Large trucks transport tons of materials, products, and other goods throughout Wise County and across Virginia. These massive vehicles are vital to our economy, but serious safety hazards come with their size and power.
A tractor-trailer can inflict catastrophic damage if it hits a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist, or pedestrian. Because trucks are large, heavy, and require special training to operate, trucking companies and the drivers they employ have a responsibility to maintain, load, and operate them with particular care and caution.
For more than 40 years, the Wise County truck accident attorneys at the law firm of Arrington Schelin have fought for fair compensation for people injured in accidents in our community. We understand how the trucking and insurance industries work, and we use that knowledge to help truck accident victims recover what they rightfully deserve.
If you were injured in a crash due to a negligent truck driver, trucking company, or a related entity, turn to the personal injury attorneys at Arrington Schelin for help. Get in touch with our Wise County truck accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation. We can sit down with you and talk about your situation and what we can do to help you seek full and fair compensation.
How Our Wise County Truck Wreck Lawyers Can Help You
Truck accidents are much different from accidents involving passenger vehicles. Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers on standby, waiting to jump into action to protect the company’s profits the moment an accident happens. They are not interested in helping you recover the compensation you deserve. The insurance adjusters are paid to deny, delay, or minimize the amount paid to claimants like you.
After an accident, the insurance company might try to offer you a quick payout. They may be hoping to resolve the claim with minimal effort and pushback, knowing that you’re likely in need of money for medical bills and to recoup lost wages. They might even try to blame you, the injured party, for the crash to avoid paying you anything at all.
Don’t trust the trucking company or their insurer to do the right thing. Instead, turn to an experienced truck accident attorney from Arrington Schelin to fight for what you deserve.
Our Wise Country truck wreck lawyers are ready to investigate the cause of the accident and gather crucial evidence before it is lost or potentially destroyed by the trucking company. We can manage communications between you and the insurers while negotiating on your behalf for full compensation.
You deserve fair treatment. Having an attorney in your corner is the best way to ensure you are not being taken advantage of during this difficult time.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Wise County
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration points to driver error as the most common cause of truck accidents on U.S. roads today. Only about 10 percent of large truck crashes are due to mechanical or equipment failures. Even fewer accidents are caused by poor weather or environmental conditions.
Some of the leading causes of truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Improperly trained or inexperienced driver
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents in Wise County
Accidents involving large commercial trucks can be some of the most devastating motor vehicle accidents on Wise County roads. Trucks are massive vehicles that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When a vehicle of significant size and weight collides with a smaller passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 72 percent of people killed in collisions with large trucks are the occupants of another vehicle.
Some of the most common injuries that truck accident victims can sustain in a Wise County truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Physical burns
- Chemical burns
- Crushing injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Contusions
Severe injuries can place a significant financial burden on you and your family when you’ve been injured in a crash with a truck.
Potential Damages Related to Wise County Truck Accidents
Although all cases are unique, a truck accident victim can potentially recover compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses related to the crash
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
At Arrington Schelin, we carefully investigate all aspects of a claim before arriving at a fair assessment of its value.
What Makes Truck Crash Cases Different
Truck accident claims are different from other accident claims because of several complicating factors.
First, most truck drivers work for a trucking company. Trucking companies have teams of insurers and attorneys working to protect their interests. Managing a claim with these entities can be highly challenging for you as the injured party.
Truck accident claims are also more complex because more evidence is involved. It can be difficult for you to access this evidence without legal help. Trucks are generally outfitted with black box-type recording devices. These devices log vital information that can shed light on the cause of the accident and whether the truck driver was at fault. However, the data on these devices is held by the trucking company. Companies will rarely hand over this data to an injured party voluntarily.
Other factors that can complicate an accident claim include:
More than one party can be potentially liable for damages, including the driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, or parts manufacturer, for example.
Injuries incurred in truck accidents tend to be more severe, debilitating, and expensive to treat.
Commercial trucks typically carry insurance coverage with higher limits – often $1 million or more – meaning more money is at stake.
You should never try to negotiate with a trucking company or their insurer on your own. Get in touch with an experienced Wise County commercial truck accident attorney.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Wise County Today
An accident with a large commercial truck can leave you feeling traumatized and vulnerable. You do not have to go up against the trucking company or their insurers alone. Leave the heavy lifting to the skilled Wise County truck accident lawyers at Arrington Schelin.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your claim.