Alabama Truck Accident Attorneys

Alabama Truck Accident Attorneys

Working with Clients Who Have Been Injured in Alabama Truck Crashes

According to data¹ released by the Alabama Department of Transportation, there were more than 2,000 people injured in accidents involving large trucks during 2014. Because these vehicles pose a significant risk of injury to other motorists, nearly every aspect of the industry is regulated by state and federal law. For example, Alabama state law sets the length of time that truck drivers must keep their log books beyond the federal requirements and also imposes taxes on carriers that operate within the state.

Unfortunately, truck accidents continue to occur regardless of these regulations, sometimes leaving victims with extremely serious injuries. Below is some information regarding truck accidents in Alabama and the steps victims should take to protect their rights.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

There are many things about large commercial trucks like semis and tanker trucks that make them different from smaller passenger vehicles. For one thing, they are much larger and heavier than other cars and trucks on the road, making them less maneuverable and often more difficult to stop. Additionally, they often consistent of multiple parts connected by a moveable joint, much like a train or a tram. These qualities make them more susceptible to certain types of accidents, including the following:

• Rollover accidents
• Jackknife accidents
• Rear-end accidents
• Sideswipe accidents
• T-Bone accidents

What Causes Alabama Truck Accidents?

There are a variety of things that can cause serious truck accidents, many of which are the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver or another party responsible for the truck’s operation. Some of these include the following:

What You Should Do after a Truck Accident

Unfortunately for victims, compensation for your losses does not happen automatically. There are certain steps that you should take after a wreck in order to protect your rights, including the following:

• Collect information about your accident, like the name of the truck driver, the company he or she works for, the truck’s license plate and DOT number, and contact information from people who may have seen it.
• See your physician as soon as you can. Being evaluated by a doctor will ensure that your injuries are correctly identified and treated, and also that an official record of them is generated
• Contact a lawyer. A lawyer will protect your rights and make sure that you get as much compensation as possible for your losses.

Why You Need an Alabama Truck Accident Attorney

People who are involved in accidents with large commercial trucks should always retain an attorney. Trucking companies are fully aware of the fact that they operate in a high-risk industry, which means that they will have a team of lawyers ready to go to fight any case they can. Even if they admit liability, insurance company adjusters are trained to minimize the amount they pay out on claims. The representation of a an Alabama truck accident attorney familiar with the trucking industry and trucking regulations will ensure that you receive the full and fair value of your claim and protect your right to recover.

¹ http://drivesafealabama.org/uploads/files/ALDOT-2014CrashFactsBook.pdf