Helping People Recover From Catastrophic Truck Accidents

The old expression of getting “hit by a truck” takes on a whole new meaning if you have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler. The extraordinary size and weight of a semi truck moving at high speed carry a force that can cause a devastating impact. The result can be long-term injuries, costly property damage and even fatalities.

That’s why it’s imperative you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer if you have been involved in a truck collision. At Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C., we have over 40 years of experience helping people in Blacksburg and the surrounding communities get the compensation they deserve for truck driver negligence.

Steps To Take If You’re Involved In An Accident

Although Virginia requires drivers to carry liability insurance, accidents involving trucks tend to be much more complex and cause much more damage – to both people and property – than crashes involving only passenger vehicles. After being involved in a truck accident, it’s important to gather as much information as possible to convince the insurers to pay for your losses – and if they won’t, the information can be used to file a civil lawsuit to obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident, you should take the following steps if you’re able to do so safely:

• Call for help: Your health and well-being are priority one. Call 911 and tell them you need medical treatment if you are hurt. It’s important to get checked out, whether you feel impaired or not.
• Contact the police: Even in a minor accident, getting a police report is a major step toward getting compensation for any losses.
• Get the truck driver’s info: Don’t assume all the info will be on the police report. Get the driver’s name, license number, address and insurance company. Also, get the trucking company contact info if possible.
• Take photos: A picture is worth a thousand words and may prove invaluable when pushing through an insurance claim or civil lawsuit. Snapping photos with your phone camera can provide invaluable leverage later in the process.

After medical professionals treat your injuries, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer. With these valuable pieces of documentation in hand, our legal team will have solid evidence to help resolve your case to the best possible outcome.

Statute Of Limitations For Filing Truck Accident Claims

Under Virginia law, you have a two-year statute of limitations for filing your truck accident claim. This time period starts from the day of your injury, with some exceptions. For instance, if you are a minor, your timeline for filing a claim starts when you turn 18 years old and will expire when you turn 20 years old. However, this rule may not apply if you are legally emancipated.

Virginia DMV’s Guide To Sharing The Road With Large Trucks

Many drivers find it difficult to share the road with large trucks. Commercial vehicles generally have large blind spots, slow stopping speeds and limited maneuverability. Given the size and weight of large trucks, one small mistake can lead to a serious accident.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) safety program is designed to educate drivers on how they can safely share the road with large vehicles. By learning some basic safety rules and understanding how large trucks work, drivers can better avoid serious accidents on crowded roads and highways. Here is what you should remember:

• Watch for blind spots: Large trucks have even larger blind spots. It is wise to keep within a trucker’s line of sight in their side mirror to prevent merging accidents.
• Stay at a safe distance: Never tailgate a truck. Large trucks can obscure what is happening on the road ahead. Truck drivers also cannot see vehicles directly behind them.
• Do not pass on the right side: The largest blind spot on a big rig is on the right side. Truckers may not see smaller vehicles when merging to the right.
• Signal early: Truckers often need extra warnings when other drivers are planning to turn or merge in front of them, so broadcast your intentions early.
• Keep distance at stops: Some trucks may roll back up to 15 feet at stops, which can collide with vehicles too close behind.
• Move to the right: Large vehicles often use the center lane to pass vehicles on highways, so give them space by moving right.
• Do not drive between a truck and the curb: If a truck is turning, stop and wait. Driving between a turning truck and the side of the road could lead to tragedy.
• Do not cross behind a truck as it backs up: Large trucks typically cannot see smaller vehicles while backing up.

In general, you need to remember that safety – not speed – is the most important thing when you are sharing the road with a commercial vehicle.

Work With A Skilled Truck Accident Attorney

If you have suffered a loss due to the carelessness of a truck driver, contact Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C., for a consultation at our Blacksburg, Virginia, office by calling 540-315-8799 or contacting us online. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.