Involved in a Car Accident With a Merging Commercial Truck?
Imagine driving along a Virginia highway when a commercial truck suddenly merges into you. It can be a terribly rattling experience. Truck accidents often result in severe injuries. Unfortunately, merging accidents with semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles aren’t uncommon. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a merging truck, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Call the team at The Mottley Law Firm to discuss your legal options.
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Common Causes of Merging Accidents
Large commercial trucks are a crucial part of the Virginia economy, but they can also cause devastating collisions when they aren’t loaded or driven properly.
One of the more common reasons for truck accidents is when an operator merges into an already occupied lane of traffic and fails to yield. However, you’re not legally obligated to allow a commercial truck into your lane, even if it may be courteous to do so. You have the right of way if you’re in a designated lane. It’s the merging driver’s responsibility to change lanes only when it’s safe to do so.
Other potential causes for semi-truck, tanker, and other large commercial vehicle accidents include: 
- Visibility issues, like merging before checking blind spots
- Failure to use turn signals
- Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, or changing music
- Excessive speed or driving too slowly for the conditions
- Unbalanced or unsecured cargo
- Merging too slowly or too quickly when entering a highway
- Drowsy driving, such as fatigue from working beyond an allowable shift length
- Merging across more than one lane of traffic at a time
- Operator errors, like misjudging how much room they had to merge
- Dangerous driving maneuvers, including sudden and unexpected movements
- Vehicle disrepair or mechanical issues, like faulty brakes or missing mirrors
- Impaired driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Other motorists can help avoid truck merging accidents. Don’t drive in a large truck’s blind spots, for example. Also, if a truck driver is trying to enter a lane, wait for them to complete the maneuver before joining the same lane. Additionally, avoid sudden speed or lane changes.
Dangers of Semi-Truck Merging Accidents
The harsh reality is that merging accidents with trucks can be much more dangerous than collisions with smaller passenger vehicles. A semi-truck can easily be more than 10 times the weight of a regular car, especially when loaded with cargo.
Consider this situation from one of our clients. They were struck by a tractor-trailer that merged into the rear of their Honda Accord. The car was sent spinning at 70 miles per hour, colliding into a guardrail. Our client suffered severe injuries, including to his back and shoulder, plus headaches, vision problems, and post-concussion syndrome. He missed out on thousands of dollars in lost income from his work in construction.
In the end, The Mottley Law Firm secured a $400,000 settlement for them.
Possible Truck Accident Injuries
When a heavy truck or tractor-trailer collides with a pedestrian or another vehicle, injuries are often severe and come with lifelong repercussions. Common truck accident injuries include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Injuries to the hands, wrists, legs, knees, and feet
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding
- Cuts, bruises, and broken bones
- Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries
Recoverable Damages in a Truck Accident Claim or Lawsuit
With Virginia’s at-fault system for car accidents, victims have up to two years to seek financial losses from at-fault parties. They may receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages such as:
- Hospital and other medical bills
- Ongoing costs for surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Current lost wages
- Loss in future earning potential
- Property damage to their vehicle
- Non-economic impacts like emotional distress and loss of quality of life
- Punitive damages
What to Do if a Truck Merges Into Your Vehicle
The immediate aftermath of a truck merging accident can be traumatic. Try to remain calm in the situation and follow these basic steps:
- Move your vehicle to a safe location if it’s safe to do so.
- Call 911 right away for emergency assistance.
- Document evidence from the truck crash scene.
- Exchange information with the truck driver.
- Collect contact information from eyewitnesses.
- Seek emergency medical treatment for injuries.
- Hire a skilled Virginia truck accident lawyer like the professionals at The Mottley Law Firm.
Resolving commercial truck accidents is often more complex, as it might not just be the operator who can be held liable. Other at-fault parties may include the truck owner, a fleet company, or a cargo loading firm. Choosing experienced legal counsel is crucial during this difficult time to retain vital evidence such as black box data, employment records, and truck maintenance information.
