Drivers in Virginia are likely to find themselves on Interstate 81 at some point – this 325-mile stretch of road is the longest interstate highway in Virginia. I-81 connects 30 colleges and universities, 21 cities, and 13 counties. It runs from Bristol to Winchester, which is just 16 miles from the West Virginia border.

As a vital economic corridor, I-81 is widely traveled by tractor-trailer drivers to transport goods. In fact, it’s responsible for 42% of the interstate system’s VMT (vehicle miles traveled). Unfortunately, with the heavy confluence of tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles, it’s also one of the deadliest roads in Virginia.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a crash through no fault of your own, call the experienced tractor-trailer attorneys at Reinhardt | Harper | Davis today. We offer free case evaluations to better understand each unique case.

The dangers of Interstate 81, by the numbers:

• This thoroughfare sees over 2,000 motor vehicle collisions per year.
• Roughly 25% of all crashes on this highway involve a tractor-trailer. Crashes involving commercial trucks often result in catastrophic injuries or even death.
• According to a Virginia highway ranker, I-81 is an extremely deadly highway.
• The Virginia Department of Transportation designated a segment of I-81 (between Montgomery and Roanoke counties) as a “Highway Safety Corridor” because of its higher-than-expected crash rates and noted severity.

Why is Interstate 81 in Virginia so dangerous?

Many factors contribute to the deadly nature of this thoroughfare, such as:

• Terrain: This highway cuts through the Appalachian Mountains, featuring steep inclines and declines, the latter of which can increase speed without the driver realizing it. The mountainous terrain also includes curvy stretches, which are more difficult to navigate when traveling at higher speeds.
• Weather: Fog, snow, and ice are common in higher elevations – particularly in Southwest Virginia. This can create low visibility and slick surface conditions.
• Heavy truck traffic: Over 40% of all traffic on I-81 consists of tractor-trailers, covering nearly half of all interstate trucking travel in the state. This makes visibility for cars more difficult, and when congestion happens, braking distances and lane changes can be treacherous.
• Outdated road design: Much of the highway was built in the 1960s and 1970s, and was designed for smaller cars and lower traffic compared to today’s standards. And despite massive freight traffic, many stretches of the highway are only two lanes in each direction. There are also narrow shoulders, short entrance and exit ramps, and limited merge zones.
• Infrastructure lag: Though the population and freight movement along the I-81 corridor have grown rapidly, the infrastructure expansion has lagged. The Virginia I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan identified over $2 billion in needed safety upgrades in 2018. The plan includes additional lanes, truck climbing lanes, and interchange re-designs. Unfortunately, government funding for the country’s infrastructure has lagged to the point where I-81 funding will not be secured until 2035-2036 – a decade away. By this time, the investment is set to exceed $3 billion.
• Driver behavior: Long, monotonous stretches of road can lead to driver fatigue and drowsy driving – especially for long-haul truckers.

Tractor-trailers on Interstate 81

I-81 sees 11.7 million trucks carrying $312 billion in goods annually. The economic corridor stretches from Tennessee to New York at the Canadian border. This is the reason that approximately 25% of crashes on this freeway involve an 18-wheeler.

This poses unique safety risks to drivers. The added size and weight of tractor-trailers inevitably make crashes more deadly. Should you or a loved one have experienced a collision with a tractor-trailer, be aware that these circumstances are much different than a car crash, from both a medical and legal perspective.

I’ve been in an accident on Interstate 81- Do I need an attorney?

While a fender bender in a parking lot may not require a personal injury attorney, a crash with an 18-wheeler is a different animal. The legal and medical ramifications can be overwhelming. Partnering with an experienced trucking lawyer will allow you to focus on healing, while the firm builds the strongest case possible to fight for your legal rights.

Trucking companies are well-versed in highway incidents and always look to protect their bottom line. Often, they will dispatch representatives to the scene of the accident immediately after the crash. Their goal is to take photographs and document evidence that works in their favor. Good law firms gather their own evidence to combat misleading narratives.

Another tactic used by trucking companies is attempting to secure a recorded statement from victims. When insurance companies reach out, it may sound like a routine call. The representatives are trained to be friendly and sympathetic, but it is often a tactic used to coax a recorded statement that could be used against you later. Never speak with the trucking company’s insurance carrier without speaking to an attorney first.

When the other party knows they are at fault, their insurance carrier will often pressure victims to accept a quick settlement. And while a large lump of cash may seem tempting while you are distraught and recovering, this tactic is used to avoid a deeper look into the case. Skilled trucking lawyers know that to properly work up the value of a case, they must factor in potential costs for long-term medical care, such as:

• Surgeries
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

The items listed above are some of the many factors. By offering a quick settlement, the trucking company’s insurance carrier saves money by avoiding its responsibility for these coverages.

There are also many built-in nuances with tractor-trailer accidents. There is a possibility that the case could involve multiple defendants, whether the trucking company, the manufacturer of the goods being transported (especially if they loaded the goods), driver staffing companies, the truck manufacturer, and others. Experienced personal injury attorneys uncover every detail needed to build a rock-solid case.

These are some, but not all, of the many reasons you should hire a skilled tractor-trailer attorney.

We’re here to help

Reinhardt | Harper | Davis has over 100 years of combined experience guiding accident victims through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Tractor-trailer cases can be catastrophic, if not deadly. Our compassionate care and tenacious legal advocacy are necessary when going up against large insurance and trucking companies.

For a free case evaluation, contact Reinhardt | Harper | Davis today at 800-884-9507.