Short Pump truck accident lawyers

Short Pump Truck Accident Lawyers

Holding truck drivers and trucking companies liable when they cause accidents in Virginia

Tractor-trailers, rigs, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other large trucks use I-295, Broad Street Road, and surrounding thoroughfares in and near Short Pump. These trucks deliver equipment, tools, and merchandise to businesses, as well as consumer goods to local residents. Too often, truck drivers and truck companies fail to take necessary steps to protect other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians from accidents.

At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable when they fail to properly inspect their vehicles, train their drivers, or take reasonable steps to protect the public. We also pursue claims against truck drivers who speed, drive while distracted, or otherwise cause serious accidents. Our Short Pump truck accident lawyers seek compensation for personal injuries. We can also represent families in cases where a truck accident is fatal. Contact us today to discuss your right to compensation.

Practice Areas

Our Case Results

$3.75 Million
Wrongful Death Settlement - Swimming pool drowning
$3.5 Million
Medical Malpractice Jury Verdict - Misread x-ray led to failure to diagnose bowel injury

How can we help?

Why are truck accidents so devastating?

According to preliminary data reported by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, thousands of large truck crashes occur statewide each year, including dozens of fatal crashes and hundreds resulting in injuries.

Driving a truck, especially a large commercial truck, is dangerous for many reasons, including:

  • Difficult to control. Semis, rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers can be difficult to control. Truck drivers generally must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate commercial trucks, subject to statutory exceptions.
  • Blind spots. Truck drivers need to be cautious when changing lanes, merging, or backing out, because the length, height, and width of trucks can create side and rear visibility problems.
  • Greater impact. A car is simply no match for the bulk and weight of a large truck. When truck accidents happen, the occupants of the car will likely absorb most of the force of the accident.
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What are the different ways that truck accidents happen in Short Pump?

At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders when truck accidents happen in Short Pump. We also represent families when truck accidents are fatal. If you were involved in any type of truck accident, including any of the following, we can help you:

  • Jackknife accidents. When tractors and trailers travel in different directions or at different speeds, they can fold in on each other, injuring or killing the driver and/or anyone near the accident site. Skidding and wet roads are common causes of jackknife accidents.
  • Rollovers. Trucks are prone to rollover accidents due to their center of gravity, shifting cargo, and sharp turns.
  • Tire blowouts. Many large commercial trucks have 18 tires — two on the front axle and sixteen on the drive and trailer axles combined. If just one tire blows out, the truck driver can easily lose control of the truck, causing an accident.
  • Underride accidents. Federal law requires that most trailers and semitrailers have rear underride guards, subject to specific exemptions. Without these guards/protections, a small vehicle can easily slide under the truck when a collision occurs, crushing the people in the small car. Front and side guards, though not mandatory, are also recommended.
  • Back-up accidents. Truck drivers often need to back out into traffic after getting their loads or making a delivery because there is not enough room to turn around. The limited rearward visibility of most large commercial trucks makes backing out dangerous without spotters, mirrors, or cameras.
  • Wide-turn accidents. Trucks generally need more room to complete a turn than cars. Some trucks need to use another lane to finish their turn. If the truck driver is not cautious, vehicles next to a turning truck can be crushed.
  • Blind spot accidents. As we discussed above, large trucks have blind spots that create difficulties with side and rear visibility. Vision ahead of a truck can be difficult due to the truck's height. Truck drivers should use caution and the latest technology when changing lanes or turning.
  • Overpass accidents. Trucks and trucking companies should know, before they enter a road, whether their truck can fit under any overpasses.
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What are the causes of truck accidents in Short Pump?

Some of the leading causes of truck crashes are:

  • Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. A CMV BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.04% can trigger federal/CDL consequences. A separate Virginia criminal DUI charge depends on Virginia’s DUI law and the evidence of impairment. Even using prescription drugs can be dangerous.
  • Driver distraction. Truck drivers need to have their eyes on traffic, hands on the wheel, and minds on how to respond to dangers at all times. Driver distraction includes texting, using a cell phone, drinking, eating, looking at a GPS, focusing on entertainment devices, and other distractions.
  • Driver fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the length of time truck drivers can be on the road before they need to take short-term and long-term rest breaks. Most interstate commercial drivers must use electronic logging devices (ELDs), subject to some federal exemptions.
  • Driver performance. Truck drivers need to understand Virginia’s traffic laws. Truck drivers can be held liable for truck accidents if speeding, improper merging, failing to yield, or other driving violations cause them.
  • Improper cargo loads. Truck drivers, loading/unloading companies, and the companies involved in the shipment may be responsible for truck accidents if cargo spills or shifts, causing a driver to lose control of their truck.
  • Defective truck parts. Defective hydraulic systems, tires, brakes, and other defects can cause a truck accident in Short Pump. Manufacturers may be liable if defective truck parts cause an accident. Trucking businesses may be liable for failing to conduct inspections, make repairs, or remove their trucks from the road until the necessary repairs are complete.
  • Inadequate training. Truck drivers and truck companies should know how to handle their trucks to avoid dangers and respond reasonably when dangers arise.
  • Road conditions. Truck drivers in and near Short Pump should understand which roads trucks can and cannot use, how to drive through construction zones, how to drive in heavy or wet traffic, and how to handle other dangerous road conditions.
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How do you fight for truck accident victims?

We have several decades of experience handling truck accident claims in Virginia. Our Short Pump truck accident lawyers help accident victims in the following ways:

  • Hiring investigators. Investigators examine the accident site, review vehicle damage, speak with eyewitnesses, and question nearby businesses and residences to determine whether any video of the accident exists.
  • Employing traffic reconstruction experts (when necessary). These professionals can show step-by-step what happened before, during, and immediately after a truck accident.
  • Reviewing the police report and talking with the investigating officers.
  • Reviewing any electronic driving logs (ELDs) that provide information about when and where the truck driver drove the truck.
  • Reviewing insurance coverage and all other relevant documents, such as maintenance and repair records.
  • Questioning every defendant in person and in writing.
  • Questioning witnesses in person.
  • Working with your doctors to support your diagnosis, review the medical care you’ll need, understand the possible complications, and examine how your injuries affect your ability to work, function, and take care of yourself and your family.
  • Reviewing your lost income and benefits with your employer, accountants, and other financial professionals.
  • Examining whether a defective truck part is the cause of the accident.
  • Placing a value on all your financial and personal damages.
  • Negotiating with the insurance carriers.
  • Arguing your case before a judge and jury.

You can trust our team to build a strong case on your behalf.

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Who is responsible for truck accidents in Short Pump?

At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we can file personal injury and wrongful death claims against one or more of the following:

  • The truck driver
  • The truck driver’s employer
  • The owner of the truck, such as a fleet company
  • The companies involved in the shipment, including a truck broker
  • Truck maintenance and repair businesses
  • Manufacturers of defective truck parts
  • The Virginia Department of Transportation or other governmental entities/agencies, when Virginia law permits, and subject to sovereign immunity and statutory requirements
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How much is my truck accident claim in Short Pump?

Truck accidents often cause life-changing or serious injuries because of the size and weight of trucks.

At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we can work with you, your doctors, your employers, and others to show all your damages. We can seek compensation for damages so far in addition to future damages, including:

  • Reasonably necessary medical bills of every type by every healthcare provider, including hospitals, doctors, rehabilitative specialists, and pharmacists
  • Lost wages, business income, and benefits for as long as you cannot work
  • Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Any scars or disfigurement
  • The loss of bodily function
  • The loss of life’s pleasures

If a family member dies in a Short Pump truck accident, we can seek the following wrongful death damages:

  • The funeral and burial costs
  • The loss of income, care, protection, services, and assistance provided by the decedent
  • Sorrow, mental anguish, and solace which may include society, companionship, comfort, guidance, kindly offices, and advice from the decedent
  • Any outstanding medical bills of your loved one due to the accident that caused their death

Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule, which can bar recovery if an injured person is found even partially at fault, subject to limited exceptions such as the last clear chance doctrine.

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How much time do victims have to file a truck accident claim in Virginia?

Generally, you must file a personal injury claim within two years from the date of the accident or a wrongful death claim within two years from the date of death of your loved one. Some shorter time limits may apply, such as claims involving the government.

Please don’t wait. It’s best that we meet with you as soon as possible.

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Do you have a Short Pump truck accident lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet clients at our Richmond office, located at 3315 West Broad Street. We also consult with new clients by phone and through online video consultations. If your health makes traveling too difficult, we can discuss alternate arrangements to meet with you.

We can answer your questions and prepare you for each step of the claims process.

Get help from our Short Pump truck accident lawyers today

At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, our Short Pump truck accident lawyers have the experience and working relationships to handle all types of truck accidents, from local delivery accidents to interstate tractor-trailer accidents. To schedule a free consultation, contact us. Our attorneys represent truck accident victims on a contingency fee basis. We serve clients throughout Virginia.