Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Virginia

Alexandria Truck Accident Attorneys Who Care For Your Wellbeing – (571) 290-2390

Drivers who are struck by commercial vehicles are often hit by a motor vehicle that greatly exceeds their own car in terms of both weight and size. The result can be absolutely devastating, causing extensive injuries and destruction.

Any of the aforementioned consequences of a commercial vehicle accident can lead to significant medical bills, rehabilitation fees, lost wages, and much more. In order to help make certain you do not get unfairly stuck with the costs associated with an accident you did not cause, contact The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC and our personal injury lawyers in Alexandria. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience with a focus on injury plaintiff claims, you can trust us to provide the fair and caring advocacy you expect.

Common Types of Commercial Vehicles

A commercial vehicle is any type of motor vehicle used for transporting goods or passengers for business purposes. These vehicles are typically owned or leased by businesses and used in various industries, such as transportation, logistics, construction, and service industries. Commercial vehicles often require special registration, licenses, and insurance due to their size, weight, and the nature of their use.

Common types of commercial vehicles:

• Semi-trucks (18-wheelers or tractor-trailers): These large trucks are used for long-distance transportation of goods. They consist of a tractor unit and one or more trailers.
• Box Trucks (Straight Trucks): These trucks have a large, enclosed cargo area and are commonly used for local deliveries, moving services, and transporting goods like furniture or appliances.
• Delivery Vans: Smaller commercial vehicles used for delivering packages and goods, such as the vans used by courier companies like FedEx or UPS.
• Pickup Trucks: When used for commercial purposes, pickup trucks often transport tools, equipment, and goods in industries like construction, landscaping, and maintenance.
• Passenger Buses: These are used for public transportation, charter services, or shuttle services and are classified as commercial vehicles when they are used to transport paying passengers.
• Dump Trucks: Designed for transporting loose materials like sand, gravel, or demolition waste in construction projects.
• Tow Trucks: Vehicles equipped to tow or transport disabled or illegally parked vehicles.
• Refrigerated Trucks (Reefers): Trucks equipped with refrigeration units to transport perishable goods such as food or pharmaceuticals.
• Tankers: Used for transporting liquids or gases, such as fuel, chemicals, or water.
• Utility Vehicles: Used by service companies, such as electricians, plumbers, or cable repair companies, to transport equipment and tools for onsite work.

These vehicles play an essential role in various sectors by enabling the movement of goods and services across distances.

Proving Liability in a Commercial Vehicle Accident

In a commercial vehicle accident, several parties may be held liable depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Since these vehicles are often part of business operations, the responsible party is not always limited to the driver. The following individuals or entities can be held liable:

The Commercial Vehicle Driver

The driver of the commercial vehicle can be held liable if they were negligent or violated traffic laws. Common examples of driver negligence include:

• Distracted driving (e.g., texting while driving)
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Violating hours-of-service regulations (driving too many hours without rest)
• Failing to follow safety protocols or maintain control of the vehicle

The Trucking or Transportation Company

The company that owns or operates the commercial vehicle can be liable if it:

• Failed to maintain the vehicle properly, leading to mechanical failures (e.g., brake failure, tire blowouts)
• Negligently hired or retained an unqualified or unsafe driver
• Pushed drivers to violate hours-of-service laws or speed limits to meet deadlines
• Inadequately trained drivers on safety procedures
• Did not enforce proper safety protocols, resulting in the accident

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

If a defect in the vehicle or one of its components (e.g., brakes, tires, steering) caused or contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the vehicle or the defective part could be held responsible. This would fall under product liability law.

Maintenance Providers

Third-party maintenance companies or mechanics could be liable if they improperly serviced the vehicle or failed to detect safety issues that led to the accident. For example, if a maintenance company performed inadequate brake inspections or repairs, they may be responsible for any accidents caused by brake failure.

Cargo Loaders

In cases involving improper loading of cargo, such as an overloaded truck or unsecured freight, the cargo loading company or the entity responsible for securing the load can be liable. Improperly loaded cargo can cause trucks to become unbalanced, leading to rollovers or cargo spills, which contribute to accidents.

Other Motorists

In some cases, another driver on the road may have contributed to or caused the accident. If a passenger vehicle driver was speeding, driving recklessly, or otherwise negligent, they could share liability for the crash involving the commercial vehicle.

Government Entities

If poor road conditions, such as missing signage, unmarked hazards, or poorly maintained roads, played a role in causing the accident, the local or state government responsible for maintaining the roads could be held liable. However, suing government entities can involve complex legal rules and limitations.

The Owner of the Vehicle (If Leased)

Sometimes, the commercial vehicle is owned by one entity and leased to another. In these cases, the owner of the vehicle might share liability if they failed to ensure the vehicle was safe, properly maintained, or appropriately equipped for operation.

Virginia’s pure contributory negligence law makes it difficult to recover damages from liable parties, as you lose the right to file a claim as soon as you become even 1% liable for a crash. Companies that send commercial vehicles onto the highways are well aware of this tilted scale and will try to use it to their advantage by arguing you did something wrong that led to your own commercial vehicle accident. Our law firm always steps into the courtroom ready to swing and challenge any strategy used by the opposition.

Your Case Begins Now – Call (571) 290-2390 for a Consultation

The sooner you can allow our Alexandria truck accident attorneys to review your case, the sooner we can help you decide the best path to find compensation. We never use a cookie-cutter approach. We use our experience, insight, and abilities to craft customized strategies that work for each client’s situation. Your case is in good hands when you come to The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC.