IT'S MORE TO US, IT'S PERSONAL
Don't Fight Alone: Get a Top-Rated Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous incidents a driver can encounter on the road. Due to the size and weight of a semi-truck and its cargo, a large truck accident is extremely dangerous for drivers and passengers of comparatively smaller vehicles.
Truck accident victims have to deal with medical bills, health problems, and emotional trauma for a long time after the accident has occurred. In some cases, the family of a wrongful death victim is left needing financial help. As truck accident lawyers, we have the experience you need to get the compensation you’re entitled to.
What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in 3 Steps
- The first thing you should do after an accident involving a commercial vehicle is to take care of your injuries. Call medical aid if needed, and don’t try to stay on the scene if you need help. Your case is important, but your health always comes first.
- If you do not need immediate medical care, start documenting the accident in whatever way you can. If available, use your phone to take pictures and notes. Get statements from witnesses and be sure to document anything else that you see that might be of importance. Making note of this evidence can help your case further down the line.
- Finally, call our firm. We specialize in truck accident attorneys. Without the help of semi-truck accident lawyers, you may not get the compensation you deserve or need to cover your medical bills or pain and suffering. Accident attorneys can also help uphold your rights when the insurance companies start to call. It’s hard enough to experience an accident. Don’t go through the aftermath alone.
Determining Liability in a Truck Crash
If you were hit by a truck, you may automatically think the truck driver is the person liable for your injuries and economic damages. However, many factors go into determining liability. The fault may be on the driver, but there may be other parties who are also liable.
The Truck Driver
Obviously, the truck driver can be at fault, particularly if he or she was acting negligently. If the truck driver wasn’t following the rules of the road or was driving distracted, for instance, they are the person liable for your injuries. If the truck driver wasn’t following restrictions on commercial vehicles, they and the trucking company may be liable.
The Trucking Company
The trucking company may be liable if they don’t do their due diligence when hiring and managing their truck drivers. Truck drivers should be licensed and experienced, especially for longer or harder drives. Truck companies should also manage how long their drivers travel without rest, how much cargo is being carried, and when the tractor-trailer needs to be inspected or maintained.
The Truck Manufacturer
When driving, truck drivers and car owners alike expect their vehicles to work for them. But if the truck has a defect or other issue, the problem may be with the truck manufacturer. It’s up to the manufacturer to know when a truck is road-ready, and not doing so puts your health in harm’s way.
A Third-Party Company
Depending on the contract of the truck driver, there may be more parties at play than just the three above. The shipper, the employer of the driver, and maybe even the government’s roadworks department could be held liable.
To truly know who can be held liable for your truck accident injuries, give our accident lawyers a call today. We can help you answer complex questions like these.
How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our 18 wheeler accident lawyers at Wettermark Keith know the difficult situation you and your family are going through. First and foremost, we show respect and compassion to our clients so that we can represent you in the best way possible. No case is too big or too small for our experienced truck accident lawyers to pursue.
Our team of semi-truck lawyers has a proven track record of successfully defending victims in Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. We carefully guide our clients through the entire legal process and make sure they are well-informed about the status of their case. We are well equipped to protect you against the aggressive tactics used by the insurance companies and attorneys representing the interests of a trucking company.
Our Service Areas for Truck Accident Lawyers
Wettermark Keith serves injured personal injury victims all over the Southeast region. When you need help, our truck accident attorneys are ready to help you in your area. Find a truck accident lawyer close to you:
- Birmingham, AL
- Chattanooga, TN
- Dothan, AL
- Huntsville, AL
- Montgomery, AL
- Knoxville, TN
- Panama City, FL
Truck Accident FAQs
What Is a Commercial Truck?
Commercial trucks are any kind of vehicle used for the transport of commercial goods. 18-wheeler trucks, tractor-trailers, and tanker trucks are examples of these kinds of delivery vehicles. Specialized vehicles such as cement trucks are also included in this classification. Large trucks like these are held to federal motor carrier safety standards. These regulations help to keep other motorists safe.
Why Do More Injuries Occur in Trucking Accidents?
Size and weight are the biggest factors in why so many truck accidents result in injury. A fully loaded truck can weigh more than 25 times that of the average motor vehicle.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
There are many factors that can cause truck accidents. Truck drivers’ errors and mechanical failures are two of the more common contributors. Other factors can include the truck’s ability to respond quickly when it comes to acceleration, brakes, and visibility. Drivers must be cautious around semi-trucks due to their wide blind spots and the inability to react to road hazards as quickly.
What Are Some Common Injuries from Truck Accidents?
Most automobiles are only designed to handle an impact with other standard passenger vehicles. That’s why there is a greater probability that a collision with an 18 wheeler will lead to permanent injuries and fatalities. Some of the injuries people endure after an accident include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns on the legs, arms, torso, and other parts of the body
- Broken limbs
How Long After an 18-Wheeler Accident Can I Make a Claim?
The ideal time to make a claim for your truck accident injuries is immediate. The best way to do this is to talk to a truck accident attorney, who will help you file a claim quickly. The longer you take to make your claim, the more details you could forget and the more time the other party has to use against you.
However, you may have been involved in a truck accident in the past and still want to make a claim. In that case, you need to know the right statute of limitations for your state:
- Alabama: 2 years
- Tennessee: 1 year
- Florida: 4 years
How Are Commercial Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Car accidents, where passenger vehicles are the only ones involved, are usually caused by user error. Commercial truck accidents, though, are usually not caused by an error by either party. Instead, most truck accidents are caused by the size and weight of the truck.
That means, when a driver does make an error or has equipment malfunction, the chances of an accident are much higher.
Truck accident cases are also very different from car accident cases when it comes to getting compensation, too. Truck accidents are far more complicated. They involve more people and legal regulations than the average car accident. It’s vital to have a trustworthy law firm on your side to guide you through the process.
Questions a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Answer
When a truck is involved, many questions need to be answered before victims are compensated for their injuries. Below are some common questions that matter:
- Who owns the truck and who was responsible for its operation at the time of the accident? These can be tricky issues in a commercial trucking situation.
- Is the truck subject to the federal truck safety regulations imposed on trucks that are used in interstate commerce?
- Were both driver and truck in compliance with all safety regulations imposed by all levels of government (local, state, and federal)?
- What cargo was the truck carrying? If the cargo included hazardous material, additional regulations will apply, and victims may suffer additional injuries.
Wettermark Keith: Truck Accident Lawyer
Don’t put your trust in the insurance companies to handle your injury cases. They are notorious for only giving you a bare minimum for your injuries. If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, make sure to contact the personal injury lawyers at Wettermark Keith.
We can help you ask the right questions and fight for the right compensation for your case. Peace of mind like that is priceless. Schedule a free consultation and get started on getting justice.
Related Articles
Free Consultation
you won’t pay us anything until we’ve won your case
