If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident, our legal team will fight to hold those who harmed you accountable. At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we provide Leesburg personal injury lawyer legal services for victims of auto accidents in Virginia. With the help of our team, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Working With a Leesburg Truck Accident Lawyer
In the aftermath of a truck accident, you may face significant medical bills and debilitating injuries. Dealing with these challenges on your own isn’t easy.
Our team is here to shoulder this burden. We can manage every aspect of your case so you can focus on what really matters, like healing from your injuries, or spending time with your family. These are the services a Leesburg truck accident lawyer can provide:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of your case
- Supporting your claims with the evidence we collect
- Contacting insurers and other relevant parties
- Managing communications, so you don’t have to
- Representing your best interests every step of the way
- Fighting for fair compensation
Knowledge from Inside the Insurance Industry
Truck accidents often involve insurance claims. To secure a liability claim, you’ll need to contact and negotiate with the responsible party’s insurer.
Jim Parrish, our lead attorney, previously worked as counsel for insurance companies. Attorney Parrish understands the bad faith tactics insurance companies use and can rely on his knowledge from inside the insurance industry during negotiations. At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we aren’t afraid to stand up to insurers when they:
- Offer you less than you deserve
- Argue that you were responsible for your injuries
- Outright deny your claim
No Fees Unless We Win
Truck accidents aren’t cheap. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the average comprehensive cost of an automobile accident is over one million dollars.
We understand that you might be in a tight financial position, particularly if you’re underinsured. For this reason, we operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means we require no upfront fees, and you don’t pay us until we win your case.
What Damages do I Qualify for?
As a truck accident victim, you have the right to pursue the following types of damages:
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lowered earning capacity
- Mental anguish
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one, you could also qualify for these unique wrongful death damages, per Va. Code § 8.01-52:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and comfort
- Medical expenses incurred before the passing of your loved one
At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we extend our deepest condolences if you lost a loved one in a truck accident. As your legal team, we will do everything we can to ensure that you feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout the legal process. Our clients come first, and your recovery is our priority.
How do I Pursue Damages?
Damages in a truck accident are typically pursued in one of two ways:
- An insurance claim
- A lawsuit
If the driver that caused your injuries is insured, you can file a liability claim with their insurer. A claim may not produce a satisfying result, however. If this occurs, our team isn’t afraid of filing a lawsuit. Keep in mind that personal injury lawsuits don’t usually go to trial. Instead, both parties typically settle outside of court.
If going to trial is the best option for your case, we will make sure you are prepared for the proceedings.
How do I Prove Negligence in My Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident cases are a category of personal injury law. In these cases, one individual or group has harmed another. If the injured individual can provide proof that their injuries were caused by negligence, they can receive compensation through a lawsuit or insurance claim.
Therefore, establishing negligence is critical in truck accident cases. Common types of negligence that can cause a truck accident include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Ignoring roadway laws or signage
The Trucking Company May Also Be Liable
In Leesburg, VA, a legal precedent called vicarious liability applies. Under this precedent, you can sue an employer if their employee behaved unsafely.
Similarly, a trucking company could also be liable for your injuries if it didn’t uphold safe business practices. Here are some ways that a trucking company could have violated safety laws or regulations:
- Not meeting Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards
- Encouraging drivers not to take breaks
- Hiring drivers with unsafe records
- Not properly training drivers
Our truck accident lawyer serving Leesburg can determine who’s responsible for your injuries. Then, we can work on securing fair compensation. Remember that just because your accident involved a truck doesn’t mean a trucker caused it. An individual third-party driver may be responsible for your injuries.
Types of Evidence We Can Review
To build your case and determine who’s responsible for your injuries, a Leesburg truck accident attorney from our team can review the following types of evidence:
- Eyewitness statements
- Police reports
- Your medical records
- Your expenses
- Input from experts, like crash reconstruction specialists
- Video or images that document the crash
The Four Criteria of Negligence Using the Evidence We Gather
This evidence will play an essential role in highlighting liability. With it, we can show:
- The liable party owed you a duty of care: Drivers are responsible for keeping others from harm. This responsibility is known as a duty of care in the legal world.
- The liable party didn’t uphold this duty: The evidence we gather needs to show that the responsible party behaved negligently and put your life at risk. In a truck accident, speeding, drunk driving, or distracted driving are common examples of negligence.
- The liable party caused your accident: There needs to be a clear link between the liable party’s negligence and the accident that caused your injuries.
- You suffered damages: Damages like medical expenses and severe injuries can be demonstrated through your medical records and other types of evidence.
Truck Accident Claims Have a Deadline
If you’re planning to file a truck accident lawsuit in Leesburg, you must consider the Virginia personal injury statute of limitations. This law mandates that:
- You have two years from your date of injury to file a lawsuit
- You have two years from the date that you lost your loved one to file a lawsuit
The specifics of these laws are detailed in Va. Code § 8.01-243 and Va. Code § 8.01-244. Keep in mind that the two-year deadline is the general rule. You may have more or less time depending on the specifics of your case.
A truck accident attorney serving Leesburg can keep track of these deadlines. We will gather and submit relevant documentation, so you don’t miss your chance to pursue justice.
Contact a Leesburg Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Unsure about what to do after a car accident or have questions regarding your auto accident case that remain unanswered? Download our free Virginia Car Accident Guide eBook or contact us online.