IT'S MORE TO US, IT'S PERSONAL

Side Bar Form

In a rush? Call us.

(877) 715-9300

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Expert birmingham truck accident lawyer

Questions For A Wettermark Keith Attorney About Trucking Accidents

Birmingham, AL is one of the South’s main hubs for commerce. As a result, the city’s highways and interstate system are heavily traveled by large commercial trucks carrying goods to and from downtown. 

When you mix the abundance of commercial vehicles with everyday Birmingham traffic, it’s no surprise that truck accidents frequently injure Birmingham drivers. When it comes to finding a truck accident lawyer, Birmingham’s #1 guide is right here.

Causes of Birmingham Truck Accidents

Because of their size and weight, trucks are held to rigorous governmental restrictions on their driving practices. These restrictions are designed to keep the truck drivers and other motorists safe, but some drivers still prefer to flaunt the law, putting you and your family at risk. 

Some of the most common causes for Birmingham truck accidents are:

  • Unseen vehicles
  • Improper lane change
  • Misjudging stopping distance
  • Following too close
  • Improper turn
  • Fallen cargo

No matter the cause of your accident, you should seek a truck accident lawyer. Birmingham locals know that standing up for your truck accident case calls for the expertise only accident attorneys from Wettermark Keith can provide. You deserve that kind of justice.

WE CAN HELP TELL YOUR STORY.

overturned truck

How Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

In order to drive a car, you have to go through a permit test, a probationary period, and an eye test. Then, you are able to drive a car, given that you have practiced with a licensed driver for many hours and have car insurance. This might seem like a lot, but in order to drive a large truck or tractor-trailer, there are even more steps you have to take.

There are many regulations in the trucking industry that are intended to keep the roadways safe. Getting in a trucking accident is usually an indication that the trucker did not do something properly, resulting in your injury. This is different from car accidents in that trucks are larger and heavier, often causing more severe injuries.

Additionally, truck drivers are usually the contractors or employees of another company, meaning you’re dealing with more than just another driver and their insurance company. Also, instead of just pointing at broken laws or careless driving as the cause of the crash, you may also find that the truck driver was not being compliant in his duties, including driving for longer than legally allowed, carrying more weight than is permitted, or not following other laws specific to truck drivers.

There’s only so much you can learn from research online. To truly know the law and get justice, you’ll need the help of a law firm.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

You never expect to have a truck accident, so many people don’t know what to do after they’ve experienced one. Our general advice is to take things a step at a time. Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident is overwhelming, but failing to take care of the most important things will make it worse.

After your accident, take stock of the situation, if you’re able. Assess yourself for any immediate medical needs, as well as that of the other driver. Call 911 or direct someone else to do so. Police, ambulances, fire fighters, and other first responders will be on their way as soon as possible. While you’re waiting, ensure that your surroundings are safe. If needed, move yourself and your car out of harm’s way.

When you’re confident you’ve gotten the situation under control, begin gathering evidence. Take pictures of the scene with your phone or camera. Take notes on your device or a piece of paper to describe the situation as much as you can. Write down as much as you can remember. Ask witnesses for their testimony and record them with a phone with video capabilities or voice recorder with their permission.

As the police arrive, file an accident report and describe the details of the accident. Call any other people you may need to alert, like your spouse or parents. From there, we highly recommend calling a truck accident attorney. Birmingham’s Wettermark Keith will help you with the details of pursuing compensation. The sooner you’re able to contact truck accident lawyers, the better, as they’ll be able to help you get the information you need from the site of the crash. Besides, dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and other lawyers is the last thing you want to do while recovering.

truck accident lawyer

Proof in a Truck Accident Case

A wreck and some serious injuries aren’t enough to prove you weren’t at fault. There is a burden of proof in truck accident injury cases, and some evidence is more essential for settlement than others.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you must prove that (1) the truck driver owed you a duty of care and (2) that duty of care was breached, (3) injuring you as a result. Finally, (4) your injuries were directly caused by that breach of duty of care.

There is some evidence that you can gather to best help your personal injury case. Really, any information regarding the case will be useful, but in particular, finding additional witnesses and documenting their testimony is one of the best forms of evidence.

Next, pictures of the scene, taken by you or someone else, are invaluable, especially pictures of the car’s damage, road conditions, and other individuals present. Finally, the truck’s maintenance records could be essential evidence.

Truck drivers are required to keep meticulous records of their vehicle’s condition, and some trucks even do this electronically. A lawyer could get access to this information, further helping to prove that the truck driver was the one at fault.

In the end, any information you can get about the accident will help. But don’t try to get this evidence on your own! A lawyer will know the evidence you need and will be the best person to gather the info your case requires.

Truck Accident Birmingham Compensation

Being compensated isn’t just about making someone else pay for their wrongdoing. Compensation, when sufficient for the severity of the crash, helps to pay for the financial, physical, and emotional burden that’s been placed on you. After being involved in a truck accident, here are some potential types of compensation you can pursue:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Property damages
  • Physical therapy
  • Medical equipment
  • Counseling

You don’t have to face the daunting costs of recovering from an accident by yourself. Hire a personal injury lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer in Birmingham Can Help

Even if you feel confident in pursuing justice on your own, you should consider hiring a truck accident lawyer. Birmingham attorneys at Wettermark Keith will know when you are compensated fairly and when you are not, and that kind of knowledge only comes from experience. If there are multiple parties involved (like a trucking company, the driver, and the insurance company, for instance), a lawyer can be the main touchpoint for all of them, keeping all communication in line and ensuring that you aren’t taken advantage of.

Birmingham truck accident lawyers are also helpful when you are recuperating from major injuries. There is a time limit for filing claims and getting compensated in commercial truck accidents, and sometimes, that time limit will run out before you are fully healed. Don’t wait to handle the case yourself… just call accident lawyers in Birmingham.

Truck Accident Attorney - Birmingham

We’ve got over 50 years of combined experience in fighting for cases like yours. At Wettermark Keith, we believe in each and every one of our clients and tirelessly fight for their rights. We’ve seen firsthand how a truck accident can affect a person’s life, and our greatest passion is seeing these cases come to justice.

We’re so confident in every truck accident attorney at Wettermark Keith that we offer a no-fee guarantee, meaning that you won’t pay anything until and unless we win. To learn more about us and what we can do for you, fill out the form below.

Yes, you can sue for being hit by a semi-truck. Note that not all cases will proceed to court, but if the parties involved refuse to pay a reasonable settlement, we will help you get your compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Remember that not all lawyers will go to court, despite popular belief. If you are willing to pursue your case further, make sure your lawyer is willing to do the same. Don’t forget that all Wettermark Keith lawyers will fight for your case until it settles, even if that means suing.

Related Articles