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YOUR LADY FOR JUSTICE

In Hamilton

Hamilton Truck Accident Attorneys

Missy Wigginton

Missy Wigginton

Hello friends and family, I am Missy Wigginton, also known as Mama Justice. When meeting me, some people ask me how I got my name....

Hamilton Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, contact the Hamilton truck accident lawyers at Mama Justice today for the experienced legal guidance you need.

Each year thousands of people are injured in truck accidents throughout Alabama. In 2019 alone, Alabama saw over 10,000 crashes involving tractor-trailers. While these large commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks, work trucks, tow trucks, and semi-trucks play an important role in the state’s economy by delivering supplies, their size and weight can also pose a significant threat to the average passenger vehicle.

Of the more than 10,000 Alabama truck accidents in 2019, unfortunately, over 2,500 injuries and 137 fatalities came as a result. In Marion County, there were 492 truck crashes in 2019, resulting in 227 injuries and seven deaths. Since 2010, these figures have generally continued to grow higher year after year, meaning more and more Alabama residents are becoming victims of serious truck accidents.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident, contact a Hamilton truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you receive compensation for the injuries and damages you have sustained.

The attorneys at Mama Justice have been providing experienced legal assistance to help truck accident victims get legal justice and maximum financial compensation for years. If a truck accident has caused catastrophic injuries or damages in your life, you may have the right to file a personal injury or property damage claim. Call Mama Justice today for a free consultation.

What Types of Trucks are Typically Involved in Accidents?

Whether it be on Interstate 22, Route 278, or any other road that crosses through Hamilton, dozens of different types of large commercial trucks traverse Alabama roads every day. In 2019, over 66 percent of fatal truck accidents in Alabama occurred on an interstate or a state route. Some common truck accident examples include:

18-Wheeler and Semi-truck accidents
Delivery, work, cement, and tow truck accidents
Garbage truck accidents
Tractor-trailer truck accidents
Rental or moving truck accidents
Cargo truck accidents
School bus accidents
Fuel tanker truck accidents

These are just a few, and whether it be an accident involving a vehicle listed above or any other type of commercial truck, an experienced truck accident attorney at Mama Justice will listen to your case and help you recover financial compensation.

What are the Major Causes of Truck Accidents in Hamilton?

A long list of factors can contribute to truck or car accidents in our state. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Alabama include:

Improper lane change or use:

Failure to use a blinker, not checking blind spots while changing lanes, or driving in between lanes are all examples of improper lane use. In 2019, improper lane change was the leading cause of accidents involving large trucks in Alabama, making up 14.8% of crashes.

Falling asleep or drowsy driving:

Truck drivers work long, monotonous days with little physical activity. As a result, studies have shown that some truck drivers do not get enough rest and are prone to zoning out or even falling asleep at the wheel.

Tailgating:

No matter what type of vehicle you are driving, tailgating can be dangerous. When it comes to a tractor-trailer, however, the vehicle’s weight means it takes even longer to come to a stop, making tailgating even more threatening. For example, a truck traveling at 60 mph typically takes up to 335 feet to come to a complete stop.

Driving under the influence:

Just like other drivers, a negligent truck driver might also get behind the wheel after having too much to drink, creating a dangerous situation for everyone on the road. In 2020, there were 158 deaths and over 5,000 injuries in Alabama from traffic accidents where alcohol was suspected to be involved.

Avoiding an animal, object, or person:

Truck drivers or other vehicles swerving to avoid unexpected obstacles on the road is another cause of truck accidents. In 2019, 355 accidents involving trucks in Alabama were from avoiding an animal, object, or person.

While there are some similarities among truck accident cases, oftentimes, each truck accident presents a range of unique legal complexities. Our Hamilton truck accident attorneys at Mama Justice want to help you navigate this legal process and seek the compensation you deserve.

What Types of Injuries do Trucking Accidents Cause?

The size and weight of a commercial truck means that the impact of an accident with one can be more severe than crashes between passenger cars. An average 18-wheel semi-truck, for example, typically stands about 14 feet tall, 72 feet long, and 9 feet wide. The weight of these trucks depends on their load but can range anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds.

Due to their immense size and weight, truck crashes can cause serious injuries that impact the victim’s life and, in the worst case, result in death. Examples of common truck accident injuries include:

Spinal cord injuries
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Back and neck injuries
Broken bones
Disfigurement
Burn injuries
Lacerations

In addition to severe physical and emotional pain, these injuries may also require extensive medical treatment. Whether it is surgery or physical therapy, treatments typically mean a significant period of time where you cannot work and produce income, all while costly medical bills pile up.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers at Mama Justice have been fighting trucking companies, drivers, and negligent parties in truck accident cases for years and may be able to help you obtain compensation for personal injuries and lost wages after a truck accident.

What Unsafe Trucking Practices Can Contribute to Accidents?

The weight and dimensions of a large truck are necessary to understand why the vehicles can threaten the average passenger vehicle. However, trucking companies and drivers are responsible for ensuring a truck is safe to carry cargo and operate on the roadway. Some examples of unsafe trucking practices include:

Delayed or ignored truck maintenance:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that all commercial vehicles are inspected once every 12 months to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition and safe to use. In between inspections, however, these trucks acquire tens of thousands of miles, and failing to keep up with necessary truck maintenance could result in a tire blowout or other types of mechanical failure.

Strict delivery deadlines:

It can be difficult to drive a large truck cross-country while aiming to meet a strict deadline set by a trucking company. As a result, a negligent commercial vehicle driver may break the speed limit to avoid missing a deadline and to avoid losing profit. Additionally, a driver error may mean that truckers will take other shortcuts to save time, such as texting while driving or not getting enough sleep or food.

Use of inexperienced drivers:

All commercial truck drivers must obtain a special driver’s license and meet other criteria to operate 18-wheelers. Nevertheless, there have been instances of trucking companies taking shortcuts in the hiring process or not providing adequate training for their drivers. This can result in unqualified truck drivers on the roadway.

If you’ve been in a truck accident and suspect the truck driver or trucking company partook in an unsafe trucking practice, it is crucial to quickly contact an experienced truck accident attorney. The lawyers at Mama Justice may be able to prove fault and help you receive the maximum compensation for your final settlement.

How to Prevail in a Truck Accident Claim

Often if the truck driver or truck company is identified as the at-fault party in an accident, the insurance company that covers the corporation may offer a financial settlement instead of going to court. If this is an option that appeals to you, some tips for negotiating a fair settlement include:

Document the accident. Following a truck accident, any evidence you can collect will help you during the settlement negotiations process. This can include photographs, videos, witness statements, and receipts, to name a few.
Keep a record of your injuries. Truck accidents often result in serious injury for victims. When injured parties are left with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and any other catastrophic injury following a deadly accident, they often require extensive care. It is important to keep a record of the injuries you’ve suffered following a truck accident. This might include photographs of your injuries, medical bills, a written journal, documentation of lost wages, and doctor’s notes.
Seek legal guidance. Just like any other legal process, settlement negotiations can be confusing. It is important to get an experienced legal team on your side to help navigate the process and paint a realistic picture of what the settlement outcome might look like.

In 2021 alone, The Hamilton truck accident lawyers at Mama Justice brought in over $1 million in settlements for our clients, including $250,000 for truck accidents. The experienced personal injury lawyer at Mama Justice has the knowledge and dedication you need to represent you on your personal injury claim and stand up to the insurance companies during a settlement negotiation.

Who Could Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, there might be one or more parties involved that could potentially be held liable, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Some examples of liable parties in commercial vehicle accidents could include:

The trucking company
The truck driver
Other drivers
The cargo’s owner
Government agencies
The truck’s manufacturer
Mechanics or maintenance supervisors
Cargo loaders

The team of truck accident attorneys at Mama Justice can help you identify and seek financial compensation from the at-fault party in a truck accident. If you’ve been injured in a tractor-trailer or other truck accident, contact the Hamilton truck accident attorneys at Mama Justice today.

What are the Different Types of Truck Accidents?

While all truck crashes have the potential to produce catastrophic injuries and even deadly accidents, not all occur in the same fashion. Here is a list of some different types of truck accidents:

Jackknife

This type of crash is used to describe a semi-truck that’s trailer has swung from the cab and suddenly turned a sharp angle similar to that of a pocket knife being opened.

T-Bone

A T-Bone truck accident is a type of crash where one vehicle crashes head-on into the side of another.

Rollovers

Rollover is a term used to describe an accident where one vehicle completely flips over and rolls, often caused by speed and swerving and resulting in serious damage to the vehicle, driver, and other occupants.

Lost cargo

If cargo is not secured properly on a commercial truck, it can become dislodged and fly off, either hitting another vehicle or creating an obstacle in the roadway.

Blindspot

Commercial trucks typically have four blind spots, and failure to check them can result in the driver merging into another vehicle in a nearby lane.

These are just a handful of a long list of factors that can contribute to a deadly truck accident. Sometimes, especially in a multi-vehicle crash, one or more of these types of accidents can happen at the same time, creating even more risk of severe injury or even death.

If you or someone you love has been impacted by a truck accident, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Mama Justice may be able to help. Call today for a free consultation at our personal injury law firm in Hamilton and to learn more about the financial compensation you may be entitled to.

Why Should Mama Justice Represent You?

Being subject to a commercial truck accident is a deeply difficult moment in a person’s life – physically, financially, and emotionally. The team of experienced truck accident lawyers at Mama Justice Law Firm has been representing truck accident victims in the greater Hamilton area for years and may be able to help you.

Missy Wiggington, our founding personal injury lawyer, has decades of experience in fighting for those who have sustained injuries and damages from at-fault parties. Our team will handle the insurance company on your case and fight to get you justice. Reach out today to schedule a free case review at our Alabama personal injury law firm by calling (888) 484-1476.