Richmond, Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers
Trucks are not cars, and it’s important to note that truck accident cases vary from car accident cases in important ways, and that makes them far more complex than other accident cases. The attorneys of Epperly & Follis, P.C., have many years of experience in truck accident litigation, and our team will work hard to show that the driver, trucking company, or maintenance worker failed to exercise a duty of reasonable care, which ultimately caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Experienced Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney Serving Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield & the Tri-Cities
Not all law firms are created equal. David Epperly has previously represented a major trucking company and has gained vast experience in how to handle truck accidents that he now uses to represent victims of trucking accidents.
Truck Accident Statistics
If you have been involved in a truck accident, it has likely resulted in a serious injury or wrongful death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2015:
- There were 116,000 truck-crash injuries in 2015
- 84,000, or 73 percent of those hurt, were occupants of other vehicles
- 30,000, or 24 percent, were occupants of large trucks
- 3,000, or 3 percent, were non-occupants of vehicles — meaning bystanders, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- NHTSA also found that of the 4,317 fatal truck crashes in 2015, 3,127, or 72 percent of those killed were occupants of other vehicles
- 722, or 17 percent, were occupants of large trucks
- 468, or 11 percent, were non-occupants of vehicles
These figures show that when it comes to truck crashes, drivers and passengers of other vehicles are nearly three times more likely to be injured than truck drivers and truck occupants.
Driver Errors and Vehicle Maintenance Cause Most Accidents
The causes of most truck accidents tend to fall into two general categories: driver error and vehicle maintenance failure. The most common cause of driver error is fatigue, which can cause clouded judgment, drowsiness, and falling asleep at the wheel. Driver error can also be due to inexperience, improper driver training and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (whether prescription or illegal). Deregulation of the trucking industry has resulted in an increase in speed-limit violations among tractor-trailer drivers as well.
Other cited reasons truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Overly demanding truck driver schedules
- Failure to properly inspect tires, brakes and lights
- Tailgating
- Long work-shifts
- Cell phone use
- Failure to install blind spot mirrors
- Dangerous lane changes
- Jackknifing
- Aggressive Truck Driving
- Driving over the speed limit
Injuries Can Be Serious or Even Fatal
The after-effects of a collision with a truck include death and gravely serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury or other brain damage; open head wounds; paralysis; spinal cord injury; back injury; broken bones; loss of limbs, and internal bleeding. In addition, there are lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. The attorneys of Epperly & Follis want to help you take action, so you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
You Need Legal Representation
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a tractor trailer accident, it is essential that you quickly retain an attorney who has experience in litigating truck accident cases. Epperly & Follis is on your side, and we are prepared to help you through this difficult litigation while seeking financial compensation for your losses. Please contact the truck accident law firm of Epperly & Follis in Richmond, Virginia today for a free consultation at 1-888-703-0109 or (804) 648-6480, or contact us via our online Contact Form.