Accidents involving commercial trucks can be devastating. Due to the sheer size of a large truck (18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, big rig), collisions with other motorists often result in serious injuries or death. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a large truck, the last thing you want to do is sift through paperwork, gather evidence, and fight with aggressive insurance companies.
Fortunately, Attorney James R. Parrish and the team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, are here to help. With years of experience helping victims of all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving commercial trucks, we understand the complexities of these cases, and we know how to pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial trucking company, a Vienna personal injury lawyer can help. We will thoroughly review your case and ensure that you fully understand your rights and options before moving forward.
Contact us today for a FREE claim review.
Possible At-Fault Parties in a Commercial Truck Accident
Sadly, large truck accidents are not uncommon. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 2,847 large truck crashes in 2023, resulting in 870 serious injuries.
Motor vehicle accidents can all be complicated matters, but trucking accidents are in a league of their own. In many cases, multiple parties are involved, which means more potential avenues for recovering compensation. However, having several potential liable parties can also bring overwhelming complexities. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, our legal team may be able to obtain compensation from:
- The driver
- The trucking companies
- Parts manufacturers
- Companies responsible for the vehicle’s maintenance
- The truck’s owner
- The company that owns the truck’s cargo
One of these parties, or any combination thereof, may have contributed to your injuries. Our dedicated legal team will investigate your case to determine its unique circumstances, as well as who may be at fault.
Contact a truck accident lawyer in Vienna, VA today to get started on your case.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Truck Accident
If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck, you may be able to obtain compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
- Alternative transportation
Don’t delay. The sooner you consult with a truck accident attorney, the sooner you can relax and focus on healing.
What to Do Following a Truck Accident in Vienna
Recovering from injuries should be your focus after a truck accident, but you must also protect yourself while building your claim for compensation. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this process:
Listen to Your Doctor
Even if you didn’t get medical treatment at the scene of the accident or go to Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care or Tysons Emergency, you should follow up with your doctor immediately after. Doing so creates a medical record that could be immensely helpful to any resulting injury claim or lawsuit.
And listen to your doctor’s orders—go to all your appointments, take your medications, and inform your healthcare providers if you develop new symptoms or if your current symptoms become worse.
If you think you’ve recovered entirely, talk with your doctor about it. Don’t just stop your treatment; doing so could give the insurance company what it needs to deny or devalue your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If you haven’t let your insurance company know about your accident, you should do so immediately. Most insurers have a short time frame within which you must notify them of an accident.
Take Notes and Pictures
If you can take pictures at the scene of the accident, do so. Photograph the truck, your vehicle, any visible injuries, and the scene itself, including any contributing factors. For example, if a road sign or tree was blocking a yield sign, take a picture of it. Ask any eyewitnesses for their contact information and write down or audio record your mental notes of what happened. Memories fade with each passing day, so the sooner you can do this, the better.
Watch What You Say to the Other Insurance Company
The other party’s insurance adjuster will likely call you soon after the accident to get your side of the story. Avoid giving a detailed statement. Just give them the basic facts—who, where, and when. If the adjuster asks if you are injured, tell them you are waiting for your results. If they ask for a recorded statement or ask any questions you aren’t sure how to answer, direct them to us.
Consult with a Lawyer
You should not give detailed information or a statement to anyone, nor should you accept a settlement, until you have consulted with a truck accident attorney in Vienna, VA. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to avoid paying accident claims. For this reason, it is especially important to work with an attorney who understands insurance companies and how they think.
You’re in luck. Jim Parrish, our founder, defended insurance companies before we opened our doors. This means he knows how the insurers operate and think. More importantly, he knows how to defend against their tactics. He knows how to protect accident victims and fight for fair settlements.
You Have a Limited Time to Take Action After a Truck Accident in Vienna
Virginia’s statute of limitations limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident. If you fail to take legal action within two years, you risk recovering nothing. You can still negotiate for financial compensation, but you won’t have any leverage with the insurance company.
We recommend that you get in touch with us as soon as possible after your accident; once you’ve done this, we’ll manage all deadlines for you.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents can happen at any time and for any reason, but certain causes are particularly common in Virginia. As mentioned earlier, the truck driver is frequently not the only at-fault party. In fact, in some cases, driver error has nothing to do with the resulting crash. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include the following scenarios:
- The driver is negligent, distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, or speeding.
- The truck has a defective or faulty part(s).
- The trucking company failed to properly train the driver or keep the truck in good working order.
- The trucking company encouraged the driver to work excessive hours.
- Negligent roadway maintenance, such as potholes, construction debris, or blind curves, contributed to the accident.
- A maintenance company failed to perform proper maintenance on the vehicle.
- The company responsible for loading the truck’s cargo failed to do its job, resulting in dangerous cargo or an uneven load.
Common Injuries Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Vienna See
Commercial truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries. We have helped accident victims recover compensation for the following types of injuries and more:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in a semi-truck crash, our Vienna wrongful death lawyer can help you seek justice.
Consult with a Vienna Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we understand how a semi-truck accident can result in more than just physical pain and suffering. The psychological and financial impact can ripple through the entire family. That is why we are so committed to giving you the personal support and encouragement you need to get through this difficult time, while simultaneously fighting to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, let us help. Contact us today for a FREE claim review.