Large truck accidents can result in serious injuries, significant property damage, and fatalities. Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks can cause substantial damage when they collide with passenger vehicles.

Virginia and Maryland are major transportation corridors, with heavily traveled interstate routes including I-95, I-495, I-695, and other major highways used by commercial vehicles transporting freight throughout the region. When a truck crash occurs, determining how and why the collision happened can be an important part of an injury claim.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck crashes can occur for many different reasons. Depending on the circumstances, potential contributing factors may include:

• Driver fatigue or inadequate rest;

• Distracted driving or inattention;

• Driving too fast for road, weather, or traffic conditions;

• Improper lane changes or other unsafe maneuvers;

• Inadequate observation of surrounding traffic;

• Driver illness or impairment;

• Inadequate following distance;

• Improper loading or securing of cargo;

• Vehicle or equipment defects;

• Inadequate maintenance;

• Failure to comply with federal or state trucking regulations; and

• Unsafe actions by other drivers or road users.

Determining the cause of a truck accident may require examining evidence from the vehicles, accident scene, drivers, witnesses, electronic records, and the trucking company’s records.

Investigating a Truck Accident

Truck accident cases can involve more than determining what happened at the scene of the crash. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may include reviewing:

• Driver logs and hours-of-service records;

• Electronic logging device information;

• Vehicle inspection and maintenance records;

• Cargo loading and weight records;

• Driver qualification and employment records;

• Training and safety records;

• Black-box or other electronic vehicle data;

• Accident reports and photographs;

• Surveillance or traffic-camera footage; and

• Statements from drivers and witnesses.

These records can help determine whether the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, cargo loader, manufacturer, or another party may be responsible for the accident.

Trucking Insurance

Federal law establishes minimum financial-responsibility requirements for certain motor carriers operating in interstate commerce. The required amount depends on factors such as the type of carrier, vehicle, and cargo.

For example, FMCSA currently lists a minimum of $750,000 for qualifying for-hire interstate property carriers operating vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more and transporting non-hazardous property. Certain carriers transporting hazardous materials are subject to higher minimums, including $1 million or $5 million, depending on the type of material and transportation involved.

These federal minimums do not necessarily represent the total amount of insurance available in a particular accident. A trucking company may have additional coverage, and determining what insurance policies apply can require reviewing the specific circumstances of the crash.

Compensation After a Truck Accident

If another party’s negligence caused a truck accident, an injured person may be able to seek compensation for losses resulting from the accident. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:

• Medical expenses;

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity;

• Property damage;

• Physical pain and suffering; and

• Other losses permitted by applicable law.

The amount and availability of compensation depend on the facts of the case, the applicable law, and the evidence establishing liability and damages.

Virginia generally requires personal injury actions to be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues, although exceptions can apply.

How Raheen Law Group Can Help

Truck accident cases can involve multiple parties, extensive evidence, and complex insurance issues. At Raheen Law Group, we can help investigate the circumstances of a trucking accident, identify potentially responsible parties, communicate with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation available under Virginia law.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, contact Raheen Law Group for a consultation to discuss your situation and legal options.