If you were injured in a truck accident in Huntsville, Alabama, you have the right to pursue compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses you suffered. A Huntsville truck accident lawyer from Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Contact us at 256-666-4660.
Truck accidents are some of the most devastating crashes that someone can be involved in in Huntsville, AL. Trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. When they crash into a much smaller passenger vehicle, the occupants in the passenger vehicle often suffer catastrophic injuries that forever alter their futures.
Our Huntsville personal injury attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims just like you. Let us put our experience and resources to use for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Huntsville truck accident attorney.
How Can a Huntsville Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
After a truck accident in Huntsville, AL, you may be dealing with serious injuries, significant pain, and an uncertain future. You have enough on your plate right now. You should not have to worry about insurance companies trying to take advantage of you or minimize your compensation, but that’s precisely what they do.
The Huntsville truck accident lawyers from Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers have 93 years of combined experience. We understand the ins and outs of truck accident claims and can help with every phase of your case so you can focus on your recovery.
When you hire our law firm, we can:
- Investigate the crash, collect evidence to establish liability, and identify all at-fault parties
- Provide you with legal advice targeted to your particular case
- Connect you with medical providers who can treat your injuries
- Handle communication with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
- Assess the full extent of your damages to prepare a claim for maximum compensation
- Represent you during negotiations with insurance companies and at trial, if necessary
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review with a Huntsville personal injury attorney or a car accident lawyer.
Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 156,779 truck accidents occurred in the United States in 2023. 121 people died, and another 156,779 were injured in truck accidents in Alabama.
What Type Of Compensation Can I Recover In a Truck Accident Case?
In a truck accident case, you may be able to file a compensation claim for the following types of damages or losses:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate truck accident victims for the financial losses they suffer in an accident.
This could include money for:
- Medical bills, including emergency transportation, surgery, hospital stays, in-home nursing care, follow-up visits, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
You can use medical records, check stubs, receipts, invoices, and estimates to prove the cost of these damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages recognize that accident victims may suffer harm that cannot be easily quantified. They compensate accident victims for non-financial losses such as pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Accident victims often deal with considerable pain due to their injuries, as well as emotional harm after suffering a disabling injury.
Records of your pain and visits to therapists to help process these difficult emotions can help you establish your right to non-economic damages.
What Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Every truck accident case is different.
To determine your case’s potential value, a personal injury attorney will consider questions such as:
- What types of injuries did you suffer?
- Did you suffer permanent injuries?
- Do your injuries prevent you from returning to work?
- Who is responsible for the crash?
- Is there more than one party at fault for your crash?
- What insurance is available to cover your losses?
- Did you contribute to the accident?
- What is the value of your economic damages?
- What is the extent of your pain and suffering?
The best way to learn the value of your case is to have an experienced attorney investigate it.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Partially To Blame For The Accident?
Alabama is one of a few states that use a contributory negligence system. Under this law, if an accident victim is found at all at fault for an accident, they cannot recover any financial compensation for their injuries. So, even if the trucking company is responsible for 99% of the accident and you are responsible for 1%, your claim can be barred.
Insurance companies know this and will try to blame victims for the accident to get out of paying them the compensation they deserve. An experienced truck accident lawyer can protect you from false allegations.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can occur for many reasons, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Inadequate training
- Poorly maintained trucks
- Equipment failure
- Vehicle defects
- Improper loading
- Overloaded trucks
- Cargo shifts
- Road conditions
An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident and identify who is responsible for it.
Who Is Responsible for Truck Accidents?
One of the aspects of truck accident cases that make these claims more complicated than car accident cases is that they may involve the negligence of more than one party. Potential at-fault parties in a truck accident include:
Truck Driver
Truck drivers may make errors or violate laws that cause truck accidents, such as:
- Speeding
- Hours of service violations
- Following too closely
- Failing to check blind spots
- Driving in an impaired state
- Making too wide of turns
- Overcorrecting after making a mistake
An experienced truck accident lawyer can gather evidence to help show the truck driver was at fault.
Truck Company
Trucking companies are legally responsible for the negligent actions of their drivers.
They can also be held liable for their own acts of negligence, such as:
- Hiring unqualified drivers
- Failing to provide adequate training
- Failing to monitor drivers
- Not conducting mandatory drug and alcohol tests
- Failing to maintain their fleet
- Encouraging or requiring drivers to violate hours of service rules
- Failing to conduct pre-and post-trip inspections
An experienced truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to obtain documentation and other evidence to establish truck company liability.
Truck Owner
In some trucking operations, truck companies may lease their trucks from the owner of the truck. Truck owners may be responsible for accidents caused by maintenance issues.
Maintenance Company
Truck companies sometimes outsource the maintenance of their fleet to a third-party maintenance company or mechanic. If these parties complete negligent repairs, they may be responsible for accidents in which these actions contributed to the accident.
Cargo Loading Company
A third party may be responsible for loading a truck. If they do not properly load cargo, it can shift during transit, potentially causing the truck to jackknife and cause a serious accident.
How Do I Prove Fault In a Truck Accident?
Experienced attorneys know how to identify, collect, and preserve valuable evidence in truck accident cases, including:
- Event data recorders
- Physical damage to the truck and all other involved vehicles
- On-board camera footage
- Accident reports
- Maintenance records
- Personnel records
- Photos of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Surveillance camera or dashcam footage
Contact us today so we can launch an immediate investigation.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident In Huntsville, AL?
The moments after a truck accident can be confusing and disorienting. Try to stay calm and take these steps in the aftermath of an accident:
Report the Accident
The truck driver may try to convince you not to report the accident because they are afraid of losing their job or getting behind schedule, but you will need an accident report to establish the crash occurred. Also, a law enforcement officer can conduct a preliminary investigation to determine how the accident occurred and may cite the driver for a traffic violation.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical attention so your injuries can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Get The Driver’s Information
Ask the driver for their name, contact information, and insurance information. Write down their driver’s license number, license plate number, and U.S. DOT number.
Take Pictures
Take pictures of the accident scene, any debris on the roadway, and your injuries.
Ask Witnesses For Their Information
Ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
Consult With An Attorney
Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options for moving forward.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit In Alabama?
The Alabama personal injury statute of limitations gives accident victims two years to file a lawsuit based on negligence. This deadline is critical as missing it can result in forfeiting your right to compensation.
Contact Us Today for Help With Your Huntsville Truck Accident Lawsuit
A Huntsville truck accident lawyer from Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can help if you are injured in a truck accident in Huntsville, AL. We can investigate your case, handle communications, manage your claims, and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free case review.