Truck accidents are among the deadliest types of motor-vehicle accidents in the United States. The average truck with a fully loaded trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger vehicle's weight ranges between 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a truck accident, receiving fair and just compensation may be an uphill battle that requires involving a personal injury lawyer.
Accidents involving 18-wheelers or commercial trucks are different from accidents involving only passenger vehicles for several reasons. The truck driver isn't the only one who may be liable. There are federal regulations to consider alongside state laws. The mechanics involved in the truck are different and may be relevant.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Alabama
Accidents involving semi-trucks or other large, commercial trucks are potentially caused by many factors or any combination of them. Unfortunately, many commercial drivers lack the training and experience required to safely operate a large vehicle on a public road that is shared by unsuspecting motorists.
Some of the most common causes of commercial truck wrecks include the following:
- Speeding;
- Distracted driving;
- Driving while tired or drowsy;
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol;
- Inadequate training;
- Inexperience;
- Defective truck parts;
- Inadequate or unsafe maintenance;
- Excessive winds;
- Shifting cargo inside the trailer; and
- Unsecured cargo on a flatbed trailer.
In the end, there may be several causes that lead up to the wreck which makes commercial truck cases more complex than other types of auto accidents.
Common Types of Injuries in Alabama from Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large, commercial vehicles or eighteen wheelers may be catastrophic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides annual statistics, and year after year, it's been documented that more than 80 percent of those who die from bodily injuries sustained in a truck accident are not the truck driver. Instead, it is often pedestrians or occupants of another vehicle who are seriously injured or killed.
Though fatalities often result from semi-truck collisions, there are other serious injuries that can have life-changing effects on the victim. These injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal injuries;
- Broken bones;
- Organ damage;
- Lacerations;
- Amputations;
- Paralysis;
- Nerve damage;
- Burn injuries; and
- Internal bleeding.
The long-lasting effects of serious injuries may lead to additional compensation. For example, serious scarring may require additional surgeries or may be permanent.
Potential Liable Parties in Alabama Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents are often different from other accidents involving only passenger cars. For example, a trucking company usually employs the truck driver involved in the crash. As the trucker's employer or carrier, it may be legally responsible for the maintenance of the truck and truck drivers' actions.
In addition to a truck driver and the carrier, several other parties may be liable for a truck accident, including:
- Manufacturer of the truck;
- Manufacturer of truck parts;
- Vendors providing services to the carrier (like loaders); and
- Owner of the cargo.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Alabama Today
Truck accidents can be devastating for everyone involved. Make sure you get the compensation you deserve by hiring an auto accident lawyer at Hobbs Law, LLC. Contact us online or at (205)683-2892 to schedule a Free today.