Experienced Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Wettermark Keith’s commercial vehicle accident lawyers have the expertise to fight for your rights. Dealing with insurance companies, negotiating with at-fault parties, and even going to court are what we do. This is not just about recovering funds – it’s about helping you reclaim your life. Our experienced truck accident attorneys understand this, and they’ll work tirelessly to ensure you get the justice you deserve.
Understanding Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Commercial vehicle accidents involve vehicles used for business purposes, used to transport goods, services, or paid passengers.
Commercial vehicles can include a wide range of vehicle types, such as:
- Semi-trucks (18-wheelers)
- Delivery vans or trucks
- Taxis and rideshare vehicles (like Uber or Lyft)
- Buses, including school buses and city buses
- Construction vehicles like dump trucks
- Agricultural vehicles, like tractors
- Company cars
Officially, vehicles that are designed to carry more than 15 passengers are considered a commercial vehicle, although the vast majority of commercial vehicles are buses and semi trucks. Truck accidents involving these vehicles often carry more severe repercussions than regular auto accidents, due to the size and weight of the truck, their heavy cargo, and their typically high speeds.
Given the danger they pose, commercial vehicles are subject to additional federal and state regulations. They require specialized licenses to operate, and their drivers are trained to follow strict rules regarding hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo handling.
Commercial truck accident lawsuits can be incredibly complicated due to the multiple parties involved. These could include the driver, the owner of the vehicle, the company or individual who hired the vehicle, the vehicle manufacturer, or the company responsible for maintaining the vehicle. Determining who is liable in such accidents can be a complex process, often involving a thorough investigation and an understanding of the specific laws and regulations applicable to commercial vehicles.
Our truck accident lawyers have extensive experience with this process. If you or a loved one has been in a commercial truck accident, call our lawyers at (877) 798-0203 for a free consultation.
Common Commercial Truck Accident Injuries
Commercial truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the significant size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. When these accidents take place, the occupants of the smaller vehicles are often subject to the majority of the impact force. The resulting injuries can be severe, ranging from broken bones and lacerations to life-threatening conditions.
Below are some of the most common injuries associated with commercial truck accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Psychological Injuries
Commercial truck accidents can lead to psychological injuries like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The emotional trauma associated with serious accidents can persist long after physical wounds have healed.
A Commercial Vehicle Accident vs. a Standard Passenger Vehicle Accident
Lawsuits involving commercial vehicles can be very different from accident or wrongful death cases involving private vehicles.
Firstly, the injuries resulting from commercial truck accidents are often more severe due to the size and weight of these vehicles – leading to larger claims. Since these injury and damage claims often exceed the policy limits of standard auto insurance, commercial carriers usually have much larger insurance policies. This can result in more aggressive defense tactics from these insurance companies, as they have more at stake.
Furthermore, there are a wide variety of regulations and requirements involved in the operation of commercial vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict rules concerning hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications – if these regulations are violated, liability for accidents can be shared by the driver, the company they work for, or even third parties like the vehicle’s manufacturer or maintenance providers.
Finally, the preservation of vital evidence may be more challenging in commercial truck accidents. Commercial vehicles often carry electronic control modules (ECMs), which can record critical data such as speed, braking, and other operational parameters before a crash. These devices, often referred to as “black boxes,” can provide crucial evidence in a lawsuit. However, they may be overwritten or lost if not quickly preserved following an accident.
In light of these complications, it’s crucial for anyone involved in a commercial truck accident to consult with one of our expert truck accident lawyers. Your commercial vehicle accident lawyer will help you understand your rights, identify all potential defendants, and advocate for you throughout the legal process.
What to Do if You’re Involved in a Commercial Truck Accident
Many survivors of commercial vehicle accidents don’t remember the collision itself – just the terror and disorientation that followed. Our injury lawyers realize that being involved in a serious truck accident can be an incredibly stressful experience. Listed below are several crucial steps from our lawyers to help you manage an accident situation correctly and safely:
- Prioritize Safety: Your immediate concern following the accident should be the safety and well-being of all involved. If it is safe and possible, maneuver your vehicle out of traffic’s pathway and onto a secure location nearby. Assess your physical condition and that of others involved. In the event of any injuries, however minor they might seem, don’t hesitate – dial 911 to summon on-site emergency medical services.
- Seek Medical Attention: Immediately after the accident it’s essential that you seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including TBIs and internal bleeding, may not manifest symptoms immediately. Prompt medical evaluation can ensure your injuries are promptly identified and treated – and the medical records from the accident site can serve as valuable evidence in a truck accident claim.
- Contact Law Enforcement: Whether the accident seems minor or major, it’s crucial to contact law enforcement. An official police report can serve as an unbiased third-party account of the accident and may be helpful when filing insurance claims or potential lawsuits.
- Document the Scene: If it’s safe to do so, document the scene of the accident. Using a camera or smartphone, take detailed photographs or videos of vehicle damages, the surrounding road conditions, nearby traffic signals, and any visible injuries. This documentation can become pivotal evidence when determining liability for the accident.
- Gather Information: Gather essential details from all parties involved in the accident. This includes their full names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information. Also, record the make, model, color, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved. If there are witnesses, collect their contact information as well – it can prove vital in a truck accident lawsuit.
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company: As soon as you’re able, inform your insurance company about the accident. Stick to the facts while narrating the incident, and steer clear of admitting any fault or liability at this stage, as the accident’s full context and culpability will only be revealed upon further investigation.
- Contact Wettermark Keith Injury Lawyers: Finally, reach out to a professional legal team, such as Wettermark Keith Personal Injury Lawyers. Commercial truck accidents can involve complex legal issues and intricate insurance policies. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate these complexities, protect your rights, and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
Supporting Truck Accident Victims: The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
The aftermath of a serious accident often leaves survivors in a state of confusion, stress, and financial hardship. As wages are lost, medical bills tend to pile up. Meanwhile, you’re grappling with the physical pain of your injuries and the emotional trauma of your accident. That’s where we come in.
Our skilled truck accident lawyers can provide you with representation, support, and a tight safety net. With a truck accident attorney on your side, you have the ability to focus on your recovery rather than on the complexities and frustrations of a commercial truck accident lawsuit.
Even if you weren’t already dealing with physical and psychological injuries, commercial truck accidents can pose challenging legal complications – especially if you aren’t an attorney. This is due to multiple complex factors, including the number of liable parties involved, the extensive FMCSA regulations, the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident, and the necessity of gathering thorough evidence.
After a commercial vehicle accident, it’s critical to pay close attention to deadlines, including the statute of limitations. Failure to meet this deadline often results in the forfeiture of your right to legal recourse and compensation.
Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Here For You
Navigating the complexities of a commercial truck accident lawsuit requires the expertise of an experienced lawyer who specializes in both legal and trucking industries. Our truck accident lawyers will staunchly advocate for your rights, ensuring you receive the necessary compensation to cover any ongoing physical, emotional, and financial challenges that may have resulted from your commercial truck accident.
Wettermark Keith has offices in Birmingham, Montgomery, Dothan, Huntsville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Panama City, and has an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. Our reach is not only regional but includes a diverse range of practice areas, including personal injury cases, auto wrecks, trucking wrecks, medical malpractice, on-the-job injuries, social security disability, and veterans’ disability claims.
At Wettermark Keith, we believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion – to tell our client’s stories and make their voices heard.
