An 18-wheeler accident can cause devastating injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Victims may face extensive medical treatment, time away from work, and significant financial losses.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Huntsville, Alabama, Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation. Contact us at 256-781-9242 for a free consultation with a Huntsville 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an 18-Wheeler Accident Case in Huntsville, AL
Truck accident claims can involve more evidence and more parties than a common car accident case. The driver, trucking company, truck owner, or another business may share fault.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers handles serious personal injury cases in Alabama.
Our Huntsville truck accident lawyers can help by:
- Looking into how the crash happened
- Gathering truck and driver records
- Finding the parties at fault
- Reviewing medical bills and lost income
- Dealing with insurance companies
- Seeking payment through a settlement or lawsuit
An early review can help protect records before they are lost or deleted. Contact our Huntsville personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.
What Causes 18-Wheeler Accidents?
Truck drivers spend long hours on the road and must control vehicles that can weigh many times more than a car. A small mistake can lead to a major crash.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Tired driving
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Poor truck maintenance
- Improper loading
- Unsafe turns
- Driving too fast for road conditions
Some crashes happen because of more than one problem. For example, a tired driver may also be speeding or driving a poorly maintained truck.
Finding the cause can help show which people or companies may be responsible.
Who May Be Liable for an 18-Wheeler Crash?
The truck driver is not always the only party at fault. A company may also be responsible for choices that helped cause the crash.
Possible at-fault parties include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck owner
- A repair company
- A cargo loading company
- Another careless driver
A trucking company may be at fault for poor hiring, weak training, or unsafe work rules. It may also be responsible for some acts of its driver.
A lawyer can review the work ties and company records to find out who may be part of the claim.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Truck Accident Claim?
Truck crashes often create records that do not exist in a normal car accident case. Some of this proof may be held by the trucking company.
Useful evidence may include:
- Police reports
- Photos and videos
- Witness statements
- Driver logs
- Truck inspection records
- Repair records
- Electronic truck data
- Dash camera footage
- Cargo records
- Cell phone records
Some records may only be kept for a limited time. Acting early can help protect evidence before it is lost.
A lawyer can also compare truck records with crash evidence to see whether safety rules were broken.
What Injuries Can 18-Wheeler Accidents Cause?
The size and weight of a large truck can cause severe injuries in a crash. People in smaller vehicles often face the greatest risk.
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Cuts and scars
- Lasting disability
Some injuries may need surgery or months of care. Others can affect a person for the rest of their life.
Medical records can help show both the type of injury and the care that may be needed later.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A person hurt because of someone else’s careless actions may seek payment for the harm caused by the crash. The amount depends on the injuries and other facts.
A truck accident claim may include payment for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lasting injuries or disability
The value of a claim can also depend on insurance limits and how long the injuries affect the person’s life.
How Does Alabama Contributory Negligence Affect a Truck Accident Claim?
Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. In many cases, an injured person who is found to have helped cause the accident may be blocked from recovering damages.
This rule can make fault disputes very important in Alabama truck accident cases. A trucking company or insurer may try to blame the injured person for part of the crash.
Because even a small share of fault may affect the claim, it is important to review the evidence carefully.
How Long Do You Have to File an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit in Alabama?
Alabama generally gives an injured person two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Some cases may have different deadlines or extra rules. It is also helpful to start gathering proof well before the filing deadline.
Truck data may be erased, witnesses may become harder to find, and other records can be lost. An early review can help preserve useful evidence.
Contact a Huntsville 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
An 18-wheeler crash may involve a driver, trucking company, truck owner, and other businesses. Finding each party at fault can be an important part of the claim.
A Huntsville 18-wheeler truck accident attorney at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can look into the crash, gather proof, and seek payment for your losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.