Truck Accident Attorneys in Birmingham, Alabama
When a collision happens between a passenger vehicle and a semi truck, it’s nearly always the smaller vehicle that suffers the most damage. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 90,000 large trucks are involved in injury crashes each year and close to 4,000 lives are lost in these tragic accidents. Unfortunately, too many of these accidents are caused by the negligence of trucking companies or truck drivers.
If you have been injured in a truck accident or a loved one killed, the Alabama truck accident attorneys at Burge & Burge, PC will fight for the care and compensation you deserve.
The Most Common Types of Trucking Accidents
The trucking industry is a $725 billion industry in the U.S. There are currently more than 31 million trucks operating in this country, over 3 million of which are large tractor trailers. These trucks log close to 280 billion miles on our nation’s roads each year, so it’s not surprising that accidents occur with increasing frequency. The most common types of trucking accidents that we see include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Roll-overs
- Jackknife accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Underride accidents
- Blind spot accidents
Major Causes of Alabama Truck Accidents
The sheer number of trucks on the roadways contribute to these dangerous accidents, as do the unreasonable demands of trucking companies and the lack of standards for truck drivers. Some of the most common causes of Alabama truck accidents include:
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Excessive speed
- Tire, brake, or other equipment problems
- Driver fatigue
- Roadway issues
- Following too closely
- Lack of familiarity with roadways
- Tire problems
- Unstable cargo
Devastating Injuries From Large Truck Accidents
A typical tractor trailer weighs 80,000 pounds when completely empty and is a tremendous force when involved in an accident. When a truck accident occurs, particularly with a standard motor vehicle, the extreme weight of the truck is a key factor in the catastrophic nature of the resulting injuries. Common truck accident injuries include:
- Broken and fracture bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Brain injury
- Loss of limbs
- Severe burns
- Quadriplegia/Paraplegia
- Death
If you’re involved in a trucking accident, you might be entitled to damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, and pain and suffering.
Who is to Blame When a Truck Accident Occurs?
Although we refer to these truck crashes as “accidents,” few collisions involving large trucks are truly accidental. Someone is usually at fault when an enormous truck crashes into a car, person, train, or business and causes catastrophic property damage, injury, or death.
In the past, many trucking companies required that truck drivers sign on as independent contractors so that they could minimize their liability and their costs. This is no longer permitted, so pursuing a trucking company in one of these cases is more straightforward. Instead, truck companies now pour their resources into hiring top defense attorneys to minimize damages and vigorously defend these cases. This is why it’s more important than ever to have a reputable Alabama truck lawyer in your corner.
A trucking company can be held liable for failing to maintain their trucks, not hiring trained or competent drivers, and allowing cargo to be loaded improperly. A truck driver might be held liable for driving under the influence, driving aggressively, or for ignoring other rules and regulations. There may also be negligence on the part of a tire, brake, or other parts manufacturer if failure caused an accident.
How Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents
Truck accidents are only similar to car accidents in a few ways. When you get into an accident with a truck, you will need to show that the other driver was negligent (at fault) and that their negligence caused your injuries. Unfortunately, truck accident cases are complex, and this is where the similarities end.
Because the trucking industry is federally-regulated, there are additional rules in place that require more evidence and investigation when these accidents occur. A trucking accident investigation will review:
- The truck driver’s log book, which shows how long they were on the road in the past 24 hours
- The truck driver’s medical certificate showing that they are cleared to drive
- The truck’s on-board computer, which will reveal key data about the crash and the events leading up to the accident.
While these pieces of evidence can help prove that the truck driver or trucking company were negligent in the accident, they could be lost forever if immediate steps aren’t taken to preserve evidence. An experienced truck accident attorney understands the process necessary to gather evidence and investigate these complicated incidents.
Recent Major Alabama Truck Accidents
- March 2017:An Alabama man and 16-month old baby were killed on I-85 after their vehicle was struck by an 18-wheeler.
- February 2017:21 people were injured, including four Alabama college students, when a truck ran into a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.
- June 2016:Four people were killed and one injured in Chilton County, Alabama when a tractor trailer loaded with logs collided with a vehicle.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Truck Accident
If you’re involved in a truck accident, call the police immediately so that you have official documentation of the incident. Seek medical care for your injuries. Take photos of the accident scene, or ask someone else to do this on your behalf. Gather as much information as you can about the truck, its driver, and any witnesses.
Avoid giving statements to insurance or trucking company representatives. Despite their claims, these people do not have your best interests in mind. Their job is to save the trucking or insurance company as much money as possible. Instead, contact a truck accident lawyer who can give you sound advice.
Truck Accidents Require the Assistance of an Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident involving a heavy truck such as a tractor trailer, semi-trailer, 18-wheeler, construction truck, or dump truck, seek the assistance of an experienced and reputable Alabama truck accident lawyer. Our aggressive and caring attorneys can explain your legal options and work to pursue the highest level of financial compensation possible for your injuries. Contact our skilled accident lawyer team today at 205-545-8291 or 877-388-3749 for a free consultation.