10605 Judicial Drive, Suite A-4 | Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Why Truck Accident Injury Claims Are So Much More Complex
Any motor vehicle accident that results in serious injury creates the need for financial compensation for the victims. Claiming damages raises questions of who was at fault for the accident, how that fault led to the harm suffered and how legal responsibility should be allocated. These questions become far more complicated for an accident involving a large truck, due to such factors as the size and weight of these vehicles, the greater harm they can cause and the multiplicity of parties involved.
Here are the reasons that claims arising from large truck accidents are far more complex than those arising from car crashes:
Severity of injuries — Commercial trucks are extremely heavy, which greatly increases the force of impact with other vehicles in a crash. The occupants of a car or SUV hit by a tractor-trailer or even a box truck can suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic harm having long-term consequences.
Multiple parties and attorneys — Potential defendants include the truck driver, the trucking company that employs him, the truck's owner, the manufacturer of the truck or its components, the shipper/loader of the cargo and any maintenance or repair providers. Each party will be represented by their own attorney, which also complicates the case.
Higher insurance stakes — Trucking companies typically have substantial insurance coverage to cover accidents. This can lead to a vigorous defense in light of the potentially high payouts. Insurers try to minimize exposure or shift blame to other parties, including the injured victim. These other parties also have their own insurers, adding to the complexity of the case.
Regulatory compliance issues — The trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal and state laws. There are rules for driver testing for drugs and alcohol, limited hours of service, mandatory rest periods and vehicle maintenance and weight limits. The rules also require drivers to keep accurate logs. Violations of these regulations can bear significantly on liability.
Evidence preservation — Key evidence in a truck accident case may include dash-cam footage, maintenance records, driver logs and eyewitness testimony. Plaintiffs’ attorneys need to act promptly to secure and document this evidence before it is lost or possibly tampered with.
“Black box” data — Many commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules, commonly called black boxes, which record data about the truck's operation, including speed, braking and engine performance. This can be important in determining accident causation. Analyzing this information can be difficult and usually requires experts.
Trucking companies and their insurers have deep resources and legal teams to protect their interests. They employ aggressive tactics to avoid liability. An injured victim needs an equally zealous and skilled truck accident attorney to counter this opposition.
Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax pursues compensation for individuals harmed in truck accidents in Virginia and Washington, D.C. We also have offices in Manassas, Centreville and Front Royal. Please call 703-267-2600 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.
10605 Judicial Drive,
Suite A-4,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030 United States of America
7290 Centreville Road,
Manassas, Virginia 20111 United States of America
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10605 Judicial Drive, Suite A-4
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Fairfax personal injury lawyers at Pikrallidas & Probasco are located in Fairfax, VA and serve clients in and around Fairfax, McLean, Oakton, Merrifield, Vienna, Annandale, Dunn Loring, Clifton, Fairfax Station, Mount Vernon, Falls Church, Reston, Chantilly, Alexandria, Centreville, Springfield, Herndon, Gainesville, Haymarket, Front Royal, Shenandoah County, Frederick County, Clarke County, Warren County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church City and Manassas Park.
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