Any personal injury case can come with challenges, but pursuing compensation after a truck accident can be especially complicated. The insurance companies may dispute liability, or they offer victims much less than they are entitled.
Our personal injury lawyers in Warrenton can identify who was responsible for your Warrenton accident, work to prove that the liable party caused your losses, and fight for compensation through every step of your case.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Virginia?
We understand that any kind of auto accident is extremely jarring. It may not be possible for you to take proactive steps immediately after a collision with such a large vehicle; however, if that’s the case, our attorneys can handle them for you.
If you are physically able, follow these steps after a collision with a commercial truck:
- Call the police. If you are severely injured, the officers can assist with collecting evidence that you may be unable to gather. They will create an accident report that will serve as useful information for your case.
- Get medical attention. For your health and your case, it is important to see a doctor immediately after the crash. Even if you feel healthy, get checked out by your primary care provider as some injuries can take days or weeks to manifest.
- Collect evidence at the scene of the accident. If you are physically able, it may benefit you to take photos of your car, the tractor-trailer, and the surrounding area. Try to get skid marks, broken glass, signs and signals, and anything you think may be important to your case.
Truck accident victims often suffer from catastrophic injuries, so we know how hard it can be to initiate the legal process while you’re still recovering. Thankfully, we can take care of everything related to your case from beginning to end. Allow our personal injury lawyer to file your truck accident claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Recoverable Damages in a Truck Accident Case
We can help you identify all forms of your losses for which you may be able to seek compensation. This includes:
- Past, present, and future damages
- Financial and non-financial damages
For example, you could require ongoing medical care to heal after a traumatic brain injury. Or, your ability to do your job may be permanently altered by the accident, reducing your income over your lifetime.
A personal injury attorney can review and calculate all your medical and non-medical expenses after an accident. This will include emergency room costs, hospital costs, physical therapy treatments, and any other medical expenses. Our attorneys will also calculate how much you should receive to cover lost wages and income, pain and suffering payments, and property damage.
Financial Damages
Your economic damages may include:
- Medical costs, from your initial diagnostic testing to follow-up appointments and long-term treatment needs
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as purchases you made for assistive devices or in-home modifications
- Lost wages, reflecting the days you missed at work and the future paychecks you may miss if your injuries leave you unable to work
Non-Financial Damages
You could also seek a recovery for more intangible losses, such as:
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience, which reflects the extent of your physical pain and challenges from your injuries
- Emotional distress, reflecting challenges such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that resulted from the accident
- And more
How Much is Your Case Worth?
Truck accidents can cause serious damage to smaller vehicles—and this means that your injuries could be severe. Cases with severe injuries typically result in bigger settlements, and bigger settlements mean more scrutiny from the insurance company.
Your case value will vary based on:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent to which your injuries impacted your life
- Whether or not you had to miss work or change careers because of the injury
- How much your medical bills have cost (and will cost in the future)
- Liability for the accident
A personal injury attorney can take all of this information and negotiate with the insurance company to reach a final settlement.
It is important to know that Virginia is a contributory negligence state, meaning that accident victims can be barred from recovering damages if they are found partially at-fault for an accident. Your injuries from a truck accident could be severe, but the insurance company finds you partially at-fault, you might be barred from recovery.
It is always best to consult with an accident attorney if you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident. An attorney will offer you guidance on how to best proceed, often free of charge.
Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death
Family members may qualify to pursue wrongful death damages if they lost a loved one to a truck accident, including compensation for:
- Your loved one’s final medical costs
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of income and other services once provided by your loved one
- Grief and anguish
While you may not need an attorney to file a wrongful death claim, you shouldn’t have to negotiate with the insurance companies on your own during this time. Our personal injury attorneys can take the legal work while you focus on grieving with your family.
We Will Fight for Your Right to Compensation
Jim Parrish, the founder of our firm, formerly worked for insurance companies—and he is ready to put his understanding of the industry to work for you.
We seek the best possible results for each of our clients by:
- Determining the value of your case based on evidence
- Gathering important evidence, including expert testimony if needed
- Determining all forms of insurance coverage you could qualify for
- Handling communication with insurers for you
- Advising you on everything you need to know about your case
Take a look at real reviews from our happy clients: :
- “Outstanding!! …very professional, polite, and kept me well informed throughout my case…” – Wayne M.
- “Mr. Parrish… did a fantastic job of… walking me through every step… I was protected… I highly recommend him to anyone who finds themselves in the same unfortunate situation as we were.” – Shante W.
Liability in a Warrenton Truck Accident Case
If a truck driver’s negligence caused your accident, their trucking company may be deemed liable for paying for your damages.
However, other parties may also be deemed responsible for a trucking accident, including:
- Parts manufacturers
- Cargo loading companies
- And other parties
Our truck accident attorneys will work to determine that the correct party is held responsible for your losses.
Do You Have to Go to Trial for a Truck Accident Case?
When a personal injury attorney takes a personal injury claim, they typically start by talking with the insurance company. If the accident victim did not already file a claim, the attorney will file and talk with the insurance adjuster about your injuries and settlement expectations.
If the insurance company is unwilling to agree on a fair offer, then a personal injury attorney will file a lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit doesn’t always lead to a trial, as the insurance company can still make settlement offers. If the insurance company makes an offer that you agree is fair, then the case settles and no trial takes place.
There is a key deadline for personal injury claims in Virginia. You must file your personal injury claim or lawsuit within two years of the accident, per Va. Code §8.01-243. If you miss this two-year deadline, in most cases you will be barred from recovery.
Let The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Help You After a Truck Crash
After a collision with a commercial vehicle, it can be difficult to make ends meet. Not only are you dealing with a physical and emotional recovery, but the financial fallout of your accident can add anxiety and frustration to your plate. Allow our truck accident attorneys to take on these burdens. We will identify the at-fault party, file your personal injury claim or lawsuit, and pursue the responsible parties for what you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless and until you receive compensation.