Truck Accident Attorney in Richmond, Virginia

Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys in Richmond, Virginia

At Marks & Harrison, we understand how truck accidents are different than other motor vehicle accident cases. They must be investigated immediately. Multiple parties may be at fault, including out-of-state and foreign companies. Violations of the state and federal trucking industry violations may be involved as well.

Because of these differences, we believe it is important for truck accident victims to get help from a law firm with the skills, experience, and resources these cases demand.

The truck accident lawyers of Marks & Harrison are ready to help you today. We have a deep background in truck accident litigation. One of our attorneys, John C. Shea, serves on the National Advisory Board of the Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America.

Marks & Harrison serves clients from our offices located throughout Virginia, including our headquarters in Richmond. Contact our truck accident attorneys in Richmond today to receive a free consultation and to learn more about how we can assist you.

Why You Should Hire Marks & Harrison After Your Richmond Truck Accident

A collision with a tractor-trailer can upend every part of your life. Choosing the right law firm will make a meaningful difference in how your claim moves forward. Marks & Harrison has represented injured Virginians for over 115 years, and our attorneys bring the experience, resources, and commitment these complex cases demand.

Here is what sets our team apart:

• Attorney John C. Shea focuses on tractor-trailer cases and brain injury claims, and serves on the National Advisory Board of The Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America.
• Our in-house team of investigators works to determine how the crash happened and who should be held responsible.
• Our firm has the resources and courtroom experience these cases often require, with more than 30 attorneys and 130 support staff members.
• If the trucking company and its insurer refuse to offer a fair settlement, our trial lawyers will be prepared to take your case to court.

Our Experience in Truck Accident Cases

Our results speak for themselves. Marks & Harrison has recovered significant results in truck accident cases, including cases with awards of $12 million, $11 million, $10 million, and $5.1 million. You can view more of our past case results on our Significant Results page. *

Appreciation from Our Clients

Our clients often share how much our team’s support meant to them during a difficult time. As one client said:

“When a truck driver crashed into my car and turned my life upside down, Marks & Harrison made things right. They took care of everything so I could focus on getting well. I will always be grateful.”

You can read more from clients we have served on our Testimonials page.

Recognition from Peers and the Public

Marks & Harrison has earned recognition throughout Virginia, including being named “Best Law Firm” in the 2026 Best of the Valley awards and being ranked in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, including Regional Tier 1 in Richmond Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

How Our Lawyers Can Help in Your Truck Accident Case

After a truck accident, you deserve a legal team that will handle the details so you can focus on getting better. Here is how our Richmond truck accident lawyers can help:

• Your attorney will investigate the crash and gather evidence to support your claim. It is crucial to act quickly after a truck crash to preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed, such as event data recorder (EDR) information, driving logs, and maintenance and inspection records.
• Our lawyers will handle the paperwork, communications, and negotiations so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
• We can help you seek full and fair compensation for your losses connected to the crash, including medical expenses and lost wages.
• With a contingency fee agreement, you will not pay us an attorney’s fee unless we win your case.
• We will stay by your side through every step of the process, from settlement negotiations through trial, if necessary. You will receive regular updates so you know where your case stands.
• We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Virginia generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, although some deadlines may vary depending on the facts of the case. Because important evidence can disappear quickly after a truck crash, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Contact our Richmond truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.

*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they show the level of commitment our attorneys bring to every truck accident claim we take on.

Richmond Truck Accident Attorney

In most car accident cases, only two parties are involved: The driver who caused the crash, and the victim of the other driver’s negligence. On the other hand,

A truck accident case may involve the victim(s) and numerous at-fault parties, including:

Because all of these parties have financial interests at stake, they will work aggressively to protect those interests after a crash.

You can protect your rights by hiring an experienced Richmond truck accident lawyer as soon as you are able to do so.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a crash involving a tractor-trailer (18-wheeler or semi-truck), Marks & Harrison can:

What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?

In the opening years of this century, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a landmark study into the leading causes of commercial truck accidents. The truck or its driver was assigned the critical reason for 55 percent of the study’s crashes. That number drops to 44 percent in two-vehicle collisions involving a truck and a passenger vehicle.

Driver error was the critical reason for 87 percent of truck accidents. Here’s how that breaks down:

• Decision errors were the critical reason for 38 percent of truck accidents. This includes mistakes like speeding, tailgating, or misjudging other vehicles’ speeds.
• Recognition mistakes were the critical cause in 28 percent of accidents. This means the driver failed to notice a hazard due to distraction or inadequate attention.
• Non-performance was the critical factor in 12 percent of accidents. Examples of non-performance include the driver falling asleep, suffering a medical emergency, or becoming physically impaired for some other reason.
• Performance was the critical reason in 9 percent of accidents. Panicking or overcorrecting are examples of performance mistakes.

About 10 percent of truck accidents had a vehicle issue as their critical reason, such as:

• Worn or defective brakes
• Bald or underinflated tires
• Faulty steering components
• Broken headlights, brake lights, or turn signals
• Defective blind-spot monitoring systems
• Improperly secured or overloaded cargo
• Malfunctioning coupling equipment
• Missing or damaged underride guards
• Engine or transmission failures

The remaining 3 percent of truck accidents had an environmental factor as their critical cause. Environmental factors might include:

• Rain, snow, ice, or fog
• High winds
• Poorly maintained or uneven pavement
• Construction zones
• Sharp curves or steep grades
• Inadequate lighting
• Missing signage
• Debris or other roadway obstructions

How Are Truck Accident Claims Different from Car Accident Claims?

Semi-truck accident claims are usually quite a bit different from car accident claims. To begin with, truck accident cases often involve more liable parties, including the truck driver, the motor carrier the driver works for, the shipping broker that hired the carrier, and the company that manufactured the truck, to name just a few.

The trucking industry is also regulated at both the state and federal levels. A violation of trucking regulations can affect liability, though proving a violation requires particular insight into the trucking industry and how it operates.

Commercial trucks must carry much larger insurance policies than most passenger vehicles, which means victims may have access to more compensation. However, insurance companies are not eager for victims to understand the full extent of coverage, often hiding it through policy language and springing clauses. For example, a truck might have an excess liability policy attached that doesn’t activate until the liability policy is exhausted.

What Evidence Is Important in a Truck Accident Case?

It takes evidence to win a truck accident case, such as:

• The police crash report, which has critical information about the involved parties, whether the responding officer issued them citations, the names of any eyewitnesses, and the officer’s initial observations about the accident scene.
• Photos and videos of things like damage to the vehicle, debris and skid marks at the crash scene, nearby traffic signals, and the general roadway conditions.
• The driver’s electronic logging device (ELD), which might show that the driver violated hours-of-service regulations and was fatigued at the time of the crash.
• Statements from eyewitnesses, like other drivers, passengers, nearby workers, and bystanders, that provide independent accounts of the collision.
• Digital data from the truck’s electronic control module, GPS, and onboard systems showing speed, whether the brakes were applied, steering inputs, and other critical information from the moment of the crash.
• Dashcam and surveillance footage that show how the crash occurred and what the truck driver did beforehand.
• Inspection and maintenance records that might show the trucking company failed to make necessary repairs or otherwise keep its fleet in working order.
• Driver records concerning employment history, training, whether they failed any drug or alcohol tests, and other signs they were a safety risk.
• Bills of lading, weight tickets, and other cargo records that show whether improper loading procedures contributed to the accident.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Richmond?

You can protect yourself and your right to compensation by taking the following steps:

• Call 911 and request medical assistance.
• Move to a safe location if you can do so without risking further injury.
• Photograph the scene using your cellphone, and try to get pictures of the vehicles, any visible injuries you’ve suffered, and the general road conditions.
• Get the truck driver’s name, their employer’s name, their insurance details, and information about the truck.
• Speak to anyone who witnessed the accident and get their contact details.
• Be careful what you say at the scene and don’t admit fault.
• Get medical attention if you were not transported directly from the scene, and follow your treatment plan to the letter.
• Report the accident to your insurer, but be brief and don’t speculate about what caused the crash.
• Start an evidence folder that includes a written account of the accident, the photos and information you gathered at the scene, and copies of your medical bills.
• Avoid discussing the accident or your injuries on social media.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company or its insurer, and do not accept a settlement until you’ve reviewed it with an attorney.
• Contact Marks & Harrison to speak with a truck accident lawyer during a free, no-pressure consultation. We can review your evidence and advise you on your options.

Should I Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Company?

A representative from the trucking company’s insurance company or insurance department may contact you soon after the accident, if they haven’t already. The representative might seem friendly or concerned about your well-being. However, the pleasant facade hides their real purpose: to protect the company’s profits and minimize the value of your claim.

Approach any conversation with an insurance adjuster with extreme caution. Do not agree to give them a recorded statement, and be on your guard if you’re told that the conversation is being recorded for quality assurance. Refrain from saying anything that might suggest you were at fault for the accident, and do not downplay the severity of your injuries or the pain and limitations they cause you.

Most importantly, don’t sign a settlement contract until you’ve had a chance to discuss it with an experienced Richmond truck accident lawyer at Marks & Harrison. The adjuster might present it as a generous offer that will immediately relieve your financial concerns. Alternatively, they might pressure you and claim it’s a one-time offer that will expire if you don’t take it. Either way, you can politely tell them you’re seeking legal representation, then schedule your free consultation with the team at Marks & Harrison. We can handle all further communication, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally hurting your claim.

What Factors Affect the Value of a Truck Accident Claim?

Many different factors can affect the value of your truck accident claim, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• Your past and future medical expenses
• How much income you’ve lost out on
• Whether your injuries affect your career
• The number of liable parties and how clearly they’re at fault
• The extent of available insurance coverage
• The strength of your evidence
• Whether you have legal representation and, if you do, your attorney’s skill level

How Does Commercial Truck Insurance Affect a Claim?

Commercial trucks typically carry larger insurance policies than passenger vehicles. Under federal law, vehicles engaged in interstate commerce must have at least $750,000 in liability coverage. The minimums increase to $5 million for trucks carrying certain hazardous materials.

Truck accident claims may involve several policies, including insurance covering the truck, the motor carrier, the truck’s owner, the cargo’s owner, and third-party maintenance providers. While that means more money may be available for accident victims, it does not guarantee a full or prompt payout, especially if multiple insurers choose to fight a victim’s claim instead of accepting liability.

Should I Accept an Early Truck Accident Settlement?

It is a bad idea to accept a settlement offer before you’ve had a chance to review it with an experienced truck accident attorney. That’s because the settlement contract will include a clause releasing the insurance company and its policyholder from further liability. Once you accept the offer, you waive your right to further claims against the covered parties, meaning there’s no going back for more money later.

Insurers use quick settlement offers to protect their profits. They know truck accident victims are often under heavy financial pressure and may be desperate for cash. However, whatever the insurer is offering you now is likely only a fraction of your claim’s fair value.

Before you sign on the dotted line, contact Marks & Harrison and let our experienced Richmond truck accident lawyers review the offer. We’ll advise you on whether it’s fair and, if not, what your case may really be worth.

Contact the Richmond Truck Accident Lawyers at Marks & Harrison Today

When you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, Marks & Harrison is your trusted partner in seeking justice and fair compensation. Our team of experienced truck accident attorneys is dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring that you receive the support you deserve during this challenging time.

Don’t let the aftermath of a truck accident overwhelm you – let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step towards securing the compensation and closure you deserve. Your journey to justice starts here.

What Caused Your Truck Accident?

To recover compensation after you have been injured or lost a loved one in a collision with a tractor-trailer, it will be essential to establish that another party’s fault caused the accident.

Different types of fault that can contribute to truck wrecks and truck accident injuries include:

• Speeding – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that speeding is the most common safety violation committed by commercial motor vehicle drivers.
• Tailgating – This is the second most common safety violation among truck drivers, according to the NHTSA. The potential for disaster from tailgating is even greater when an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer is following a 3,500-pound passenger vehicle.
• Sudden braking – When a commercial truck is traveling at high speeds, sudden braking can cause the tractor-trailer to skid and jackknife (when the trailer swings out and comes to rest at a sharp angle to the tractor).
• Drug and alcohol use – As the NHTSA states, driving a large commercial motor vehicle while impaired is a catastrophic event waiting to happen. Truck drivers put themselves and others in harm’s way when they drive while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or certain medications.
• Distracted driving – When truck drivers take their attention off driving in order to talk or text on a mobile phone, eat, drink, smoke, play with the radio, or read a map, it can be particularly dangerous. Due to the size, weight, and complexity of a tractor-trailer, drivers must give their full attention to the safe operation of the vehicle. Being distracted can cause drivers to not see blind spots, which can lead to deadly crashes.
• Driver fatigue – Truck drivers are under constant pressure to move cargo. Long work days are not uncommon. In a recent study, 20 percent of long-haul truck drivers reported that they had fallen asleep at the wheel during the last 30-day period. In spite of hours-of-service regulations that are designed to prevent fatigued driving, it continues to be a problem in the trucking industry.
• Improper loading – When tractor-trailers are overloaded or cargo is left unsecured, the load can shift and cause rollovers, jackknifing, longer stopping distances, and loss of control.
• Negligent maintenance – A trucker and/or trucking company’s failure to conduct a mandatory inspection of brakes, lights, tires, trailer couplings, and other truck and trailer equipment can readily lead to an unsafe tractor-trailer getting on the road.
• Mechanical defects – A truck manufacturer or a manufacturer of truck parts may be held liable if a design or manufacturing defect causes a crash. For instance, a defective tire may lead to a blowout or tread separation. Brake failure is another common mechanical defect involved in truck accidents.
• Defective road conditions – A government agency or its contractors may be liable if a truck accident results from a poorly designed or maintained road.

What Is Your Truck Accident Claim Worth?

Truck accidents can result in serious harm to those in the other vehicle involved in the crash.  This is mainly due to the significant difference in size and weight between a tractor-trailer and a standard passenger vehicle and the fact that many of these crashes occur at high speeds.

As we have observed, truck crashes can result in catastrophic and often fatal injuries that involve:

At Marks & Harrison, we have a record of obtaining results for truck accident victims, including:

• $5.1 million on behalf of an elderly man who suffered multiple fractures in a collision with a tractor-trailer (U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia, Harrisonburg Division)
• $5 million on behalf of a college student whose car was struck by a large truck that was making a turn in foggy conditions (Circuit Court of the City of Richmond)
• $3.9 million on behalf of a client who suffered quadriplegia due to a collision with a tractor-trailer (Circuit Court of the City of Richmond).

The results that can be obtained in a specific truck accident case depend on a variety of factors that are unique to each case. Past results do not guarantee or predict that a similar result can be obtained in your case.

However, at Marks & Harrison, we can guarantee that we will work hard for you and seek full and fair compensation for all of your damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost income, diminished future earning ability, pain and suffering and more.

How Many Accidents Involving Large Commercial Trucks Occur?

In one recent year, a reported 4,761 people died in large truck crashes in our country, according to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Out of those fatalities, 82 percent were either occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash or non-occupants such as pedestrians or bicyclists. During the same year, 98 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in Virginia, with 81 percent of those victims being occupants of other vehicles or non-occupants.

Get Help Today from Our Richmond

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries or faced a tragic loss in a collision involving a large commercial truck, acting quickly can make a critical difference in your case. At Marks & Harrison, our experienced truck accident attorneys are ready to take immediate action on your behalf to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Truck accident cases require swift investigation to preserve evidence, identify liable parties, and build a strong claim. Our truck accident lawyers will work diligently to handle every aspect of your case, so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

Contact Marks & Harrison today to schedule your free consultation with a Richmond truck accident lawyer. We’re committed to providing personalized service and can meet you at our Richmond office, one of our eight other offices conveniently located across Virginia, or wherever is most convenient for you. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you. Don’t wait—your path to justice starts with a single call or by reaching out online.

Sources / More Information:

• Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Regulations, FMCSA
• Targeting Crash Causing Violations, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration