Virginia Beach Truck Accident Lawyer

Heavy trucks pass through every corner of Virginia Beach, moving goods across military routes, weaving through tourist districts, and hauling freight across I-264 and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. 

These vehicles don't belong in close quarters with smaller cars, but they end up there every day.

When a crash happens, it doesn't take much for a passenger vehicle to be crushed, spun out, or pinned, sending drivers and their loved ones straight to the emergency room.

Smith Law Center has represented injured Virginians since 1949. We've taken on national trucking companies in court and won. Our attorneys have secured verdicts and settlements for people left with TBIs, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering injuries from truck collisions.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash with a commercial vehicle, contact us at (757) 244-7000 for a free case review with a Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer.

Hear from Our Client Nancy Harris

Nancy Harris was driving to meet a friend and finish holiday shopping when a commercial truck pulled out in front of her. The crash left her with a traumatic brain injury. She came to Smith Law Center for help.

"Stephen M. Smith was compassionate. He did everything possible to see that my welfare was looked after. I will be forever grateful that he understood what looked okay was not okay." 

Where and Why Truck Accidents Happen in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach combines dense traffic, aging infrastructure, and tourism congestion with a steady stream of commercial vehicle activity. Tractor-trailers move through the same roads as vacationers, commuters, and cyclists, often without the space or timing those vehicles require to operate safely.

According to the Virginia DMV and Highway Safety Office, 5,700 commercial vehicle crashes occurred statewide in 2024, including 108 fatalities and more than 2,100 serious injuries. 

Virginia Beach adds to that count each year, particularly in high-traffic areas such as:

• The I-264 corridor near Newtown Road and Birdneck Road,
• Oceanfront delivery routes along Pacific and Atlantic Avenues,
• Independence Boulevard and Lynnhaven Parkway intersections,
• Access roads to NAS Oceana and the Virginia Beach Convention Center, and
• The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and surrounding approaches.

When tractor-trailers operate in tight conditions, errors become more likely:

• Turning wide or swinging through multiple lanes,
• Running red lights during late deliveries,
• Failing to check for cyclists or pedestrians near the oceanfront,
• Reversing or maneuvering in cramped loading zones,
• Carrying too much weight down worn surface streets, and
• Ignoring maintenance warnings while on long routes.

Smith Law Center investigates these causes. Our Virginia Beach trucking accident lawyers examine where the truck came from, how long it had been on the road, and whether the company followed safety regulations. That includes reviewing black-box data, inspection reports, GPS data, and logbooks.

Injuries We Commonly See from Semi-Truck Collisions

The physical toll of a truck crash in Virginia Beach goes far beyond bruises or soreness. Many of our clients suffer life-altering trauma, especially when hit at speed or compressed between vehicles.

Common truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, including loss of consciousness or lasting cognitive issues;
• Spine damage, herniated discs, and vertebral fractures;
• Partial or complete paralysis;
• Chest or abdominal injuries caused by seatbelt impact or cabin intrusion;
• Internal bleeding or organ trauma;
• Complex fractures requiring surgery;
• Severe road rash, burns, or facial injuries; and
• Amputation or permanent mobility loss.

When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer strikes a car, the crash doesn't stop at the point of impact. It moves through metal, passengers, and whatever's in the way. These injuries require immediate care, long-term recovery planning, and a legal strategy that accounts for both.

A Word of Caution About Giving a Recorded Statement

After a truck crash, you may get a call from the trucking company's insurer. They may ask to record your answers. What sounds like routine documentation is usually a calculated interview.

Recorded statements are designed to:

• Pin down your description before medical issues are fully known,
• Introduce confusion about how the crash occurred, or
• Suggest partial blame, even if unintentionally.

Under Virginia's pure contributory negligence rule, you cannot receive compensation if you're found even one percent at fault. Insurance companies use recorded statements to lay that groundwork early.

You have the right to decline. Speak with a Virginia Beach 18-wheeler accident lawyer before answering. Anything you say, however small, may be used to deny your claim.

Trucking companies collect black box data, inspection logs, and driver dispatch records within hours. They move quickly, not to repair damage but to shape the case in their favor.

Smith Law Center moves faster. We secure evidence before it's erased, altered, or buried in internal reviews. We've handled cases in Virginia Beach where companies failed to meet brake maintenance standards, skipped drug screenings, or falsified rest logs.

Call (757) 244-7000 to speak with a Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer who will take your injuries and time seriously.

Trucking Laws That Affect Virginia Beach Crash Investigations

Truck accident cases involve state traffic laws and federal safety regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets nationwide standards for commercial drivers and trucking companies. Virginia enforces these rules and adds its own requirements.

Federal regulations cover:

• Hours of service, which limit how long a driver can operate a truck before taking mandatory rest breaks.
• Vehicle maintenance standards, including requirements for brakes, tires, lighting, and mechanical systems.
• Driver qualification standards, including training, licensing, and medical certification.
• Drug and alcohol testing programs, which require random testing and post-accident screenings.
• Cargo securement rules, which dictate how freight must be loaded and secured to prevent shifting or spills.

Violations of these regulations can prove negligence in a truck accident case. For example, if a driver's logbook shows they drove 14 hours straight when federal law caps the limit at 11, that violation can support your claim. If a company skipped a required brake inspection and the truck's brakes failed, that's evidence of negligence.

A Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer can subpoena inspection reports, maintenance logs, electronic logging device data, and driver personnel files to find violations.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Liability in a trucking case may fall on any party whose role contributed to the crash. In some cases, multiple companies share blame, even if only one truck was present.

Those who may be held liable in a Virginia Beach truck crash case include:

• The truck driver,
• The trucking company or freight contractor,
• A warehouse or shipping business that loaded the trailer,
• A third-party maintenance contractor, or
• The manufacturer of defective brakes, tires, or lighting components.

A legal claim may focus on a driver's negligence, or it may trace back to missed inspections, overloaded trailers, or faulty equipment. The Virginia Beach truck crash lawyers at Smith Law Center work to uncover those connections before blame is shifted or evidence disappears.

"Most people we meet aren't asking about lawsuits—they're asking how to get through the week. They've got medical bills, missed work, and no real answers. Our role is simple: figure out what happened, hold the right people accountable, and make sure our clients aren't left to carry this on their own." 

— Stephen M. Smith | Smith Law Center

Compensation Our Virginia Beach Truck Crash Lawyers Can Help You Recover

The damage from a commercial truck crash isn't limited to physical pain. These cases generally involve missed paychecks, extended recovery, and long-term adjustments to daily living.

Economic damages cover out-of-pocket costs and income losses directly tied to the collision. These may include:

• Ambulance transport and emergency room treatment;
• Hospital stays and surgical procedures;
• Follow-up appointments with specialists;
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation;
• Prescription medications and medical equipment;
• Lost income from missed work;
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job;
• Property damage to your vehicle; and
• Home modifications such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, or widened doorways.

You can also recover reimbursement for mileage to medical appointments, housekeeping services, and other expenses tied to your injury.

Noneconomic damages account for the personal toll of your injuries, such as:

• Physical pain from the injury and treatment;
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress;
• Loss of ability to participate in hobbies, sports, or social activities; and
• Strain on relationships with your spouse, children, or family members.

Virginia does not cap noneconomic damages in personal injury cases involving truck crashes.

If a loved one died in a truck crash, Virginia law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages include:

• Funeral and burial costs,
• Medical bills incurred before death,
• Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and care.

In cases where the truck driver or the trucking company's conduct was particularly reckless, a court may award punitive damages. These are intended to deter similar conduct in the future. Examples include driving while intoxicated or knowingly operating a truck with failed brakes. Virginia caps punitive damages at $350,000.

Smith Law Center Attorney David Holt on the Cases 4 Causes Podcast

Curious about what happens when you file a truck accident claim? Attorney David Holt sits down with the Cases 4 Causes podcast to discuss how these cases unfold, why timing influences settlement negotiations, and which evidence has the greatest impact in court.

Listen to Season 2, Episode 4 Here 

How We've Helped Clients Injured in Trucking Collisions

Smith Law Center has recovered over $1 billion for injury clients across the country, including some of the largest trucking verdicts in Virginia history.

• $10 million+ jury verdict. A record-setting award against Werner Trucking Company for a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a truck crash.
• $5.2 million verdict. A teacher was injured in a six-vehicle pileup on I-95 when a leaking tractor-trailer caused a chain reaction. The Virginia Supreme Court upheld the verdict.
• $2.5 million settlement. A chiropractor struck by a truck's side mirror while riding his bicycle sustained a serious head injury. We negotiated a settlement that covered his medical care and lost income.

Research from Martindale-Nolo shows that over 90% of people who hired attorneys received settlements or awards, compared with about 50% who handled their claims independently. 

Trucking companies have legal teams working to reduce what they pay. You need someone fighting for your rights.

Why Virginians Choose Smith Law Center

We've been doing this for 75 years.

Smith Law Center is the largest injury law firm on the Virginia Peninsula, and among the most experienced in truck crash litigation statewide. Our team includes three generations of Smith attorneys, and our results span every level of Virginia's court system.

When you're hurt in a Virginia Beach truck accident, we know what to do and how quickly the other side moves to protect itself.

Call us at (757) 244-7000 or message us online to speak with an experienced Virginia Beach truck accident attorney today.