Crashes involving large trucks can be devastating for victims. There are a wide range of devastating injuries that such accidents can cause. For example, parties injured as the result of truck accidents regularly sustain spinal cord damage, broken bones, torn ligaments, and severe head injuries.
Truck accident victims can pursue financial compensation for the injuries they incurred. However, their routes to payment can be tiresome and complex. Defendants are usually represented by insurance companies who can enlist teams of people to refute plaintiffs’ arguments.
In the aftermath of your truck accident in Birmingham, AL, get support from our experienced truck accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free assessment of your potential case.
Who to Sue After a Truck Accident in Birmingham, AL
There are multiple parties who may be liable for a truck accident in Birmingham. Assistance from our truck accident attorneys can be very helpful when investigating which of the following parties may be held accountable for your crash:
The Truck Driver
If your accident occurred because a truck driver acted negligently, then you may be able to sue them directly for the damages you incurred. Unfortunately, a high number of truck accidents stem from truck operators’ carelessness.
Many drivers must remain on the road for extended periods of time. When these truck drivers become tired, they are prone to making careless mistakes such as swerving out of lanes, disobeying traffic signals, and making illegal lane changes. Thankfully, there are multiple forms of evidence that may be used to prove that a truck driver is at fault.
Still, some drivers will lack the resources to pay for the damages caused by their accidents. In such cases, plaintiffs may need to look to other potential sources of compensation.
The Trucking Company
There are also cases where trucking companies can be held responsible for accidents involving their vehicles. For example, a trucking company may cause a crash by failing to perform adequate maintenance on one of their trucks. Further, a trucking company may cause an accident by knowingly hiring an operator with a dangerous driving record.
Trucking companies typically have immense resources at their disposal. They will likely hire their own attorneys to try and defeat plaintiffs’ claims. Accordingly, support from our legal team can be very beneficial when bringing a lawsuit against an at-fault trucking company.
A Third-Party Driver
Furthermore, in some cases, third-party drivers can be sued for truck accidents. For example, a third-party driver may cause a rollover accident by swerving into a truck on a highway. In that case, victims of the crash may recover payment by bringing a claim against the at-fault motorist.
The Seller or Manufacturer of a Defective Part
Finally, some truck accidents occur because vehicles are equipped with defective parts. For instance, a truck may collide with another vehicle because it was equipped with faulty brake pads. Further, a truck accident may happen because of a vehicle’s malfunctioning engine component.
In any case, victims of accidents caused by defective parts can bring claims against at-fault sellers and manufacturers. However, these types of claims often must be supported by complicated evidence. Our team can offer thorough guidance when building this type of claim in your case.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Birmingham, AL
There are many different forms of negligence that can lead to truck accidents. The following are all common causes of truck accidents in Birmingham, AL:
Improper Cargo Storage
Improper cargo storage on large trucks and tractor-trailers can lead to catastrophic crashes. For example, cargo not stored in direct contact with each other may be allowed to shift during transit, leading to a harmful jackknife accident. Furthermore, a load that is not appropriately secured with tiedowns may fall off the back of a tractor-trailer and cause a collision. Our team can help determine whether your truck accident stems from improper cargo storage.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another very common cause of truck accidents in Birmingham. While distracted, drivers have a high propensity to commit careless maneuvers that lead to devastating accidents.
Generally, there are three forms of distraction that can affect motorists. Drivers can become visually distracted when they divert their eyes away from the road. Also, manual distraction refers to situations where drivers take their hands off the wheels of their vehicles. Lastly, cognitive distraction happens when drivers take their attention off the task of driving.
There are several different types of activities that can distract motorists. For example, drivers can become distracted while talking with other passengers, texting, using a GPS, or picking music for the radio. Certain activities like texting and using a GPS may involve multiple forms of distraction. Thankfully, distracted drivers can be sued for the truck accidents they cause.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Furthermore, many truck accidents happen because trucking companies do not properly maintain their fleets. There are multiple ways that poor maintenance can lead to accidents. For example, a truck may crash because its owner failed to change its tires before they were dangerously worn. Further, an accident may happen because a trucking company failed to fix their vehicles broken turn signal. Our legal team can help find out whether your collision happened as the result of poor vehicle maintenance.
Intoxicated Driving
Some truck accidents happen because drivers were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While intoxicated, a motorist may experience impaired vision, delayed reaction-times, and poor decision-making abilities. These types of truck accidents regularly happen at night but can still occur at any time of day. Thankfully, impaired drivers can be sued for the accidents they cause.
Running Red Lights
Finally, running red lights is also a common cause of truck accidents. When drivers run red lights, they can cause catastrophic collisions with pedestrians and vehicles crossing through intersections. These accidents are highly likely to cause severe injuries.
Truck Accident Victims in Birmingham, AL, Can Call Our Law Firm for Support
Get help from our experienced truck accident attorneys at Howe Law today by dialing (844) 876-4357.
