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Truck accidents can be catastrophic events, leaving victims with devastating injuries. Even a relatively slow rear-end accident can cause permanent spinal cord injuries if it involves a large commercial truck.
If you were struck by a large truck in Roanoke, Virginia, contact Marks & Harrison for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable and experienced Roanoke truck accident lawyers. We’ll assess your case and help you seek the compensation you need for your truck accident injuries and seek accountability for their impact on your future.
What Are Common Types of Truck Accidents in Roanoke?
Common types of truck accidents in Roanoke include:
- Head-on collisions caused by the truck crossing the dividing line between lanes
- Rear-end collisions caused by truck drivers misjudging the distance needed to stop
- Underride accidents, where a vehicle goes under a truck’s trailer
- Jackknife accidents, where the truck’s trailer swings out alongside the cab due to heavy braking or slippery road conditions
- Rollover accidents, where the truck ends up on its side, potentially crushing smaller vehicles
- Tire blowout accidents that cause the truck driver to lose control of their vehicle
- Wide-turn accidents, where a truck collides with another vehicle as it swings out before making a sharp turn.
What Are Common Causes of Roanoke Truck Accidents?
Roanoke truck accidents can occur for various reasons. Some of the most common causes are related to truck driver negligence, including speeding, distracted driving, and fatigued driving. However, truck accidents can also result from inadequately secured cargo, overloading, poor vehicle maintenance, defective components, and poor road conditions. Identifying the cause of the accident that harmed you is one of the major steps that we will take at Marks & Harrison while seeking compensation for your injuries.
Why Are Truck Accidents Often More Severe Than Car Accidents?
Truck accidents are often more severe than car accidents due to the size and weight of the vehicle involved. Due to the massive weight difference between a commercial truck and a car, the forces involved in the collision can cause significant injuries. Additionally, a commercial truck’s size can result in multiple other vehicles getting caught up in the accident. The more parties involved in an accident case, the more complex it becomes.
What Are Common Injuries from Truck Accidents?
The injuries caused by truck accidents frequently result in long-term or permanent disability. Some of the most common of these injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can result in permanent cognitive and physical disability
- Spinal cord injuries that can leave victims completely or partially paralyzed, depending on the injury’s severity
- Fractured bones, including serious compound or comminuted fractures that require surgery
- Soft tissue damage, including sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Limb-crushing injuries that may result in amputation of extremities
- Internal organ damage that can be life-threatening if immediate medical treatment isn’t received.
What Are Truck Blind Spots?
A tractor-trailer’s blind spots, known as no-zones, are four large areas around the truck where the driver can’t see you. The side no-zones extend back from the cab at an angle. The rear no-zone is directly behind the trailer. Finally, the front no-zone extends a few feet in front of the vehicle. A general rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the truck driver in their side-view mirrors, they can’t see you, either.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Roanoke Truck Accident?
Multiple parties could be liable depending on the cause of the Roanoke truck accident that injured you. In many cases, the truck driver will be liable. If a trucking company directly employs them, that company may also share liability. However, if the driver is an independent contractor, holding the company liable for your injuries can be more difficult.
Other potentially liable parties include the truck’s maintenance providers, manufacturer, and cargo loaders. The government could also be liable if poor road maintenance contributed to the accident.
Are Truck Drivers Required to Follow Certain State and Federal Regulations?
One reason truck accident cases are challenging is they involve state and federal regulations. In Virginia, various size and weight restrictions apply to trucks on bridges and in tunnels.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets federal trucking regulations, including hours of service (HoS) and cargo securement regulations. HoS regulations prevent truckers from spending too much time on the road to prevent fatigue. Cargo securement regulations outline the types and number of securements required for different kinds of cargo.
What Compensation Can I Seek After a Roanoke Truck Accident?
After a Roanoke truck crash, you can seek compensation for your various losses. This compensation could include the following;
- Past and future medical expenses related to the incident
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential caused by your injuries
- Physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries
- Permanent disability due to your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Repairing or replacing damaged or lost property.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Virginia?
Virginia’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases gives truck accident victims two years from the injury date to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries. You must file your truck accident lawsuits within this two-year time limit or risk the courts barring you from recovering damages. An experienced Roanoke truck accident lawyer can handle all aspects of your case, including filing your lawsuit(s) within the deadline.
Contact a Roanoke Truck Accident Attorney
Marks & Harrison has served personal injury victims throughout Virginia since 1911. We have recovered millions for our clients. Our track record of success includes some of the largest cases in Virginia history.
If you suffered injuries in a Roanoke truck accident, contact our firm today for a free consultation about your case. We can help you determine the next steps to take to protect your rights, review the facts of your case, and explain your rights and the options available to you.
