What Are Common Types of Virginia Truck Accidents?

Nearly 3,000 truck crashes occur every year in Virginia, with roughly one-third of those trucking accidents resulting in injury or death, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) statistics show. Many truck crashes occur due to driver errors, inattention, or poor weather. Jackknife accidents, blind spot collisions, and tire blowouts are the most common types.

In a jackknife accident, the truck’s trailer swings outward at a 90-degree angle, blocking traffic and creating multi-vehicle crashes. Blind spot collisions occur when commercial truck drivers change lanes without seeing nearby vehicles. Tire blowouts can occur for many reasons, including poor truck maintenance and manufacturing defects. If a tire blowout occurs, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, swerve, and cause a crash.

What Are Other Types of Truck Accidents in Virginia?

The average tractor-trailer is about 70 feet long and weighs up to 80,000 pounds when loaded. When truck drivers lose control of tractor-trailers, the resulting accidents can cause severe injuries to the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Commercial truck accidents may be the basis of a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

In addition to jackknifes and tire blowout crashes, other types of Virginia truck accidents include the following:

• Rear-end collisions — A heavy truck slamming into the back of another vehicle may deliver crushing force. Even at lower speeds, the impact of a rear-end collision can cause significant injuries in an accident involving smaller passenger vehicles.
• Head-on collisions — These crashes are the deadliest type of truck accidents. When a truck strikes a passenger car head-on, the impact can lead to catastrophic injuries.
• Rollover accidents — High speeds, sharp turns, or shifting cargo can cause a large truck to tip over on its side, putting everyone sharing the road in danger.
• Lost load accidents — Improperly secured on a commercial vehicle can shift in transit and spill onto the highway. Road debris creates dangerous hazards for other drivers.
• T-bone accidents — These crashes often happen at intersections when a truck hits another vehicle from the side. The impact can cause life-threatening injuries.
• Underride accidents — Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle travels underneath the back or side of a truck’s trailer, which may result in crushing injuries.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Virginia Truck Accidents?

Many truck accidents in Virginia are preventable and caused by carelessness or driver fatigue on the part of commercial drivers. The most common causes for commercial truck crashes include:

• Drowsy driving — Truck drivers are under pressure from trucking companies to meet tight delivery deadlines. To meet an unreasonable deadline, a truck driver may spend too much time behind the wheel without adequate rest and violate the Hours of Service limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and diminished decision-making skills.
• Distracted driving — Cell phones are a significant factor in distracted driving accidents. But anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can be a distraction that leads to a crash. This includes eating, using a navigation system, or adjusting cabin controls.
• Speeding and reckless driving — Large trucks require more distance to stop. Speeding or driving recklessly may impede a driver’s ability to stop safely in time to avoid a collision.
• Poor vehicle maintenance — Commercial truckers travel thousands of miles each month. Worn tires and brakes or other mechanical failures caused by inadequate maintenance can result in a crash.
• Impaired driving — Alcohol or drugs interfere with a driver’s ability to focus on the road and take responsible measures to avoid a collision.
• Improperly loaded cargo — Unsecured cargo and unbalanced loads increase the risk of commercial vehicle accidents. Excessive weight can also contribute to a rollover accident or a jackknife accident.
• Inexperienced drivers — Inexperienced truck drivers may struggle with maneuvering in heavy traffic or reacting to emergencies.
• Inclement weather — Rain, snow, and fog can make roads slippery, making it harder for truck drivers to stop a tractor-trailer quickly.

What Injuries Happen Most Often in a Virginia Truck Accident?

The occupants of smaller passenger vehicles typically absorb the brunt of the injuries in crashes involving commercial trucks. The common injuries in truck accident cases include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — A brain injury can result in long-term cognitive and physical impairments. Some TBIs are fatal.
• Internal injuries — The force of a crash can cause damage to the heart, lungs, and other internal organs, leading to life-threatening complications.
• Spinal cord injuries — A damaged spinal cord may cause partial or complete paralysis, leading to lifelong disability.
• Broken bones — The impact of a trucking accident may cause bone fractures, often requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery process.
• Burn injuries — Many tractor-trailer trucks carry combustible materials. A crash may cause fires or explosions and lead to burn injuries.
• Whiplash and soft tissue damage — A truck crash can cause painful neck and back injuries that require immobilization and medication.

A trucking company may be held financially responsible for a tractor-trailer accident caused by its driver’s actions or failure to act.

What Compensation Could Be Recovered for a Truck Crash in Virginia?

An experienced truck accident lawyer can gather evidence to prove the truck driver or someone else was responsible for the truck accident that injured you or your loved one. A knowledgeable attorney can file a truck accident claim on your behalf and demand the at-fault party and their insurance companies compensate you for the harm you’ve suffered. You may be entitled to seek compensation for the following types of expenses and losses:

• Medical expenses and care, including future medical treatment
• Lost wages and benefits
• Reduced earning capacity due to injuries
• Pain and suffering  (both physical and emotional trauma)
• Property damage to pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Wrongful death compensation for close family members who lost a loved one due to the negligence of others.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Virginia Truck Accident Claim?

Virginia law limits the time injured people have to file a truck accident lawsuit. You have two years from the date of the injury to take legal action. If you fail to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to seek compensation. The best way to understand your legal options and rights is to consult a Virginia truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer

The personal injury attorneys at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC have nearly 100 years of combined legal experience. Since 1992, our focus on serious injury cases has helped clients in Roanoke and throughout Virginia secure compensation to rebuild their lives.

Our legal team, led by John E. Lichtenstein, handles many types of truck accident claims involving serious injuries. Our knowledge of state and federal trucking laws offers an advantage when negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing justice in court. We pride ourselves on offering personalized service and aggressive advocacy.

Are you ready to get the help you need to demand fair compensation for what happened? Contact Lichtenstein Law Group PLC today for your free consultation with a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer.