Virginia Truck Accident Statistics

Common Types of Truck Accidents

• Cargo Shifts, If cargo on a transfer truck is not properly secured, the transfer of weight when it shifts suddenly can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause a crash and or rollover.
• Cargo Spills, improperly loaded cargo that falls from a truck can hit other vehicles and or cause vehicles to crash when drivers swerve to avoid spilled cargo. If hazardous materials are spilled, it can cause personal injury, slick road surface and irrevocable environmental damage. Truck drivers not showing caution may take a turn too quickly and cause their rig to jackknife.
• Jackknifes, this accident occurs when the cab and trailer of a large truck slide towards one another like a folding pocket knife, known as a Yaw. Big-rig truck drivers can jackknife by losing traction when they hit the brakes too quickly, exceed safe speeds and while driving in less than desirable weather conditions, such as rain, snow or ice and by taking a turn too quickly and causing their rig to jackknife.
• Underride, passenger vehicle occupants can be seriously injured or killed if their vehicle hits a commercial truck, and because of the height of the truck, may slide beneath the rig and or trailer. An underride can damage and sheer off the upper portion of a car, leaving occupants exposed to serious harm. 
• Head on Collisions, the laws of physics can make this particular type of accident particularly devastating because the speed of both vehicles combined magnify the force of impact.
• Rear End Collisions, even minor “fender bender” accidents can cause serious neck and back injuries with long term effects, any addition of speed creates impactful devastation.
• Sideswipe Collisions, this type of accident can cause serious injuries to those seated on the impact side, as there is less protection on the side of a vehicle as compared to the front, where the engine exists. Other passengers seated away from the impact may also experience injuries.

• Multi-Vehicle Accidents, resulting in thousands of deaths each year on U.S. highways, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• Rollover Accidents, big rigs, 18 wheelers, trucks and trailers, semis are more likely to be involved in injurious, even fatal rollover accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• Pedestrian Accidents, the Ed Booth Law Firm practices litigation for all vehicle incidents including pedestrian accidents. In Virginia, pedestrians are given the right of way, if a driver causes injury through distracted driving, neglect of right of way for said pedestrian, intoxication due to alcohol or drugs, failure to give right of way or driving with intention to cause harm. The victim is entitled to seek legal reparations for all and or any injuries.
• Hit and Run Accidents, those who have been an unfortunate victim of a hit and run accident may still have the right to receive legal compensation, whether the other driver has been identified or not.
• Drunk or Illegal Substance Induced Driving Accidents, in addition to compensation for medical bills, time off from work, damage to property, victims of drivers that are inebriated or intoxicated by use of illegal substances may be awarded additional compensation due to the illegal nature of driving while intoxicated.

What To Do If You Are In A Virginia Truck Accident

• If injured, please remain still and wait for the ambulance, so as to not increase the severity of injuries.
• If one is not injured, check on the welfare of any passengers. Exit the vehicle (unless one is injured and further movement would cause pain and worsen said injury) to check on the other driver/s involved.  
• Never leave the scene of a Virginia truck accident.
• Call the police to report the Virginia vehicle  collision and incase of injury, to request an ambulance and fire truck. 
• Call your Virginia 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer Ed Booth.
• Take photos and videos of all angles of all autos involved. 
• While waiting for law enforcement, attempt to obtain as much information from other driver/s, passengers and witnesses including names of drivers, passengers and insurance carriers.
• If an accident involves commercial vehicles, call the Department of Transportation. That number may be found on either the rear or the side door of the vehicle. Be sure to document commercial trailer/vehicle company names and phone numbers.
• Call one’s insurance company to report an accident. 
• If uninjured, remain at the crash site to communicate to Police only the basics of the accident one has been involved in. 

Virginia Truck Accident Claims

Virginia Code 8.01-243 A; establishes a statute of limitation of two years from the date of the auto accident to bring legal action for all injuries arising from said incident. Fatal incidents have a two year statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim with limitation period begat upon date of person’s death. A civil action relating to property damage has a five year statute of limitations under Virginia Code.

Common Injuries After A Truck Accident

Compensation for Virginia Truck Accidents

The value of a claim will depend on a number of factors which resulted from the accident, such as property damage, medical bills, loss of wages, treatment costs, transportation to treatments and other resultant incidentals. Attorney Ed Booth will take into account liability, the amount of damages and insurance coverage. Virginia is a contributory negligence state which adheres to factual evidence of contribution of fault for either driver/s. The extent of damage resultant of an accident and the severity will also contribute to calculation of compensation for a personal injury claim. Damage can be broken down into three categories:

• Real actual damage to property, such as one’s vehicle.
• Personal physical damage, such as injuries to neck, back and or broken bones.
• Hardship, the extent of pain and suffering one may experience as the result of an auto accident.

Having a professional like Attorney Ed Booth by your side can help to ease the stress and duress one may experience after an accident with a truck. The Booth Law Firm provides due diligence, care and great consideration for all of their clients, in the utmost respectful manner. Call (757) 304-8424 today!

Reporting Requirements for Virginia Truck Accidents

• Under the code of Commonwealth of Virginia section 46.2894, a driver must report their role in certain automotive accidents.
• Specifically, drivers must report any vehicle accident that results in physical injury to a person/s, death of a person/s, any and all property damage.
• Any driver involved in a motor vehicle accident must stop their vehicle immediately, obeying applicable Virginia traffic laws.
• The driver must submit a report with full legal name, permanent address, driver’s license number and vehicle registration number.

Ed Booth: Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer

How A Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Let Ed Booth Help With Your Truck Accident Case

Attorney Ed Booth will give you a free consultation to provide you with an honest evaluation about your case. Working on a contingency fee, all expenses come out of the settlement – you don’t pay, unless you win. As a recognized truck accident law firm in Virginia with multiple honors and recognitions within the state, Ed Booth will help to guide you through the process and will work to get the maximum compensation you deserve for your truck accident in the state of Virginia. 

Experienced truck accident attorney Ed Booth has served injured victims, obtaining settlements ranging from $440,000 to $3.5 million in vehicle based injury claims.

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