18-Wheeler Maintenance Negligence Lawsuit: Understanding Your Rights After a Harrisonburg Truck Accident

Commercial truck maintenance negligence represents a serious safety threat on Virginia's highways, particularly along I-81 through Harrisonburg where heavy truck traffic is common. When trucking companies or operators fail to properly maintain their vehicles, critical systems like brakes, tires, steering components, and coupling devices can fail catastrophically. These failures often lead to devastating collisions that affect multiple vehicles and cause severe injuries. Common maintenance oversights include delayed brake inspections, worn tire replacement, improper load securement, and ignored manufacturer service schedules. In personal injury claims, maintenance negligence can establish clear liability against multiple parties, including the trucking company, maintenance providers, and parts manufacturers. Evidence of skipped maintenance checks, falsified inspection records, or non-compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations can significantly strengthen a victim's case for compensation.

Legal Rights and Considerations: Virginia operates under a modified comparative negligence system where plaintiffs can recover damages if they are found to be less than 51% at fault. Commercial trucks must comply with both Virginia state regulations and FMCSA requirements for maintenance and inspection. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Virginia is two years from the accident date. Victims may be eligible for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Commercial trucking insurance typically provides higher coverage limits than personal auto policies, often starting at $750,000 for interstate carriers. Cases may involve multiple insurance policies, including the truck owner's, carrier's, and maintenance contractor's coverage. An experienced Harrisonburg personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Many kinds of injuries can happen in an 18-wheeler accident. Click the links below to get support from an attorney who specializes in your type of accident or injury:

• Harrisonburg spinal cord injury attorney;
• Harrisonburg soft tissue injury attorney;
• Harrisonburg shoulder injury lawyer;
• Harrisonburg fracture injury attorney;
• Harrisonburg neck injury law firm;
• Harrisonburg brain injury attorney.

Related Resources:

• Rockingham County Circuit Court, 80 Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
• Virginia Victim/Witness Program - Harrisonburg Office
• Virginia DMV Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
• Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Safety Program
• Virginia Code § 46.2-2100 (Commercial Vehicle Regulations)
• FMCSA Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System

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