The amount of compensation you may receive following a truck accident hinges on the specifics of the situation. Numerous factors come into play–such as the severity of injuries, property damage, adherence to traffic laws, road conditions, vehicle maintenance, federal trucking regulations (e.g., hours of work, rest periods), level of negligence involved, etc.
With so many issues at play, it can be challenging to determine a reasonable settlement. This is why it is so important to contact an experienced Virginia Beach truck accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
How the Concept of Liability Comes Into Play
Personal injury law holds individuals and other entities accountable for causing harm. Virginia operates under an ‘at-fault’ system for truck accidents, meaning the driver responsible for the accident is liable for covering the resulting medical expenses and damages. Unlike ‘no-fault’ states in which each driver’s insurance covers their own damages, Virginia does not require personal injury protection insurance that would otherwise cover healthcare costs for injuries resulting from an accident
This system underscores the importance of determining the at-fault party and what happens if a truck driver gets in an accident. It forms the basis for claims related to motor vehicle accidents, including those involving trucks.
Stakes Are High With Truck Accidents
Because accidents involving trucks are often so severe, the compensation paid to victims also tends to be high. Here are some examples of large settlements recently won in Virginia for accidents involving trucks:
- $16,000,000 was paid in a wrongful death and personal injury settlement involving a husband and wife who were struck while riding a motorcycle. The husband died at the scene of the accident, and the wife sustained injuries to her left leg that resulted in amputation and lower back injuries.
- $7,750,000 was paid to a motorcyclist forced off a highway by a tanker truck. He was on his way to work and as he was passing the truck, the driver made a lane change. This forced the motorcyclist off the highway and into a grassy median where his motorcycle fishtailed. The man slammed into the ground and sustained severe orthopedic injuries and intracranial bleeding. The crash was captured by a video camera mounted on the rear of the truck.
- $7,000,000 was paid after a man was T-boned by a tractor-trailer and killed in his vehicle. He was turning at an intersection when the tractor-trailer ran a red light. He was survived by a wife and ten-year-old son; the son also struggles with severe PTSD and other emotional issues since his father’s death.
- $4,000,000: A box truck lost control on a highway and hit a tractor trailer coming in the opposite direction head-on. The tractor-trailer driver suffered a mild traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and several orthopedic injuries.
- $1,000,000 was paid to a man who stopped his vehicle for a light and was rear-ended by a flatbed trailer driven by an employee of LLAB Trucking Inc. The impact caused a chain reaction accident involving nine vehicles. He sued both the driver and the trucking company for unspecified injuries.
Victims of truck accidents should enlist truck accident legal help if they want to pursue legal action and seek compensation for their losses. However, establishing liability is pivotal for a successful lawsuit or settlement. If a party is deemed liable for the accident, they bear legal responsibility for the consequences.
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
An experienced attorney is crucial in navigating truck accident claims effectively. Coastal Virginia Law will build a strong case for truck accidents and other personal injury claims, providing personalized attention and expertise to each client. Contact us today for a free consultation!
