Truck accidents are far more dangerous than automobile accidents. The injuries they cause tend to be catastrophic, leaving the victims with permanent and life-altering disabilities. Despite the laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry, major accidents still happen. Who do you turn to if you or a loved one were hurt by an irresponsible driver or trucking company? Truck accident victims in Loudoun County, Virginia can count on the team at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP. We have the experience it takes to make the at-fault parties pay for their negligence, and we’re ready to fight for you.
What Makes Trucks So Dangerous?
Large trucks – everything from delivery vehicles to tractor trailers – are much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Smaller automobiles are therefore no match for trucks, and contributing factors such as speed or faulty braking make accidents that much worse. These vehicles are also incredibly difficult to navigate, which increases the risk of a serious accident. On top of that, large trucks often haul toxic or flammable substances which can cause secondary accidents such as fires and exposure to dangerous chemicals.
How Can A Loudoun County Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
A knowledgeable truck accident attorney doesn’t just understand the relevant laws that govern the case. Your attorney should also know what evidence will prove liability in court, especially where multiple parties are involved.
Truck accident cases tend to raise complex issues as well. As an example, if there was a manufacturing defect that caused the accident, you need someone who has an understanding of the faulty part and how it actually set the crash in motion. On the other hand, you may need someone who can reconstruct the accident to clearly explain to a jury how it happened.
This is where expert witnesses are so important. Our firm understands the intricate issues that arise in truck accident cases, and we have an extensive network of expert witnesses who can testify as to highly technical matters. These are scientific and mechanical issues involving large trucks that a layperson is not qualified to discuss in court.
A skilled truck accident lawyer will know how to properly value a case. That means comprehensively documenting the economic and non-economic damages suffered by the victim. Your damages will form the basis of your demand for monetary compensation.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, knowing why the wreck occurred will go a long way in establishing liability. Truck accidents happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Drug or alcohol impairment
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Reckless driving
- Mechanical problems
- Improper truck maintenance
- Sudden braking
- Tailgating
- Road hazards
Who May Be Held Responsible For A Truck Accident in Loudoun County?
Liability for a large truck accident in Loudoun County, Virginia is a complicated matter. Multiple parties are regularly involved with the maintenance and operation of trucks, which means there could be multiple at-fault parties. After a truck accident, the following may be held responsible:
- Truck manufacturer
- Truck driver
- The driver’s employer
- Mechanic
- Maintenance contractor
- Shipper
- Loader
- Governmental entity
For example, the trucking company may be liable for failing to properly train the driver who got into the accident. On the other hand, the manufacturer could have built the truck with a dangerously defective part, or the mechanic might have done poor work on the vehicle. In some cases, governmental entities such as cities and states can be held liable for unsafe road conditions that lead to accidents.
Holding these parties liable requires a thorough understanding of Virginia large truck accident law. It’s fairly common for several defendants to be brought into a truck accident case. But it’s also routine for these defendants to deflect blame or even try to pin responsibility on the injured victim. That’s where you need aggressive legal representation.
What Truck Accident Damages Am I Eligible For?
Every case is different, but truck accident attorneys in Loudoun County, Virginia routinely demand that trucking companies, their insurers, and other at-fault parties compensate victims for:
- Medical expenses, including future medical costs such as physical therapy and surgeries
- Prescription drug medications
- Hospitalization costs
- Lost wages due to inability to work
- Lost earning capacity and lost future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death, in the event the accident victim dies
Having the right attorney is critical to seeking justice for your injuries. If you fail to demand certain damages and your case settles or goes to trial, you won’t get another chance to ask for more compensation. Our attorneys know how to assign a fair dollar figure to your case, and then we get to work winning it.
What To Do After A Truck Accident
If you’ve been in an accident, first get the medical attention you and any passengers need. Even if you think you weren’t hurt or your injuries were minor, let a medical doctor make that call. This is an important step in securing your compensation.
As soon as possible, document everything you can about the accident. File a police report. Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, your vehicle, and the truck. Talk to accident eyewitnesses and get their contact information. Write down anything you can remember about the wreck.
Finally, call a dedicated attorney who is ready to step up for you.
Contact Our Loudoun County, Virginia Truck Accident Attorney
Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP doesn’t settle for less than truck accident victims deserve. We will investigate the possible causes of your truck accident, obtain the evidence we need to prove liability, and fairly assess your damages. We understand that after a truck accident, the only goal of the victim and his or her family is to get their lives back to normal. While you recover from your injuries, let us take care of holding the at-fault parties accountable in a court of law. Call us today to schedule your confidential consultation.