Daphne Truck Accident Lawyers

If you’ve ever seen a truck start to merge into your lane while you were right in the middle of their blind spot, you know just how frightening these massive vehicles can be. Given that they can easily be 20 times heavier than a passenger vehicle, it should come as no surprise that tractor-trailers can cause an incredible amount of damage at any speed.

When you or someone you love gets hurt in a crash, it’s important to act quickly and learn more about your legal options. Evidence is an essential part of any injury claim, and unless you talk to a lawyer right away, you risk losing a lot of the available evidence.

We’re here to help you fight for what is right. Take the first step now by calling Hedge Copeland at 251-432-8844.

How Do Truck Accidents Happen?

Accident statistics from the Alabama Department of Transportation provide some insight into what causes these crashes. Their research indicates that there were over 8,500 trust crashes in Alabama in 2020, many of which were caused by unsafe lane changes, a failure to yield right of way, unseen obstacles, and tailgating.

There are several types of truck accidents that can affect victims like you. Some of the most common you may see on Alabama roads include:

• Rear-end accidents: These occur when a truck driver does not stop in time or a driver cuts off the truck, not realizing that they are right in the truck’s blind spot. These tend to be far worse than rear-end collisions involving just passenger vehicles, as the passenger vehicle in front can be crushed by the truck.
• Underride accidents: When a passenger vehicle driver doesn’t stop in time behind a truck, they often get caught underneath the truck’s carriage. These accidents can be fatal.
• Head-on crashes: Head-on collisions involving trucks often involve fatalities. These crashes tend to occur when one party is impaired, fatigued, or confused.
• Rollover accidents: Among the worst truck accidents you’ll ever see are rollover crashes. The truck’s higher center of gravity makes rollovers a significant risk. This type of crash tends to occur during tight turns or swerves to avoid obstacles.
• Jackknife collisions: If a truck driver loses control of their vehicle, the back of the truck can swing out from the cab. They get locked in this position and swing around the highway, often causing multiple crashes.
• Sideswipe accidents: If a driver is in a truck’s blind spot and the truck driver starts to switch lanes, they may cause a sideswipe crash.
• Wide turn collisions: Sometimes, truck drivers swing out left before turning right to compensate for how tight right turns can be. When this occurs, they may accidentally hit cars in other lanes. Cars in the right lane can also get stuck.

Collisions in Alabama

In general, truck crashes have steadily become more serious in Alabama. Fatalities hit a low in 2012 when 90 people died in truck crashes. In 2020, that number was 130. Crashes are common on interstates and state routes. Truck crashes in general are fairly common on city roads, but there are very few truck crash fatalities on city roads. Local highways like U.S. Highway 98 and U.S. Highway 90 in Daphne may see their fair share of truck collisions, while smaller city roads may be considerably safer.

Fighting for Fair Compensation

Truck accidents typically involve far more compensation than passenger vehicle accidents, simply because collisions tend to cause more bodily harm and property damage. Commercial trucks are required to be covered by much larger insurance policies than smaller vehicles.

Those transporting oil must have $1,000,000 of liability insurance, while those carrying hazardous materials need $5,000,000 of coverage. Drivers are also subject to federal insurance limits if they drive interstate. Vehicles transporting freight are subject to federal minimums of $750,0000 to $5,000,000, depending on what type of cargo they carry.

All this is to say that you do have options when you are seriously injured in a truck accident. Since claims are generally subject to the limits of the vehicle’s coverage, you stand a better chance of recovering fair and full compensation in a truck collision.

You’ll still need to prove who is liable and how the accident has harmed you, however. Possible liable parties in a truck crash include either driver, the truck driver’s employer, the cargo loading company, the government, and the truck manufacturer. Sorting through the bare facts of these cases is challenging, which is one reason you should connect with a Daphne truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Once you are able to prove liability and damages, you may be able to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills and related expenses
• Future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Lost future earning opportunities
• Property damage
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish

Your attorney will look at the details of your case and get a better understanding of what you may be able to receive.

How Hedge Copeland Can Help

Our team is committed to helping accident victims get the fair compensation they deserve from negligent parties. A truck accident can derail your career, leave you with significant injuries, and traumatize you to the point that you never want to drive again. Why should you be left with the array of expenses caused by a negligent truck driver?

We know that truck drivers and their employers are bound by a range of state and federal regulations that limit driving hours, inspections, and mileage. Additionally, trucks generally have black boxes and trucking logs that provide more evidence for your claim. We’re ready to access every piece of evidence available to us and use it to build your case.

Most truck accident claims settle out of court. If yours doesn’t, we will represent you in court and fight fiercely for a fair outcome.

Contact Us Now to Discuss Your Accident Claim

Are you ready to take the first step in your truck accident claim? So are we. Call Hedge Copeland at 251-432-8844 or contact us online now.