If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our Alabama personal injury law firm today. At Belt, Bruner & Barnett, we have the experience and resources to fight back against large trucking companies that deny you the compensation you deserve. Call our truck accident attorneys today at 205-933-1500.
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), there were 5,798 accidents on Alabama roadways involving large trucks in 2012. Unfortunately, a recent study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that driver inexperience and improper training are among the top 10 risk factors that consistently contribute to accidents involving trucks.
When trucking companies fail to adequately train their drivers, the results can be devastating. In fact, 3,660 people were killed in accidents involving trucks in 2014 and the majority of those victims included occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. In Alabama, truck accidents resulted in 1,983 injuries in 2013. Some of the most common truck accident injuries involve:
What are the Training Requirements for Truck Drivers?
Because trucks often weigh 20-30 times that of passenger cars, carry potentially hazardous cargo, and are much more difficult to maneuver, drivers must receive proper training in order to learn how to operate these vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. When it comes to training requirements, truck drivers are subject to both state and federal regulations.
Commercial truck drivers are required to meet higher standards with regard to technical skills, experience, and physical ability than other drivers on the road. In order to drive a commercial truck, individuals must:
- Obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) through their state of residence, which requires them to pass a skills and knowledge test.
- Perform a comprehensive road test, which includes the inspection of the truck, controls test, and knowledge on how to properly secure cargo.
- Pass a pre-employment screening, which includes a background check and review of the prospective employee’s driving record.
- Undergo a medical exam to ensure that he or she meets the necessary physical requirements.
Liability for Truck Accidents Caused by Inadequate Driver Training
Employers are responsible for ensuring that their drivers are properly trained to comply with applicable regulations and have the skills and knowledge necessary to safely operate their vehicles. When a trucking company fails to receive adequate training or perform a background check, they may be held legally responsible for any injuries that their drivers cause.
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your past and future:
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Property loss or damage
Determining liability in an accident involving a commercial truck can be incredibly complex. You will need the help of an experienced trucking accident lawyer who can investigate the cause of the accident to establish who is responsible, collect valuable evidence in support of your claim, and aggressively advocate on your behalf. At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., our tractor trailer accident lawyers have extensive experience handling truck accident cases and will fight for the maximum compensation available.
How Our Alabama Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You
The truck accident attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. understand how truck accident cases work and have more than 65 years of combined experience helping victims throughout Alabama recover the compensation they deserve. Our successful track record includes obtaining a $12.5 million recovery in a commercial truck accident case. While the amount and type of compensation depend on the specific facts of each case, we always work to achieve the best possible result for our clients.
Contact us today at 205-933-1500 for a free consultation regarding your accident. With offices in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our truck accident attorneys will quickly travel anywhere in the state of Alabama to investigate your case.
