DC Injury Lawyer Blog
If you have lost someone in a crash involving a commercial truck or if you were seriously injured, you may be entitled to compensation. Trucking companies and commercial drivers must follow strict safety rules, and when they fail to do so, the results are often catastrophic. In many cases, legal action is necessary to uncover what went wrong and hold the responsible party accountable.
A recent tragedy in Augusta County, Virginia, illustrates the danger posed by tractor-trailers in certain traffic conditions. A woman died after her SUV became wedged beneath a turning semi-truck that was exiting I-81 and attempting to merge onto Route 262. The crash happened during daylight hours, and authorities confirmed that the tractor-trailer driver has been charged with reckless driving. This kind of situation raises serious legal concerns about truck maneuvering, visibility, and decision-making at highway intersections.
Why Truck Accidents Often Cause More Harm Than Car Collisions
Tractor-trailers are larger, heavier, and slower to respond than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, which makes collisions especially dangerous for the occupants of smaller vehicles. These crashes are more likely to result in fatalities or life-altering injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, or severe fractures.
In the Augusta County case, the SUV became lodged underneath the trailer during a turn. This kind of “underride” collision is among the deadliest. Federal regulations require that trailers meet minimum safety standards, but poor visibility, wide turns, and driver error still create significant risks.
Truck drivers must be trained to anticipate the size and swing of their vehicle, especially when exiting or entering a highway. A moment of poor judgment during a turn can cost someone their life. That is why courts treat truck accident cases with special attention to both the driver’s behavior and the company’s safety practices.
Reckless Driving Charges and Civil Liability
In many commercial vehicle crashes, criminal charges such as reckless driving are filed. While a traffic or criminal case may lead to fines or other penalties, it does not compensate the victim’s family. A separate civil claim is necessary to pursue damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and emotional suffering.
When law enforcement charges a truck driver with reckless driving, it may support a wrongful death or personal injury case by showing that the driver failed to exercise reasonable care. However, trucking companies often have insurance adjusters and legal teams working to minimize what they owe. That is why it is essential to work with a personal injury attorney who understands how to build a strong case.
Why Truck Accident Claims Involve More Than Just the Driver
Lawsuits involving trucks are different from standard car accident cases. Multiple parties may share legal responsibility, including:
- The driver who made the unsafe maneuver;
- The trucking company that employed or contracted the driver;
- A maintenance company that failed to inspect brakes or tires; and
- The manufacturer of a defective trailer or underride guard.
Each party may have their own insurance policies and legal defenses. You should not try to resolve a serious truck accident claim without legal representation. Your attorney can identify who is liable, gather evidence such as black box data and driver logs, and ensure that your claim is filed before the legal deadline.
Your Time to Act May Be Limited
Each state sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. In Virginia and Washington, D.C., that period is generally two years from the date of the crash. However, evidence such as crash scene photographs, surveillance footage, and witness statements can disappear much sooner. You should not wait to speak with a lawyer if you or your family has been affected by a trucking collision.
Call The Schupak Law Firm for Help After a Truck Crash
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, The Schupak Law Firm is here to help. Our team represents injury victims and grieving families in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region. We are committed to holding commercial drivers and trucking companies accountable when careless or reckless behavior leads to devastating consequences.
Call The Schupak Law Firm today at (240) 833-3914 for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.