Semi-Truck Drivers Changing Lanes Cause Serious Damage
A big part of the reason why lane change accidents between regular cars and large commercial trucks can be so devastating has to do with their difference in size. Heavy-duty trucks weigh at least 26,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck can tip the scales at 80,000 pounds. For comparison, a typical midsize car only weighs about 3,500 pounds.
Not surprisingly, the significantly smaller passenger vehicle will almost always suffer the worst of the damage in an accident with a big rig. Operators have poorer visibility and are slower to maneuver in traffic. Truck accidents are also different from other car accidents in that even lower-speed collisions can have dire consequences.
Injuries suffered in accidents with large commercial vehicles may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Partial and complete bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries, like cuts and bruises
- Internal injuries, like organ damage and internal bleeding
- Neck and back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Permanent disfigurement
- Facial injuries
Collecting Evidence and Establishing Who’s at Fault
Virginia law observes the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This means an injured party who is partially at fault for causing the accident is barred from receiving compensation. This is why it’s so crucial to prove negligence as conclusively as possible with compelling evidence.
Components of a sound legal strategy for truck accident claims include:
- Physical evidence, such as debris and skid marks at the accident scene
- Eyewitness interviews and statements
- Photos and videos of the truck crash, like dashcam footage
- Police reports and other relevant incident reports
- Accident reconstruction by trusted experts
- Complete medical records to substantiate the severity of injuries suffered
To further protect your case, our lawyers may file a spoliation letter. Also called a preservation demand, it legally requires the trucking company to preserve requested evidence, like work logs.
Why Strong Legal Representation From The Mottley Law Firm Makes a Difference
The reality is that many commercial truck drivers are backed by large trucking companies that are represented by major insurers. It’s in their best interest to reduce their liability as much as possible. Going up against them alone when the trucker crashes into you while making an unsafe lane change is a steep uphill battle.
One of the strongest ways to level the playing field and seek the fair compensation you deserve is by teaming up with truck accident lawyers who bring years of experience to the table. This includes negotiating for the most positive outcome possible in your case. Our attorneys represented a 54-year-old woman who was struck by a semi-truck on the I-81 near Lexington. The truck made an unsafe lane change at high speed, clipping her car and causing it to flip multiple times. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, lacerations, and post-traumatic stress, eventually ending her 20-year nursing career. After almost a year and a half of litigation, we secured $3.5 million in compensatory damages for her injuries.
The Mottley Law Firm will gladly answer any questions you may have as we guide you through the litigation process. You deserve justice and a proper settlement that covers your economic and non-economic damages. We can help.
