Virginia State Police have launched an investigation into a fatal chain-reaction accident involving a tractor-trailer. The deadly truck accident took place at about 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 24th at the intersection of T.C. Walker Road and Route 17 in Gloucester.
Do I need to hire an attorney after a Virginia truck accident?
According to investigators, a southbound tractor-trailer approaching stopped traffic was unable to stop in time and smashed into the back of a 1989 Chevrolet Beretta. The force of the truck’s impact launched the Beretta into the rear-end of a flatbed trailer being pulled by a 2012 Ford F-250.
The driver of the Beretta, Gloucester resident 25-year-old Ashley N. Chapman, was pronounced at the scene. Her passenger, whose identity has not been released, was transported by ambulance to Riverside Regional Hospital in Newport News in serious condition.
Michael L. Schlemmer Jr., the 26-year-old driver of the F-250, was unharmed during the collision.
The truck driver, a 41-year-old man from Newport News, also escaped the accident uninjured and has since been charged with reckless driving.
The southbound lanes of Route 17 were shut down for roughly four hours after the accident.
One eyewitness reported that the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed while the other drivers were stopped at a red light.
This accident is under investigation by the Chesapeake Division Crash Reconstruction Team.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a Virginia truck accident, contact the Virginia Beach truck accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free consultation and learn what damages you may be entitled to.
When Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
We understand that most accident victims have never hired a personal injury attorney before. In fact, if given the choice, most people would probably prefer to go through life without encountering a situation that requires legal representation. As understandable as this sentiment is, it is also unrealistic. Unfortunately, this also means that a lot of people do not realize that, without an attorney’s assistance, they are most likely leaving a significant amount of money that they are entitled to on the table. To help you decide if you would benefit from hiring a personal injury lawyer, there are a few questions you can ask yourself.
When Did the Truck Accident Occur?
Each state has statutes of limitations that govern how much time you have to file a civil claim. In Virginia, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is two years from the day of the incident. Once this deadline expires, you will not be able to collect any compensation for your damages. Hiring a Virginia truck accident attorney as soon as possible will give you your best chance at recovering full and fair financial compensation.
Has the Insurance Company Been in Contact?
Many accident victims think that just because the truck driver was clearly at fault, they will be able to deal with the insurance company. Unfortunately, the insurance adjustor will happily twist your words and take them out of context in order to make it look like you shared in liability for the crash. An experienced attorney will know the tactics used by insurance companies and the best defenses to use against them.
How Serious Are Your Injuries?
If your injuries were minor, and you are able to return to work relatively soon after your accident, an attorney might not be entirely necessary. However, if you are seriously injured and have large medical bills, heavy property damage, and were forced to take a significant amount of time off work, we strongly recommend that you contact a qualified Virginia truck crash lawyer right away.
Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Sadly, many trucking accidents cause fatalities. When this happens, an attorney might be able to file a claim of wrongful death claim against the truck operator, truck owner, a third-party driver, parts manufacturer, mechanic, or another liable party. Recoverable damages could include funeral and burial costs, lost income, medical expenses, lost fellowship, grievance, and many others. If you lost a loved one in a Virginia trucking accident, speak with a personal injury attorney about filing a wrongful death claim.
Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a Virginia truck accident, contact the Virginia Beach law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. We have been successfully handling major trucking accident cases since 1985. To speak with one of our experienced Virginia truck accident lawyers, call (833) 997-1774 and schedule a free consultation.
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- Working With a Truck Accident Attorney
- Virginia Truck Accident Guide