Virginia Truck Accident Attorney: Proving Truck Accident Liability

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When a Virginia personal injury attorney takes on a truck accident case, there are a number of factors they may consider when trying to determine who is responsible for the accident. If the victim is seriously injured or dies from their injuries, the concern as to whether there will be enough liability insurance coverage to compensate that person may arise.

National Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), approximately 5,000 people die in large truck crashes each year. Another 130,000 victims are seriously injured. And those numbers continue to rise each year.

The following are statistics on truck accidents according to the Department of Transportation:

  • Sixty-one percent of truck accident fatalities occur on major roads other than interstate highways
  • Annually, approximately 500,000 accidents involving trucks occur
  • Semi-trucks are only required to carry $750,000 in insurance coverage, and most carry only this
  • The most common causes of truck accidents are drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication
  • When a big rig is involved in a crash, injuries are more severe than in similar crashes involving automobiles

Who Is Liable?

When a Virginia truck accident attorney is representing a truck accident victim and/or their family, there are certain steps the attorney will take in determining what legal options are the best ones for each particular case:

  • Injury extent – One of the first steps that an attorney will take is determining the extent of a victim’s injuries. If so, then there may be a concern as to whether there will be enough liability insurance coverage to compensate them.
  • Liability insurance coverage – Each person involved in the accident is required to carry liability insurance that may vary in amounts, so it is critical that a thorough investigation is done to determine who may be liable
  • Determining who is liable – In some cases, it may not only be the truck driver and the owner of the truck who is liable but another party as well, including the cargo company that loaded the truck, the mechanics who repair it, or even the truck manufacturer.

Contact a Virginia Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact a Virginia truck accident attorney to discuss what legal recourse you may have against the responsible party or parties. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our legal team has successfully advocated for many truck accident victims and their families, and we understand how complex these cases can be. Our attorneys are available to meet and discuss the details of your case and how we may be able to help.

For more information about truck accidents in Virginia, please download our free guide.

 

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