Montgomery Truck Accident Attorney
If you live in or around Montgomery, you’re likely familiar with frequent reports of commercial truck accidents on I-85, I-65, and the notorious I-85-I-65 interchange. However, truck crashes can happen anywhere in or near the capital city, and they frequently do.
The size and weight disparity between a commercial tractor-trailer and a smaller passenger vehicle means that commercial truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and death.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, a Montgomery truck accident lawyer with Alexander Shunnarah Lawyers can help you. We understand the stress, trauma, and pain that truck accidents cause. It’s overwhelming and it’s unfair, but there is a way out.
Call Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys today and put our team of Montgomery truck accident lawyers to work for you. We fight hard to protect your rights and your future, and we don’t give up until we have recovered every dollar you deserve for your injuries, losses, and suffering.
Why Choose Alexander Shunnarah for Your Montgomery Truck Accident Case?
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, you need a law firm that stands out from the rest. Here’s why Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys should be your first choice:
- Local knowledge: We know Montgomery inside and out, from the busy streets of downtown to the highways that crisscross our region.
- Proven record: Our firm has recovered $1.5 billion for more than 250,000 satisfied clients in more than a dozen states.
- Resources: We have a vast network of financial and legal resources to take on big trucking companies and their insurers.
- Personal attention: You’re not just a case number to us. We provide each client with individualized care and attention.
- No win, no cost: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
- Trial ready: We are experienced trial lawyers who aren’t afraid to take your case before a judge or jury if that’s what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.
We are dedicated to your case from start to finish. We’ll investigate your truck accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and if necessary, take your case to trial. Your well-being is our top priority.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, dwarfing the average passenger car at around 4,000 pounds. This difference in size and weight creates a significant safety risk for other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride collisions
- Override accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Tire blowouts
- Wide turn accidents
- Blind spot crashes
The height difference between trucks and cars also contributes to the danger. In underride collisions, smaller vehicles can slide underneath the truck’s trailer, often with catastrophic consequences.
Moreover, trucks have longer stopping distances and larger blind spots, increasing the risk of accidents. The impact of a truck collision can be devastating, leading to life-altering injuries or loss of life.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Driver error is the root cause of most commercial truck accidents. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, the following actions and situations underlie most truck accidents:
- Distracted Driving
- Improper Lane Change or Use
- Failed to Yield Right of Way
- Unseen Object, Person, or Vehicle
- Tailgating
- Misjudged Stopping Distance
- Defective Equipment
- Avoiding Animal, Object, or Person
- Improper Backing
- Improper Turn
- Crossed Median/Centerline
- Driving too Fast for Conditions
- Improper Passing
- Failure to Heed Sign/Signal
- Fatigued Driving
- Ran Off the Road
- Driving Under the Influence
- Aggressive Driving
- Speeding
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often lead to severe injuries due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. Common injuries include:
- Head trauma, from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Broken bones, especially in arms, legs, and ribs
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding
- Cuts, bruises, and burn injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD
Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?
Whether you have a valid truck accident claim pivots on proving that someone else’s negligence caused your accident and injuries. Doing this involves proving four key elements:
- Duty of care: The truck driver or trucking company owed you a responsibility to drive safely. All drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of duty: The responsible party failed in that responsibility. Speeding, driving while fatigued, or failing to maintain the truck properly are some examples of this failure.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. There must be a clear link between the negligent action and the harm you suffered.
- Damages: You incurred actual damages as a result of the truck accident. These can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
If you can demonstrate these four elements, you likely have a valid truck accident claim. However, truck accident cases can be complex, often involving multiple parties and intricate federal regulations.
Work with a knowledgeable Montgomery truck accident lawyer who knows the rules and regulations that govern the trucking industry and how they apply to your case.
We Take On the Insurance Companies
After a truck accident, insurance adjusters for the trucking company or any other potentially liable parties may contact you to settle and close your case. While a quick cash offer can be tempting when you’re facing mounting medical bills and lost work, these initial offers are substantially lower than the true value of your truck accident claim.
Insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their bottom line. Their goal is to settle claims for as little as possible. They may use various tactics to minimize your claim, such as:
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Arguing that your injuries were pre-existing
- Claiming you were partially at fault for the accident
- Pressuring you to accept a low offer before you fully understand the extent of your damages
- Delaying your claim, hoping you’ll settle out of frustration
Never accept an insurance settlement offer without first consulting a lawyer. Once you accept an offer, you waive your right to seek additional compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than initially thought.
Alexander Shunnarah’s Montgomery truck accident attorneys will handle all communications with the insurance companies, ensuring your rights are protected. We fight for your full and fair compensation that truly accounts for the full extent of your losses, both current and future.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accidents often involve more than one responsible party. Finding all parties that might be liable is key to getting you the compensation you deserve. We’ll investigate thoroughly to uncover every potentially responsible party in your case, including but not limited to:
- The tuck driver: If the driver was negligent (e.g., driving while fatigued, speeding, or violating traffic laws), they may be held responsible.
- The trucking company: Under the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior,” employers are often liable for their employees’ actions. Additionally, the company may be directly negligent if it failed to properly train drivers, encouraged unsafe practices, or neglected vehicle maintenance.
- The truck manufacturer: If a defective part contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable under product liability laws.
- Cargo loaders: Improper loading can cause trucks to become unstable. The company responsible for loading the cargo may be liable if this contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance companies: If poor maintenance led to mechanical failure that caused the accident, the company responsible for the truck’s upkeep could be held accountable.
- Government entities: In some cases, poor road design or maintenance might contribute to an accident, potentially implicating local or state government agencies.
Determining liability in truck accident cases requires thorough investigation and analysis. Our team at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has the knowledge, resources, and experience to identify all potentially liable parties, ensuring you have the best chance at full compensation.
What Compensation is Available to Truck Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, known as damages. These fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages or income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
- Home modification expenses, if needed to accommodate injuries
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
For wrongful death claims arising from fatal truck accidents, families may seek additional damages such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship and guidance
The exact compensation you’re eligible for depends on the specific circumstances of your case. Factors that influence the value of your claim include the severity of your injuries, the impact on your quality of life, and the degree of negligence involved.
At Alexander Shunnarah, we pursue all of your damages and losses, accounting for the long-term impacts of serious injuries in addition to past and current expenses.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Montgomery?
In Alabama, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a truck accident lawsuit. This statute of limitations deadline applies to most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Don’t wait to take action. Two years might seem long, but the best step you can take to protect your truck accident claim and your future is to call a truck accident lawyer without delay. The trucking company’s insurer is already working on your case, figuring out how it can minimize or deny its liability.
Don’t let the at-fault party’s insurance company take advantage of you. As soon as you hire Alexander Shunnarah, your Montgomery truck accident attorney will start gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting experts to build you a solid case.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Montgomery Truck Accident Case?
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, having a skilled lawyer by your side can make a world of difference. Here’s how Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can assist you:
- Case evaluation: We’ll review the details of your accident and help you understand your legal options.
- Investigation: Our team will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and electronic logging device data.
- Consultation with industry experts: We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other professionals to provide and support evidence for your case.
- Managing the insurance companies: We’ll handle all communications with insurance adjusters, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize your claim.
- Negotiation: Our skilled negotiators will work to secure a fair settlement that covers all your losses.
- Litigation: If the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to settle fairly, we’re prepared to take your case to court and argue your case before a judge and jury.
- Emotional support: We understand how traumatic a truck accident can be. Our team provides compassionate support throughout the legal process.
- Maximum compensation: Our goal is to secure the highest possible compensation for your injuries, losses, and suffering.
With our top-tier legal support, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the complexities of your case. We’re committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact the Alabama Truck Accident Lawyers at Alexander Shunnarah Today
The physical pain and emotional trauma of your injuries and the grief of losing a loved one cannot be overstated and should never be undervalued. If your life has been turned upside down by a truck accident, Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys provide a path forward.
We have the knowledge, resources, and dedication to take on big trucking companies and their insurers. From investigating your accident to negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court, we’re with you every step of the way.
Call us today at (334) 489-2163 to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with a dedicated Montgomery personal injury attorney, or fill out our quick online form, and we will reach out to you.
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys: Accident & Injury Lawyers – Montgomery Office
504 S Perry St
Montgomery, AL 36104
Ph: (501) 817-9699
Securing Results for Our Truck Accident Clients
Everyone that I’ve talked to are very professional and compassionate. The end results were amazing for my daughter’s case last year. I’m using them again for my case.
D. Bush
What to Do After a Truck Accident: Your Legal Breakdown
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