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Car and Truck Accidents/Personal Injury Law in Virginia (VA)

On the surface, car and truck accidental injuries might seem similar. Another driver makes a mistake, there's a squeal of breaks and shattering glass, and in mere seconds you are left shocked, confused, and suffering from personal injuries. It shouldn't matter when it comes to my case, you might think, whether a truck or any other vehicle/car/SUV caused the accident and personal injuries. Here are just a few ways in which a truck accident is different from a car accident:

1. Trucks (sometimes called "big rigs," semi's, 18 wheelers, or tractor-trailers) weigh considerably more than cars, and can therefore cause considerably more damage, and more serious personal injuries or deaths. While the average American car weighs just over 4,000 pounds, a fully loaded commercial tractor-trailer can weight up to 80,000 pounds. This means that they are harder to slow down, harder to control, and make a much bigger impact when they crash. You are more likely to become seriously injured or die in a truck-related collision.

2. Trucks are not driven by private individuals, but rather by employees. This makes it much more difficult to ascertain who was liable for the accident and whose insurance company should cover the damages. Often one company will hire the driver, another company will own the cab, and a third company will own the trailer and contents. Figuring out whose actions are to blame and who should compensate is very muddled and complicated. Commercial semis are like small rolling businesses - and it can be much harder to go into a legal battle with a company than with an individual.

3. Trucks have large blind spots that can cause serious accidents when the vehicles are turning, backing up, or changing lanes.

4. Trucker and truck operators are subject to a number of strict state and federal regulations. Trucks must be inspected frequently since truck brakes wear out quickly and other mechanical malfunctions are common. Truckers must keep detailed logs and cannot drive for long stretches of time. If you have a knowledgably attorney, you can use this information and evidence to you advantage.
5. Given their occupation, big rig and semi drivers are susceptible to fatigue, prescription drug use, non-prescription drug use, carelessness, and reckless driving. Truck driving can be a high-pressure job with tight deadlines, and the cost of those pressures is often accidents and injuries.

Scenic and historic, Virginia (VA) is a beautiful southern state on the east coast rich in sweeping landscapes and hundreds of years of American’s complex and intriguing past. With a deeply colonial tradition, smooth and warm accents, and an abiding love for their history and their country, Virginians are unique and diverse people. The state is made up of five distinct regions: the tidewater coastal plains, the piedmont foothills including the Southwest mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the ridge and valley area, and the Appalachian Plateau west of the Allegheny Plateau on the border of the Ohio River.

Capitol: Richmond. Other major cities: Blacksburg, Chistiansburg, Radford, Bluefield, Bristol, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Danvile, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Roanoke, Staunton, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, and Winchester.

Population: 7,650,000 people, growing at a rate of 8% each six years.

State Slogan: Virginia is for Lovers.

History: Virginia (VA) was the first of the thirteen original colonies and is known as being the birthplace of the nation. It became a state in 1788 – the tenth to do so. During the Civil War, Virginia saw more battles than any other state, and formally rejoined the union in 1870 after seceding from the Union in 1861. The state was also of central importance during the Revolutionary War, when Richmond was briefly made the capital of the US and where George Washington defeated the British at Yorktown. Virginia is the home of eight presidents.

Climate: East of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the climate is humid subtropical. The reminder of the state is humid continental.

Major Highways, Interstates, and Roadways in Virginia

The major interstate highways in Virginia (VA) include I-64, I-66, I-77, I-81, I-85 and I-95.

Interstate 64 - I-64 spans 299 miles of Virginia terrain, crossing through the cities of Norfolk, Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Charlottesville, and Richmond. The eastern terminus is Portsmouth, VA and the western terminus is in St. Louis, MO. It overlaps with I-81 and reaches almost to the Ocean front area of Virginia Beach. It is being expanded into a four-lane expressway in places.

Interstate 66 - I-66 is 77 miles long, 75 of which are in Virginia. The remaining 2 miles are in the District of Columbia. The eastern terminus is Washington, D.C. and the western terminus is Middletown, VA. It was proposed in 1956 as an urban interstate project, and was expanded to its present length until the mid-1970s. Although the highway saw some controversy concerning the Arlington, VA, segment of the road, a compromise was reached.

Interstate 77 - I-77 has 67 of the 611 miles within the state of Virginia. I-77 connects major cities such as Columbia, SC, Charlotte, NC, Charleston, WV, Akron, OH and Cleveland, OH. The Virginia portion of the interstate includes the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and the East River Mountain Tunnel. In places, the road overlaps with I-81.

Interstate 81- I-81 spans through 323 miles in Virginia. It passes through Middletown, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Lexington and Wytheville, VA. I-81 serves as a leading route through the Appalachians. It cuts through James Madison University and parallels the older and smaller U.S. Route 11 throughout Virginia.

Interstate 85 - I-85 intersects with I-95 in Petersburg, VA. In total,
I-85 runs through 67 miles in VA. Its southern terminus is in Montgomery, AL and its northern terminus is in Petersburg, VA. The road passes through South Hill and McKenney as well as a vast forest. This interstate briefly overlaps with US Route 460 and is the only road in the state with a 70 MPH speed limit.

Interstate 95 - I-95 runs 1,907 miles from Miami, FL to Houlton, ME at the Canadian border. It is the main interstate on the East Coast. Virginia claims 178 of those miles and runs through Richmond, where it was formally the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The road was made toll-free in 1992, after the construction of I-295.

The Counties, Cities, and Towns of Virginia

Accomack County - includes the towns and cities of Accomac, Belle Haven, Bloxom, Chincoteague, Hallwood, Keller, Melfa, Onancock, Onley, Painter, Parksley, Saxis, Tangier, and Wachapreague.

Albemarle County - includes the towns and cities of Scottsville, Barboursville, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Ivy, Keene and Keswick.

Alleghany County - includes the towns and cities of Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Low Moor, and Selma.

Amelia County - includes the areas of Amelia and Winterham.

Amherst County - includes the towns of Amherst, Madison Heights, and Sweet Briar.

Appomattox County - includes the towns of Appomattox and Pamplin City.

Arlington County - includes the urban villages and neighborhoods of Ballston, Clarendon, Courthouse, Crystal City, Lyon Village, Pentagon City, Rosslyn, Shirlington, Virginia Square, Westover, Williamsburg Circle, and Palisades.

Augusta County - includes the towns and cities of Churchville, Craigsville, Crimora, Dooms, Fishersville, Fort Defiance, Greenville, Grottoes (part), Jolivue, Lyndhurst, Mount Sidney, Mount Solon, Sherando, Spring Hill, Steeles Tavern, Stuarts Draft, Verona, and Weyers Cave.

Bath County - includes the unincorporated townships of Armstrong, Ashwood, Bacova, Bacova Junction, Bath Alum, Bolar, Burnsville, Carloover, Chimney Run, Crowdertown, Fort Lewis, Green Valley, Healing Springs, Hot Springs, McClung, Millboro, Millboro Springs, Mitchelltown, Mountain Grove, Sunrise, Switch Back, Thomastown, Tinkertown, Warm Springs, West Warm Springs, Williamsville, and Yost.

Bedford County - includes the communities of Big Island, Chamblissburg, Forest, Goode, Hardy, Huddleston, Moneta, Montvale, New London, Stewartsville, and Thaxton.

Bland County - includes the communities of Bland and Rocky Gap.

Botetourt County - includes the towns and communities of Blue Ridge, Buchanan, Cloverdale, Daleville, Eagle Rock, Fincastle, Hollins, Oriskany, Springwood, and Troutville.

Campbell County - includes the towns of Altavista, Brookneal, Rustburg, Timberlake, and Concord.

Caroline County - includes the towns of Bowling Green and Port Royal

Carroll County - includes the towns of Cana, Dugspur, Fancy Gap, Hillsville, Willis, Woodlawn, and Laurel Fork.

Charles City County - includes the communities of Binns Hall, Charles City, and Ruthville.

Charlotte County - includes the towns of Charlotte, Drakes Branch, Keysville, and Phenix.

Chesterfield County - includes the towns and communities of Bellwood, Bensley, Bermuda Hundred, Bon Air, Centralia, Chester, Chesterfield Court House, Enon, Ettrick, Matoaca, Meadowbrook, Midlothian, Mosley, and Winterpock.

Clarke County - includes the towns of Berryville and Boyce.

Craig County - includes the town of New Castle and the community of Abbott.

Culpeper County - includes the town of Culpeper.

Cumberland County - includes the town of Farmville and the communities of Catersville, Cumberland, and Tamworth.

Dickenson County - includes the towns of Clinchco, Clintwood, and Haysi.

Dinwiddie County - includes the town of McKeney and the communities of Ammon, Carson, Church Road, DeWitt, Diwiddie, Edgehill, Ford, Sutherland, and Wilsons.

Fairfax County - includes the towns and communities of Clifton, Herndon, Vienna, Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Belle Haven, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Dunn Loring, Fort Belvoir, Fort Hunt, Franconia, Great Falls, Groveton, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Idylwood, Jefferson, Lake Barcroft, Lincolnia, Lorton, Mantua, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Vernon, Newington, North Springfield, Oakton, Pimmit Hills, Reston, Rose Hill, Seven Corners, Springfield, Tysons Corner, West Springfield, and Wolf Trap.

Fauquier County - includes the towns of Remington, The Plains, and Warrenton.

Floyd County - includes the towns and villages of Alum Ridge, Burks Fork, Carthage, Check, Conners Grove, Copper Hill, Court House, Duncan, Floyd, Haycock, Hemlock, Huffville, Indian Valley, Laurel Branch, Little River, Locust Valley, Mabry Mill, Pizarro, Poff, Shelors Mill, Simpsons, Smart, Sowers, Terrys Fork, Turtle Rock, Union, and Willis.

Fluvanna County - includes the towns and communities of Columbia, Scottsville, Lake Monticello, and Palmyra.

Franklin County - includes the towns and communities of Boones Mill, Rocky Mount, Ferrum, North Sore, Union Hall, Westlake Corner, Callaway, Snow Creek, Glade Hill, Bent Mountain, and Hale’s Ford.

Frederick County - includes the towns of Middletown, Winchester, and Stephens City.

Giles County - includes the towns of Glen Lyn, Narrows, Pearisburg, Pembroke, and Rich Creek.

Gloucester County - includes the Gloucester Courthouse and Gloucester Point.

Goochland County - includes the communities of Goochland and Manakin-Sabot.

Greene County - includes the towns of Stanardville and Ruckersville.

Greensville County - includes the towns of Jarratt and Skippers .

Hanover County - includes the towns and communities of Ashland, Atlee, Beaverdam, Doswell, Elmont, Hanover Courthouse, Mechanicsville, Old Church, and Rockville.

Henrico County- includes the communities of Chamberlayne, Dumbarton, East Highland Park, Glen Allen, Highland Springs, Lakeside, Laurel, Montrose, Short Pump, Tuckahoe, and Wyndham

Henry County - includes the town of Ridgeway and the communities of Axton, Bassett, Chatmoss, Collinsville, Fieldale, Horsepasture, Laurel Park, Oak Level, Sandy Level, Spencer, Stanleytown, and Villa Heights.

Highland County - includes the town of Monterey and the communities of Blue Grass, Head Waters, Hightown, Mustoe, and New Hampton.

Isle of Wight County - includes the communities of Battery Park, Benns Church, Burwell's Bay, Carrollton, Carrsville, Central Hill, Indika, Isle of Wight, Lawson, Mogart's Beach, Raynor, Rescue, Rushmere, Stott, Walters, Wills Corner, and Zuni.

James City County - includes the city of Williams burg and the communities of Croaker, Grove, Jamestown, Lightfoot, Norge, and Toano.

King George County - includes the communities of Arnolds Corner, Berthaville, Dahlgren, Dogue, Fairview Beach, Jersey, King George, Ninde, Owens, Passapatanzy, Port Conway, Rollins Fork, Sealston, Shiloh, and Weedonville

King William County - includes the town of West Point and the community of King William.

Lancaster County - includes the towns and communities of Irvington, Kilmarnock, White Stone, Lancaster, and Morattico.

Loudoun County - includes the towns of Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill.

Louisa County - includes the towns and communities of Gordonsville, Louisa, Mineral, Apple Grove, Bumpass, Cukoo, Gum Springs, Holly Grove, Orchid, and Trevilians.

Mathews County - includes the communities of Hudgins and Mathews.

Middlesex County - includes the towns and communities of Urbanna, Deltaville, and Saluda.

Montgomery County - includes the towns and communities of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Bradshaw, Elliston-Lafayette, Merrimac, Prices Fork, Rogers, Shawsville, and Sugar Grove.

Nelson County - includes the communities of Afton, Arrington, Howardsvill, Lovingston, Massies Mill, Montebello, Nellysford, Shipman, and Wingina.

New Kent County - includes the communities of Baltimore Crossroads, Barthamsville, Bottoms Bridge, Eltham, Lanexa, New Kent, Providence Forge, Quinton, Talleysville, and White House.

Northampton County - includes the towns of Belle Haven, Cape Charles, Cheriton, Eastville, Exmore, Nassawadox and Oyster.

Northumberland County - includes the towns and communities of Kilmarnock, burgess, Callao, Fairport, Fleeton, Heathsville, Lake, Lottsburg, Reedville, and Wicomico Church.

Nottoway County - includes the towns and communities of Blackstone, Burkeville, Crewe, and Nottoway.

Orange County - includes the towns and communities of Gordonsville, Orange, and Barboursville.

Page County - includes the towns of Luray, Shenandoah, and Stanley.

Patrick County - includes the town of Stuart and the communities of Aarat, Claudville, Critz, Meadows of Dan, Patrick Springs, Vesta, Woolwine, and Russel Creek.

Pittsylvania County - includes the towns and communities of Chatham, Gretna, Hurt, Mount Airy, Renan, Ringgold, and Tightsqueeze.

Powhatan County - includes the community of Powhatan.

Prince Edward County - includes the towns of Farmville, Pamplin City, and Prospect.

Prince George County - includes the towns and communities of Burrowsville, Disputanta, Fort Lee, Garysville, Jordan Point, New Bohemia, Newville, and Prince George.

Prince William County - includes the towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico.

Pulaski County - includes the communities of Dublin, Fairlawn, Hiwassee, and Pulaski.

Richmond County - includes the communities of Warsaw, Farnham, Foneswood, Haynesville, Lyells, Sharps, Village, and Newland.

Roanoke County - includes the town of Vinton as well as the communities of Airpoint, Bennett Springs, Bent Mountain, Bonsack, Bradshaw, Catawba, Cave Spring, Clearbrook, Dundee, Glenvar, Hanging Rock, Hollins, Leslie, Medley, Masons Cove, Niagra, Poages Mill, Riverside, Starkey, Wabun, and Wright.

Rockbridge County - includes the towns of Glasgow, Goshen, Browsburg, and Raphine.

Rockingham County - includes the towns of Bridgewater, Broadway, Dayton, Elkton, Grottoes, Mount Crawford, and Timberville.

Scott County - includes the towns and communities of Clinchport, Duffield, Dungannon, Gate City, Nickelsville, Weber City, Fort Blackmore, Hiltons, Maces Spring, and Yuma.

Shenandoah County - includes the towns of Edinburg, Mount Jackson, new Market, Strasburg, Toms Brook, and Woodstock.

Smyth County - includes the towns and communities of Chilhowie, Marion, Saltville, Adwolf, Atkins, Seven Mile Ford, and Sugar Grove.

Southampton County - includes the towns and communities of Boykins, Branchville, Capron, Courtland, Ivor, Newsoms, Sedley, Drewryville, Little Texas, Berlin, and Black Creek.

Spotsylvania County - includes the communities of Alsop, Arcadia, Chancellorsville, Four Mile Fork, Leavells, Massaponax, and Thornburg.

Stafford County - includes the communities of Aquia Harbour, Falmouth, Garrisonville, Stafford, Hartwood, and White Oak.

Surry County - includes the towns and communities of Claremont, Dendron, Surry, Cabin Point, Scotland, Spring Grove, Carsley, and Elberon.

Warren County - includes the town of Front Royal and the communities of Ashby, Bentonville, Bethel, Browntown, Buckton, Cedarville, Howellsville, Karo, Limeton, Linden, Milldale, Nineveh, Overall, Reliance, Riverton, Rockland, and Waterlick.

Washington County - includes the towns and communities of Abingdon, Damascus, Glade Spring, Saltville, Emory-Meadowview, and Mendota.

Westmoreland County - includes the towns of Colonial Beach and Montross.

Wise County - includes the cities and towns of Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Pound, Wise, and St. Paul.

York County - includes the city of Yorktown and the community of Lackey.

The Law Firm of Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is made up of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys and investigators that understand the complexities of a truck accidental injury case and that can use those complexities to your advantage.

There are many, many accident injury lawyers who say they are able to help your case - but do they have the specific expertise of truck accidents that we pride ourselves on? Do they have our winning record and access to multiple experts on the subject? We have specific truck and big rig experience with proven results. Don't take your truck and car accident to just any accident lawyer.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a commercial truck, 18-wheeler, or tractor trailer, contact our offices today for a free legal consultation today.

Truck Accident Resource Websites

American Trucking Associations
The ATA represents the trucking industry on a national scale. Their website includes a list of safety hot topics, safety publications, safety statistics, and safety committees.

Truck Safety Coalition
This is a coalition between the Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation and Parents Against Tired truckers (PATT). It offers truck safety issues, facts and figures, the latest news, and a related newsletter.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
CVSA is a not-for-profit organization that promotes commercial truck safety and security. Their website shares news, events, committees, and members information as well as tips and advice on how truck drivers can reduce accident rates.

Institute of Drive Behavior
This site is a collection of safety videos for truck drivers - both new and experienced - aimed at reducing and preventing accidents.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The NHTSA is a government-run website that offers the public the latest news, research, and safety advice in relation to car and truck accident prevention.

FMCSA's Share the Road Safely Program
This website is run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and strives to minimize the number of car and truck crashes through educating all drivers and, in the case of accidents that do happen, to minimize the consequences of such collisions.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Since 1947, this non-profit organization has funded over 170 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic accidents. The website includes traffic safety news, research results, and much more.

US Department of Transportation
The website itself will inform the reader of the latest news, research, tips, programs, and statistics generated by the government agency.

National Safety Council
This is the nation's leading resource on the development of strategies for advancing safety programs and practices. Their website offers statistics, tips, advice, news, and information related to car and truck accidents.

Insurance Information Institute
This website answers many frequently asked questions concerning car and truck crashes. Learn about choosing the right insurance coverage, filing a claim, and how the entire insurance process works.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety & Highway Loss Data Institute
While IIHS conducts research into the three factors in motor vehicle crashes (humans, their vehicles, and the environment), HLDI publishes insurance loss statistics on cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycle models common in the United States.

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
The website includes a knowledge center, news outlet, and training opportunities.

FMCSA Analysis and Information Online
This website is a vital resource for those seeking track accident statistics.

Learn More About Car and Truck Accidents in West Virginia (WV)

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.<-->

How should you locate the best, top injury lawyer for your case?

Our Injury Lawyers Have Been Selected For Many Achievements Outlined Below:

Several  Injury Attorneys With Our Firm have been Named As Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law  (Lewis, Shapiro - 2009 Ed.)(Less than 5% of Outstanding Lawyers are Chosen); also selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Lewis, Shapiro - 2009); named among the Top 100 Lawyers in Virginia by ATLA (Shapiro - 2009), and our law firm was the first Injury Law Firm in Virginia Invited to Join Primerus, a select group of Highly Ethical, Respected Law Firms .

In October, 2000 our law firm and co-counsel obtained, what was then, the largest record verdict in Virginia's history for an injured person (46 Million Dollar Verdict, with Interest, 60 Million Dollars, Settled confidentially during appeal).  Click on any icon for more details.

 

 

 

Geographical Areas:

Our personal injury lawyers handle personal injury cases throughout the eastern USA, and work closely with lawyers in other states on signficant injury cases.

As to Virginia (VA), this includes: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, Richmond (entire area), Petersburg, Roanoke/Salem, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, all areas of the Eastern Shore, including Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island, Ashland, Big Stone Gap and any other city/ounty.

As to West Virginia (WV) personal injury claims: Bluefield, Beckley, Bridgeport, Charles Town, Charleston, Fairmont, Huntington, Lewisburg, Madison, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Moundsville, Parkersburg, Ripley, Sutton, Weirton, Wheeling, and any other town or county.

Injury Lawyers licensed in VA, WV, NC, SC, KY, FL & Wash., DC.

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