Virginia Trucking Accident Attorney Blog » lawyer

Tractor Trailer Backs Up, Kills Driver, in Suffolk Virginia

jlewis — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:04:13 +0000

One person was killed in a truck crash on South Quay Road in Suffolk, Virginia. A pick-up truck hit a tractor trailer who was blocking the road. To learn more, check out this article:

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Though not every case meets our criteria, we offer free, initial consultations so give us a call at 1-800-752-0042. If you can’t get through due to high call volume, please leave a message and we will return your call promptly. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) although our lawyers hold licenses in NC, SC, WV, KY, FL and DC. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

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Health Insurance Company May Pursue Repayment for Medical Bills

rshapiro — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:28:51 +0000

There is a provision in some health insurance plans that enables the insurance company to pursue reimbursement for the medical expenses they covered while you were recuperating from the injuries sustained in a truck wreck. They can do this through the “right of subrogation.” This doesn’t apply to all health insurance plans, but it’s important to know if your plan has this provision in the fine print.

To learn more, check out this article written my truck wreck injury lawyer Rick Shapiro:

Health Insurance Reimbursement/Repayment Virginia Truck Accident and Injury Cases

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How to Get Information to Help in Your Truck Wreck Injury Case

rshapiro — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:28:40 +0000

Here are two videos created by my colleague Rick Shapiro about how to obtain information to help in your truck crash injury case. It’s important to speak to lawyer as quickly as possible so we can start collecting information to build your case. Why? Because large commercial trucking companies have a team of lawyers and claims adjusters who are determined to reduce or deny your injury claim.

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Drowsy Drivers Can Lead to Serious Trucking Accidents

rshapiro — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:42:10 +0000

Here is a video made by Virginia trucking accident attorney Rick Shapiro discussing the risks associated with overworked and drowsy truck drivers…

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Preventing Fire Tanker Truck Rollovers Requires Training, Experience

jcooper — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:41:48 +0000

By John Cooper, Attorney

A North Carolina firefighter responding to an emergency call on Jan. 25, 2010, became an accident victim himself when the water tanker in which he was riding rolled over outside of the town of Maxton. According to the Laurinburg Exchange, 18-year-old Quintin Thompson became paralyzed from the waist down.

The accident appears to have occurred when the 19-year-old tanker truck driver overcorrected after the right front tire of the vehicle ran off the side of the road. The truck was reportedly traveling at 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Speeding and oversteering are among the leading causes of truck rollover accidents, according to an analysis published in the October 2009 issue of the journal Traffic Injury Prevention. That analysis also cites “failure to adjust speed to … loads [and] road surface” as leading factors in truck rollovers.

Tanker trucks are particularly difficult to control because their loads shift with each change in speed and direction. Liquid loads can easily tip or flip a truck when drivers do not exercise the utmost care and caution. And the results can be deadly.

Here is what researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health determined about fire tanker truck rollover risks and outcomes:

Incidents involving motor vehicles account for approximately 20% of U.S. fire fighter deaths each year; cases involving tankers are the most prevalent of these motor vehicle incidents. During 1977–1999, 73 deaths occurred in 63 crashes involving tankers. Of those deaths, 54 occurred in 49 crashes in which tankers rolled over (no collision), and 8 occurred in 6 crashes in which the tankers left the road (no collision).

The NIOSH report includes several recommendations for preventing tanker rollovers, but the one the agency repeats several times in different ways is that truck drivers who transport liquids need extensive initial training and frequent refresher training in how to handle tankers safely.

The National Fire Protection Association regularly updates a standard for the training of all fire vehicle drivers. Also, the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration enforces national laws that require extensive training and scheduled recertification of tanker truck drivers. Fire departments could protect their crew members and ensure their ability to respond quickly and adequately to emergencies by following these recommendations and rules regarding driver training.

EJL

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Tractor-trailer Jackknifes into Van Filled with Disabled Passengers Killing Four

bmurray — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:17:36 +0000

by Jim Lewis

Although the roads and highways along Virginia’s I-81, I-64 or I-66 have not reported any recent bad tractor trailer accidents, there was one in Springfield, Ohio today. A tractor-trailer jackknifed on icy road conditions and slammed into a van filled with disabled passengers that were being transported. The big rig swerved into oncoming traffic colliding with the van killing four of its occupants and injuring 7 others that were inside as well.

According to Ohio Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer accident occurred near Springfield in southwest Ohio. Road conditions had become treacherous as it had been snowing most of the day in the area. However, it still is not clear what role the weather played in the crash. An official reported that the semi was heading westbound on Interstate 70 when it crossed the median and struck the 15-passenger van as well as another vehicle heading the opposite way. Sgt Durant with the Ohio State Patrol stated that all four deaths were occupants in the van, which included the driver. There were seven others injured that were also van passengers. The truck driver was reported as being unharmed.

As per Wikipedia the definition of the term jackknife is as follows:

“Jackknifing mean s the accidental folding of an articulated vehicle (such as one towing a trailer) such that it resembles the acute angle of a folding pocket knife. If a vehicle towing a trailer skids, the trailer can push it from behind until it spins round and faces backwards. This may be caused by equipment failure, improper braking, or adverse road conditions such as an icy road surface.”

A new device called the “Atlas AJSS” has recently been invented that automatically engages at a speed of 45miles per hour (72km/h) and stays engaged unless manually released. It is actuated electronically and operated pneumatically from the truck’s accumulator air supply. The device prevents the trailer and the truck from becoming over 15 out of alignment with each other. Under normal operating (highway) speeds, this 15 swing does not interfere with driving even on the most winding roads; of course, the system disengages under 45mph to allow for the hair-pin curves of winding mountain roads which are traversed at speeds under 45mph.

Although there have been many attempts to minimize this type of potentially deadly tractor trailer accident over the years with various types of equipment and safety protocols, most have been only moderately effective at preventing serious injury or death to the unlucky person, or persons that are involved in such a wreck, especially if you are in a much smaller and lighter passenger vehicle.

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Fatal Van-Truck Accident Leads to One Death, Two Serious Injuries

paustin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:37:58 +0000

By James Lewis

Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, & Appleton

A tragic accident occurred on Interstate 64 (I-64) when a minivan and tanker truck slammed into each other. Gary Allen and Donald Beazley suffered serious injuries and Sue Ratliff Beazley was killed, according to wvec.com.

My deepest sympathies go out to Mr. Beazley for the loss of his wife.

Reports indicate the truck crossed the median producing a head-on collision with the minivan. The wreck was severe, a common result from a serious trucking accident. We don’t know the extent of the injuries for the two individuals, but we do know they’re being treated in a trauma center.

I hope a thorough investigation is conducted and they find out what caused the truck driver to cross the median and cause this terrible accident.The Virginian-Pilot is reporting Mr. Allen, the driver of the truck, suffered a medical-related incident but they don’t know for sure if that’s what caused the accident.

I-64 receives a high volume of traffic on a daily basis and a volatile combination of compact cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks all utilize I-64. Unfortunately, accidents occur on this highway on a regular basis but it’s always so tragic when these horrendous fatal accidents take place.

Over 120,000 truck accidents occur each year in the United States and nearly 2,000 serious injuries stemming from truck accidents occur in Virginia (VA) annually. These numbers are simply unacceptable and need to decrease.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) although our lawyers hold licenses in NC, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

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Trucker Injured After Brakes Failed on U.S. Highway 52

paustin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:25:18 +0000

By Rick Shapiro

Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, & Appleton

The drivers of a tractor-trailer was seriously injured after the trailer lost its brakes and crashed into an embankment on U.S. Highway 52 between Fancy Gap and Cana, Virginia (VA), according to Mount Airy News.

The trailer flipped over and slipped across the northbound lanes finally smashing into an embankment. Rescue workers spent over an hour to free the driver from the trailer.

Brake defects were found in 56 percent of tractor-trailers involved in truck crashes, according to ESTD. A study sponsored by the Department of Transportation concluded that nearly 30 percent of all large truck crashes involved brake failure, brakes out of adjustment, or other brake related issues.

A brake failure is one of the worst experiences a driver can go through. You feel helpless and your vehicle becomes a target for destruction.

Here are some general guidelines you should adhere to in case your brakes fail, from Safety.com:

Try not to panic. If possible, work your vehicle into the right lane and then toward the shoulder or, if possible, toward an exit. Remember to use your directional signal. When you reach the right lane turn on your emergency hazard lights.
Let the truck slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas pedal. Simply steer as your vehicle slows and shift the truck into a lower gear to let the engine help slow the truck.
Get the truck off the roadway and to a safe place to avoid stopping traffic or being involved in a rear-end collision.
When safely off the road, put out reflective triangles beside and behind your vehicle to alert other drivers; keep your emergency flashers going.
Don’t stand behind or next to your vehicle; if possible, stay away from the vehicle and wait for help to arrive. Do not be tempted to drive your vehicle, no matter how slowly, without brakes.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our truck accident case results. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, but we’re ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you’ve been seriously hurt by someone else’s carelessness. We are ready to talk to you right now and we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042.

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Tractor Trailer Accidents Require an Attorney Familiar with the Industry

bmurray — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:00:29 +0000

Perhaps one of the worst accidents anyone could ever get involved in is a tractor trailer accident. When a small vehicle such as car gets in an accident with trailer, chances are that the car will be badly damaged. Trucking companies try very hard to protect themselves from any charges that may be brought against them due to a crash. This is exactly why an excellent tractor trailer accident lawyer is essential.

If you do not have a competent tractor trailer lawyer with many successful cases under their belt, then it is likely that the trucking company’s attorneys will walk all over them leaving you liable for most of your medical expenses.

When choosing your lawyer they should be familiar with all the heavy handed tactics used by such companies to obstruct justice in your case. Many of the big trucking corporations hire many costly lawyers to make sure that they are always ready to handle any lawsuits that come their way, including your accident that may have left you badly injured.

It is crucial to identify another tactic these trucking companies may use. Often, they will attempt to have their attorneys compensate you quickly prior to you finding a competent accident lawyer. If you find yourself in such a quick settlement scenario, then it is imperative to seek out a good tractor trailer lawyer immediately before signing any documents claiming to pay you compensation.

When you are up against big corporations such as a trucking company in court, it can be very complicated and filled with detours. Your top priority and only option to defend yourself against some tricky, sometimes nasty legal surprises when you are involved in a tractor trailer accident is to seek out and retain a good accident attorney.

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), with an office also in Elizabeth City, in Northeast North Carolina (NC), practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our Carolina injury law website is: http://carolina.hsinjurylaw.com, the firm edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard and also hosts a YouTube injury law video library covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

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