Manassas Truck Accident Lawyer

Injured in a Truck Accident in Manassas, VA?

When the massive power of a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. Truck accidents often lead to severe injuries, significant property damage, and overwhelming emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Manassas, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve. At Portner & Shure, P.A., we are your trusted Manassas truck accident lawyers, dedicated to fighting for justice and your entitled compensation on your behalf.

Call (410) 995-1515 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident refers to a collision or incident involving a truck, which is a large motor vehicle used for transporting goods or cargo. These accidents can result in varying degrees of damage, injuries, and even fatalities due to the sheer size and weight of trucks.

Common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck strikes the vehicle in front of it. Rear-end collisions can be caused by factors such as the truck driver's failure to maintain a safe following distance, distracted driving, or sudden braking.
• Head-On Collisions: In a head-on collision, a truck collides with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. These accidents often lead to severe injuries and fatalities due to the high impact forces involved.
• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident happens when a truck's cab and trailer skid and form a 90-degree angle, resembling the folding of a jackknife. This often occurs when the truck's wheels lose traction or during abrupt braking.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollovers happen when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. They can occur due to various factors, including excessive speed, sharp turns, or an unbalanced cargo load.
• Side-Impact Collisions (T-Bone Collisions): These accidents occur when a truck strikes another vehicle on its side. They often happen at intersections and can be particularly dangerous for the occupants of the vehicle struck on the side.
• Underride Accidents: In underride accidents, a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath the rear or side of a truck's trailer. These accidents are especially dangerous because they can result in severe damage to the smaller vehicle and its occupants.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, and accidents can occur when a smaller vehicle is in a blind spot, and the truck changes lanes or makes a turn without seeing the other vehicle.
• Runaway Truck Accidents: These incidents involve a truck losing control, often while descending steep grades. Braking failure or improper use of brakes can lead to these accidents, posing a significant risk to other road users.
• Cargo Spills: If a truck's cargo is improperly secured or loaded, it can shift or spill onto the roadway, leading to accidents and road hazards.
• Fatigue-Related Accidents: Truck drivers often face long hours on the road, and fatigue can impair their judgment and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Distracted Driving Accidents: Distractions like texting, eating, or using electronic devices while driving can lead to accidents involving trucks, just as with other vehicles.
• Mechanical Failures: Accidents can occur when critical components of a truck, such as brakes, tires, or steering, fail due to lack of maintenance or manufacturing defects.
• Weather-Related Accidents: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog, can reduce visibility and road traction, increasing the likelihood of accidents involving trucks.

Truck accidents can result in significant damage to property, serious injuries, and loss of life. Due to the complexity of truck operations, the aftermath of these accidents often involves legal and insurance issues, making them more complicated than typical car accidents.

Who is Liable for Causing a Truck Accident?

Liability in a truck accident can be complex and depend on various factors, including the specific circumstances of the accident and the applicable laws in the jurisdiction where it occurred.

Generally, multiple parties could potentially be held liable in a truck accident:

• Truck Driver: The truck driver is often the first party considered for liability. If the driver was negligent, such as by speeding, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws, they can be held personally liable for the accident. Fatigue, distracted driving, and improper maintenance of the truck are also common causes of accidents that can be attributed to the driver.

• Trucking Company: In many cases, the trucking company that employs the driver can also be held liable. This is based on the legal principle of "respondeat superior," which holds employers responsible for their employees' actions while performing job-related duties. If the company's negligence, such as inadequate training, pressure to meet unrealistic schedules, or failure to properly maintain the truck, contributed to the accident, they could be held liable.

• Truck Owner: Sometimes, the owner of the truck may be different from the trucking company. If the owner's negligence, such as failing to properly maintain the vehicle or knowingly allowing an unsafe driver to operate it, contributed to the accident, they can be held liable.

• Truck Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck's design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable. This could include issues with brakes, tires, or other components that were not the result of maintenance or wear and tear but were present when the truck was purchased.

• Maintenance and Repair Companies: If the accident was caused by negligent maintenance or repairs, the companies responsible for servicing the truck could be held liable. This might include companies that were responsible for inspecting, repairing, or maintaining the vehicle.

• Cargo Loaders: In some cases, improper loading of cargo can lead to accidents. If the cargo was loaded in a way that created an imbalance or was otherwise unsafe, the company or individuals responsible for loading the cargo might be liable.

• Government Entities: Poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or other factors related to the road itself can sometimes contribute to accidents. In such cases, government entities responsible for road maintenance and safety might be held liable.

• Other Drivers: It's also possible that other drivers involved in the accident, such as passenger vehicle drivers, could be held partially or fully liable if their actions contributed to the collision.

To determine liability in a truck accident, a thorough investigation is typically conducted, which may involve accident reconstruction experts, witness statements, inspection of the vehicles involved, and examination of relevant documents (such as driver logs and maintenance records).

Why You Need a Manassas Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents are complex cases that require a deep understanding of both state and federal regulations governing the trucking industry. The consequences of these accidents can be devastating, including long-term medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Navigating the legal complexities while recovering from injuries can be overwhelming.

At Portner & Shure, P.A., our team of skilled attorneys has a proven track record of successfully handling truck accident cases in Manassas and throughout Virginia. Our team is here to fight for you, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (410) 995-1515 to request a free case evaluation.