The Difference Between a Truck Accident and a Car Accident
Trucking accidents can leave you injured, out of work, and unsure of what steps to take next. To make matters worse, pursuing a personal injury claim after a truck accident is far more complicated than a typical car accident claim. That’s why you need an experienced Birmingham 18-wheeler accident lawyer on your side.
The veteran Birmingham truck accident attorneys at Serious Injury Law Group understand what you are going through and the challenges you are facing. Our firm is solely focused on personal injury cases, so we have the skills and the resources to take on your truck accident claim. As a locally owned law firm, we are committed to helping the community we serve, and we care about the clients we represent. We will work closely with you throughout your case to make sure you are taken care of.
Don’t hesitate to learn more about your legal options after a truck accident. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation. We’re available to meet with you wherever you need, whether it’s in your home, at the hospital, or over the phone.
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different?
In Alabama, truck accidents can happen anywhere from a two-lane road to major highways like I-65 and I-20. But no matter where they happen, you should know that a trucking accident can be significantly different from a crash involving two passenger cars. Some of the key ways that a trucking accident is different include:
- Standards for commercial truck drivers. Everyone needs a license to operate a vehicle on the road, but commercial truck drivers must meet higher standards. These include advanced training, experience, and not having a medical condition that could affect their control of the vehicle. Commercial truck drivers are operating powerful pieces of equipment at high speed, so it’s critical that they meet legal standards and have documentation to back it up.
- Complex state and federal laws. In a semi-truck accident case, there may be many more laws that apply than in a normal car accident. For example, if the trucking company is involved in shipping cargo across states, then federal laws may apply, while if they’re only shipping within the state, then state laws may apply. There are rules on cargo weight, truck standards, maintenance requirements, driver rest, and how/when different types of cargo may be shipped. It’s important to understand the many different rules that could apply in your case.
- Many potentially liable parties. In an accident between a truck and a car, many people assume that the truck driver is the only one liable. This often isn’t true. In a truck accident, many parties may be responsible beyond the driver, such as the trucking company that hired them, insurance companies, brokers who coordinated the shipment, shippers who loaded the cargo, manufacturers of defective truck parts, and many others. Sometimes it’s not clear at first what caused an accident, so it’s important to understand who was involved and who can be held liable for your injuries.
- Complex insurance policies. Since many different parties may be responsible for the accident, there may be many different insurance policies involved. It can be challenging to figure out who is covered by what policy and in what situations. A semi-truck accident attorney from our firm can review the policies and figure out which may apply.
- More severe injuries. Trucks are enormously powerful and heavy pieces of equipment. On top of this, they’re often carrying heavy or even dangerous cargo. Whether moving at high or low speed, they can easily cause you and your loved ones serious injuries in an accident. Severe injuries typically require costly and long-term treatment, which can leave you out of work if not permanently disabled. It is crucial that you work with an attorney who can properly evaluate your losses and demand full compensation in your case.
- Complicated investigations. An Alabama truck accident attorney from our firm will work quickly to preserve all the evidence in your case before it is lost or destroyed. We will also demand all evidence and records from the trucking company pertaining to your wreck. This may include hiring records, training records, driver history, and hours of service logs, as well as information from the truck’ event data recorder. All of this evidence, as well as accident reconstruction analysis, can help show the cause of your crash and who is at fault.
Demanding Maximum Compensation for Damages
Damages in an 18-wheeler accident case may include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost opportunities, and other financial harms. Compensation may also include payment for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other psychological and emotional harm. If you’ve lost a loved one in a crash, an 18-wheeler accident lawyer may also be able to pursue damages for wrongful death. Talk to a commercial trucking accident lawyer now about the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Types of Severe Truck Accident Injuries
In a trucking accident, serious injuries are common and may include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
How Our Alabama Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you have been involved in a trucking accident, it’s important to start building your claim as soon as possible. At Serious Injury Law Group, we have deep roots in Alabama. So we are committed to helping people who were injured in trucking accidents on Alabama roads.
If you’ve been injured, our lawyers can help by:
- Investigating the accident, including what caused it and who may be responsible
- Pursuing and preserving evidence, including driver logs and data from the truck’s event data recorder
- Analyzing the complex state and federal laws that may apply to your case
- Reviewing the terms of all insurance policies
- Listening to you and keeping you informed about your case
- Advocating for your recovery in negotiations and at trial, if necessary
Contact Serious Injury Law Group today. With a focus solely on personal injury cases, a commitment to the local community, and seasoned truck accident lawyers, we are prepared to help. We are available to meet wherever is most convenient for you, and we are always responsive and respectful of your time. Contact us now for your free consultation.