Fairfax, VA Truck Accident Attorney

Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Pursuing Compensation for Victims in Fairfax, Virginia

Commercial vehicles such as 18-wheelers, box trucks, delivery trucks, and other large trucks travel through Fairfax County every day. They carry goods along major routes such as I-66, I-495, and Route 50, and many trucks make stops at local businesses, warehouses, and other facilities. Because of the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, the risks of serious injuries are higher than in other types of car accidents. The people in smaller vehicles may suffer catastrophic harm, and as they recover from their injuries, they will need to understand who was responsible for a truck accident and how they can obtain financial compensation.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney can provide the representation that injury victims need during personal injury claims related to truck accidents. Our law firm is built on honesty, and we are dedicated to providing the highest level of client service. We know how complicated truck accident cases can be, but we work to resolve the issues involved on behalf of our clients, ensuring that they can focus on healing.

Why Truck Accidents Happen

When a large truck is involved in an accident, determining the cause is not always easy. Investigations will often reveal a combination of factors involving the truck driver, a trucking company, and other parties. Some of the issues that may play a role in these cases include:

• Driver Fatigue: Due to long hours on the road, inadequate rest between shifts, and pressure to meet deadlines, truck drivers can become exhausted. A driver who is fatigued may experience issues such as slower reaction times or difficulty maintaining focus on the road. In severe cases, a person may fall asleep at the wheel and cause a devastating collision.
• Traffic Violations: Issues such as speeding, tailgating, illegal lane changes, or running red lights can be dangerous when they happen in a large truck. Because of the size and weight of a commercial vehicle, a minor traffic violation can have more serious consequences than the same types of violations committed by drivers of passenger vehicles.
• Lack of Supervision: A trucking company that does not properly monitor drivers may allow unsafe behavior to continue. When a company fails to track a driver's performance, ensure that they comply with hours-of-service rules, investigate safety incidents, or perform random drug testing, a driver may be allowed to continue engaging in dangerous behavior that could result in a crash.
• Inadequate Training: Operating a commercial truck will require skills that go well beyond those that are needed to drive a passenger vehicle. A driver who has not received proper training may not be prepared to respond correctly to hazards, or they may make mistakes that should have been avoided.
• Unsecured Cargo: When the cargo a truck is carrying has not been properly loaded or secured in place, it can shift during a trip. When cargo moves, it can affect a truck's balance and handling, and an accident may occur when a driver loses control. Unsecured cargo may also fall from a truck and strike other vehicles, causing extensive damage.
• Improper Truck Maintenance: Mechanical failures involving brakes, tires, steering systems, trailer couplings, or other components can lead to dangerous accidents. A truck that has not been properly inspected and maintained may break down and cause serious injuries to other people.

Parties Who May Be Liable for a Truck Accident

Truck accidents will often involve multiple contributing factors, and more than one party may share responsibility for the injuries suffered by victims. Our lawyer can take steps to identify every liable party, which may include:

• The Truck Driver: Negligence by a vehicle operator that led to a truck crash, such as speeding, intoxicated driving, distracted driving, or failing to inspect a truck correctly, may be addressed in a truck accident claim.
• Trucking Companies: Issues such as negligent hiring, failure to provide training, or failure to supervise drivers may lead to accidents, and a company may be liable for its failure to follow the correct procedures.
• Cargo Loading Companies: If a company's employees were responsible for loading items on a truck, it may be liable for accidents caused by unsecured or overloaded cargo.
• Maintenance Provider: A repair facility that performed substandard work, used defective parts, or failed to identify and address mechanical problems may be liable for accidents involving defective components.
• Parts Manufacturers: A company may be held responsible if defective parts like tires, brakes, or coupling mechanisms failed and caused a truck accident.
• Government Entities: City, county, state, or federal government organizations may share some responsibility for truck accidents involving dangerous roads, missing signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, or other issues that made roads unsafe.

Contact Our Fairfax Truck Accident Lawyer

Because the injuries that can occur in truck accidents can be serious, victims will need to understand what steps they can take to obtain compensation for their damages. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our lawyer can make sure complete investigations are performed after commercial truck accidents, and he will take steps to determine what happened and who was responsible. He will work closely with clients to address all of their damages and fight for compensation that will address medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other issues. Contact our Fairfax, VA commercial truck accident attorney at 703-591-0067 to schedule a free consultation today.