Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers in Gardendale
Gardendale, AL is a northern suburb of Birmingham, and it is about a 20-minute commute to the capital city via US-31 South and Interstate 65 (I-65) South. Numerous big rig trucks travel these roadways each day, transporting essential products and supplies to various destinations throughout Alabama and the entire Southeast region.
There are several trucking companies that are based in the Gardendale area, providing well-paying jobs to residents and boosting the local economy. But the industry has a downside as well. When a massive vehicle that can weigh up to 40 tons gets into an accident, it can result in catastrophic consequences, particularly for those at the other end of the crash. This is why safety is of paramount importance in order to prevent truck accidents.
Gardendale truck crash victims do not usually get too much sympathy from trucking companies and their insurers. Accidents like these tend to cause severe injuries, and those responsible will often expend a lot of resources pushing back against injury claims. These types of claims are also far more complicated than standard auto accidents because there are several different laws and regulations that govern the industry.
If you or someone close to you suffered an injury in a Gardendale, AL truck accident, Burge & Burge is here to help. We have several decades of experience successfully pursuing truck crash claims, and we have an in-depth understanding of what it takes to ensure that those responsible for accidents like these are held fully accountable. We work closely with our clients, and we work hard to ensure that they recover every dollar of compensation that they deserve.
Truck Accident Injuries in Gardendale, AL
The vast majority of trucking accident victims (68%) are occupants of other vehicles that are involved in a tractor-trailer crash. Another 16% are motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Those who get into collisions with big-rig trucks often sustain more serious injuries. These include:
- Head and Neck Injuries: The sheer force that occurs during a crash with a large commercial truck can cause various types of head and neck injuries. The collision can jolt the head and neck, which often leads to a soft tissue injury known as “whiplash”. In more severe cases, the head can get slammed into hard objects such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. This can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs vary in severity from minor concussions that clear up after a couple of weeks to major injuries with lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The spinal column contains the nerve center that sends signals to other parts of the body. And when these signals are disrupted, it can cause various types of physical dysfunction. More serious spinal cord injuries may result in partial or full paralysis, which can be a permanent life-altering condition in some cases.
- Crush Injuries: A crash with an 18-wheeler can put those in the other vehicle in a precarious position where they are trapped in an enclosed area, resulting in a crush injury. Crush injuries can cause cuts, bruises, fractures, nerve damage, and damage to internal organs. In the most severe cases, this type of injury can damage a limb to the point where amputation is necessary.
- Internal Injuries: As mentioned in the previous point, the force of a semi-truck accident can throw someone’s internal organs out of place, which can result in very serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries. The worst thing about internal injuries is that they often go undetected until it is too late. This is one of the reasons it is very important to get prompt medical attention after a Gardendale, AL truck accident, even if you do not feel like you were injured.
- Burn Injuries: Because tractor-trailers have significantly larger fuel tanks than regular cars, they can cause major explosions if the location of the collision is close to the tank. Explosions often result in burn injuries to those who are nearby, and when someone suffers a third-degree burn, they can end up with scarring, disfigurement, and other permanent injuries.
- Wrongful Death: In the worst cases, trucking crashes can cause fatalities. When this occurs, the loved ones of the victim may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Alabama has very unique wrongful death laws, however, so be sure to work with a firm that thoroughly understands how to effectively pursue this type of claim.
As we have talked about, those who are involved in Gardendale, AL truck accidents should call for medical help right away to ensure that anyone who was hurt at the scene can receive prompt treatment. After being checked over by first responders, it might be necessary to go to one of the area medical facilities, such as:
- Gardendale Primary Care on Rocket Way in Gardendale.
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Primary Care on Decatur Hwy. in Gardendale.
- Gardendale Medical Center on Fieldstown Rd. in Gardendale.
- Grandview Medical Center on Grandview Pkwy. in Birmingham.
After you have been checked out by a medical professional and begun receiving treatment for your injuries, it is important to get started on your legal claim before too much time passes. Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injuries, but memories fade, and important evidence tends to disappear over time. For this reason, it is best to get in contact with an attorney at your earliest convenience.
Contact our Knowledgeable and Compassionate Gardendale, AL Truck Accident Attorneys
At Burge & Burge, we understand that a major truck crash can leave victims and their families with their lives turned upside down, and we are here to provide strong legal guidance and moral support during this difficult time. We will be your advocates against the large trucking companies and their well-funded legal teams, so you can focus on recovering from your injury and getting your life back on track.
To set up a free consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys, message us online or call our office today at 205-251-9000. We look forward to serving you!