Most people realize that the injuries and damages sustained in truck accidents are usually much worse than those that occur in car crashes. The massive size of tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks have catastrophic – if not fatal – results. If you or someone you love is involved in a truck accident, it is imperative to speak to a Virginia truck accident attorney right away.

Any vehicle has the risk of being involved in a crash, but ignoring federal and state trucking regulations spikes the odds of a truck accident occurring. In fact, in a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 120,000 fatal and injury crashes nationwide during the 33-month study period that involved at least one large truck; 141,000 large trucks were involved in those crashes.

 

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The majority of those crashes were caused by one of three reasons:

• Loss of control
• Running out of the lane of travel
• Rear-ending the vehicle in front

In the crashes where the truck driver was deemed responsible for the crash:

• Thirty-eight percent were the result of poor decisions by the truck driver, including following other vehicles too closely or operating the truck too fast.
• Twenty-three percent were caused by failure or lack of recognition by the truck driver, including engaging in distracted driving behaviors or not paying attention to the road.
• Twelve percent were the result of non-performance by the truck driver and included situations like falling asleep or suffering a medical emergency (heart attack, seizure, etc.)
• Nine percent were the result of some act or performance by the truck driver, like overcompensating or having poor control of the truck.

Other factors found to contribute to fatal truck crashes were:

• Brake issues
• Driving through a required stop such as at a traffic light or crosswalk
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Fatigue
• Inadequate surveillance
• Over-the-counter drug abuse
• Prescription drug abuse
• Roadway problems
• Roadway unfamiliarity
• Traffic congestion

Contact a Virginia Truck Accident Attorney

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, contact a Virginia truck accident lawyer to find out what legal options you may have. Virginia law allows survivors of victims killed in accidents to pursue damages for their losses through a wrongful death lawsuit. The law understands that no amount of money will ever replace the loved one, but many times, a civil lawsuit is the only option for the family to get justice for their loved one.

At Shapiro & Appleton, our Virginia wrongful death attorneys have decades of experience successfully advocating for victims and their families and would be happy to meet and discuss what your legal options may be. Call 800-752-0042 today for a free case evaluation.