Sometimes, semi-truck crashes in Virginia are a result of truck drivers’ carelessness — for instance, perhaps a truck driver was driving too quickly for road conditions. In this situation, you have the right to seek to hold the driver accountable for any injuries you suffer as a result of the semi-truck wreck.
How dangerous are commercial trucks?
Statistics indicate that drivers of trucks are usually much more cautious behind the wheel compared with other car drivers. However, according to the U.S. transportation department, crashes involving large trucks still led to nearly 5,000 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries back in 2006.
What can make crashes involving trucks worse is the freight they are carrying. As an example, a truck may be carrying flammable or hazardous materials, such as industrial waste and gasoline. If the truck causes an injury accident on the road, these dangerous materials can cause secondary injuries as well.
What types of truck accidents may cause my injuries?
A common cause of a truck collision is jackknifing. Eighteen-wheelers, for instance, can easily jackknife as a result of sudden turning or braking.
A turning accident can also easily happen if a large truck ends up taking up more than one lane to complete a right turn, for instance. Both of these types of accidents can occur if the truck driver is not properly considering the road conditions when making moves.
What are my rights after an injury in a semi-truck crash?
If a truck driver harmed you due to being negligent on the road, you have the right to seek compensation. However, you must be able to prove the following:
- The truck driver had a duty to act carefully to prevent you from the injury on the road.
- The truck driver did not exercise reasonable care; in other words, he or she breached his or her duty.
- The truck driver’s careless actions caused you to suffer injuries.
If you can prove your case, you may receive compensation to address your financial losses — for instance, your medical bills or lack of wages stemming from the injury accident. Compensation may also help to address pain and suffering caused by the semi-truck wreck.