Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer Guides Tractor-Trailer Rollover Victims Down the Road to Recovery
Imagine driving home from work on the I-295 near Richmond one afternoon. Suddenly, your routine commute is upended when an 18-wheeler big rig rolls over on the interstate. With no time to react, your car crashes into the overturned tractor-trailer. The sheer size and weight of the massive vehicle results in serious injuries. You’re forced to take time off work, and the medical bills are piling up. What can you do?
If you were involved in such an unfortunate incident, you have legal recourse to seek compensation for your injuries. Our Virginia truck accident lawyers have specific experience handling cases involving semi-truck crashes in the Commonwealth. The Mottley Law Firm will provide the support and guidance you need during this stressful time.
Table of Contents
- Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer Guides Tractor-Trailer Rollover Victims Down the Road to Recovery
- When 18-Wheelers and Big Rig Trucks Roll Over
- Top Causes of Commercial Truck Rollover Accidents
- Possible Injuries From Semi-Truck Rollovers
- Contact The Mottley Law Firm for the Dedicated Attention You Deserve
When 18-Wheelers and Big Rig Trucks Roll Over
A truck rollover accident occurs when a large commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tanker, or other type of big rig, vehicle loses stability and completely falls over onto its side or roof.
Rollovers can be even more dangerous than jackknife truck accidents. With a jackknife, the cab and trailer fold at a sharp angle but usually stay upright. In a truck rollover accident, passenger cars are often crushed and buried under the full weight of an 80,000-pound commercial trailer. The overturned truck and trailer might also collide with other vehicles in their path. The truck’s cargo can also spill onto the motorway, creating further hazards and leading to secondary car accidents.
Top Causes of Commercial Truck Rollover Accidents
By its very design, a commercial big rig isn’t as stable as a smaller car. Trucks carry much heavier loads with a higher center of gravity. This makes them prone to tipping over, especially if the truck driver makes a sudden turn at high speed. A semi-truck can also roll over if it hits a traffic barrier or curb. Several factors contribute to causing a truck rollover accident.
Excessive Speed
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states that speed is a factor in almost half of all truck rollover crashes. Higher rates of speed mean truck drivers have less time to react to road hazards. Semi-trucks are far less maneuverable than smaller vehicles—any quick change in direction can have disastrous results.
Sudden Sharp Turns
Sudden movements, especially sharp turns, exert a lot of force on a tractor-trailer's stability. The cargo load can sway uncontrollably, resulting in the trailer tipping over due to its weight. Truck merging accidents are particularly common on entrance and exit ramps, as well as on inclines and curves.
Driver Negligence
Many issues with speed and turns relate to driver error. An inexperienced truck operator may underestimate a curve and be forced to overcorrect. Abrupt changes in direction can cause the trucker to lose control. They may engage in clearly negligent behavior too, such as tailgating or failing to check blind spots.
Compromised Truck Driver
Various other factors undermine a commercial truck operator’s ability to maintain control of their big rig. The Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine cites driver inattention as a major issue. Other factors may include distracted driving, operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and excessive fatigue. Additionally, one in five truck drivers engage in “problematic drinking.”
Improperly Loaded Cargo
The driver isn’t always solely to blame for a rollover accident. Sometimes, it has to do with how the cargo was loaded. Problems with weight distribution make the trailer top-heavy or otherwise less stable. Dock or warehouse workers may inadequately secure cargo. Unstable loads, shifting loads, or overloaded trucks may be unsafe even at slower speeds.
Lack of Maintenance
Problems related to maintenance also lead to commercial truck rollover accidents. Faulty suspension, worn-out tires, and defective parts can all be contributing factors. Brake failures on steep hills, during merging, and through intersections can be catastrophic. Transmission and steering issues can also cause accidents.
Possible Injuries From Semi-Truck Rollovers
If you’re driving your regular commuter car when you collide with a fully loaded truck weighing as much as 80,000 pounds, chances are you will have it worse than the truck driver. Truck accident injuries are often more devastating due to the sheer force of impact. You may experience:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures
- Back injuries, including injuries to the spinal cord
- Broken bones and lacerations on the hands, arms, legs, and feet
- Organ damage and other internal injuries
- Limb amputation
- Partial or full paralysis
Along with recovering lost wages and medical bills, you may also seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Non-economic damages may also include emotional distress and reduced quality of life. In rare cases involving deliberately reckless behavior, Virginia law also allows for up to $350,000 in punitive damages.
Contact The Mottley Law Firm for the Dedicated Attention You Deserve
If you’ve been seriously hurt in a rollover accident with a big rig, it’s vital to call a Virginia truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. We have years of experience handling these types of personal injury cases. We’ll work closely with you to identify all liable parties and pursue top compensation for your losses. While you focus on recovery, our skilled legal team handles all the details of investigating the accident, preserving critical evidence, building the strategy of your case, and negotiating a proper settlement. Your job is to heal—we’ll take care of the rest.
“After 11 days in the hospital with multiple surgeries, I began meeting with Kevin Mottley. From our first session together, he was compassionate, courteous, and professional,” says client Joshua Wortham. “He took care to make the whole process as painless as possible for me so that I could focus on healing. I am grateful for all that Kevin did to help bring closure and peace in the midst of a terrible situation.”
