Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

What’s worse than being in a car crash in Alabama? Based on our experience as skilled Alabama truck accident attorneys, our answer would be being in a truck accident. If car collisions are terrible, the effects of being hit by any type of truck are even more devastating.

Trucks generally inflict more severe injuries on victims than cars do, due to their size and weight. While trucks can be as heavy as 80,000 pounds, cars typically weigh less than 4,000 pounds. Their massive weight and size also make commercial truck drivers less able to prevent road crashes than motorists with smaller vehicles.

So, if you’re a victim in a truck accident in Alabama, we understand the situation you’re in. The best option at this point is to get maximum financial compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, our competent legal team can help you with this while you focus on your recovery.

Who Is Liable for My Alabama Truck Crash?

Discover The Likely Defendants in Your Case

The first step to determining liability in your Alabama truck accident is understanding how the state allocates blame. Generally, in Alabama, a person can only be liable for your injuries in a road collision if:

They Owed You a Duty of Care 

Duty of care refers to the responsibility a person has to protect your safety and overall well-being. Individuals can only be responsible for your injuries if they’re in a position where their actions or inactions could cause you harm.  In the case of vehicle accidents, every driver owes other road users a duty of care.

They Breached Their Duty of Care 

A person can be held at fault for your truck accident if they disregarded their duty of care to you. This means that they carelessly put your life at risk by failing to take the necessary precautions to keep you safe – perhaps by driving recklessly or when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Their Negligence Directly Caused the Accident 

More than just breaching a duty of care, you must show that the breach caused the accident that caused your injuries.

You Suffered Some Harm 

The last element to prove fault is damage. You have to show that the accident you suffered from the party’s negligence led to a loss of some sort.

Based on the characteristics of negligence above, the following parties are some of those who may be responsible for your truck accident injuries:

• Truck driver for disobeying traffic rules
• Trucking company for hours-of-service violations, lack of maintenance, overloading, or failure to train
• Truck manufacturers for selling vehicles with defective parts
• Cargo shippers, if they failed to notify the driver of hazardous contents
• Municipalities for not maintaining the roads.

Alabama adopts the contributory fault rule in apportioning liability to parties in a truck accident. This means that you would not be able to claim damages for your injuries if you contributed in any way to the accident.

Note, however, that there are exceptions to this rule. Our attorneys will evaluate your case to determine the validity of your claim based on the general rule and exceptions.

What Compensation Will I Receive in a Truck Accident in Alabama?

Find Out What Damages You May Be Entitled To

Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, you may be able to claim the following damages for your truck accident:

• Medical costs
• Property damage
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life
• Punitive damages to punish the at-fault party, in some situations.

What Will My Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer Do for Me?

We Leave No Stone Unturned in Advocating for Your Rights

Our caring truck crash lawyers will undertake a wide range of activities to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. They include:

Quality Legal Advice

After a truck accident, it’s normal to be confused as to the next steps to take. At this stage, you need an experienced legal professional to guide you through the process and help you make the right decisions. Fortunately, this is one of the services our Alabama truck accident attorneys offer.

Caldwell Wenzel Asthana injury lawyers will ensure that you get clarity on legal issues that you find confusing. This will ensure that you make well-informed decisions concerning your case.

Investigation

Truck accidents are more complex than car crashes and require a thorough investigation to uncover hidden facts. Our truck crash attorneys know how to dig deep, using our available resources to discover the details that can increase your chances of maximum compensation.

Sometimes, this will require us to work with experts in other fields, like accident reconstruction professionals, to get to the root of the matter. We may also analyze the driver’s records to determine if their hours of service comply with applicable federal and state regulations.

Regardless of what it takes, we do everything possible to get a clear picture of the factors responsible for the accident.

Evidence Gathering 

Evidence is the foundation upon which any truck accident case is built. No matter how true your allegations are, you wouldn’t achieve anything without solid proof to back them up. That’s why we take evidence compilation seriously, ensuring that everything you need to substantiate your claim is provided.

At our law firm, we don’t leave any stone unturned when searching for the right documents to back up your case. For example, we’ll spring into action to secure the trucking company’s hours-of-service logs before they’re destroyed. This will help us determine whether the driver was fatigued when the accident happened. Other pieces of evidence we’ll compile include police reports, pictures of the accident scene, medical reports, black box data, and surveillance footage.

Negotiation With Insurance Companies

Following a thorough investigation, our skilled attorneys will send a demand letter to the erring party’s insurance company. The demand letter will contain details about the truck accident and a request for compensation. It is when the insurance company responds with their offer that negotiations begin in earnest.

It’s important to note that insurance companies are more interested in profits than in getting you fair compensation. As such, they’ll typically employ various tactics to get you to agree to a lesser sum than you deserve. Fortunately, we understand their schemes and are ready to beat them at their own game.

Before the negotiation process begins, we’ll evaluate your case to determine the appropriate compensation sum. We’ll not rest until we arrive at a settlement that is commensurate with the harm you’ve suffered.

Aggressive Litigation 

We love to settle truck accident claims because the settlement process is private, saves time, and reduces stress. Unfortunately, some insurance companies remain adamant and will purposely delay the process to frustrate your claim. In such situations, the next course of action is to file a truck accident lawsuit and take the case to trial.

Fortunately, our truck accident lawyers in Alabama are always ready to protect your rights to the full extent of the law. Litigation is one of our strong areas. We’ll leverage our knowledge and skills to advocate for the desired outcome in your case.

Why Choose Us?

Discover What Makes Us Stand Out in Our Field

The Alabama truck accident attorneys at Caldwell Wenzel Asthana PC are widely recognized as premium legal practitioners for these reasons:

• An impressive track record of successful compensation awards to the tune of millions of dollars
• Decades of experience in personal injury law with a focus on truck accident claims
• A client-centric approach to legal representation
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills
• Affordable legal services.

If you need stellar legal representation for your Alabama truck crash claim, our law firm should be at the top of your list.

Frequently Asked Questions

No Concern Goes Unaddressed When You Work with Us

There’s no such thing as a trivial question when it comes to fighting for justice after a truck accident. You deserve to understand every aspect of your claim, and we’re here to help you with whatever you need to know. That’s why we’ve provided answers to the questions that are likely on your mind:

How Much Will I Receive as Compensation for My Injuries in A Truck Accident? 

It’s difficult to determine your exact compensation amount in a truck accident because your compensation sum depends on numerous factors. This includes the severity of your case, whether it goes to trial, financial losses incurred, and many other elements. However, our attorneys can provide an estimate of your claim’s value after a case evaluation.

What If My Loved One Died in an 18-Wheeler Accident? 

Based on Alabama’s personal injury law, the personal representatives of deceased truck accident victims can receive only punitive damages for their loss. The amount obtainable will be determined by the court in a wrongful death lawsuit and depend on the severity of the wrongdoing. However, whatever sum you receive is meant to cover medical bills, lost wages, and funeral expenses.

When Is the Right Time to Consult My Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer? 

The best time to contact a personal injury lawyer is the earliest time possible after the crash. Besides giving us enough time to prepare your claim, this also limits your chances of making mistakes that will jeopardize your claim. When you call us on time, we’ll act swiftly to prevent the guilty parties from destroying valuable evidence.

What’s Your Fee Structure? 

Our Alabama truck accident lawyers work on a contingency or “no-fee guarantee” basis. This means that you wouldn’t have to pay anything out of pocket until we secure compensation on your behalf. Contingency fee structures minimize your financial risk and keep you confident of our dedication to your case.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim in Alabama? 

The time frame for settling Alabama truck accident claims is dependent on numerous factors. These include the severity of the accident, how long it takes for you to reach full recovery, and how cooperative the insurance companies are. Another factor that determines the timeline of your case is whether it goes to trial.

What’s The Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases in Alabama?

In Alabama, personal injury victims have only two years from the date of the injury to pursue compensation claims against the negligent parties. Exceeding this deadline automatically robs you of the right to fight for justice. This is why you mustn’t delay in getting quality legal representation for your case.

Contact Caldwell Wenzel Asthana Injury Lawyers for Quality Legal Representation Today

The Law Firm of Choice for Injury Victims Who Desire Premium Legal Services

Many truck accidents in Alabama are preventable and caused by negligent truckers who were fatigued, speeding, tailgating, or reckless. Sometimes the fault lies with the truck manufacturer, trucking company and others involved. These careless parties and their insurance companies should be made to face the music for putting your life at risk. Unfortunately, as you focus on recovering from your injuries, pursuing justice can seem like an extra burden. The good news, though, is that you have nothing to worry about when our experienced Alabama truck accident lawyers are on your case.

At Caldwell Wenzel Asthana Law Firm, bringing erring truckers to justice is what we know how to do best. From thorough investigations to gathering evidence, settlement negotiations, or arguing your case in court, we’ll do everything possible to secure fair compensation for your injuries. We’re well-respected in our industry for our admirable track record of successful outcomes for our personal injury clients.  We’d be glad to help you, too.