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Virginia rollover truck accident attorneys


The strong legal team you need after a rollover accident in Virginia

Big-rig trucks weigh an average of 80,000 pounds, dwarfing nearly all passenger vehicles. They can easily crush a car under their wheels. When a truck driver loses control, not only is the truck driver’s life at risk, but also the lives of everyone on the road around the truck. This is especially true for rollover accidents, because a falling and loose trailer can, and often does, cause catastrophic injuries and property damage. If you have been involved in a rollover truck accident, you are probably feeling traumatized, frightened, and stressed about what your future will hold. Thankfully, you may have more options than you realize.

We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys have spent years working with clients injured in truck accidents. We are not afraid to go head-to-head with large trucking companies and their insurance companies to get our clients the compensation they deserve. We are not worried about being the underdog, because we know our skill sets, our expertise, and our track record. Our clients know we have their backs and that we will advocate aggressively for them every step of the way. If you or your loved one was injured in a rollover truck accident in Virginia, contact us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777. We consider it a calling to help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Why rollover accidents happen

Rollover collisions are rarely “just accidents.” Most of the time, some level of negligence was involved. Large vehicles like big-rigs have higher centers of gravity, making them more likely to flip during a collision, or if the truck driver loses control. Why and how the driver lost control is key when determining which party is responsible for the damages, or costs, caused by the accident. In our experience, most rollover accidents happen because of the following factors:

Distracted Driving: In the age of cellphones and technology at our fingertips, distracted driving is becoming more and more if an issue. While any distracted driver is dangerous, a districted truck driver can be disastrous. With eyes off the road, a truck driver is unlikely to brake, turn, or swerve in time to avoid an accident. This kind of negligence can easily cause a rollover accident.

Drunk driving: There is a reason why truck drivers have a legal blood alcohol limit of .04%, which is half of the usual .08%. Trucks take a lot more training and care to drive properly than regular vehicles. A truck driver must be able to brake in time, turn at the correct speeds, and know which hills are too steep to safely drive down. Because alcohol impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments, as well as their reaction time, even a small amount can be deadly for truck drivers and those around them.

Fatigue: Driving while overly tired can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. A person’s judgment is impaired when they’re tired, and their ability to react in time also takes a major hit. On top of that, the longer a driver operates a vehicle while fatigued, the more likely they will fall asleep at the wheel which can easily lead to them losing complete control over the vehicle.

Reckless driving: A properly trained truck driver will know not to take turns too sharply, and to keep their speed relatively low. A truck’s higher center of gravity, combined with its weight, means that sharp turns at high speeds can easily result in a rollover accident.

Overloaded trailer: Virginia has strict weight laws for tractor-trailers outlined by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Trucks are not allowed to weigh more than 80,000 pounds, unless special permits are obtained by the trucking company. This means that any truck weighing more than 80,000 pounds without a permit is considered overloaded and is breaking the law. These laws exist because when a truck is overloaded, the chances of the driver losing control of the trailer increases. The truck’s center of gravity shifts depending on how much the truck weighs. A higher weight means that a rollover accident is much more likely to happen.

Mechanical malfunction: Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for keeping their trucks well-maintained. Because trucks are constantly moving from place to place, racking up countless miles, they may often be in some sort of disrepair. An improperly maintained truck is more likely to break down or have equipment failure, whether it has a broken axel, a popped tire, or a malfunctioning brake pad. These equipment failures can cause a catastrophic accident.

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The consequences of truck rollovers

All truck accidents have a high risk of becoming catastrophic -- because trucks are so much bigger, heavier, and more powerful than the average passenger vehicle. Rollover accidents are one of the most dangerous kinds of truck accidents because they can impact multiple lanes of traffic and cover an entire section of the highway. This has the potential to cause a multi-car pileup, with dozens of injured victims needing medical attention. These kinds of accidents are fast and sudden, leaving little time for the nearby drivers to react or protect themselves.

Our Virginia rollover accident attorneys know the kind of devastation these truck accidents cause. The injuries are often severe, taking a great deal of time and medical treatment to heal. Some of the common injuries that result include:

These injuries are traumatic. They can leave you in shock, and they can have a long-lasting impact on your life, even after you have recovered. Sadly, these severe injuries could be considered lucky, because many rollover accident victims do not survive. In the case of the wrongful death of a family member, the victim’s estate or surviving family may still be able to recover compensation for the financial and emotional costs of the accident.

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Who can be held liable for your injuries?

The first step in recovering compensation is determining who is responsible for the accident. Without a liable party, you will not be able to file a claim. Truck accidents are complex. Many potential people could be at-fault, and the person you file your claim against depends on the factors of your case. To properly determine who is responsible for your accident, you will need a skilled attorney to review your case and thoroughly investigate it. Even then, some parties are more often at fault than others.

The driver: Not surprisingly, the driver is often the party found to be at fault for accidents. All drivers, whether of a truck or a car, have a duty of care to those on the road around them. They are required to drive safely and responsibly to keep themselves and others safe. When this duty of care is broken through driver negligence, the driver should be held accountable. Often, this means that the trucking company they work for is also liable, so you can file against their commercial liability policy.

The trucking company: Not all drivers are 100% at fault for their accidents. Trucking companies operate to make a profit. As such, they can pressure their drivers to take unnecessary risks, such as skipping rest periods or driving over the speed limit, in order to complete deliveries faster. If a trucking company is found to have acted negligently, and that negligence caused a rollover accident, then that company is at least partially at fault for any and all property damage and injuries caused by the rollover.

Manufacturers or mechanics: Some rollover truck accidents are not the fault of the driver or even the trucking company. Rather, they are the fault of those who serviced or manufactured the truck. Faulty tires, brake systems, and other damaged components can cause a rollover accident even if the truck driver is completely in control.

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A legal team devoted to Virginia accident victims

Truck accidents can be devastating. They often leave their victims with debilitating injuries and huge financial costs. If you or a family member has been injured in one, the last thing you want to worry about is filing your claim and fighting with insurance adjusters.

Thankfully, when you work with GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, you do not have to stress. We are Virginia truck accident attorneys, and we will take care of every step of the process while keeping you up-to-date on our work with consistent communication. And the best part? You do not owe us a dime unless we win your case. If you or a loved one were injured in a rollover truck accident that was not your fault, call us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to set up a free meeting with us.

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Call our Eastern Virginia office today for a free consultation
at (804) 413-6777 or toll free (855) 781-6777.

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Community Service

Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.

  • Safety Education
    GibsonSingleton launches “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers.
  • Annual Coat Drive
    During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community.
  • Hands-on Service
    John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community.
  • Supporting Local Schools
    The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.