DecaturTruck Accidents

Our network of dedicated personal injury attorneys can offer unique insight and guidance in the aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident in Decatur, AL. Schedule a free consultation today.

Trucking is a high-risk profession. Drivers are always on the road, and their job requires them to take risks that others do not usually have to take. As a result, truckers need to stay alert and aware of their surroundings at all times, but unfortunately, accidents still happen.

The trucking industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the country, with an accident rate three times higher than the national average. Truck drivers are often involved in severe accidents while on the road, which can lead to everything from non-life-threatening injuries to death.

Truckers are constantly in traffic and frequently utilize interstates and highways every day. Drivers can go from a city to a rural area and back to a city again all in one day while traveling across the country.

These drivers often work long hours, leading to exhaustion, which can be especially dangerous on a highway. A crash involving a car can be bad enough, but a crash involving a semi has the potential to be much worse.

Most recognize the importance of truckers in this country, including the Decatur Police. However, for legal reasons, you may still hurt your chances of collecting compensation if you inadvertently admit fault.

If you have been in an accident involving an 18-wheeler and need access to legal representation, we can help. Mama Justice will be able to guide you through the process and get your life back on track.

What Happens After a Decatur 18-Wheeler Accident?

After a truck crash, dealing with an insurance company is overwhelming and complicated. Talk with our Decatur truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation!

When you’ve had a bad crash, you want to be sure that the insurance company will recognize and protect your interests. Dealing with insurance agents and the Decatur police can put you at an extreme disadvantage.

When it comes to trouble with the police and insurance companies, the most important thing to do, for legal reasons, is to get in touch with a lawyer.

Attempting to gain access to the justice system in this country can be daunting and overwhelming. Do not take legal help for granted. Police and other officials are trained to recognize incriminating statements and could hurt your case if you are not adequately represented.

Mama Justice has knowledgeable truck accident lawyers experienced in truck accident cases, wrongful death claims, and personal injury cases. Whether your accident was on the highway or the interstate, enquire about your free legal consultation today!

What Types of Truck Accidents Happen in Decatur?

A crash involving an 18-wheeler can take many forms. If a car is following too close in your blind spot, you may not even see them.

A typical 18-wheeler crash in Decatur will generally involve non-life-threatening injuries for the truck driver but could prove devastating to someone in a small car.

There is more than just one type of crash that can happen in these situations. The most common types of accidents are as follows:

Wide Turns

These turns typically happen when a truck driver swings the truck to the left, attempting to rotate and make a ‘right turn.’ When pulling a trailer, the semi-truck can hit another car to the right and cause a rollover.

Rollovers

A rollover crash is typically the most fatal of all truck accidents. One way this type of crash can occur is when a piece of debris is on the highway and causes the driver to swerve abruptly. The vehicle will flip over onto its side, causing the trailer to slide across the interstate.

T-Bone

This crash happens when a truck driver fails to recognize and yield to a traffic light or stop sign. This catastrophic mistake can cause a T-bone crash, triggering a collision that causes a side impact.

Under Ride

This type of crash happens when a semi-truck stops abruptly, causing a car, or an otherwise smaller vehicle, to slide under the truck’s trailer. This type of collision can be fatal, especially when high speeds are involved on a highway or interstate.

Jackknife

Occasionally a truck driver is obliged to stop his rig suddenly for whatever reason. This sudden braking can cause a dangerous, potentially fatal accident if the rig’s trailer is at an acute angle to the cab, which could happen, for example, when fast-moving traffic has to make way for the trailer.

Rear-End Accidents

The immense size and weight of semi-trucks and their loads increase the chances of this type of crash being fatal. Police and other officials see these accidents very often in the transportation industry.

Lost Loads

Commercial truck drivers carry large loads while on a transportation route. Sometimes these loads are not appropriately restrained and run the risk of coming detached and hitting a nearby car. This can also result in blocked access to a highway or interstate.

Blind Spots

Blind spots can be a deadly problem, even in a small car. When you consider the immensity of an 18-wheeler, the aftermath can be catastrophic.

A crash like this happens when the big rig makes a turn or switches lanes without double-checking its blind spots.

The Decatur police have responded to this type of incident many times. Officials can often recognize at the crash scene that they are dealing with a blind spot accident.

Head-on Collisions

Law officials and emergency workers recognize how fatal a head-on collision can be. A speeding semi-truck on an interstate can cause more than non-life-threatening injuries if it makes contact with a car.

Many types of trucking accidents can occur on a transportation route. Every type of accident needs a specific type of legal representation. No matter if you have non-life-threatening injuries or something more serious, call us for more information about how we can help. You may receive compensation to assist you in paying for vehicle repairs, lost income, and any other damages you have encountered.

What Injuries Do Semi-Truck Accidents Cause?

Tractor trailers are a lot bigger and heavier than your average passenger car. As a result, the occupants of cars tend to suffer the most severe injuries in a collision.

When called to the scene of an accident involving an 18-wheeler, the Decatur Police and other officials, unfortunately, recognize that the person in the other vehicle was likely severely injured.

Despite a truck driver’s best intentions on the highway, attempting to drive perfectly can still result in an accident. Here are some of the most common injuries from truck accidents:

Injuries from semi-truck accidents happen all too often in Decatur. The most common injuries are:

When people get injured in 18-wheeler accidents, they’re often taken to the hospital and need surgery. This usually takes at least a few days to recover.

Many people who suffer non-life-threatening injuries will still need more than just medical treatment. These injuries can also involve things like physical therapy, rehabilitation, etc.

Many accidents involving semi-trucks can lead to catastrophic injuries. A semi-truck crash victim will often suffer through issues such as broken bones and head trauma and having to navigate communicating with an insurance company. Safety cannot be overemphasized, and all drivers should do their best not to drive tired or impaired for more than just legal reasons.

What Should I Do If I’m Hurt in an 18-Wheeler Crash in Decatur?

As someone pursuing accident compensation after a semi-crash, it is essential to use the time following your accident wisely for more than just legal reasons.

Deciphering your insurance policy without access to an experienced lawyer can be stressful and overwhelming. You may also have to deal with the added stresses, such as filing a report with the Decatur Police.

Our injury lawyers at Mama Justice recognize and empathize with your struggle. Submit an inquiry for your free consultation today to find out how we can proceed forward with your case. In the meantime, here are some helpful steps to take immediately following your accident.

Contact your Insurance Company

After making your initial claim, you should take the proper steps to ensure that your Insurance Company is kept up to date with any changes or developments to avoid any unwanted issues.

This not only jump-starts the process and gets you closer to a settlement, but it also will help your case to keep records on everything possible.

Do Not Delay Treatment

Undoubtedly, the most crucial action you can take after an accident is to contact a medical professional and receive treatment.

We understand and recognize that many uninsured people fear the costs they will incur for a hospital visit. However, it can be devastatingly risky to skip over receiving medical attention.

Not only could you have a severe injury, but taking time to seek assistance may save your life. Many serious injuries will not be immediately apparent, and it will take time before they become huge problems. If you have access to medical treatment, you will do well to use it.

Document Everything you can

For legal reasons and dealing with insurance companies, photos can significantly impact your case and understanding of what exactly happened during your accident.

Accidents are very jarring, and we certainly recognize that access to a camera or even just attempting to pull yourself together enough to take photos can be very hard. Do your best to assess the scene, and do not take it for granted that you will not be found liable.

You do not need to spend hours attempting to document every minor detail, but every little bit certainly helps when you are ready to contact an attorney.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Decatur, Alabama?

In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you will likely lose your right to compensation for good. Deadlines can vary by claim type, so please confirm yours with an attorney as soon as you can.

With a trucking case, the real clock starts even sooner. Federal rules generally require trucking companies to keep a driver’s logs and supporting records for only six months. Data from the truck’s onboard systems can also be overwritten. That is why we act fast to send preservation letters and lock down the evidence before it disappears.

If a wrongful death is involved, the deadline is also generally two years. Please call us right away so your family does not lose any options.

What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Truck Crash?

In Alabama, being partly at fault can put your whole claim at risk. Alabama follows pure contributory negligence, so if you are found even 1% responsible, the trucking company and its insurer may argue you cannot recover anything.

Trucking companies often send investigators or adjusters to the scene quickly, and they may try to get statements that place some blame on you. Do not guess, and do not apologize. Being accused of fault is not the same as being at fault. Evidence like the truck’s data recorder, driver logs, and video can show what really happened. Let us review your facts for free.

Who Is Liable for a Decatur 18-Wheeler Accident?

The first thing an attorney will do is determine what happened during and leading up to your accident.

After that, we proceed to identify the responsible parties who contributed to the accident which caused the injuries, ensuring that our clients will receive the compensation they deserve.

Here at Mama Justice, we will immediately start building your case by gathering all available evidence at the scene of the accident. It is essential for legal reasons that we collect all available evidence possible. Some of the evidence that will be attempted to gather from the scene includes:

• Cell phone records of the drivers involved.
• Reports of the crash from the Decatur police.
• Any data recorder information.
• Statements from witnesses to the accident.
• Factors along the highway or route that may have contributed to the accident.
• Photos from the scene of the accident.
• Any available surveillance camera footage.
• Driver chemical test results to determine if impairment played a role.

If a drunk driver or a bar that overserved them played a part, see our Decatur drunk driving accident page.

The personal injury lawyers at Mama Justice are highly qualified to analyze and reconstruct accident scenes. We spend hours analyzing all possible factors that could have impacted the accident, whether on a country road or an interstate.

Who Can Be Held Responsible Besides the Truck Driver?

In a truck crash, the driver is often not the only one who can be held responsible. Finding every responsible party matters, because each one may have its own insurance. Depending on the facts, responsibility may reach:

• The trucking company. A company may be responsible for a driver’s mistakes while on the job, and for its own choices about hiring, training, scheduling, and safety.
• The company that loaded the cargo. A poorly balanced or badly secured load can cause a rollover or a lost load.
• A maintenance or repair shop. Bad brakes, tires, or steering can turn a routine trip into a disaster.
• The truck or trailer owner. In some cases, the owner is a different company than the one running the route.
• A parts maker. A defective part can also be to blame.

We dig into all of it so the right people are held accountable.

What Federal Safety Rules Do Trucking Companies Have to Follow?

Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict federal safety rules. When those rules are broken, it can be a key part of proving what went wrong. Some of the rules we look at closely include:

• Hours of service. Most drivers who carry freight may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving without an interruption. There are also weekly limits of 60 or 70 hours on duty in 7 or 8 days. You can read the full rules in the FMCSA hours of service summary.
• Driver qualification. Companies must check that drivers are properly qualified and licensed.
• Drug and alcohol testing. Commercial drivers are subject to testing rules.
• Inspection and maintenance. Trucks must be inspected, repaired, and kept in safe working order.
• Cargo securement. Loads must be properly secured so they do not shift or fall.

A tired driver, a skipped inspection, or a badly secured load is not just a mistake. It can be a broken safety rule, and we know where to look for the proof.

How Much Insurance Do Trucking Companies Carry?

Trucking companies must carry more insurance than most drivers. For most for-hire trucking companies hauling non-hazardous freight across state lines, federal law generally requires at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Some companies carry more, and companies hauling certain hazardous materials must carry more.

That is helpful, but it does not mean the insurance company will just hand it over. Serious truck injuries can cost far more than a policy pays, and insurers fight hard to limit what they owe. That is why we look at every policy that may apply, including the driver’s, the company’s, and any others tied to the crash.

What Is My Decatur Truck Accident Case Worth?

Truck accident cases are often worth more than car accident cases because the injuries are often more serious. But there is no set number, and every case is different. The main factors are:

• How serious your injuries are, and whether they may be permanent
• Your medical bills so far and your future care, including surgery, therapy, and long-term care
• Lost income and any loss of your ability to earn a living
• Damage to your vehicle
• Pain, suffering, and the ways your life has changed
• The insurance coverage available
• How fault is decided under Alabama’s contributory negligence rule

We will never promise you a specific result. The case results shown on this page are past results, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. What we can promise is that we will fight hard for the compensation the law allows.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Decatur Truck Accident?

If you’ve been injured in an 18-Wheeler accident, contact a qualified Decatur personal injury attorney at Mama Justice to fight for your rightful compensation.

We can assist you with compensation for several different types of damages, including:

Everybody should have access to quality legal representation. Hardworking people should not have to pay out of their pockets for unfounded legal reasons.

Do not deal with insurance companies or the Decatur police on your own! Our experienced Decatur lawyers aggressively negotiate total and timely compensation for every one of our clients we come in contact with.

How Long Does a Decatur Truck Accident Case Take?

Truck cases usually take longer than car accident cases. There are more people involved, more evidence to review, and often more insurance companies. Many take a year or more, and some go to trial.

We will not rush you into a settlement before you know the full cost of your injuries. We also keep you updated so you are never left in the dark, and we keep Alabama’s two-year deadline in view the whole time.

Where Do Truck Crashes Happen Around Decatur?

Decatur sits on the Tennessee River and is home to industrial plants and busy freight routes. Heavy trucks move through the area on I-65, US-31, AL-20, and AL-67, and around the city on local roads. If you were hurt anywhere in Decatur or Morgan County, our Decatur office at 1206 Somerville Rd SE is here for you. If your case needs a lawsuit, it would generally be filed in Morgan County Circuit Court in Decatur.

Do I Need a Lawyer After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Decatur?

It is a smart move. Trucking companies and their insurers often have investigators and lawyers ready within hours of a serious crash. You should have someone on your side too. A Decatur truck accident lawyer at Mama Justice can protect the evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for you. Your consultation is free, and you pay no attorney fee unless we win.

Protect Your Legal Rights with Mama Justice

Beyond pain and loss of mobility, being injured can also mean missing time at work, which can mean falling into debt as you get behind in bills.

Injuries may also complicate physically moving between your various appointments in receiving medical treatment.

Dealing with the repercussions of injuries is difficult enough without considering things like dealing with the Decatur police, various police reports, and other obligations for legal reasons.

We believe that accident victims in Decatur should be granted the ability to focus on healing after their accidents, not dealing with police and insurance companies.