Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Fairfax, VA & D.C.

Last updated on October 24, 2025

A devastating commercial truck accident can change your life in an instant. It can leave you with catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills and a sense of powerlessness against a large trucking company. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we understand the overwhelming physical, emotional and financial burdens you are facing. Our dedicated Fairfax truck accident lawyers have decades of combined experience fighting for justice for victims of severe semi-truck accidents. We offer compassionate one-on-one attention and guidance to help you manage this difficult time and secure the compensation you deserve.

Call our firm at 703-634-7350 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our Fairfax truck accident lawyer today. You can also contact us online.

Why Hire Shevlin Smith For Serious Truck Accidents?

When facing a large trucking company and its powerful insurance carrier, you need a legal team with a proven track record of success. Attorney Michael Shevlin has over 30 years of experience helping big truck accident victims throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C. His dedication and skill have earned him prestigious recognition, including being on the list of The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2008 and being selected for inclusion in the Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers list annually since 2009.

Our firm’s experience translates to significant results for our clients. Here are just a few examples of the multimillion-dollar recoveries we have secured in complex truck accident cases:

• $10,350,000 award: For a family injured in a motor vehicle crash involving a truck that had failed inspection and had faulty brakes.
• $1,175,000 settlement: For a client who suffered a major orthopedic pelvic fracture in a head-on collision with a large truck.
• $925,000 settlement: For our client who sustained a cervical spine fracture requiring surgery as a result of a commercial truck accident.

These outcomes demonstrate our commitment to securing the compensation our clients deserve. Our strong reputation for handling complex medical malpractice cases gives us a unique advantage in severe personal injury claims. We are adept at working with medical experts and understanding the long-term impact of catastrophic injuries. This means that we can build a strong case for you.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different Than Car Accident Cases?

While all accidents can be jarring, a collision with a large truck is far more likely to result in life-altering injuries. These cases are significantly different and more complicated than standard car accident claims.

The Power Imbalance

When you are the “little guy” standing up to a large trucking company, the odds can feel stacked against you. These companies have powerful insurance carriers and strong legal teams whose primary goal is to minimize the amount of recovery they pay out. They will do whatever it takes to handle cases quickly, often before the full extent of your injuries is known.

Complex Liability

Determining liability in a big truck accident is often much more difficult than in a car accident. Many factors come into play, including road conditions, safety rules and the truck’s limited ability to stop. Virginia is a contributory negligence state, which means if you are found to be even partially at fault, you may be legally barred from making a recovery.

Traumatic Injuries From Truck Accidents

The sheer force and weight of a semi truck or other commercial vehicle can cause devastating injuries that change a victim’s life forever. While a car accident may result in minor injuries, a trucking wreck often leads to:

• Brain injuries: The force of impact can cause traumatic brain injuries, concussions, hematomas, contusions and skull fractures.
• Spinal cord injuries: Trauma to the head, neck or back can result in spine injuries, leading to permanent complications such as paraplegia and quadriplegia.
• Broken bones: The impact can be so strong that it causes multiple bone fractures, including broken legs, hips, ribs and arms.
• Limb amputations: The immense size and weight of a truck can result in the loss of a limb, either immediately after the crash or due to severe damage that requires later amputation.
• Serious burn injuries: If a vehicle catches fire during the crash, occupants can suffer severe burns, leading to disfigurement, scarring and a lifetime of pain.
• Wrongful death: Sadly, many truck accidents end in fatalities. Families who have lost a loved one due to a negligent truck driver or trucking company have the right to pursue a legal claim for their losses.

During these challenging moments, a Fairfax truck accident lawyer can offer crucial support and guidance.

What To Expect After A Truck Accident

A commercial truck accident leaves victims and their families in a state of shock, making it difficult to know what to do next. We believe it is crucial for you to be educated about what to expect.

The Immediate Aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of a crash, it is essential to take certain steps to protect your claim. You should know how to get a copy of your police report, why you need to take pictures of the crash scene, and what to avoid doing or saying to the insurance company.

Going Up Against A Trucking Company

Trucking companies have teams of experts they send to crash sites immediately. Their goal is to limit their liability and get recorded statements from victims so that they can settle quickly before the full extent of the injuries is known. This is why having an experienced Fairfax truck accident lawyer on your side is so important.

Recoverable Damages

When pursuing a financial recovery, victims have the right to collect compensation for all damages – past, present and future. This includes medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other out-of-pocket costs related to the crash.

Hiring An Attorney

The right truck accident lawyer will have successfully handled similar cases and possess the experience and resources to handle yours. Not all personal injury lawyers are familiar with the specific federal laws that govern tractor-trailers or what information they can request to prevent trucking companies from destroying key evidence.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

Whether on a city street or a major highway, sharing the road with a big rig is a normal occurrence. While most interactions are safe, collisions can occur when negligent drivers act recklessly. Some common causes of these accidents include:

• Drowsy driving: Truck drivers are often paid by the mile, which incentivizes them to drive longer hours than legally allowed. This can lead to tired drivers with dulled reactions and poor judgment.
• Distracted driving: A distracted driver can cause a catastrophic crash. Drivers who take their eyes off the road to eat, call home or use their cellphones are a danger to everyone.
• Impaired driving from prescription drugs: Medications, even over-the-counter ones, can interfere with a truck driver’s ability to drive safely.
• Speeding and aggressive driving: Frustrated or hurried drivers who speed or act aggressively can easily cause needless and catastrophic crashes.
• Failing to use turn signals and check blind spots: Large tractor-trailers have huge blind spots or “no-zones.” Failing to check these areas carefully can cause serious side-impact wrecks.
• Improper loading of cargo: Unsecured cargo can shift, causing a rollover or spilling onto the road, creating an immediate hazard.
• Truck equipment failure due to poor maintenance: When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, they may cut corners on maintenance, leading to brake failure, tire blowouts or defective parts that can be deadly.

These factors often play a crucial role in building a successful truck accident claim.

Identifying Truck Accident Hot Spots

Understanding where accidents occur more frequently is a key aspect of building a successful case. An analysis of Virginia accident data found that Fairfax County had the highest number of fatal crashes statewide. The deadliest stretch of road in Virginia was I-64, traveling through the Hampton area. Other dangerous areas include the Capital Beltway in the Washington, D.C., area and the stretch of the Beltway running along I-66 in Virginia.

If your accident occurred on one of these dangerous stretches of road, our team is ready to investigate. We know the unique hazards of these locations and how to use that information to build your claim.

See What Our Clients Have To Say

We are proud to provide compassionate, personalized service to every client. But you do not have to take our word for it. Read what our clients have to say about their experience working with us.

“Michael is caring, compassionate and we highly recommend him.” – Lori B.

“Our first meeting with Mr. Michael Shevlin solidified our assurance that we had met the right lawyer to fight for our cause.” – Abdul J.

We are dedicated to providing the same level of care and proficiency to every person we represent.

Get Started On Your Truck Accident Case Today

A commercial truck accident claim can be incredibly complicated. While you might be fighting for your life at the hospital, the trucking company and its team are already at the accident scene looking for any evidence that could point the finger at you. When you have suffered life-altering injuries, you should not have to fight this battle alone.

Our Fairfax truck accident lawyer team has the experience and resources to investigate the accident, gather the facts and preserve critical evidence. We can help you prove the crash was not your fault. When you hire our firm, you are choosing a powerful advocate who will stand up to the big trucking companies and their insurance carriers on your behalf.

To schedule a free initial consultation with our Virginia truck accident lawyer in Fairfax, call 703-634-7350 or submit an online contact form.