Virginia Trucking Accident Attorney Blog » Virginia

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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Little Known Facts on Tractor-Trailer Dangers

bmurray — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:34:35 +0000

by Jim Lewis, Virginia Trucking Accident Attorney

Most people have little idea of just exactly how dangerous a tractor trailer can be. If you think about the simple physics regarding the size of an 18 wheeler then it becomes more clear how especially hazardous they can be when it comes to collisions and accidents.

For example, here are just a few numbers representing this danger:

I would like to point out that these statistics are alarming and even so, most folks have no idea of the danger.

* 98% of tractor-trailer-related fatalities involve the other vehicle’s driver or passengers – not the driver of the tractor-trailer.

*Big-Rig related fatalities are estimated at close to 5,000 people a year.

*18-wheelers accidents cause approximately 55,000 injuries a year

*An estimated 130,000 tractor trailer accidents occur each year without injury

Did you know that road conditions have very little to do with semi tractor trailer accidents?

It is a popular misconception that road conditions play a major role in serious tractor-trailer accidents, when this is actually when most truck drivers are especially careful and mindful of inclement weather or slick roads. The fact remains that this is not when the largest proportion of tractor-trailer accidents happen.

*Well over 80% of all tractor-trailer accidents occur on dry roads.

*Again, over 80% of big-rig accidents happen during perfectly normal weather conditions.

*Surprisingly, almost 70% of tractor-trailer accidents occur during broad daylight.

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Tractor Trailer Crash Requires Medivac Helicopter on I-66 near Gainesville, Virginia

bmurray — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:15:35 +0000

by John Cooper, attorney

Just recently there was a very serious tractor trailer crash that occurred near Gainesville, Virginia (Va.) out along the westbound lanes of Interstate 66. The crash was significant enough to shut down traffic for well over an hour as highway patrol and emergency crews worked quickly to secure the immediate area.

As reported by authorities familiar to the tractor trailer crash, there was at least one person trapped in the wreckage. Additionally, the Virginia Department of Transportation stated that a medivac helicopter was called to the tractor trailer accident scene to assist in rapid transport of the critically injured. The 18-wheeler crash happened around 4pm at the 45.5 mile marker near the exit ramp to Va. 234 south.

Did you know that a tractor trailer truck cruising at 70mph will have double the energy on impact as a truck going only 50mph? Also, did you know that most cars like the ones you and I drive are designed under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to encounter similar sized vehicles, not an 80,000 lb behemoth called an 18-wheeler? Add to this hazardous mix the fact that semi-trucks do not have any rear or side bumpers and that they have such high front bumpers that they usually punch right into a car’s passenger compartment. Together these factors account for the high percentage of serious injuries and deaths in tractor trailer crashes.

If you or a loved one has been hurt from a commercial trucking accident, you need the experience of an attorney that knows how to protect your rights. You should know that big trucking companies have their own team of investigators and lawyers fighting for them, you need someone on your side. We can fight for your best interests to get you the justice that you deserve.

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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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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Truck Blind Spots a Major Safety Concern

paustin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:57:51 +0000

By Rick Shapiro

Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, & Appleton

Some drivers mistakenly believe truckers have better vision while on the road because they’re high off the ground. In actuality, trucks possess major blind spots which present a real challenge to the drivers when they’re traveling on congested highways like Interstate 64 (I-64) and Interstate 264 (I-264). The nightmare scenario for any driver is to wind up in a truck’s blind spot resulting in a horrendous car-truck accident that causes serious injury.

For truck drivers, you need to bring your A-game when operating these gigantic vehicles, especially on the challenging Virginia (VA) roadways and driving through passageways like the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. One wrong move or sudden turn can lead to the aforementioned accident scenario that could wind up causing injuries like a broken neck, facial laceration, torn knee ligaments, etc. It could also lead to a reprimand by your truck company if it’s determined the accident was your fault.

If you’re operating a tractor-trailer, remember they are “articulated” vehicles, which means the trailer is flexible in the middle and the side mirrors are the only rearward vision you’ll have on the road.

For regular car drivers, be aware of the “no-zone” laws around the side, rear, and front of trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, etc: These are areas where smaller vehicles should not travel next to a large vehicle, according to the Virginia DMV.Here is an illustration of the no-zones:

If both large truck and small car drivers follow safety guidelines and laws, hopefully we can decrease the number of tragic accidents which take place far too often in areas of Virginia like Norfolk, Newport News, Charlottesville, and Roanoke, just to name a few. For example, 78 people were killed in accidents involving a tractor trailer and there 47 tractor trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2008 in the Commonwealth. These numbers need to go down.

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Fatal Tractor Trailer Crash in Nelson County Virginia Kills One on Hwy 5

bmurray — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:28:00 +0000

By Rick Shapiro

Alger H. Fleming, 66 of Amherst County died after being hit by a tractor trailer along Va. Hwy 56 in Nelson County, Va. Fleming was driving east on Va. 56 at around 4:35 a.m. when he came up on a large tree that had fallen across the road near the Tye River Bridge. Unable to stop Fleming’s Ford Ranger pickup crashed into the tree.

At that point in time Fleming put his hazard lights on and got out of the pickup truck to survey the damage when an eastbound tractor-trailer suddenly came up from behind on the highway. According Virginia State Police PR Manager, Corinne Geller, the tractor-trailer driver swerved into the westbound lane avoiding Fleming’s truck, but then the big rig struck and killed Fleming in the process, Fleming died at the tractor trailer crash scene.

When driving at night your mind can play tricks on you and things can appear very different than they would during the day. According to the AAA Center of Excellence, more than half of all fatal crashes occur at night. In order to reduce your risk on the night time road, make sure that you are alert and always be prepared to make a sudden stop when the unpredictable occurs.

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Tractor Trailer Wreck on I-77 in Fancy Gap, Virginia Injures Five

bmurray — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:29:19 +0000

By Jim Lewis

Four tractor trailers, six cars and one camper were involved in an accident last Wednesday on I-77 in Fancy Gap, Va. which closed traffic in both lanes for hours. According to the police, a tractor-trailer travelling southbound slid down the highway, lost control and rolled-over spilling its load of ceramic tiles. Two other vehicles had crashed into the semi-truck , which subsequently caused three other separate accidents.

The driver of the first tractor-trailer was immediately rushed to the Surry County hospital via ambulance; five others were reportedly inured and later hospitalized. By the time the police arrived at the truck accident scene, only two people had remained. After a thorough clean-up that took hours, I-77 was reopened just before 8 p.m. Although the big rig accident is still under investigation, police have speculated on a few reasons for the wreck with weather conditions as a possible factor.

According to kidshealth.org, the best strategy in driving in bad weather is to avoid it. However, if it is really inevitable, there are some helpful tips to prevent accidents in a bad weather. Make sure your headlights are on. Increase your following distance and maintain it. Slow down. Braking takes longer on slippery roads, the slower you go, the easier it will be for you to stop. Make sure your car is prepared for the conditions (check your battery, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, windshield wipers, headlights, tires).

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Fatal Tractor Trailer Wreck in Newington, Virginia Kills One on I-95

bmurray — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:11 +0000

by Emily Mapp Brannon

The traffic on the northbound lanes of I-95 in Newington, VA was shut down last week when an accident involving a passenger vehicle and a tractor trailer caused the death of at least one person and injured two others. Officials have stated that a Hyundai and a tractor trailer were involved in a deadly crash on a stretch of I-95 near route 7100. Due to the fact that the semi tractor trailer was so much heavier, the lighter Hyundai didn’t have a chance as it slid underneath the massive big rig.

The man driving the Hyundai died instantly from massive trauma at the crash scene from the forceful impact with the massive 18 wheeler. It appears that the driver and passenger in the cab of the tractor trailer were dismissed from the hospital with only minor injuries. Authorities did not release any information as to the exact cause or nature of the fatal crash. Traffic on northbound I-95 was reopened about 3 hours after the wreck at 5:40 a.m.

According to data released by The United States Department of Transportation, the roads of the United States witness over 500,000 accidents each year. Unfortunately, a high number of these types of accidents end in fatalities. This is primarily due to the size of these vehicles that travel between states carrying cargo that can put these trucks at more than 80,000 pounds each. As you can imagine, 9 times out of ten the occupants in a passenger vehicle do not fare very well when they have a run in with a monstrous big rig. In many cases the passengers in the smaller vehicle, such as a car in this most recent accident on I-95, receives the most serious if not fatal injuries.

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18 Wheeler Hits Pittsylvania County School Bus on Route 40

bmurray — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:44:32 +0000

Sharing the road with tractor trailers can be un-nerving at best and if you knew the statistics of safety and the percentages of surviving a crash with a big rig you might become even more nervous about coming near one on the roads.

Just recently in Franklin County, Virginia, two folks were admitted into the hospital after a tractor trailer struck a Pittsylvania County School bus carrying 15 people on Route 40 just west of the Pittsylvania County line.

One of the students was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to state police. Ricky Lee Ferguson was the driver of the 18 wheeler and at 52 years of age you would think he had some experience in charge of such a heavy load. As is most often the case, he was unharmed being the truck driver. It has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the truck drivers almost always come out of the crash unharmed as compared to the either lifeless or critically injured passenger vehicle occupant that it crashed into.

The school bus driver was dutifully carrying her passengers that day as she has probably for years when this irresponsible truck driver hit the unsuspecting bus riders. While Linda Gail Harris, of Chatham, was driving the bus, carrying 12 students and three adults the 1995 International tractor trailer traveling west crossed the center line and sideswiped the eastbound bus.

After the school bus was struck, the tractor trailer ran off the left side of the highway and struck an embankment. It has been discovered that Ferguson drives for trucking company SWK, Inc. based out of Natural Bridge Station.

It is certain that the school bus was very lucky and had escaped what could have been a very tragic event for Pittsylvania County, In all, the school bus sustained $40,000 in damages, and only $50,000 in damages to the truck. Everyone escaped with their lives. According to the state police, the entire Route 40 was closed for a period of time. The crash is still under investigation and charges are pending.

As this recent horrific close call clearly shows, a tragic accident can occur anytime with a tractor trailer truck. When this occurs there is a high likelihood that a serious injury will be incurred with any passenger vehicle that may be unfortunate enough to stand in its way. In many cases truck drivers are stretched thin and may have been on the road too many hours and could be struggling with exhaustion. Often, truck driving companies push their employees beyond their limits and beyond the limits of the law. When this happens bad road accidents can occur and change lives in an instant.

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), with an office also in Elizabeth City, in Northeast North The trucking injury attorneys with Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm are 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 Virginia injury law website is www.HSInjurylaw.com and 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 with over 50 videos covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

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Tractor-trailer Flips on Side Closing Parts of Rte 250 in Nelson Co., Virginia

bmurray — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:33:34 +0000

Recently, a tractor trailer had flipped onto its side while driving down Route 250 causing dangerous road conditions for passing motorists. Nelson County Police reported that the 18 wheeler wrecked on rte 250 around 9:30 a.m. when the tractor-trailer carrying scrap metal was exiting Interstate 64 East at Exit 99.

According to authorities, the truck driver lost control just before his big rig flipped. All the scrap metal contents from the trailer spread across both lanes of route 250 causing responders to close a segment of the road.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews labored well into the afternoon in order to clean up all the debris that was scattered. It was said by a Virginia State Police Trooper that was on the scene that passenger vehicles were very lucky not to have been beside the semi when it flipped.

Even though no one was injured if someone had been driving beside the truck the result would have likely been deadly. The truck driver, who has not been identified, has been charged with failure to maintain control of his vehicle.

Driver behavior is the number one cause of tractor trailer accidents. When poor driving is combined with an improperly secured load or overloaded trailer, then an accident resulting in serious injury is highly likely. Injuries caused by failure to properly load tractor trailer truckers may include disfigurement, lost limbs, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and death.

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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