Commercial Truck Accident Attorneys in Mobile, Alabama
There’s no dispute that enormous, powerful vehicles like semis and 18-wheelers rule this nation’s roadways. These vehicles deserve respect, thanks to their size and massive weight. Even the best-trained operators that follow the rules can become entangled in dangerous collisions. But, unfortunately, many operators and their employers don’t take proper precautions, and innocent drivers and their loved ones suffer the consequences.
If you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler, large truck, or other commercial vehicle, filing a lawsuit may be your best chance at protecting your rights. There’s a strong chance that the crash was due to driver negligence, and you have the right to pursue just compensation. At Hedge Copeland, PC, we fight for the rights of truck accident victims and their families throughout Alabama. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
Alabama Truck Accidents Can Be Devastating
Large commercial trucks are common across the state of Alabama as they are used to transport materials and goods within the state and throughout the country. But, sadly, these huge vehicles can be incredibly dangerous, and a crash can be much more serious than a typical car accident.
In Alabama alone, there are more than 9,000 truck-involved accidents each year, with roughly one-third of these take place on the interstate. The incredible size and weight of these machines increases the chance of a fatality or a serious injury.
Commercial truck crashes often result in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, burns, and facial injuries. If you were injured through no fault of your own, you have the right to pursue compensation for damages that include your medical bills, lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more.
Who is at Fault in a Truck Accident?
With any Alabama accident, you are entitled to compensation if you can show that the other side behaved in a manner that was reckless or negligent and that those actions are what led to your injuries. In a crash involving a truck, this might include:
- Speeding
- Failure to follow traffic laws
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while intoxicated
In general, if an action would be recognized as negligent or reckless by a reasonable person, then you likely have strong grounds for seeking compensation if the truck driver acted in the same manner.
There are additional factors to consider when it comes to trucking accidents. The government has created some strict regulations for commercial truck drivers that are meant to keep the roads and people like yourself safe. If commercial drivers fail to follow those rules, it could also mean that they acted negligently and recklessly, meaning you have the right to compensation for your injuries.
Some examples of these circumstances include:
- Driving without a CDL
- Driving more than the legally permitted hours for a commercial driver
- Not logging all of the miles or hours of driving
- Hauling loads that are above the legal weight limits
Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand how to determine and prove fault in these circumstances. We will fight vigorously for the compensation you deserve after a serious trucking accident.
Road Conditions that can Lead to Truck Accidents
A truck accident could result from various factors, including obstacles present on the road. A devastating or more severe crash could occur if there are obstacles on the road, whether or not a driver is operating their vehicle recklessly. A road flaw, due to improper design or maintenance, could also lead to a severe crash.
In such cases, the agency in charge of the road’s maintenance (typically a government body) may be held accountable in a truck accident suit.
Extreme Weather
Inclement weather can prove hazardous for a truck driver if they have not been appropriately trained to operate a truck in certain conditions. It can be particularly treacherous for truckers to drive in rainy and snowy weather because of the slower stopping speeds and the massive weight of the vehicle.
Truck drivers must travel at the right speed for every condition as well as learn correct braking techniques to avoid hydroplaning, skidding, or jackknifing.
Taking on the Big Trucking Companies
While the driver of a commercial truck is often at fault when a devastating crash occurs, these cases are unique in another respect. In many cases, the trucking company can also be liable for your damages.
This is particularly true when a trucking company fails to enforce federal or state regulations, requires that truck drivers ignore the rules, or has policies in place that incentivize drivers to break the law. Some examples of truck driving company behavior that could indicate negligence include:
- They require drivers to meet delivery deadlines or quotas that are impossible without breaking the law.
- They don’t require that drivers keep a logbook and don’t provide logbooks to drivers.
- They require drivers to haul oversized loads.
- They give incentives or bonuses that encourage unsafe, reckless driving.
- They fail to properly maintain their vehicles.
- They don’t conduct proper drug and alcohol or background screening on drivers.
Trucking companies are legally obligated to ensure that drivers are operating vehicles safely on the road and are in compliance with all government regulations. Failure to do this opens up these companies to being held responsible for any harm caused by their drivers.
One of the problems that trucking accident victims often face is the notion of David going up against Goliath. Trucking companies have deep pockets, and many have unfair procedures in place to protect their sizeable wallets. Company owners, insurance companies, and their lawyers will employ various tactics to ensure you don’t get what you deserve. Some of these include:
- Hiding evidence
- Stalling or avoiding contact
- Blaming you for the accident
- Offering you a settlement that is lower than what you deserve
- Refusing to pay anything
- Making you jump through unnecessary legal hoops
How Can a Mobile Truck Accident Attorney Help You?
If you’ve been the victim of an accident with a commercial truck or have lost a loved one to one of these devastating crashes, the experienced truck accident lawyers at Hedge Copeland, PC, are committed to maximizing your recovery.
Our legal team works with several accident investigators that can break down and reconstruct the accident scene. Our truck accident investigation team will determine what caused this devastating collision, whether it was driver error, improper loading, faulty mechanical equipment, or something else.
Some of the ways that we prove fault in a trucking accident case include:
- Witness statements
- Accident reports
- Surveillance camera footage
- Past complaints about drivers or the trucking company
- Driver logs
- Black box data showing speed, acceleration, braking, and turning data
We understand that this is a difficult time, but accident victims should never feel as if they have nowhere to turn for help. You have rights, and getting the compensation you deserve from the responsible parties is one way to secure justice. Our team will fight for you and deliver the representation you need.
Contact our Mobile office today at 251-432-8844 to schedule a free consultation. We will thoroughly review your case and explain your rights. You won’t pay us a dime unless we recover on your behalf. These are time-sensitive matters, so call us to find out how we can help.
