Did you recently suffer injuries in an Alabama truck accident? Are you wondering who is responsible and who will pay for your recovery? Determining liability in an Alabama truck accident case can be difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. A lawyer from Parker Trial Law can guide you through the process and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us handle your legal concerns while you focus on getting your life back better.
Why You Should Hire an Alabama Truck Accident Attorney
Hiring a truck accident lawyer can make a huge difference in your case. Truck accidents often involve complicated laws, multiple parties, and large trucking companies with powerful legal teams. A lawyer can handle the legal side of your case, gather evidence, and work to prove who is at fault while you focus on recovering. They also understand how to deal with insurance companies and know what it takes to seek the full compensation you deserve in court.
Since 2016, Parker Trial Law’s primary focus has been representing victims of serious injuries. Our firm takes pride in handling high-stakes injury cases, and we have the skills to take cases to trial when necessary. With extensive experience in both state and federal courts, we fight for the favorable results our clients deserve. We also treat our clients like family and work to maintain strong relationships with them even after resolving their cases. Choose Parker Trial Law if you want a team to stand by your side and fight for your rights.
What Are the Truck Accident Liability Laws in Alabama?
State laws provide several ways to establish Alabama truck accident liability:
- Negligence is one of the most common reasons for liability in Alabama truck accident cases. If a truck driver or trucking company fails to follow safety regulations or acts carelessly, they might be considered negligent. For example, a truck driver who speeds, ignores traffic signals, or drives while distracted could be deemed negligent and held liable for injuries they cause.
- Strict liability can also apply in some cases, especially if a defective product or dangerous cargo causes a truck accident. In these cases, a manufacturer or trucking company could be responsible for the wreck even if they did not act carelessly. Alabama law holds companies accountable when their defective parts or hazardous materials cause harm.
- Vicarious liability allows accident victims to hold trucking companies responsible for their drivers’ actions. Under Alabama law, an employer could be liable if its employee causes an accident while on the job.
A truck accident lawyer from Parker Trial Law can help you prove who is at fault in your truck accident case by gathering evidence of negligence, strict liability, or vicarious liability. Your attorney will work hard to establish liability and demand fair compensation from the responsible party or parties.
Who Could Be Liable for Truck Accidents in Alabama?
Determining who is liable is key to pursuing compensation in an Alabama truck accident injury case. Several parties could share responsibility for the accident depending on the circumstances:
- The Truck Driver – The driver could be responsible if their careless actions caused the accident. Truck drivers must follow federal and state regulations regarding hours of service, proper vehicle maintenance, and safe driving practices. If drivers fail to adhere to these regulations or break other traffic laws, they can be liable for any injuries or losses they cause.
- Another Driver – In some cases, another driver could be at fault for a truck accident. For instance, a car driver who cuts off a truck, speeds, or ignores traffic signals can cause a truck driver to lose control and crash. If this occurs, the other driver could be responsible for the resulting wreck.
- A Trucking Company – The trucking company that employs the driver could also be liable under vicarious liability laws. If the driver was on the job when the accident happened, the company might share responsibility for the accident. Additionally, a trucking company could be directly liable if it fails to follow regulations on hiring, training, or maintaining its vehicles.
- A Cargo Loader – Cargo loading companies or workers could be liable if they improperly load or secure a truck’s cargo. Loads that are too heavy, unbalanced, or not secured according to guidelines can cause a truck to tip over or become impossible to control. If improper loading causes a crash, the party responsible for loading the cargo could be liable.
- A Truck Manufacturer – A truck defect can still lead to an accident even if trucking companies and drivers follow all safety procedures. Manufacturers of trucks or truck parts can be liable under Alabama’s product liability laws if a mechanical defect contributes to a truck accident.
- A Maintenance Company – Trucking companies often contract third-party maintenance providers to service their vehicles. If a maintenance company fails to inspect or repair a truck properly, and that failure leads to a crash, they could be liable. For example, the maintenance company might be responsible if a mechanic fails to fix worn-out brakes or tires that later cause an accident.
- A Government Entity – Alabama state and local governments are responsible for maintaining safe roads, signage, and traffic signals. If a truck accident occurs due to road hazards, such as large potholes, missing guardrails, or faulty traffic lights, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road could be liable.
Evidence That Could Support Your Truck Accident Liability Claim
Gathering strong evidence is essential in a truck accident liability claim. Your lawyer will handle the process of identifying, collecting, and organizing evidence while you focus on healing. They will look for evidence to support your case, quantify your losses, and prove who is responsible for the accident.
One key piece of evidence your lawyer might use is data from the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD). This device records the truck driver’s hours on the road and can show whether they followed federal regulations regarding rest breaks and driving limits.
Surveillance footage or dashcam videos from the scene could also provide valuable evidence if they’re available. These videos can capture what happened during the accident, including traffic conditions, the truck’s speed, and other essential details.
Other supporting evidence might include witness statements, crash scene photos, and trucking company records. In some cases, your attorney might also collaborate with experts like accident reconstruction specialists to analyze the causes and effects of the crash. Your lawyer will assess this evidence to identify liable parties and bolster your compensation claim.
Types of Compensation Available for Truck Accidents in Alabama
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Alabama, you could be entitled to various types of compensation for the losses you have suffered. For instance, you could receive compensation for:
- Medical Expenses – Medical bills for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, and medical equipment you need for your recovery
- Future Medical Costs – The projected costs of any ongoing or long-term treatment you require, such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, or future surgeries
- Income Losses – Income you lose during recovery if your injuries prevent you from working
- Lost Earning Potential – Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries are severe enough to impact your ability to work in the future
- Pain and Suffering – The physical pain and emotional distress you experience due to the accident
- Lost Quality of Life – Loss of the ability to participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities
How the Alabama Contributory Negligence Laws Could Affect Your Case
Alabama’s pure contributory negligence laws can have a significant impact on your truck accident case. Under these laws, you cannot recover compensation from other parties if you are even 1 percent at fault for an accident. This strict rule means proving fault is crucial in Alabama truck accident cases.
When you work with a truck accident lawyer from Parker Trial Law, they can work to show that you did not contribute to the accident in any way. They will gather evidence, review police reports, and speak with witnesses to prove that the truck driver, trucking company, or another party was fully responsible. Even if the other side tries to argue that you share some blame, your lawyer will fight back with the evidence they collect. They will protect your rights and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to File an Alabama Truck Crash Lawsuit?
Under Alabama Code § 6-2-38, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long and miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation in court.
Because of this strict filing deadline, it’s important to contact a lawyer immediately after a truck wreck. A lawyer can review the details of your case, gather evidence, and file your claim on time. Waiting can make it harder to collect vital evidence and speak with witnesses, so the sooner your lawyer starts working on your case, the stronger your claim will be.