Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer Information
If you have a Richmond, VA truck accident claim, Richmond personal injury lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the Richmond personal injury lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.
An estimated 5,000 people die as a result of truck accidents and collisions in the United States each year. Richmond, being the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in the State of Virginia, has its fair share of truck accidents due in large part to its high population and traffic. With a population of approximately 204,214, Richmond is a growing metropolitan area with a great deal of traffic congestion, which leads to frequent automobile accidents of all types, including truck accidents.
The most common form of transportation in Richmond is still the automobile, with a large percentage of its residents driving to work alone each day. Richmond benefits from an excellent position in reference to the state's transportation network, lying at the junction of east-west Interstate 64 and north-south Interstate 95, two of the most heavily traveled highways in the state, as well as along several major rail lines. Other major highways passing through Richmond include U.S. Routes 1, 33, 60, 250, 301 and 360.
If you find yourself involved in an truck accident, call one of the qualified Richmond truck accident attorneys on this site today.
Richmond Semi Accident Injury Attorney
Because a commercial vehicle accident involving an automobile usually results in severe injuries or death, due to the weight difference of a car versus the weight of a tractor trailer, it is essential that you choose an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney. Commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes and are called various names throughout the United States. Here are just some common names and their meanings:
- Truck
- Semi
- Tractor trailer
- 18 Wheeler
- Big-Rig
The above five references usually refer to a vehicle that has, when you count all the axles of both the tractor and trailer, a total of 5 axles, 10 brakes, an average overall standard height of 13´ 6´´, an overall length of 70´ to 80´, a total of 12 gears (10 forward and 2 reverse), and an overall maximum weight of 80,000 pounds without any overweight certificates. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, you can easily see how much more dangerous a large truck like this could be.
Richmond Big-Rig Injury Lawyers
Then there are trucks that do certain things and carry certain items:
- Bob-Tail Trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
- Flat bed trucks
- Logging trucks
Then there are trucks that are commercial in nature but do not necessarily involve long haul situations. Some of the examples stay within the State of Virginia and some do not. However, when any one of these is involved in a Richmond wreck, it is advisable to retain a Richmond attorney with Big-Rig accident knowledge.
- Megabus Bus accidents occur running back and forth from Washington DC;
- Shuttle bus accidents driving to and from the airport, e.g., Richmond International Airport or Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport;
- Transportation buses such as Greyhound;
- Richmond Metro Buses.
Richmond truck accidents caused by semi trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, buses and commercial vehicles are common on Richmond streets, avenues, and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Richmond happen along the major Richmond highways, which include the I-64, I-95, US1, US33, US60, US250, US301, and US360.
It is Important to Seek Medical Attention After a Truck Accident
Immediately after you have been hurt in a truck accident you must go seek medical treatment. It is always necessary that you seek medical attention for any pain because delaying so will usually make the injury and pain worst. It is also necessary to have a doctor look at any injuries or areas of pain and discomfort in order to allow them to make their preliminary diagnosis. It is important even if you do not feel as if you have been injured to go and see a professional because there are many cases where people sustain injuries but are unaware due to a variety of reasons, such as: late onset of pain or trauma caused by the accident. It is a good idea to have the professional document any, and all, injuries in detail in order to help a Richmond, Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer move forward with your claim. There are also instances where extreme injuries are caused by an accident and these require immediate attention. In these cases, the victim will be taken to a hospital for treatment. Once you have seen a doctor and begun to treat your injuries and pain you sustained in the truck accident, please contact a local Richmond Truck Accident Attorney who will begin to help you with your claim. Hospitals in and around the Richmond area include:
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Bon Secours-Richmond Community Hospital 1500 North 28th Street Richmond, VA 23223 804-225-1700 |
Richmond VA Medical Center 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard. Richmond, VA 23249 804-675-5000 |
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Bon Secours-St. Mary’s Hospital 5801 Bremo Road Richmond, VA 23226 804-285-2011 |
Henrico Doctors' Hospital (Forest Campus) 1602 Skipwith Road Richmond, VA 23229 804-289-4500 |
Please visit the Richmond Truck Accident Injury Lawyer FAQs Page to find a more in-depth list of hospitals that can be found in, and around the Richmond, Virginia area.
Richmond Truck Accident Lawyers
When driving along a Richmond intersection, avenue, or highway, there are many factors that can lead to a commercial semi-truck rollover, jackknife accident, or tractor trailer collision. The consequences can be devastating, with very serious injuries that can even result in death. When truck drivers fail to take the necessary precautions to avoid trucking accidents, they needlessly endanger the lives of people who ride in smaller vehicles. Drivers of semi tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers are often pressured to work long hours in order to meet delivery deadlines. Drivers are required by federal law to take breaks and adhere to safety regulations, but they often take shortcuts when it comes to driver safety, resulting in driver negligence.
Under federal and state laws, a trucking company may be held liable for driver negligence occurring in Richmond, Virginia. If you have been a victim of a tractor trailer or big rig truck accident in Richmond, Virginia, or a nearby area, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. A qualified Richmond truck accident lawyer or attorney who is familiar with the federal laws as well as Virginia laws and regulations regarding commercial trucking can be a great asset in any potential lawsuit against a trucking company. This is a good reason why anyone involved in a truck collision should consider hiring a Richmond truck accident law firm to represent them in their claim against the trucking company.
Common Causes of Richmond Truck Accidents:
- DUI / Drugs
- Driver Fatigue
- Improper Maintenance
- Hazardous Roads
- Aggressive Driving
- Overloaded Trucks or Trailers
- Loads that Shift Weight
- Faulty Brakes
- Tire Blowouts / Tread Burn
- Rear End / Head-on Collisions / Jackknives
Truck Injury Lawyers in Richmond Handle Catastrophic Brain Injuries
It is important to hire a qualified Richmond, Virginia truck injury lawyer who knows personal injury negligence and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act laws. Filing your lawsuit in the proper venue, such as the Civil Courts at Law or the District Courts is important because it is these courts that carry that award high compensation. An example of a General District Court in Richmond County are:
City of Richmond General District Court - 13th Judicial Circuit
Civil Division
John Marshall Courts Building
400 North Ninth Street, Room 209
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 646-6461
Catastrophic injuries can result from a truck wreck including brain injuries. All too often, a brain injury can be subtle because it is called a closed head injury. That is, it is first noticed by family members who note a personality change. When this is diagnosed, the brain injured plaintiff can get worse over time. Medical providers that can treat someone at home include:
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Health First 8143 Staples Mill Road Richmond, VA 23228 (804) 266-2002 |
Old Dominion Home Health Services 8014 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 312 Richmond, VA 23235 (804) 745-5133 |
Kidz Kare at Home 1909 Huguenot Road Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23235 (804) 794-7225 |
Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Richmond and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Eastern Virginia, including Alexandria, Ashland, Beaverdam, Bellwood, Bellwood Manor, Bensley, Capitol View, Chamberlayne, Chamberlayne Farms, Charlottesville, Chester, Chesterfield, Cold Harbor Farms, Courtland, Dale City, East Highland Park, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Henry Clay Heights, Highland Springs, Hopewell, Laurel Park, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Montrose, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, Sandston, Smithfield, Suffolk, Tappahannock, Totaro, Tuckahoe, Virginia Beach, Ware Neck, Waynesboro, White Stone Beach, Wyndham, areas in the vicinity of Richland International Airport, and other communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Richmond Truck Accident Attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.