TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

In many ways, truck drivers are the lifeblood of America. They provide a vital service to our communities. However, when a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, disaster can follow. It is among the deadliest types of auto accidents in the United States. The reason is simple: the sheer size of the truck (and its potential contents) versus a passenger vehicle. The average truck with a fully loaded trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds while the average passenger vehicle’s weight ranges between 4,000 to 5,000 pounds.

At Shaun Capps Injury Law, our Birmingham semi-truck accident attorney is an aggressive, experienced advocate for victims and families. We know how to hold truck companies and their commercial insurance providers accountable. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a truck accident, receiving fair and just compensation may be your only recourse for physical, mental, and emotional recovery. Contact us at our Birmingham law office for a free, no obligation initial consultation with a top-tier Alabama truck accident attorney.

Steps To Take After A Semi-truck Accident In Birmingham, Alabama

Knowing what to do after a semi-truck accident in Birmingham is key to getting justice and compensation for your damages. A proactive approach is a must. Here are five key steps:

• Stop Your Car and Exchange Information: You have a duty under Alabama state law to stop your vehicle, exchange information, and stay at the scene of a truck accident. Though, there is an exception for medical emergencies. 
• Report the Crash to the Police: All large commercial truck accidents should be reported to law enforcement, such as the Birmingham Police Department or Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Responding officers will control the scene and write an official crash report. 
• Seek Immediate Medical Care: Semi-truck accidents can cause catastrophic, even life-threatening injuries. All injuries should be immediately assessed by a physician. Doing so is key to protecting your health—and medical records are required to pursue a claim. 
• Notify Your Own Insurer: You may have a fault-based claim against a negligent trucker or trucking company after a crash in Birmingham. Nonetheless, it is still crucial that you notify your own insurance carrier that an accident happened. 
• Consult With a Truck Accident Lawyer: Taking on the truck accident claims process alone can be a major mistake. You need strong, experienced legal representation. A top-tier Birmingham, AL truck accident lawyer will represent you before the insurance company.

Why Commercial Truck Accidents Are Different

Accidents involving 18-wheelers or commercial trucks are different from accidents involving only passenger vehicles. There’s a lot more involved. The truck driver isn’t the only one who may be liable. There are federal regulations to consider alongside state laws. The mechanics involved in the truck, too, are quite different and may be relevant, making truck accident cases more complex.

The problem is this: an insurance company may not settle for what’s fair. You may need to file a personal injury claim. At Shaun Capps Injury Law, our truck accident attorney in Alabama can help you file a strong, well-documented claim while advocating your rights and representing your best interests. Contact us today online or at 205-955-5555 to learn more.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Alabama

Accidents involving semi-trucks or another type of commercial truck are caused for any number of reasons. With that being said, most large commercial truck accidents do tend to share a common characteristic: Most of them could have been prevented if all parties had taken the proper safety precautions. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Birmingham include:

• Distracted driving
• Excessive speed
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Driving in high winds
• Unsafe lane changes
• Inadequate training
• Inexperience
• Excessive fatigue
• Defective truck parts
• Poor truck maintenance
• Shifting cargo inside the trailer
• Poorly-fastened cargo on a flatbed trailer.

Not all truck accidents are caused by the truck driver or an issue with the truck. Other causes may include environmental conditions, poor road design, or another driver’s error. In the end, there may be several causes that lead up to the accident, which again makes these cases more complex than other types of auto accidents.

Common Types of Injuries in Alabama from Truck Accidents 

No matter how it is caused, a truck crash often leads to severe injuries for the people in the passenger vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides annual statistics, and year after year, it’s been documented that more than 80 percent of those who die from bodily injuries sustained in a truck accident are occupants of the other vehicle (or pedestrians or bicyclists). Only rarely is the truck driver or a passenger of the truck killed, and that’s in part because the sheer size and weight of the truck is to their advantage. 

Though fatalities often result from semi-truck collisions, there are other serious injuries that can have life-changing effects on the victim. These injuries include:  

• Spinal injuries
• Broken and fractured bones
• Crushing injuries
• Severe or life-threatening lacerations
• Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis
• Limb dismemberment
• Burn injuries.

In some cases, certain injuries can lead to additional compensation. For example, if you are left scarred or unable to work, you deserve more than someone who will fully recover.  

Why File a Personal Injury Claim for a Truck Accident in Alabama?

Truck accidents are complex cases. Injuries sustained from them are often severe, and, as such, are extremely costly. Insurance companies may be happy to settle, but the offer will likely not reflect what’s fair and just. 

When insurance companies make an initial settlement offer, their first goal is to protect their own bottom line – not help the victim recover. They will try to cut costs by not thoroughly investigating the accident. This means the insurer may not uncover all the underlying causes and potential liable parties (e.g., truck driver, trucking company, loaders, mechanics, etc.). Insurance companies will also try to get away with not paying for future medical bills, future lost wages, loss of earned income, and other expenses that you may not be aware of but which the law allows you to recover. 

By filing a personal injury claim, victims can pursue the compensation that they really deserve. 

What Is The Statute Of Limitations For A Truck Accident In Alabama?

Timing of the personal injury claim, however, is critical. There are deadlines you must meet in order to recover. If you miss certain deadlines, like those imposed by statutes of limitations, then you may not be able to recover anything. It is important to know the laws specific to your jurisdiction, thus, the reason why it is so very critical to your personal injury case to speak to a truck accident lawyer today. In Alabama, there is a two-year statute of limitations for truck accident injury claims. However, if your claim is against a municipality, you must act within 6 months. This shorter period is crucial because many cases fail to include all possible defendants due to late filing. To protect your rights, consult a Birmingham, AL truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible after a serious crash.

Why Trust Birmingham Semi-truck Accident Lawyer Shaun Capps

Hurt in a semi-truck accident in Birmingham? It is imperative that you take action to seek full and fair financial compensation for your damages. Attorney Shaun Capps has the professional expertise that you can rely on. We provide personalized guidance and support to every client. Along with other things, our Birmingham semi-truck accident attorney is prepared to:

• Conduct a free, comprehensive review of your case; 
• Investigate your truck accident—gathering all relevant evidence; 
• Handle the legal paperwork and settlement negotiations; and
• Develop a personalized strategy to help you get the best possible outcome.

Contact Shaun Capps Injury Law for a FREE Case Evaluation Today

Truck accidents can be devastating for everyone involved. Make sure you get the compensation you deserve by hiring an auto accident lawyer at Shaun Capps Injury Law. Contact us online or at 205-955-5555 to schedule a FREE Case Evaluation today. From our Birmingham law office, we handle commercial truck accident claims in Jefferson County and throughout Alabama.