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• Trucks Collide and Catch Fire on U.S. 220
• Montgomery County Woman Killed in Wreck with Big Rig

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Truck Accidents

• Virginia Truck and Big Rig Accidents -- Not All Accidents are Created Equal

Virginia Truck and Big Rig Accidents -- Not All Accidents are Created Equal

The freedom of the open and rural roads in Southwest Virginia belies some very serious and often catastrophic truths about the dangers of traffic accidents on the highway, particularly if those collisions involve commercial trucks.

Fully loaded big rigs and freight carriers can weigh in at over 70,000 pounds. Compared with an average sedan that might weigh 3,000 pounds, it's easy to see why a crash between a big truck and a car or other small vehicle can often lead to serious and even fatal injuries. In cases in which there is an accident involving a truck carrying flammable or other hazardous materials, victims can sustain secondary injuries such as serious burns and long term respiratory damage in addition to impact injuries.

How many times have you driven on our highways I-81, I-77, I-64, or Route 29, Route 220, and Route 40, and had a close call with an eighteen wheeler or witnessed a near collision involving a truck at high speed? Unfortunately, big truck accidents can and do happen frequently in our area, especially on 81.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that Virginia roads average over one hundred truck-related fatalities per year.

To make matters worse, trucking companies are often reluctant to release the name of the primary insurance company or the drivers’ name. Sometimes there is more than one insurance company fighting to protect the interests of the driver, the owner of the trailer, and the tractor. Remember, most trucks are owned by large businesses that are represented by even larger insurance corporations whose job it is to protect their own company’s financial security.

Who stands up for the victims?

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it is critical that you discuss your situation with an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney in order to protect your rights and ensure that no mistakes are made that might compromise your possible claim.

An experienced truck accident attorney should:

• Make sure that evidence in your case is protected and secured after your accident. Laws only require companies to keep evidence for a limited time, so you might lose valuable information important to your claim if that evidence is not available to you.
• Consult with people who specialize in knowing what happens in truck accidents. These forensic experts can provide valuable insight to support your claim.
• Know Virginia insurance law, along with any federal regulations that apply to the trucking and insurance industries.
• Understand all of the insurance companies and complex policies in your case and fight for a fair and just settlement for damages.

The attorneys at Davis, Davis, Davis & Davis have served Roanoke, Franklin County and surrounding communities for over a century. They understand insurance law and will aggressively fight the corporations and insurance industry on your behalf. They can assist you in regaining control of your life by fighting to recover medical costs, lost wages, and more.

If you need legal help because of serious injuries or the loss of a loved one resulting from a big truck accident in Southwest or South Central Virginia, call Will Davis of the Davis Law Firm and schedule a free consultation.