Updated April 29, 2026
Why Commercial Truck Crash Cases Require Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers
Commercial truck accident cases – including those involving 18-wheelers, “big rigs”, and tractor-trailers – are very different from a legal perspective in a number critical areas compared to crashes involving only passenger vehicles.
Because semis, trucks are significantly larger and weigh many times more than passenger vehicles when loaded, the impact of truck crashes is usually more severe. Consequently, crashes often result in severe injuries and even death for those inside traditional passenger cars who are hit in a truck crash.
Commercial trucks are typically owned by trucking companies that often have significant insurance coverage. In addition to the truck drivers, trucking companies will also usually face liability as a result of crashes caused by their drivers. In response, trucking companies often also have “crash teams” and lawyers who will quickly arrive at the scene of an accident and begin preparing liability defense.
Commercial interstate drivers and trucking companies are also subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) which has promugated numerous safety regulations (including Hours of Service, inspection, and training regulations) that must be carefully adhered to. As an example, truck drivers must ensure that the electronic logging device (or “ELD”) for their vehicle is properly working, that they don’t exceed the maximum hours of driving during specific time periods, and that they inspect their loads for safety as required under the regulations.
As truck crash attorneys, we understand these complex rules and regulations. When a crash occurs, we know how to engage in the meticulous investigation required in commercial truck crash cases.
If you or a loved one is looking for the best Virginia Beach truck accident attorney for your case, we invite you to call us and learn how we can help. Our team has the resources necessary to investigate these complex truck accident cases, and we are not afraid to stand up to trucking companies, their insurance carriers, or their well-funded legal teams. We know what it takes to help our clients involved in trucking accidents recover full compensation for their losses.
Virginia Beach Tractor-Trailer and Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers
Not all truck accidents are the same. Collisions involving tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles present unique risks due to their size, weight, and stopping distances. As Virginia Beach truck accident injury lawyers, we routinely handle cases involving:
- Fully loaded tractor-trailers traveling on I-64, I-264, and I-95
- Jackknife and underride crashes involving semi-trucks
- Wide-turn accidents caused by large commercial vehicles
- High-speed rear-end collisions involving 18-wheelers
These types of crashes often result in catastrophic injuries because passenger vehicles simply cannot withstand the force of impact from a commercial truck. Our experience as semi-truck accident attorneys in Virginia Beach allows us to identify the specific mechanical, operational, and regulatory failures that lead to these serious collisions.
Why Choose Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp for a Truck Accident Claim?
- At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we take a client-focused approach to every case that we handle. This means we take the time to get to know the stories of the people we work with.
- We have more than seven decades of combined legal experience and have secured significant multi-million-dollar settlements in motor vehicle accidents on behalf of clients throughout Virginia.
- Our truck accident lawyers are licensed in both VA and North Carolina, published in the field of injury law, and lecture to our peers on injury law.
Our team has successfully recovered significant compensation amounts for truck accident victims, including a $5.5 million settlement on behalf of victims of truck accidents in Virginia who suffered from severe physical and brain injuries.
Our Truck Crash Attorneys and Practice
- $5.5 Million – Four members of a family injury severely injured, including TBIs suffered by both daughters, when a commercial truck driver rear-ended their vehicle without slowing down.
- $3.5 Million Settlement – 25-year-old suffered fatal burns after a flatbed truck slammed into his vehicle on I-64 in Norfolk.
- $2.4 Million Settlement – 38-year-old father of four was killed on a rural highway when his vehicle was hit by tractor-trailer driver making a lane change.
- $2.25 Million Settlement – Tractor-trailer operator killed by runaway big rig driver while inspecting his load on the I-95 shoulder.
- $1.85 Million Settlement – Navy servicemember was killed when a truck driver illegally turned into his motorcycle lane.
- $1.85 Million Settlement – Railroad employee in high-rail equipment was struck at a crossing by a negligent truck driver requiring neck surgery and inability of employee to return to work.
- $1.85 Million Wrongful Death Settlement – Motorcyclist was injured when a truck driver failed to yield while making a left turn.
- $883,155 Settlement – Physician suffered TBI when tractor-trailer caused multi-vehicle crash on I-264 in Virginia Beach.
- $650,000 Jury Award – Woman suffered disabling leg injuries when farm truck towing a water tank with bald tire lost control on rural highway.
- $525,000 Jury Award – Parcel delivery driver caused a collision causing the victim to suffer TBI and orthopedic injuries.
- $420,000 Settlement – Worker run over in parking lot by tractor-trailer cab; pinned under front wheel, required months of rehab.
- $410,000 Settlement – Man whose car was disabled on a highway shoulder after hitting black ice was killed by a truck driver before dawn.
- $350,000 Settlement – Truck driver illegally turned left in front of client’s minivan in Virginia Beach, fracturing his kneecap and requiring major surgery.
- $225,000 Settlement – Tractor-trailer driver swerving to avoid a collision hit a welder’s car twice on the interstate before jackknifing over her vehicle, resulting in hand, shoulder, and back injuries.
NOTE – There can never be a guarantee of a successful outcome in any truck accident case. Because the factors of each case will be unique, you should not rely on any of the cases noted above as being indicative of a result for your case, even if the circumstances are similar.
Our Awards and Recognition
Our awards and recognition include the following:
- Attorney Rick Shapiro has been board-certified in civil trials by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for more than 20 years.
- The firm has been named a “Best Law Firm” by Best Lawyers® for 2026.
- Rick Shapiro received the President’s Award from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (2023).
- The firm has earned the Client Champion Silver distinction from Martindale-Hubbell (2026), and holds an AV Preeminent® rating, the highest peer rating available for legal ability and ethics from that organization.
- Our firm is recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” for general personal injury and railroad worker injury law by U.S. News & World Report (since 2010).
- Attorney Rick Shapiro has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Railroad Law for 2019 by Best Lawyers®.
- Rick Shapiro has been recognized as a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
- Attorneys Rick Shapiro and Eric Washburn have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
- Rick Shapiro has been inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, Class of 2026 — one of the program’s highest honors, reserved for attorneys who have practiced for 30 or more years and made a lasting impact on the legal profession.
- Attorneys at the firm have been invited to lecture on trucking accident litigation and catastrophic injury cases to legal and professional organizations.
- Recognized for handling high-value catastrophic injury claims involving commercial carriers and trucking companies.
- Known for trial readiness in trucking accident cases, often leading to stronger pre-trial settlements.
- Attorney Rick Shapiro has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2009, attorney Kevin Sharp has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2024, and attorney Eric Washburn has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2021.
How Can a Virginia Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Claims involving truck accidents in Virginia Beach must be handled differently from other types of vehicle accidents. That is because there will be many other parties involved, often with significant resources at their disposal. Our personal injury lawyers in Virginia Beach know how to handle your claim.
A Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer can use their resources to obtain all evidence needed to prove liability. They will also have the ability to vigorously negotiate with insurance carriers and legal teams for the trucking companies to recover maximum compensation for their client. Whether it was a commercial truck, a large truck, or any other type of truck accident, our lawyers can help you out.
Why Trucking and Semi-Truck Accident Cases Require Advanced Investigation
Truck accident litigation requires a higher level of investigation than typical motor vehicle claims. As truck crash injury lawyers in Virginia Beach, we move quickly to preserve and analyze critical evidence, including:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) and black box data
- Driver qualification and training records
- Maintenance and inspection logs
- Dispatch communications and delivery schedules
In many semi-truck accident cases, this evidence can prove that a trucking company prioritized deadlines over safety. A experienced Virginia Beach tractor-trailer accident lawyer knows how to secure this evidence before it is lost, altered, or destroyed.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our law firm handles Virginia Beach truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that our clients will not have to worry about paying any legal fees until after we recover the compensation they are entitled to. If we do not win, our clients do not pay.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Virginia Beach
Data available from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles indicates that there were 4,953 total crashes involving commercial motor vehicles across the Commonwealth during the latest reporting year. Out of these incidents, there were 93 fatal collisions and 1,605 injury collisions. These are more fatal and catastrophic than car accidents. If you were hurt while driving, our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers can help with those cases as well.
These collisions can occur in a wide variety of ways, and they are often the result of the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company. Both drivers and companies must comply with stringent state and federal regulations when operating these vehicles to avoid truck crashes.
- Truck driver’s fault. Truck drivers can be held liable for these incidents due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Failing to abide by federal hours of service requirements
- Operating a vehicle while distracted by phones or other devices
- Operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Driving the truck too fast for the conditions
- Violating other types of traffic laws
- Truck company’s fault. Trucking companies can also be held liable for these crashes. First, companies will likely be held liable for the actions of their employees. If a truck driver causes a crash, the accident liability will likely fall to the company. Additionally, truck companies can have direct liability for a vehicle accident if they:
- Fail to regularly inspect and maintain the vehicle
- Do not conduct adequate background checks or driver training
- Encourage drivers to overload the vehicles or violate hours of service
Commercial Vehicle and Delivery Truck Accident Claims
Truck accident claims are not limited to long-haul tractor-trailers. Many serious injury cases involve commercial vans, box trucks, and delivery drivers operating throughout Virginia Beach neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
As commercial vehicle accident lawyers, we handle cases involving:
- Amazon, FedEx, and UPS delivery vehicle crashes
- Local service trucks and contractor vehicles
- Box trucks used for moving or freight transport
- Utility and fleet vehicles operated by companies
These cases often involve corporate insurance policies and employer liability, making them more complex than standard car accident claims. A Virginia Beach delivery truck accident attorney understands how to pursue compensation not just from the driver, but from the company responsible for putting that vehicle on the road.
Catastrophic Truck Accident Injury Representation
Because of the forces involved, truck crashes often lead to life-altering injuries. As serious truck accident injury attorneys, we regularly represent clients suffering from:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Severe burns from fuel-related collisions
A Virginia Beach catastrophic truck accident lawyer must evaluate not only current damages, but also lifelong medical care, loss of earning capacity, and permanent disability. These cases require a comprehensive legal strategy designed to account for the full scope of harm.
Type of Compensation Available for a Virginia Beach Truck Accident
There may be various types of compensation available to victims of truck accidents in Virginia Beach. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our truck accident attorneys work diligently to recover both “special” and “general” damages on behalf of our clients.
- Special damages. This is also referred to as economic damages and concerns the types of compensation that are relatively easy to calculate after a truck accident. This includes the following expenses:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Household out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage expenses
- General damages. This is also referred to as non-economic damages, but these types of losses are harder to calculate. General damages are more immeasurable because they do not come with direct bills or receipts; they can quantify a truck accident victim’s:
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for a family member
The total amount of compensation available to track accident victims in Virginia Beach will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding each claim. Some of the factors that can affect total compensation amounts include the severity of the injuries, the level of property damage, how long it takes a person to recover, the level of a victim’s pain and suffering, and more.
We advise you to wait and call an experienced trucking accident attorney before you settle with any insurance company. Insurance companies will most likely give you the lowest settlement they can get away with.
Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Virginia
It is crucial to understand that there is a limited amount of time to file these claims in court. The Virginia personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. This means that truck accident victims in Virginia Beach have a two-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent driver or company. If they fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, they will likely lose the ability to recover the compensation they need.
Truck Accident Injury Lawyers for Complex Multi-Vehicle Collisions
Many truck crashes involve multiple vehicles, chain-reaction impacts, and disputed liability. As Virginia Beach truck accident injury lawyers, we represent clients in:
- Multi-vehicle highway pileups involving tractor-trailers
- Secondary impact crashes caused by disabled commercial trucks
- Construction zone truck accidents
- Collisions involving improperly secured cargo
These cases often require accident reconstruction experts and coordination across multiple insurance carriers. Our firm has the experience and resources necessary to manage even the most complex trucking accident litigation.
Call a Virginia Beach Truck Accident Attorney Today
We were extremely pleased with our experience with Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn! Attorney Appleton was very personable and always accessible . He made us feel like we were his #1 priority throughout our case. We were very happy with our outcome. We would strongly recommend Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn if you are in need of a personal injury firm. – M.H.
After my accident with a commercial truck, I had no idea how complicated the process would be. The firm handled everything—from the investigation to dealing with the insurance company—and kept me informed every step of the way. They secured a result that truly changed my family’s future.
If you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident caused by the actions of a truck driver or trucking company in the Virginia Beach area, the team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is here to help. We have the resources necessary to investigate every aspect of these claims. Our team will not back down from aggressive insurance carriers or trucking companies as we work to secure total compensation on behalf of our clients. When you need a Virginia Beach truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by filling out the contact form below or calling us at (833) 997-1774.