Truck Accident Lawyer Virginia Beach
Let Our Team Help You After an Accident
Commercial truck accidents can result in life-changing and life-threatening injuries, especially when they involve smaller vehicles or pedestrians. This can result in extensive medical expenses, lost earning potential, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and other damages.
If you have been injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to a larger settlement than the other party or their insurance company will offer. That is why you should always consult with a truck accident injury lawyer in Virginia Beach after an accident that involves a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other large commercial vehicle.
At Preston, Wilson & Crandley, PLC, we offer free consultations. We will identify the damages that you are entitled to be compensated for, negotiate with the insurance companies, and file a lawsuit if necessary. If you have been in a commercial truck accident in Virginia Beach, VA, contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation.
What You Should Know About Truck Accidents in Virginia Beach, VA
Truck accidents only make up a small percentage of auto accidents in Virginia but often result in more severe injuries. Keep reading to learn about truck accidents in Virginia Beach.
Truck Accident Statistics
Virginia Beach is home to more than 450,000 residents, and millions of tourists flock to this coastal city every year. Unfortunately, this seaside city has its fair share of accidents, with more than 5,317 auto accidents in 2022, 2,647 injuries, and 29 fatal crashes. Truck accidents also resulted in 60 fatalities in the entire state of Virginia.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can result from various factors like driver error, equipment failure, driver fatigue, and distracted driving, such as drivers using their phones, eating, or drinking. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue or drowsiness
- Distracted driving such as texting, eating, drinking, and adjusting the radio
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Unsafe weather conditions such as snow, rain, ice, or fog
- Improperly loaded cargo that shifts during transit
- Inexperienced or undertrained drivers
- Mechanical issues such as tire blowouts, brake failure, or other issues
- Failure to properly maintain the truck
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
It is worth noting that other drivers on the road can also cause truck accidents. Reckless driving by passenger vehicles, such as cutting off the truck or driving recklessly around it, can lead to the truck driver swerving or braking suddenly, potentially causing an accident.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries. Some of these injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burns and lacerations
- Psychological trauma
- Joint injuries
- Death
The severity of the injuries will often depend on the severity of the accident, but in all cases, it is vital to get medical attention right after a truck accident, even if you feel fine, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
In Virginia, several parties might be found liable for your injuries caused by a truck accident. These can include:
- The truck driver, if his or her negligence caused the accident.
- The trucking company, if the accident was related to the driver fulfilling job requirements.
- The driver of another vehicle, if his or her actions caused the accident.
In truck accident cases, determining fault is typically not straightforward and can seriously impact the compensation you may receive. A reliable Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer can help you navigate this complex process.
Respondeat Superior
Virginia recognizes the principle of respondeat superior, allowing you to hold the trucking company responsible for the accident in addition to the driver if the truck driver was within the scope of his or her employment at the time of the accident. This may be the case if the accident resulted from a truck driver fulfilling his obligations to the company. For example, if a truck driver causes an accident while driving a company-owned truck during the course of his or her employment, the trucking company can be held liable.
How We Can Help You Build Stronger Virginia Truck Accident Case
Because of the severity and complexity of many truck accidents, you need to hire the right lawyer following your truck accident. See how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
File a Truck Accident Claim
Your personal injury claim starts when you file your claim with the insurance company. The insurance company will likely want you to make a statement and settle your case quickly. Retaining our experienced personal injury attorneys early is important to make sure your rights are protected from the start and you do not make a mistake by settling too early or for too little.
Prove Negligence
A person injured in a truck accident must prove negligence in order to make a successful injury claim. This means that you must show that the truck driver had a duty to operate the truck safely, and the driver breached that duty by violating statutory rules of the road, failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle, or otherwise operating the truck in a careless manner. Our firm will investigate your truck accident case to identify witnesses and collect the evidence necessary to prove the negligence of the truck driver.
Determine Fair Compensation
Truck accidents often result in substantial damages and even lifelong injuries, including brain injuries, spinal injuries, joint injuries, and more. This can result in long-term or even lifelong expenses, such as long-term care, loss of earning potential, lifelong medical treatment, and more. Our personal injury attorneys have the experience to identify the medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you are entitled to, and we will make sure that your case is put in the best position for maximum compensation.
Negotiate With the Insurance Companies
We always try to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company to avoid the need for litigation. Once your case is ready, a settlement demand package will be sent to the insurance company, which is a letter drafted by one of our personal injury lawyers. That demand package will include copies of your medical records, medical bills, and any pictures of the vehicles and accident scene; a description of the accident and your injuries; and a requested settlement amount. The insurance company will respond with either an offer or a denial of the claim. Our lawyers will then attempt to negotiate with the insurance company to come to a fair settlement figure, but if a settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit will be filed.
Represent You in Court
If your case cannot be settled, then a personal injury lawsuit will be filed. The same lawyer you have worked with throughout your case will be the lawyer handling your lawsuit – we will not send your case to another law firm to handle the litigation. After the filing of a lawsuit, the parties will engage in discovery, which is the exchange of information by way of answers to written questions, production of documents, depositions, etc. Discovery in a personal injury lawsuit can also include subpoenaing medical records and other documents from non-parties and taking the depositions of witnesses and other people who have information relevant to the accident and/or your injuries. Along the way, our lawyers will continue in their efforts to negotiate a fair settlement, but we are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
What You May Be Compensated For
After a truck accident, you can request compensation for various damages and losses. Depending on the circumstances, compensable damages can include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medications, and other treatments
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential in the future
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident
- Wrongful death and funeral expenses
- Long-term rehabilitation
What to Do After an Accident
After a truck accident, there are a number of things you should do to protect yourself. Below is a listing of some smart steps to take to protect your rights and make sure you get the medical treatment you need.
Get Medical Help Right Away
If you are involved in a truck accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine, getting checked out by a doctor is still a good idea, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent and could worsen over time. If you have been seriously injured, go directly to the emergency room, but even if you do not feel that emergency care is necessary, make an appointment to see your doctor or go to an urgent care center as soon as possible.
Document Everything
After a truck accident, gathering as much information as possible is essential. This includes taking photos of the scene, saving medical records and bills, exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver, and getting any witnesses’ names and contact information.
Do Not File a Claim Until You Speak to an Attorney
If you are considering filing a claim with an insurance company, speak to one of our personal injury attorneys first. As explained above, our lawyers will work with you from the initial consultation to the final conclusion of your case. The insurance company will likely want to take a statement from you and try to resolve your claim quickly and for a modest amount. Our attorneys have the experience necessary to properly evaluate your case and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Preston, Wilson & Crandley, PLC?
If you are looking for a truck accident lawyer, you want someone you can trust. At our personal injury law firm, we have served clients in Virginia Beach and throughout Hampton Roads since 1955 and have a proven track record of success. We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of a truck accident, and we are here to help you every step of the way. We will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact Preston, Wilson & Crandley, PLC today to schedule a consultation to get started.
How It Works
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers. We will review your case, answer any questions you may have, give our initial impressions of your case, and get the process started toward fair compensation for your injuries.
Step 2: Build a Case
After the initial consultation, we will start building your case. This includes gathering evidence by interviewing witnesses, taking photographs of your injuries and your vehicle, obtaining copies of your medical records and bills, calculating your lost wages, and obtaining copies of any relevant videos of the accident and/or accident scene.
Step 3: Negotiate a Settlement
Before filing a lawsuit, we will attempt to settle with the other driver’s insurance company. We try to settle because it saves the client time, money, and aggravation, but we are ready to file a lawsuit and take the case to trial if necessary to get our client the compensation he or she deserves.
Step 4: File a Lawsuit and Go to Trial
While settlement is often preferred, our lawyers have years of personal injury litigation experience. We will file a lawsuit if the insurance company is unwilling to pay the compensation our client deserves, and we will take the case to trial if necessary. We are experienced trial attorneys who will fight for you. Contact us today to get started.
What Our Clients Are Saying
We Do Not Get Paid Unless You Get Compensation
We understand that truck accidents can be expensive, and you may be hesitant to hire a lawyer due to concerns about legal fees and costs, but do not let that discourage you. We handle truck accident injury cases on a contingent fee, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Virginia Beach, VA, call us today. Our experienced truck accident lawyers will be there for you. Call us today to schedule your initial consultation.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“Throughout the case, John always kept us up to date by letter or phone. He told us exactly where we were and what could and could not be done. He doesn’t build it up. John is a top-notch personal injury lawyer who I have recommended to friends and would recommend to anyone needing a great lawyer.”
“I needed a lawyer for a personal injury case. After I did a lot of internet research, my wife’s lawyer suggested John Crandley Jr. from Preston, Wilson & Crandley. I read through their website and liked their style, so I called John.John’s best two qualities are that he’s direct and knows his craft inside out.”
“The law firm of Preston, Wilson & Crandley handled my case very well. Very professional. I’m very pleased with their service. Anytime I needed to reach them, they were either there for me or called me back immediately. Anytime I needed to know something, they explained it to me very thoroughly, very detailed so that I had a better understanding of it.”
“I was very pleased with the way Preston, Wilson & Crandley handled my case. Their services were excellent from beginning to end — answering all of my questions, helping me through concern and stress, and handling my case correctly. I would absolutely use them again if needed.”