Gloucester County, VA, Truck Accident Lawyer

We help Virginians hurt in truck crashes get answers, protect their rights, and hold trucking companies accountable when safety rules are broken.

Tractor-trailers don’t leave room for minor collisions. When a fully loaded truck hits a passenger vehicle, the damage tends to be serious—and so are the injuries.

You may be dealing with broken bones, head trauma, or long-term mobility issues. You may be missing work with no timeline for when that changes. And while you’re figuring out how to get through the next few weeks, the trucking company already has a team reviewing the scene, the records, and their defense.

So, where does that leave you?

Smith Law Center represents people hurt in truck crashes across Virginia, including right here in Gloucester County. We’ve handled cases involving rollovers, underride collisions, jackknifes, and rear-end crashes at highway speeds.

Before you speak with an adjuster or respond to paperwork, talk with a Gloucester County, VA, truck accident attorney who can review what happened, identify where liability may fall, and explain how Virginia law applies to your case. Call us at (757) 244-7000 or message us online to get started.

See Why Clients Trust Us After a Trucking Accident in Gloucester County, VA

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Why Truck Crashes Happen on Gloucester Roads

Gloucester County isn’t a major metro area—but it sits along U.S. Route 17, a regular trucking corridor. And like other areas with high freight traffic, the risks don’t come from just one issue.​

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reports that in 2023 there were 5,785 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles statewide, accounting for 4.5% of all traffic crashes. Gloucester contributes to those numbers every year.

Common causes include:

• Driver fatigue. Federal law limits how long a trucker can be behind the wheel. Some ignore these rules or falsify their logs.​
• Distracted driving. Commercial drivers may use GPS, phones, or dispatch systems while operating 80,000-pound vehicles, leading to lapses in attention.​
• Poor maintenance. Bald tires, worn brakes, and overloaded trailers raise the risk of a crash.​
• Improper turns or lane changes. Tractor trailers need more time and space to safely merge, stop, or turn.​
• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions. Exceeding speed limits or not adjusting speed to road and weather conditions reduces a truck driver’s ability to react promptly.​
• Inadequate surveillance. Not checking blind spots or surroundings before maneuvering can lead to collisions.​
• Impaired driving. Operating a truck under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment and reaction times.​

A Gloucester County, VA, truck accident lawyer can help gather black box data, review inspection records, and track down violations that may point to driver or company negligence.

What You Can Recover After a Truck Accident Injury in Gloucester County?

Truck crashes aren’t just collisions—they’re high-force events that often lead to lasting injuries. That includes broken bones, spinal damage, brain trauma, and other conditions that can change how a person works, moves, and lives.

Medical care adds up quickly. Missed work leaves bills unpaid. And long-term needs can go far beyond the initial ER visit. Virginia law allows injured people to recover a wide range of financial and personal losses when someone else causes the crash.

Economic Damages

These are the losses that show up on paper—medical bills, income loss, and other expenses caused by the crash. A claim may include:

• Emergency transport and hospitalization;
• Ongoing treatment, rehab, or home care;
• Medication and assistive equipment;
• Missed wages or business income;
• Future earnings affected by long-term disability;
• Vehicle damage or other property losses; and
• Modifications needed to live independently.

Out-of-pocket expenses may also be included if they tie directly to the crash.

Non-Economic Damages

Truck accident injuries also bring physical pain, limited mobility, and emotional strain that don’t show up on receipts. These losses may include:

• Physical pain,
• Emotional distress or trauma,
• Loss of enjoyment in day-to-day life, and
• Disruption to family or intimate relationships.

Virginia does not cap non-economic damages in injury cases involving truck crashes. These losses are recognized by law and can be fully accounted for in a claim.

Wrongful Death and Punitive Damages

When a crash takes a life, Virginia law gives families the right to bring a wrongful death claim. This may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses,
• Loss of income the person would have provided, and
• Emotional loss and companionship

In rare cases, courts may also award punitive damages. These apply when a driver or company shows reckless disregard—for example, driving under the influence or ignoring safety violations. Virginia law limits punitive damages to $350,000. 

Recovering the full value of these losses takes more than listing expenses. A recent Martindale-Nolo survey found that people who worked with a truck accident lawyer in Gloucester County, VA, recovered more than those who handled claims on their own.

You may still be in the hospital. You may still be waiting on answers. But one thing you can control is who you turn to for legal help.

Smith Law Center has handled truck accident cases across Virginia, including Gloucester County. We know how these claims work—and how fast the other side moves to protect themselves.

Call (757) 244-7000 or use our form to speak with a Gloucester County, VA, tractor trailer accident lawyer who will take your injuries, recovery, and time seriously.

Which Trucking Laws Apply in Virginia?

Truck accident claims often involve both state and federal safety regulations. These rules govern how long drivers can stay on the road, how trucks must be maintained, and how cargo is loaded. When companies skip inspections or ignore driver limits, those violations can become part of your case.

For example, federal law restricts how many hours a driver can operate without rest to prevent fatigue. Other rules require regular maintenance and drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers.

In addition, Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule in personal injury claims. Under this law, you can’t recover anything if you’re found even 1% at fault. Insurance companies often use this to their advantage by asking for a recorded statement early on. You’re not required to give one—and doing so without legal advice can put your case at risk.

A truck accident lawyer in Gloucester County, VA, can identify which rules apply, secure the records needed to prove violations, and protect you from early tactics that shift responsibility away from the trucking company.

“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 | Founder, The Smith Law Center

Contact a Gloucester County, VA, Truck Accident Attorney

After a crash with a commercial truck, most people don’t need to be told what went wrong—they need to know how to protect themselves. Medical care, insurance paperwork, and missed work can pile up fast. You shouldn’t have to field calls from the trucking company or their insurer without someone in your corner.

Smith Law Center can review what happened, explain what Virginia law allows, and help you avoid missteps that could cost you later.

Why Hire Smith Law Center

A truck accident can take you out of work, upend your routine, and may alter your life permanently. You may be trying to recover from serious injuries—or trying to figure out what to do after losing someone you love.

That’s why Smith Law Center takes these cases personally. For over 70 years, we’ve represented Virginians when the damage couldn’t be undone—only accounted for. Our team secured a $10 million jury award for a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a truck crash, and a $5.2 million result for another client injured by a tractor-trailer.

Call (757) 244-7000 or message us online to speak with a Gloucester County, VA, truck accident attorney who will take the time to understand what this has cost you—and what can be done about it.