Fatal Truck Accident

If you lost a loved one in a deadly truck crash, please accept my condolences. As an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Richmond, I understand the devastation the loss of a beloved family member can cause.

Fatal truck accidents may result in wrongful death claims. Let me compassionately guide you through the legal process during this difficult time.

As surviving family members of the deceased victim, you could claim wrongful death damages, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Burial and funeral expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of financial support
• Pain and suffering

While the amount of compensation will not replace the emptiness left by losing a loved one, it can bring financial security for your family. Also, by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the reckless truck driver, you might find some sense of comfort.

File a Lawsuit Within Virginia’s Statute of Limitations

You have a limited time to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party after a truck accident. According to the Code of Virginia § 8.01-243, you generally have two years from the crash date to take legal action. However, certain factors could influence the deadline, so you should consult a truck accident attorney to learn the time limit for your case.

If you miss Virginia’s statute of limitations, your case will likely be dismissed, and you may no longer recover the compensation you are owed. As your personal injury attorney, I can protect your right to financial recovery. Contact me as soon as possible after the collision so we can start working on your claim.

Potential Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are a major concern on our roads due to their potential to cause serious damage and injuries. While human error remains the leading cause of collisions, other factors also play a role.

The most common truck accident causes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Improper maintenance
• Overloaded cargo or unsecured loads
• Drunk driving
• Poor weather conditions
• Inadequate training or experience
• Aggressive driving

Determining the cause of the truck accident is not easy without the help of a lawyer. Let me worry about piecing together the events leading up to the crash. I will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze reports to establish what happened.

Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries

When a truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the impact can cause significant harm to the occupants of the passenger cars. Injuries from truck accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe trauma. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and can have long-term effects on a person’s health and well-being.

Common injuries experienced by truck accident victims include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Internal injuries
• Internal organ damages
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Severe burns

If you were in any traffic accident, get medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may take longer to show symptoms. Conditions like whiplash or concussions might not be immediately obvious but can cause serious health issues if left untreated. A doctor can identify hidden injuries and treat them early, helping you recover more quickly.

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Richmond

If you or a loved one were involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, seek immediate legal representation to protect your rights. As your Richmond truck accident attorney, I can review your legal options and fight to recover your losses.

I founded my personal injury law firm to help injured victims reclaim their lives. As a truck accident attorney, I am committed to seeking justice for those who have suffered. Call me, Ed Atkinson, today for a free legal consultation.