Alabama
Truck Accident Lawyer

When a massive 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle on Alabama’s highways, the consequences can be catastrophic. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in the Yellowhammer State, an Alabama truck accident lawyer can be your lifeline in navigating the complex aftermath. 

From I-65 cutting through Birmingham to I-20 stretching across the state, Alabama’s roads see their fair share of truck traffic – and, unfortunately, truck-related crashes.

TopDog Law’s network of top-performing lawyers understands the devastating impact a truck accident can have on your life. They have helped truck accident victims and their families throughout Alabama, witnessing first-hand the physical, emotional, and financial trauma truck accidents leave in their wake.

Our network of experienced attorneys knows Alabama’s roads, laws, and the unique challenges that truck accident cases present. They are ready to fight for your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve.

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Your Guide to Truck Accident in Alabama

James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

Why Truck Accidents Are Often More Severe

Truck accidents tend to result in more severe injuries and fatalities compared to other motor vehicle crashes. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make them formidable forces on the road. 

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, dwarfing the average passenger car at around 4,000 pounds. This enormous weight difference means that even a low-speed collision can have catastrophic consequences.

The height and length of trucks also contribute to their danger. Their high center of gravity increases the risk of rollover accidents, while their length creates significant blind spots, making it harder for truck drivers to see surrounding vehicles. 

Additionally, trucks require much longer stopping distances, especially when fully loaded or traveling at highway speeds.

Types of Injuries in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries. Some of the most common include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Severe burns
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Internal organ damage
  • Amputations
  • Whiplash and neck injuries

Truck accident injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disability, requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of such injuries can be overwhelming for victims and their families.

Truck Accident Attorney

Common Types of Truck Crashes in Alabama

The size, weight, and shape of tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles present unique dangers on the road. While commercial drivers behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler or commercial semi-truck are certified professional drivers, that doesn’t mean they always drive with caution and respect for others on the road. 

In one recent year, nearly 10,500 commercial truck crashes occurred in Alabama, killing 162 people and injuring 2,417 others, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation. When passenger vehicles are involved in truck accidents, the occupants of the smaller vehicles bear the brunt of the collision. Many of those who survive a commercial truck accident in Alabama are left with catastrophic injuries.   

Common types of Alabama truck crashes include:

Jackknife Accidents

These occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle from the cab, resembling a folding knife. Jackknifing often happens due to sudden braking or slippery road conditions.

Rollover Accidents 

A truck’s high center of gravity makes it prone to rolling over, especially during sharp turns or when struck from the side. These accidents are particularly dangerous as they can involve multiple vehicles.

T-bone accidents

A truck that runs red lights or stop signs or fails to yield can crash into the side of a passenger vehicle with catastrophic results.

Underride Collisions 

One of the most horrific types of truck accidents, underride collisions happen when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer. These often result in severe injuries or fatalities.

Override Collisions 

Large commercial trucks can roll over the tops of smaller vehicles, crushing them underneath. 

Tire Blowouts

When a truck’s tire fails at high speed, the driver can lose control, potentially leading to multi-vehicle pileups.

Wide Turn Accidents

Also known as “squeeze play” accidents, these occur when a truck swings wide to make a turn, potentially crushing or sideswiping vehicles in its blind spot.

Considering the complex laws and trucking regulations governing the commercial trucking industry and the number of potentially liable parties, Alabama truck accident cases can be incredibly complex.  

TopDog Law’s network of experienced Alabama truck accident lawyers knows how to investigate truck accidents for liability and open avenues for your maximum compensation. 

Time Limits on Alabama Truck Accident Cases

Alabama law sets a strict timeline for initiating legal proceedings after a truck accident. You have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. This period, known as the statute of limitations, is inflexible. Failing to act within this window typically results in the courts barring your claim, regardless of its merit.

The statute of limitations underscores the importance of hiring an experienced Alabama truck accident attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident. 

As days turn into weeks and months, gathering critical evidence can become increasingly challenging. Witness recollections fade, physical evidence disappears, the trucking company may hound you for a lowball settlement, and building a solid case grows more complex.

TopDog Law’s network of results-driven Alabama truck accident lawyers is ready to fight for you, no matter where in Alabama you live. They understand the complexities of truck accident cases and will work hard to protect your rights, meet critical deadlines, and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries

Truck accident victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:

  • Medical expenses (current and future)
  • Lost wages 
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death: The grief and trauma of losing a loved one in a truck accident cannot be overstated and should never be minimized or undervalued. If the unthinkable has happened and you lost a loved one, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, loss of future income, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other damages.

In cases of extreme negligence or misconduct, punitive damages may also be awarded. In a truck accident case, the court may award the victim punitive damages to punish a trucking company whose gross negligence or misconduct caused the truck accident. 

For instance, a trucking company with a record of serious safety violations and accidents may have to pay the victim punitive damages when their actions caused the crash.

An experienced Alabama truck accident lawyer in TopDog’s attorney network can help you understand what types of compensation you may be eligible for based on the specifics of your case.

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How An Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

TopDog Law connects injured individuals with qualified, experienced, and top-performing personal injury attorneys in your area. When you reach out to TopDog Law, they will assess your claim and connect you with an Alabama truck accident lawyer who can:

  • Investigate the accident thoroughly, gathering crucial evidence
  • Identify all potentially liable parties, which in truck accidents can include the driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, and others
  • Handle all communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel
  • Calculate the full extent of your damages, including future medical costs and lost wages or income
  • Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement or take your case to trial if necessary

The trucking company and their insurers will have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. Having a skilled attorney on your side levels the playing field and gives you the best chance at receiving fair compensation for all of your damages.

Call TopDog Today

James Helm with Phone and Cash Bag

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Alabama Office

950 22nd Street N. Suite 600
Birmingham AL 35203

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