Richmond Truck Accident Lawyers

Richmond, VA Truck Accident Law Firm

A collision with a commercial truck, semi-truck, or 18-wheeler can be a life-altering event. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and significant lost wages, leaving victims and their families feeling overwhelmed. Navigating the complex federal and Virginia state trucking laws while dealing with aggressive insurance companies adds another layer of stress.

You don’t have to face this alone. The dedicated Richmond truck accident attorneys at Tronfeld West & Durrett have been fighting for injury victims in Richmond and across Virginia since 1972. We have the experience, resources, and dedication to hold negligent truck drivers and their companies accountable. Let us handle the legal complexities so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.

Our Richmond Truck Accident Attorneys

Grayson Smith

Associate

Jay Tronfeld

Founder

Joseph Robertson

Associate

Jen Mattingley

Associate

John Newby

Managing Partner

David Durrett

Of Counsel

Elizabeth West

Partner

For answers to your questions about a truck accident in Richmond, call:
800-321-6741

Why You Need a Specialized Truck Injury Lawyer in Richmond, VA

Truck accident claims are far more complex than typical car accident cases. They often involve multiple liable parties, federal regulations, and aggressive corporate legal teams. A loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, creating a size disparity that leads to devastating outcomes for those in smaller passenger vehicles. An experienced truck injury lawyer in Richmond, VA understands these unique challenges.

• Multiple Liable Parties: Liability can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance crews, or even the vehicle manufacturer.
• Deep Knowledge of Federal & State Trucking Laws: Truck accident claims are governed by a complex web of regulations. Our team uses our in-depth knowledge of these laws to find evidence of negligence. For example, we investigate violations of:
  • Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strictly limits driving time. A property-carrying driver cannot operate for more than 11 hours without a 10-hour break. Violating these rules is a clear sign of driver fatigue and negligence.
  • Drug and Alcohol Prohibitions: Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard, with a legal BAC limit of .04%. We act quickly to ensure proper testing is conducted after a crash.
  • Distracted Driving and Cargo Securement: We also investigate violations related to texting while driving, improper loading, and exceeding weight limits, all of which can be direct causes of a catastrophic accident. Navigating these specific state and federal rules is why having an experienced attorney is non-negotiable. For a more detailed overview, read our guide on what you should know about Virginia trucking laws.
• Aggressive Insurance Tactics: Trucking companies and their insurers act immediately to minimize their financial exposure. We act faster to preserve crucial evidence for your case.
• Severe and Catastrophic Injuries: We work with medical and financial experts to accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Tronfeld West & Durrett are those attorneys. We have been helping personal injury victims in Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding areas get fair compensation for their losses since 1972. We know Virginia truck accident law and we can use our knowledge to make sure you do not have to fight an injury lawsuit alone.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Wreck in Richmond

The actions you take immediately after a truck wreck can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. If you are able, try to:

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911: Move to a safe location if possible and immediately report the accident. Request police and medical assistance.
2. Document Everything: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries.
3. Gather Information: Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and the trucking company’s name. Also, get contact info for any witnesses.
4. Seek Medical Attention: Get a thorough medical evaluation, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries may not have immediate symptoms.
5. Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid discussing fault with the truck driver or insurance adjusters. Remember Virginia’s strict contributory negligence law: if you are found even one percent at fault, you cannot recover compensation.

Contact a Richmond Truck Crash Lawyer: Before speaking to an insurance company, consult with an experienced attorney. We will protect your rights and handle all communications on your behalf.

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The Devastating Reality of Commercial Truck Accidents

Collisions involving large trucks are fundamentally different from typical car accidents. The sheer physics involved create a much higher risk of life-altering injuries or death. Consider these factors:

• Overwhelming Size and Weight: A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to the average passenger car at 3,000 pounds. This massive disparity in force means occupants of the smaller vehicle almost always suffer the most severe harm.
• Driver Pressure and Fatigue: Truck drivers are often under immense pressure to meet tight deadlines, which can lead to speeding, aggressive driving, and violating hours-of-service rules.
• Operational Challenges: Large trucks have significant blind spots (or “no-zones”), require a much longer distance to stop, and are more susceptible to rolling over in sharp turns or high winds.

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Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Identifying all at-fault parties is crucial to maximizing your recovery. Our truck accident lawyers in Richmond, VA conduct a thorough investigation to determine liability, which may include:

• The Truck Driver: For negligence such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating hours-of-service rules.
• The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): For negligent hiring, improper training, encouraging drivers to break rules, or failing to properly maintain their fleet.
• The Cargo Shipper or Loader: If the accident was caused by improperly secured or overloaded cargo.
• A Maintenance Company: If negligent repairs or faulty maintenance led to equipment failure (e.g., brake failure, tire blowouts).
• The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: If a defective part contributed to the crash.

Immediately after a crash, the trucking company and its insurance provider launch their own investigation with one goal: to minimize their liability. Their team may try to delay drug tests, misplace driver logs, or pressure you into a quick, lowball settlement.

This is why our first action is to send a spoliation letter. This legal notice commands the trucking company to preserve all critical evidence for your case, including the truck’s “black box” data, driver training files, inspection records, and hours-of-service logs. This prevents crucial evidence from “mysteriously disappearing” and is a critical step in holding all negligent parties accountable, from the driver to the corporation under the principle of vicarious liability. This principle applies to all motor carriers, from local operators to major national companies like UPS and Amazon. For a specific example, you can learn more about who holds responsibility after a FedEx truck accident.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

Our Virginia truck accident law firm has experience handling a wide range of complex cases involving large vehicles, including:

• Semi-Truck & Tractor-Trailer Accidents: The most common and often most devastating type of truck crash.
• Rear-End Collisions: A common rear-end collision involving an 80,000-pound truck is far more deadly than one with a standard car, often leading to underride accidents.
• Big Rig & 18-Wheeler Wrecks: Collisions involving the largest trucks on Virginia’s highways.
• Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Including delivery vans, dump trucks, construction vehicles, and buses.
• Jackknife Accidents: When the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often causing multi-vehicle pileups.
• Underride Accidents: Catastrophic crashes where a smaller car slides underneath the trailer.
• Tire Blowouts & Equipment Failure: Accidents caused by poor maintenance and defective parts.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Virginia Trucking Accidents?

Accidents can have devastating consequences and are often caused by the recklessness of other drivers who are not in the condition to operate large vehicles such as trucks. In our decades of experience serving injured people, we have assisted victims sustaining many types of accident causes, including:

• Driver error: Driver error is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents, including careless driving, speeding, alcohol use, distractions, merging improperly into traffic
• Equipment failure: Equipment failure is another leading cause of trucking accidents, including tire blowouts, difficulties with steering, complications with trailer attachments, suspension breakdown, and malfunction of brakes.
• Improper cargo: can lead to accidents, including jackknife or rollover accidents.
• Blind spot incidents: Large trucks have substantial blind spots, which can lead to accidents when other vehicles are not visible to the truck driver.

As your legal advisors, we can help you properly determine who is at fault, ensuring you not only receive compensation but also set a precedent to help prevent fatalities in the future.

Compensation in a Richmond Truck Accident Lawsuit

If you’ve been injured, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of damages. Our goal is to secure a settlement or verdict that covers all of your losses, including:

• Medical Expenses: Both current and future costs for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication.
• Lost Wages: Income lost while you were unable to work.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or earning the same income.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
• Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
• Wrongful Death: If you lost a loved one, we can help you pursue a claim for funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship.

Frequently Asked Questions for Our Richmond Truck Accident Attorneys

What is the statute of limitations for a truck accident in Virginia?

In Virginia, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is crucial to act quickly, as evidence can disappear and memories can fade. Contacting a lawyer immediately ensures your claim is filed on time.

How much does a Richmond truck accident lawyer cost?

At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, so there are no upfront costs to get expert legal representation.

What is my truck accident case worth?

Every case is unique, and the value depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, total medical bills, amount of lost income, and the impact on your quality of life. An experienced big truck accident lawyer in Richmond, VA can evaluate your case to determine its potential value.

Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?

Never accept an initial offer from an insurance company without speaking to an attorney. Their first offer is almost always far less than what your case is truly worth. They aim to settle quickly and cheaply. We will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement.

Don’t Drown in Debt: Why You Can’t Afford to Fight Insurers Alone

After a serious truck accident, you may face severe injuries that prevent you from working while medical bills pile up. It is tempting to accept the first offer from the trucking company’s insurance adjuster just to get some relief. This is a costly mistake.

Insurance companies are not on your side. Their primary goal is to protect their profits by paying you as little as possible. An adjuster may seem friendly, but their job is to get you to accept a settlement that doesn’t cover your future medical needs or long-term lost income. While you are focused on healing, we focus on the legal battle, handling all communications and negotiations to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement that truly covers all your damages.

Contact the Tronfeld West & Durrett Truck Accident Lawyers in Richmond, VA Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, do not wait. The team at Tronfeld West & Durrett is here to help. We are local attorneys, born and raised in this community, and we are committed to providing personalized, compassionate, and aggressive representation.

We handle every aspect of your case, from investigation and evidence gathering to negotiating with insurers and, if necessary, taking your case to trial. Let our decades of experience work for you.

Call Tronfeld West & Durrett today at 804-358-6741 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form to schedule a no-obligation consultation with an experienced Richmond truck accident attorney. We have offices in Richmond, Chesterfield, Petersburg, and Mechanicsville to serve you.

Call or text 800-321-6741 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form