Free Reports
Practice Areas
HSInjury Blog 
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- Announcer Hit by Monster Truck in Charlottesville
- Livestock Truck Accidents Cause Serious Injuries, Death
- Two Tires Fly off Tractor-Trailer Truck Striking Three Vehicles near Havelock, North Carolina
Norfolk-Portsmouth Personal Injury Lawyer 
Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Northeast NC Personal Injury Lawyer
Firm News
- Attorney Examines Fatal Truck Accident
Posted on 3/16/2010 - Attorney Discusses Hours-of-Services Regulations
Posted on 3/16/2010 - Attorney Discusses a Truck Wreck in Culpepper Due to Black Ice
Posted on 2/10/2010 - Attorney Discusses Truck Accidents in Winter Snowstorms
Posted on 2/8/2010 - Law Firm Publishes New Consumer Guide on How to Handle a Truck Wreck
Posted on 1/29/2010
Library
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- This page provides information about the complexity of trucking insurance and how it differs from regular car insurance. After you've had a chance to review this page, please take a look at our other articles, blogs, videos, and consumer guides on trucking topics.
- Here are some results from our truck accident cases. After you've taken a look, please give us a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
- Car and Truck Accidents/Personal Injury Law in West Virginia (WV)
This page provides information about the complexity of trucking insurance and how it differs from regular car insurance. After you've had a chance to review this page, please take a look at our other articles, blogs, videos, and consumer guides on trucking topics.
Our law firm recently published a free consumer guide focused on what to do in case you get into a serious accident with a commercial truck. Here is an excerpt dealing with the differences between insurance requirements for commercial trucks as opposed to regular cars...Federal regulations dictate the minimum insurance policy coverage interstate trucks are required to carry. Trucking companies are aware of the significant liability that they face if their operators cause a serious injury or death which is why you shouldn't be surprised if lawyers or investigators from the trucking company flood the scene of the truck accident. Always remember that they are not there to help you. They're at the scene because they know there is a chance they'll face legal action and they want to control the scene as quickly as possible.
Federal Motor Carrier Regulations require these large commercial trucks, which cross state lines, to carry minimum insurance coverage-including minimum liability coverage. The federal law requires a commercial transportation company to maintain at least seven hundred & fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.00) of insurance coverage on the big rig (commercial vans/busses require higher rates depending on passenger capacities). This is true even for smaller companies which haul freight in interstate commerce.
For big rigs, the complicating factor is that there may be insurance on the tractor, and a separate insurance coverage on the trailer being hauled. Also, there are potentially several parties in that the person who drove may be hired through a freight broker or middle man. Sometimes, more than one company may need to be named as a defendant in a lawsuit to recover for your injuries.
The challenge comes when filing a claim against multiple insurance companies for the same claim. In addition, the question of whether you should also file a claim against the truck driver individually needs to be raised. The employer of a driver is automatically liable for acts of negligence done in the scope of his employment. The company may have additional separate responsibility if it negligently hired a known dangerous driver or for mechanical problems that it caused by corporate wrongdoing. These issues can only be resolved on a case-by-case basis. It all depends on what exactly occurred with your specific accident.
To get all of the information in our consumer guide, please take advantage of the free download here.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our truck accident case results, our free consumer guide on what to do in case you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck, and also take a moment to view our web site devoted exlusively to Virginia trucking accidents and information. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness. We are ready to talk to you right now and we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042.
Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition, named Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law (2009, less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.
Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service.
Quick Contact
Main Office
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757) 460-7776
Fax: (757) 460.3428
Toll Free: (800) 752.0042
Get Directions
Hampton-Peninsula Area Office
Mill Point Center
101 Eaton Street
Hampton, Virginia 23669
Phone: (757) 788-8162
Fax: (757) 460-3428
Toll Free: (800) 752-0042
Get Directions
NE NC Office
101 E. Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (757) 460-7776
Fax: (757) 460.3428
Toll Free: (800) 752.0042
Get Directions
We Welcome
Lawyer Referrals
click here
Case Results
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT, AND THE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS MENTIONED ON THIS WEBSITE, WHILE ACCURATE, DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT WE MAY OBTAIN FOR YOU IN YOUR CASE.
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- MACK truck-trailer-wreck/leg fractures
- Truck-Train crossing collision-back injuries
- Automobile Accident Causing Coma and Paralysis
- Collision Between Two Big Rigs Creates Fireball
- Virginia Automobile Accident
Awarded: Counsel settled with the motorist's insurer, and then with two additional underinsurance carriers for a total settlement of $600,000 which constituted all available insurance.
Awarded: Case settled at mediation for $450,000.00, from the parked truck’s insurance, plus additional monies and concessions from the client’s workers’ compensation insurer
Awarded: The case was settled for $350,000.00 without the necessity of a trial.
FAQs
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- A big rig went out of control on the road, caused a major accident, and I was injured. Can I recover against the driver of the big rig?
- How much time does it take to resolve a truck accident case? Do most cases settle or go to trial?
- How much time do I have after a trucking accident to file a lawsuit?
- Are there different rules that apply to accidents involving commercial trucks?
- Is the law applying to a car and truck wreck case different from a car injury case and how?