Huntsville Truck Accident Lawyer
Trusted Truck Accident Lawyers in Huntsville, AL
Consulting a lawyer is essential if you’ve been injured in an accident involving a large vehicle. It’s also crucial if you have a claim against a municipality. A Huntsville truck accident lawyer at Conchin, Cole, Jordan & Sherrod can explain the process of pursuing a claim and lay out your options for receiving compensation. Contact us at (256) 705-7777 for a free consultation today!
Alabama state laws have strict time limits for filing a claim. Even if your case merits compensation, the case may be dismissed if it’s filed too late. Additionally, if you’re injured by a municipality or school bus, the time limits to file your truck accident claim are generally even smaller. Typically, you will only have six months to file a claim against local municipalities.
How to Handle an Alabama Truck Accident Claim
The typical commercial truck company will not jump at the chance to pay out a personal injury claim. Instead, it will attempt to refute claims by using a legal team. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced attorney if you have a truck accident case on your hands. Hiring a Huntsville truck accident lawyer will even the playing field and give you the best chance of winning.
Here are the actions you should take post-accident:
Call 911: Report all truck crashes to the police. Give the officers your side of the story when they arrive. Never admit fault for the crash.
Document the wreck: Take down details of the crash, such as the name and contact information of the truck driver and any eyewitnesses. Take photos if you can.
Go to the hospital if needed: Get immediate medical care for your injuries. Go even if you don’t think you’re injured. Keep copies of your medical records and treatment instructions.
Get an injury attorney to handle your claim: At Conchin, Cole, Jordan & Sherrod, we offer free consultations, including truck accident cases. We know exactly how to advise injury victims in a way that will optimize their chances of securing significant compensation. Call or click here to submit a free consultation.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Huntsville, Alabama
In 2016, 4,564 people died in accidents involving large trucks or buses throughout the United States. Truck accidents can cause serious and fatal injuries, including bone fractures, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Victims may never fully recover from injuries sustained in a commercial trucking accident, and some may even suffer the wrongful death of a loved one. Oftentimes, the truck driver or trucking company is responsible for causing deadly crashes due to negligence.
Lack of Care/Maintenance: Large vehicles require special care from their operators to avoid accidents and injury. In addition, there are special requirements for truck drivers and restrictions on the number of hours they can drive in a day. These are intended to prevent driver fatigue and ensure trucks are safely operated. Trucks should also be maintained carefully because any defective equipment can cause a deadly accident.
Speeding: Speeding is one of the main causes of car accidents. Tractor-trailers, trucks, and buses are no exception. Larger vehicles also require more time to stop due to their weight and momentum. So, when a truck is speeding, not only are they less likely to avoid an accident, but the accident can be deadly when a small vehicle is struck.
Truck Accidents: Claims and Liability
Truck accident claims aren’t the same as typical car accident lawsuits in Alabama. They involve unique and complex laws, such as operating regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They also involve complicated liability laws because trucking companies are financially responsible for their trucks and drivers. The state’s contributory negligence laws can also make recovering compensation even more difficult. That’s why hiring a truck accident attorney in Huntsville at Conchin, Cole, Jordan & Sherrod can navigate your claim and ensure maximum compensation.
Assigning liability can be a tricky process after a truck accident. Victims will need to investigate the collision and figure out “who” or “what” was the proximate, or main, cause of the crash. This often takes help from police officers, insurance companies, and law firm investigators. Evidence such as the truck’s black box, clues from the roadway, and eyewitness accounts can help piece together the accident. Then, the victims can determine the defendant(s) or parties legally responsible for paying damages.
Trucking companies are liable for the majority of tractor-trailer accidents today. But this wasn’t always the case. Companies used to evade liability for many accidents by renting their trucks and hiring independent contractors. A few years ago, the FMCSA ruled that a trucking company is responsible for its trucks and drivers involved in accidents. However, each case is unique, and other parties can still be liable. This would include third-party drivers, cargo loaders, and truck part manufacturers.
Choose our Huntsville Truck Accident Lawyers for your Case
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, truck, or bus, the Huntsville truck accident attorneys at Conchin, Cole, Jordan & Sherrod can take care of your case. Our truck accident lawyers are top-rated in the nation and work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we secure a settlement.
Why Choose Us?
We have more than 200 combined years of experience in personal injury law, including many truck accident cases. Our lead attorneys have also earned national recognition for their outstanding case results and have recovered over $140 million for clients.