Truck Accident Attorney in Christiansburg

Commercial trucks transport products throughout Virginia. Unfortunately, large trucks are often involved in accidents with smaller vehicles. Because of the size and weight of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, these crashes can be extremely destructive. When a truck driver causes a collision, the trucker can be held financially responsible for the medical expenses and other losses that accident victims sustain.

If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident near Christiansburg that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to claim significant compensation. The truck accident attorneys at Lichtenstein Law Group can help you seek full compensation. We can investigate the crash, determine who is financially liable, and demand fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

We Have Some of the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Christiansburg

Don’t try to deal with a trucking company or a trucker’s insurance company on your own. The Christiansburg personal injury lawyers at the Lichtenstein Law Group have extensive experience dealing with truck accident cases and are ready to help. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how.

What Do Christiansburg Truck Accident Lawyers Look for in a Truck Accident?

Semi-truck accidents can be complicated to settle. A single tractor-trailer involves multiple commercial entities that may be responsible for a crash. The driver, the driver’s employer, the truck’s owner (if different), and the cargo handling company could all have liability. That means more insurance policies, more lawyers, and potentially more attempts by insurers to shift the blame to avoid payment.

An experienced semi-truck accident lawyer can identify the parties responsible for a large truck crash and focus effectively on seeking just compensation. In a truck accident claim, an injured person can hold accountable the at-fault party and seek compensation for the cost of the medical bills, lost income, and other losses related to the accident. The truck crash lawyers with Lichtenstein Law Group will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what caused the truck crash and how the truck driver or other at-fault party was responsible.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Truck Crashes in Christiansburg

Many factors may contribute to a large truck crash. There are certain kinds of accidents that are particular to the truck industry. Trucking companies operate on tight delivery deadlines that sometimes lead long-haul truckers to spend too many hours driving without adequate rest. Drowsy driving is a serious issue in the trucking industry.

The most common causes of 18-wheeler collisions are:

• Driving too fast – Many semi-truck accidents happen because the truck driver was exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions. A fully loaded truck and trailer take a greater distance to stop than an automobile. When a truck driver speeds, then the driver has less time to react to changes in traffic such as vehicles ahead braking unexpectedly, increasing the likelihood of a truck accident.
• Distracted Driving – When a truck driver takes even a short glance at a phone, the driver is taking his eyes off the road and can cause a devastating truck crash.
• Fatigue – The trucking industry is highly regulated to promote road safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the hours that a commercial truck driver must rest after a 10-hour shift. Despite the hours-of-service rules, some irresponsible trucking companies encourage their drivers to disregard the rules and drive while tired, putting everyone else on the highways in danger.
• Driving under the influence –The incidence of drunk driving is lower among commercial truck drivers than the general public.  But stressed and over-worked truckers may use drugs to stay awake or take over-the-counter medications for allergies or other issues. A large truck can be a dangerous weapon in the hands of an impaired truck driver.
• Improperly loaded cargo – If the cargo in a trailer is improperly loaded or unsecured, it can shift in transit. When this happens, it may cause the driver to lose control of the truck and crash.

How Do Semi-Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents?

Tractor-trailer accidents differ in a number of ways from typical collisions involving automobiles.

Truck accidents may cause more destructive more serious injuries because of the difference in size and weight of large trucks and automobiles.

Trucking companies and truck drivers are required to have higher amounts of liability insurance. That raises the stakes in trucking accident cases. It means more insurance money may be available to pay for an accident victim’s injuries after a truck accident. But insurance companies will have defense lawyers fighting to minimize the amount paid to settle claims.

Large trucks are involved in multi-vehicle crashes. The most catastrophic can involve dozens of cars. These types of accidents often result in complex legal causes because it can be difficult to determine what exactly occurred in the crash and who was responsible. Accident reconstruction experts may need to pore over the evidence to create a timeline of events.

While truck drivers can usually walk away from the scene, drivers and occupants of smaller passenger vehicles often suffer the brunt of the injuries such as:

• Multiple broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Blunt force trauma
• Amputations
• Severe burns
• Scarring
• Fatal injuries

Who Is Liable for a Trucking Accident in Christiansburg?

There are many potentially liable parties in a semi-truck accident case. There could be a single cause of the crash or multiple instances of negligence that combined to cause a large truck accident. The potential at-fault individuals and entities in a Christiansburg truck accident case may include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company that employs the driver
• The owner of the truck
• The manufacturer of the truck or some component of the vehicle
• The shipping company that loaded the cargo
• The cargo’s owner

If you were injured in a commercial truck accident, you need an experienced truck crash attorney to determine who was responsible for the accident and help you seek full compensation.

How Our Christiansburg Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You!

Because long-haul truck accidents can be complex, you need a law firm on your side that has the resources and knowledge to take on large corporations and their insurance companies. These defendants will have adjusters and attorneys working to minimize any payout. You will need knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to go to court if necessary to demand the just compensation you deserve after a truck accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact the Christiansburg truck accident lawyers at the Lichtenstein Law Group, PLC for a free consultation. Call today.