At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we understand the devastating impact a truck accident can have on your life. That’s why we’re committed to offering personalized legal services that cater to the unique needs of each client. With over 50 years of experience serving the Virginia community since our founding in 1972, our firm combines the resources and expertise to handle any case, regardless of its complexity, with the personal touch that makes our clients feel understood and valued.
How Can a Virginia Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?
After a truck accident, you’re not just dealing with vehicle damage, you’re fighting an entire corporate legal team whose job is to minimize your claim. While you focus on healing, insurance companies may be building their defense, gathering statements, or pushing for a quick settlement that doesn’t cover your long-term needs.
We handle all communication with insurance companies and claims adjusters, preventing them from using your statements against you. Most importantly, we have extensive experience challenging large trucking companies. We know their tactics and how to counter them effectively.
Here’s how we build your strongest possible case:
- Sends spoliation letters to preserve black box data and driver logs before they’re erased or lost.
- Accesses FMCSA safety ratings and company compliance histories to expose patterns of negligence.
- Works with accident reconstruction specialists to pinpoint how the crash occurred and who caused it.
- Ensures compliance with Virginia’s statute of limitations so your case is never dismissed on procedural grounds.
- Calculates the full scope of damages, including future medical needs, reduced earning capacity, and non-economic losses like pain, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Every accident case deserves thorough attention to detail. Your truck accident lawyer will carefully document the impact on your life and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
For answers to your questions about a truck accident in Virginia Beach, call:
800-321-6741
Understanding Liability in Virginia Beach Truck Crashes
In a typical car crash, liability and insurance claims are usually straightforward. But when a commercial truck is involved, millions of dollars in damages may be at stake. These complex cases demand immediate, thorough investigation since crucial evidence like electronic logs, maintenance records, and driver communications can disappear within days. Without swift action, victims risk losing their chance at full compensation.
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we identify all liable parties and show exactly how their actions—or lack of action—led to the crash. These parties may include:
- The truck driver, for violating state trucking laws, federal hours-of-service regulations, or speeding.
- The trucking company, for pressuring drivers to skip rest breaks or ignoring red flags during hiring.
- A third-party maintenance contractor, if poor upkeep led to brake failure or tire blowouts.
- Cargo loaders, if improperly secured freight shifted and caused the truck to overturn.
- Manufacturers, if a defective component played a role in the collision.
But in many cases, trucking companies try to distance themselves from the driver, claiming the individual is an independent contractor. Your truck accident lawyer will challenge those claims by digging into dispatch records, training logs, and FMCSA compliance reports to reveal the truth behind the company’s safety practices.
What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can happen in many different ways, but some types of accidents occur far more frequently than others. Some of the most common types of truck accidents include:
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur when the side of a truck collides with the side of another vehicle while changing lanes or merging. These accidents can be caused by driver error (such as failing to properly check or ignoring blind spots) or by mechanical issues with the truck.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Trucks are massive, and when they lose control, the impact is often felt by multiple vehicles on the road. These accidents can be particularly devastating, and their complexity requires meticulous investigation.
Accidents Caused by Truckers Losing Control of Their Vehicles
Truck drivers are required to undergo extensive training and follow strict safety protocols to prevent accidents. However, accidents can still occur when truckers lose control of their vehicles due to factors like speeding, fatigue, poor road conditions, mechanical failure, or distracted driving.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a “V” shape with the cab of the truck. These are often the result of abrupt braking, poor road conditions, or steering.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 2,981 crashes involving large trucks in Virginia in 2022 alone, with many of these accidents causing severe and catastrophic injuries. For victims of such accidents, Virginia’s law offers the possibility to secure a compensation amount that covers the extent of the injuries and damages.
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Severe Injuries Resulting from Truck Collisions
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we understand that recovering from a truck accident doesn’t end with emergency care. Many victims face a lifetime of rehabilitation, job loss, psychological trauma, and chronic pain. Our role is to make sure your case reflects every consequence you’ve suffered, not just the visible injuries.
According to the latest official reports, Virginia Beach witnessed 5,194 motor vehicle accidents in 2023, leading to 36 fatalities and 2,578 injuries. Some of the most severe include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, which may affect concentration, memory, and emotional stability for years.
- Spinal cord damage, resulting in partial or complete paralysis, loss of motor control, or long-term nerve pain.
- Crushed limbs or amputations, especially in underride accidents or when a vehicle is pinned.
- Internal bleeding, which can go undetected at first but become fatal without urgent treatment.
- Severe burns, from fuel-fed fires or hazardous material spills.
Even if the initial prognosis is promising, the long-term impact of these injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. Our firm works with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to calculate the cost of future treatment and long-term care. We ensure you’re not left paying for someone else’s mistake.
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Differences Between Car and Truck Accidents
The legal and insurance landscapes for truck accidents differ significantly from those for car accidents, turning the management of your case into a totally different matter. For example, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the insurance requirements for trucks highlight these differences:
- Trucks over 7,500 pounds in gross weight require a minimum of $300,000 in liability insurance.
- Trucks exceeding 10,000 pounds must have at least $750,000 in liability coverage.
These requirements show us the increased potential for damage and injury in truck accidents, proving the importance of having an experienced legal team to navigate these complexities. Moreover, insurance companies will try to settle for less than you deserve, and that’s where we take action to negotiate a fair amount in your favor.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
After a truck accident, navigating the insurance claims process can be daunting, especially when insurance companies are more focused on minimizing payouts than ensuring fair compensation. Insurance adjusters may attempt to settle quickly for less than you deserve, or they could dispute liability altogether. At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we take over these negotiations, ensuring that the insurance companies involved—whether it’s the truck driver’s, trucking company’s, or any other party’s insurer—are held accountable.
Our team knows how to handle their tactics, and we’ll fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to, allowing you to focus on your recovery without the stress of managing insurance claims.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Virginia Beach?
Truck accidents can occur for various reasons, many of which involve unique factors not typically seen in other vehicle accidents. In our experience, some common causes include:
- Bobtailing, which refers to driving a truck without a trailer, affecting the vehicle’s handling and braking.
- Driver fatigue, a significant issue given the long hours truck drivers often work.
- Mechanical failures, including brake failure or tire blowouts.
- Distracted driving, such as using a mobile phone while driving.
Investigating the causes is essential for building a strong case that accurately identifies liability and secures just compensation for victims. That’s why we analyze your specific case to ensure we are handling your claim by having all the information we need to build a strong case.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Serious?
What Factors Impact Virginia Beach Truck Accident Claims?
Several factors can influence the outcome of a truck accident claim in Virginia Beach, including adherence to trucking laws in Virginia, your portion of fault, and the presence of life-altering injuries. These elements play a crucial role in determining liability, the extent of damages, and the potential compensation available to accident victims.
As your lawyers, we will protect your interests throughout the whole process, ensuring your claim fully covers what you need to recover and get your life back.
Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Virginia
It’s vital to act promptly after a truck accident. In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years, as outlined in the state’s law.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
What you do and don’t do in the moments following a truck accident is crucial for your legal case. First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention and report the accident to the police. This will serve as the first pieces of evidence that prove the validity of your case.
To keep collecting evidence, you need to document the scene, taking photos and videos of your injury and your vehicle’s damages. Additionally, make sure to gather witnesses’ accounts of the accident (and ask them for their contact information).
Then, consult a personal injury lawyer to determine your case’s value, decide the best course of action, and build a compelling case that secures compensation. In this scenario, timely action is very important, since Virginia Code determines a limited statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim (which is two years from the accident’s date).
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Consulting with a personal injury lawyer is one of the most important steps to take after a truck accident. This is because a lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of pursuing legal action.
After a truck accident, you may be entitled to various types of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. However, the amount of compensation you can recover will depend on proving liability and the strength of your case.
Determining who is at fault in a truck accident becomes complex if multiple parties are involved. These can include not only the truck driver but also the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts, and drivers of other vehicles.
As our case results show, our lawyers have the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate your case and determine who is responsible for your injuries and damages. We have handled diverse types of truck accident cases in Virginia, including those involving serious injuries or wrongful death.
Calculating the Value of Your Truck Accident Case
Determining the value of a truck accident case involves multiple variables, such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, and the long-term impact the accident had on your life.
Each case is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. That’s why we believe in employing a meticulous evidence-gathering and case-building strategy that maximizes your case’s value, working with medical experts and other professionals to accurately calculate the value of your case.
Our team is here to hear about your situation, provide legal options, and help you quantify the right amount of compensation you should claim.
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
In Virginia, the average truck accident settlement amount varies. In Virginia Beach, the average settlement is around $42,900. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of truck involved, the severity of the accident, and the injuries sustained. For tractor-trailer accidents, the average settlement can be approximately $80,211, while for other commercial trucks, it averages around $69,787.
Our Virginia Beach Lawyers Fight for the Best Recovery After Truck Accidents
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Virginia Beach, you need a personal injury lawyer who is capable of investigating the incident, building a compelling case, and negotiating on your behalf.
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we don’t just aim for adequate compensation: we strive for the best possible recovery to help you rebuild your life. Also, we offer free consultations to truck accident victims. During these, we’ll review the details of your case and provide an honest assessment of the available legal options.
Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you have a truck accident case.
Call or text 800-321-6741 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form