Whether or not you drive an 18-wheeler or another type of truck, you have a vested interest in where truck accidents happen in Alabama. You likely drive by semi-trucks on a consistent basis, particularly if you use the highway often or live near a commercial hub. Considering the damage a semi-truck can do, you should know where you are most at risk and where you need to be cautious.
If you or a loved one was recently hurt in a truck accident in Alabama, contact our truck accident attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. We understand how devastating an unexpected crash with a large truck can be. We will go above and beyond to protect your rights and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve under the law. Call our Alabama big truck wreck lawyers today at (205) 933-1500.
Urban vs. Rural Accidents
Of all traffic fatalities in Alabama in 2015, 480 occurred in a rural environment and 249 took place in an urban environment, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported. While this statistic does not break out large trucks from other types of vehicles, it is not over-reaching to assume truck fatalities had a similar imbalance.
Additionally, Alabama’s trend of a greater number of rural traffic deaths corresponds with national trends. Overall, the U.S. tends to see more auto accident fatalities in rural areas than in urban places. Though the number of traffic deaths in rural areas has been decreasing overall since 1999, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Meanwhile, the number of urban traffic deaths are rising over time, gradually catching up to rural area auto deaths. The IIHS also found a majority of large truck accident deaths occurred in rural areas. In 2015, there were 421 large truck deaths in rural areas and only 155 fatalities in urban spaces.
Fatal Truck Accidents by County
According to the NHTSA, many counties in Alabama did not have any fatal large truck crashes in 2015. However, 37 counties had between one and five truck accident deaths while three counties had between six and 15 truck accident fatalities. The counties with the highest number of truck accident deaths were:
- Jefferson County with 11 fatalities
- Montgomery County with 8 fatalities
- Tuscaloosa County with 6 fatalities
Recovering Compensation After a Truck Accident
If you were in a truck accident in a rural or urban environment, you may have the right to recover compensation. So long as you have evidence that another party caused the crash, then through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfiguration
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Property loss or damage
Contact our big truck wreck lawyers right away. Truck accidents are more complicated than vehicle crashes. They require protecting and preserving evidence, conducting a more in-depth investigation, and hiring more expert witnesses. They can be incredibly difficult to handle on your own, and working without a truck accident attorney reduces your likelihood of obtaining a settlement for the amount you truly deserve.
Did You Lose a Loved One?
If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, contact us immediately. We can explain your options for continuing an Alabama survival claim or filing a wrongful death claim. If your loved one had the chance to file a personal injury lawsuit based on the big truck wreck but then passed away, your relative’s estate may be able to continue that suit for them. This enables the estate to pursue the compensation your loved one deserve under the law.
Whether or not there is a survival claim available, your loved one’s estate may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. Under Alabama law, the personal representative of your loved one’s estate can ask for punitive damages.
Contact Our Alabama Big Truck Wreck Lawyers Today
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a big truck wreck, it is time to obtain skilled and experienced legal counsel. Contact our truck accident lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. to learn about your rights and legal options in this difficult situation. Call us today at (205) 933-1500. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a serious truck accident in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, or Montgomery, call an experienced personal injury attorney at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. today at (205) 933-1500.
