Trucks can inflict significant bodily harm and property damage in an accident. Many drivers on the road cannot avoid the crash, as trucks are so huge that they are sometimes unavoidable. Negligent drivers and trucking companies should be held liable.
Truck accidents might happen almost anywhere that truck routes run. Trucks are often found on major highways with higher speed limits, and collisions here might be disastrous. Many accidents result from truck driver negligence, as truckers might not check their blind spots, load cargo improperly, or commit any number of common traffic violations. Your damages, including financial costs and mental distress, might be substantial, and you deserve fair compensation. In a truck accident case, various parties might be liable, including truckers, trucking companies, and other drivers who somehow contributed to the crash.
Please get in touch with our truck accident lawyers by calling (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free review of your case with the team at Howe Law.
How and Where Alabaster, AL Truck Accidents Might Occur
Truck accidents can happen on any road where trucks are permitted. A truck accident might involve a vehicle as enormous as an eighteen-wheeler semi-trailer or something smaller, like a UPS truck or other delivery trucks. Even smaller trucks can create deadly accidents.
Several major highways run through Alabaster, and trucks frequent these highways all the time. U.S. Highway 31 runs north to south spanning nearly the entire distance of Alabaster before continuing through numerous other towns and cities. Because this highway spans numerous towns, it is a popular truck route.
The same can be said for I-65. This highway also runs north to south, connecting Birmingham to Montgomery and various other towns and cities. Much like U.S. Highway 31, this is a popular truck route, and accidents might happen if truckers or other drivers are not careful.
Blind spots on trucks can be very large, especially for semi-trailers. Often, drivers have difficulty knowing if their blind spots are clear, and they must change lanes or make turns very cautiously. Truckers should signal their turn well in advance of making the turn. This gives other drivers a chance to get out of blind spots. Truckers should also check mirrors to see if anyone is alongside them when they change lanes.
Another possibility is that the cargo in the truck was improperly loaded. Cargo cannot simply be thrown in the back of the truck. It must be loaded in a way that ensures safety. This is especially true when cargo is very big and heavy. If the cargo suddenly shifts, like when the trucker makes a sharp turn, it could topple the entire vehicle.
Damages You Can Claim in Truck Accident Cases in Alabaster, AL
Considering how devastating truck accidents can be, it makes sense that damages in truck accident lawsuits tend to be very high. Our truck accident lawyers can help you take stock of all the financial costs of the collision while also considering the deep psychological scars from the crash.
Vehicle accidents have a reputation for being expensive, and truck accidents might come with some very large bills. Your first step after a truck accident should be to get to a hospital immediately. If your injuries are severe, you might need extensive treatment, which might be very expensive. Even people with health insurance might have to pay very costly deductibles.
We should not forget about your car. There is a good chance your vehicle was totaled in the accident and needs to be completely replaced. A new vehicle is a huge expense, and these costs should be added to your overall damages.
On top of all that, you should think about how the accident affected your ability to work. Some people are completely out of commission and unable to work for the foreseeable future. Others might take a few weeks off. Either way, you might lose significant income, and these losses should be reflected in your damages.
While financial costs might be high, so might the psychological toll of the crash. It is common for accident survivors to live with a lot of fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. In cases where other victims were less fortunate, survivors might live with deep guilt. Even though these experiences do not cost money, they should be fairly compensated.
Holding People Liable for Your Truck Accident Injuries in Alabaster, AL
To get compensation for your injuries and damages, we need to determine who is responsible for the crash. This is a more challenging question to answer than many people realize. While some parties are directly involved in the crash, and their negligence is the cause of the accident, other parties might be responsible for different reasons. Injured plaintiffs can often sue truckers, their employers, and other drivers from the accident.
The truck driver is likely the primary defendant in your lawsuit, as their actions or inactions are probably the direct and proximate cause of the crash. For example, the trucker might fail to signal a turn, forget to check their blind spots, or drive at dangerous speeds.
We should investigate the trucker’s employer for liability too. Often, employers can be held vicariously liable for an employee’s negligence if the employee acted within the scope of their normal job functions. This means that negligence behind the wheel might be the responsibility of both the driver and the trucking company. It is important to include the trucking company in your case as they likely have more insurance and are more capable of paying damages.
We should talk with the police after they investigate the crash because they might have discovered other drivers who contributed to the accident. For example, a driver in a car might have run a red light, causing the trucker entering the intersection to swerve and crash into other vehicles. In such a case, the driver who initially ran the light could be liable in addition to the trucker.
Call Our Alabaster, AL Truck Accident Lawyers Now
Reach out to our Birmingham, AL truck accident lawyers by calling (844) 876-4357 to arrange for a free evaluation of your potential claims with the legal team at Howe Law.
