["https:\/\/schema.org",[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/#webpage"},"headline":"Decatur 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys","name":"Decatur 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys","description":"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...","datePublished":"2024-08-14","dateModified":"2026-09-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/blog\/author\/mamajustice\/#Person","name":"Mama Justice - MW Law Firm","url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/blog\/author\/mamajustice\/","identifier":6,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e447862997b79ed22fd71bb87a11629345f26dae1c12efb64a217ade91b0f64b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e447862997b79ed22fd71bb87a11629345f26dae1c12efb64a217ade91b0f64b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mama Justice - MW Law Firm","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Mama-Justice-Logo-Desktop.png","url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Mama-Justice-Logo-Desktop.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/meet-the-mama-justice-team.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/meet-the-mama-justice-team.jpg","width":333,"height":209},"url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/"},{"@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/#faq","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Decatur, Alabama?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (Ala. Code \u00a7 6-2-38). Deadlines vary by claim type, so confirm yours with a Decatur truck accident attorney as soon as possible."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who can be held responsible for a Decatur 18-wheeler crash?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Responsibility may reach the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance shop, the truck owner, or a parts maker, depending on the facts. Each may have its own insurance, so a full investigation matters."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What if I was partly at fault for the truck crash?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alabama follows pure contributory negligence. If you are found even 1% at fault, you can be barred from recovering compensation. There are limited exceptions, so have a Decatur attorney review your case before you assume it is over."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What federal hours-of-service rules apply to truck drivers?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Most freight drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 hours off duty and may not drive past the 14th hour after coming on duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving without an interruption."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How fast does trucking evidence disappear?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Faster than most people expect. Federal rules generally require carriers to keep driver logs for six months, and data from the truck's onboard systems can be overwritten. A lawyer can send preservation letters right away to help protect it."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much insurance do trucking companies carry?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Federal law generally requires most for-hire carriers hauling non-hazardous freight across state lines to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Some carry more. Serious injuries can cost more than a policy pays."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What if a loved one died in a Decatur truck crash?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alabama wrongful death claims generally allow only punitive damages, which are meant to punish wrongful conduct and discourage it in the future. The deadline is generally two years, so please speak with a Decatur attorney soon."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much does it cost to hire a Decatur truck accident lawyer at Mama Justice?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Your consultation is free, and our fee is contingency-based, so you pay no attorney fee unless we win. Ask us during your free consultation how case costs are handled in your situation."}}]},{"@type":"Attorney","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/#missy-wigginton","name":"Missy Wigginton","alternateName":"Mama Justice","jobTitle":"Founding Attorney","worksFor":{"@type":"LegalService","name":"Mama Justice - MW Law Firm"},"url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/our-team\/missy-wigginton\/","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/melissa-missy-wigginton-79525488","https:\/\/msbar.reliaguide.com\/lawyer\/38801-3214-MS-Melissa-Wigginton-299647"],"knowsAbout":["truck accidents","18-wheeler accidents","personal injury law","Alabama injury claims"]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/","name":"Decatur 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys","dateModified":"2026-09-29","lastReviewed":"2026-09-29","reviewedBy":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/#missy-wigginton"},"about":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/#office"},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".direct-answer",".faq"]}},{"@type":"LegalService","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/#office","name":"Mama Justice - MW Law Firm (Decatur Office)","url":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/","telephone":"+1-256-587-8423","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1206 Somerville Rd SE","addressLocality":"Decatur","addressRegion":"AL","postalCode":"35601","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":[{"@type":"City","name":"Decatur, AL"},{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"Morgan County, AL"}],"founder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/#missy-wigginton"},"knowsAbout":["truck accidents","18-wheeler accidents","personal injury","wrongful death"]}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/#BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Decatur","item":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Decatur 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys","item":"https:\/\/www.mamajustice.com\/decatur\/truck-accidents\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]