Richmond Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in Richmond, VA

Suffering a collision with a commercial vehicle can leave a victim with devastating injuries. These vehicles are typically much larger than passenger cars or trucks, and the weight and size alone are enough to leave you or a loved one with extensive physical, emotional, and financial damage. Whether you’ve been hit by a passenger bus in Northern Barton Heights or a tow truck along Fairfield Way, a Richmond commercial vehicle accident lawyer is here to support you. 

Trust Your Personal Injury Case to Brooks & Baez

Since 2016, the team at Brooks & Baez has been serving personal injury clients across the Commonwealth. We understand how difficult these cases can be and how your physical and emotional health can often hinge on your ability to recover compensation. While past results cannot guarantee future case outcomes, our experienced, bilingual attorneys have recovered millions in damages for previous clients and are here to help you achieve the same outcome. 

Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Richmond

Across the U.S., 6,500 people are injured in vehicle accidents. While not all of these accidents involve commercial vehicles, many do, and can be extremely difficult to recover from. Accident victims typically face intense physical, emotional, and financial burdens following the traumatic event, and it can prove challenging to know what to do following a collision with a commercial vehicle. 

A commercial vehicle is any kind of vehicle that is used for transporting passengers or goods for the purpose of commerce or business. When you are injured in a collision with one of these vehicles, it is helpful to know the type of vehicle involved, as this can help your attorney identify the potentially liable parties. The most common types of commercial vehicles involved in accidents in Richmond include:

• Semi-trucks. These large vehicles are a common sight on the roadway, as nearly 72.4% of all American freight is transported by truck. Large semi-trucks typically consist of a tractor unit or cab and one or more attached trailers. When involved in an accident, they can cause serious damage.
• Delivery vehicles. These are typically smaller than semi-trucks, but still large, and can pose a serious risk to other drivers. These trucks typically have enclosed cargo and are used for the local delivery of packages or letters. Common delivery vehicles can include USPS vans and FedEx or UPS vehicles.
• Passenger buses. A large portion of Richmond’s population depends on the commuter services provided by the Greater Richmond Transit Company, or GRTC. When these vehicles and similar services, such as charter buses or shuttle services, are involved in an accident, the devastation they can cause is tremendous.
• Tow trucks. These are large vehicles used to tow or transport a broken-down, malfunctioning, or illegally parked vehicle. 

Other commercial vehicles often involved in accidents in Richmond include tankers, utility vehicles such as those used by electricians, plumbers, or cable repair companies, dump trucks, pickup trucks used for commercial purposes, box trucks, and refrigerated trucks. If you find yourself injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, Brooks & Baez is here to help you identify the liable party and recover compensation. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Knowing who could potentially be held liable in a commercial vehicle accident claim is the first step in recovering your due compensation. Several parties are typically involved, depending on the circumstances of the crash, and can include:

• The actual driver of the commercial vehicle
• The transportation or trucking company that owns the vehicle and/or hired a negligent driver
• The parts or vehicle manufacturer if the vehicle or a component malfunctions or has a defect that causes the accident
• Any negligent truck maintenance providers
• Companies in charge of loading and securing cargo onto the commercial vehicle
• Other negligent motorists on the roadway

FAQs

What Evidence Can Help Prove a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

To help prove a commercial vehicle accident, there are several forms of evidence you and your attorney can recover and present in your official claim. The most common forms of evidence include police reports from the accident scene, the commercial vehicle driver’s driving and accident record, any recorded data in the commercial vehicle’s system, and the safety record of the company that owns the commercial vehicle. 

What Injuries Are Common in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

In a commercial vehicle accident, a victim can sustain a wide range of injuries. The most common injuries include broken bones and fractures, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries and concussions, damage to the spinal cord, which may result in partial or complete paralysis, cuts, bruises, or lacerations, scarring and disfigurement, amputations, or even death. 

What Damages Can I Recover?

Depending on the severity of the accident and the extent of your injuries, there are several forms of damages you may be able to recover. These can include all related medical costs, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of the enjoyment of life, wrongful death damages, and, in rare cases, punitive damages.

What Causes an Accident With a Commercial Vehicle?

A commercial vehicle can be caused by several different factors. In cases involving commercial trucks, nearly 65% of fatal accidents occur due to overloaded cargo. Other causes include driver fatigue, speeding or tailgating, inexperienced or poorly trained drivers, poor vehicle maintenance, driver impairment due to drugs or alcohol, violations of commercial vehicle safety regulations, and distracted driving.

Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you know has recently suffered a devastating personal injury due to another party’s negligence in a commercial vehicle accident in Richmond, now is the time to seek compensation. In Virginia, the clock starts ticking the moment you receive injuries, and it is essential to hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer right away. At Brooks & Baez, we work for you. When it’s time to recover the compensation you deserve, call us to learn how we can help.