Prattville Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck Accident Attorneys in Prattville AlabamaPrattville is located in the center of Alabama about 13 miles from Montgomery in the “River Region” so named because of the convergence of the Coosa and Alabama Rivers

The state’s highway system makes it easy to drive “across the river” to the state capital of Montgomery, so many families and retirees have decided to make Prattville their home.

Family members commuting to Montgomery for work have no doubt encountered many large semi-trucks on nearby interstate highways. 

The highway system going into and out of Prattville includes Interstate 65 on the eastern border, US Highway 82 comes from the west to connect to I-65.  Alabama Highway 14 crosses east to west and US Highway 31 bisects the community from the north traveling south.

There are more than 9,000 trucking companies in Alabama traveling those roads. Many of them are small, locally owned businesses.

And while large trucks bring more than 85 percent of goods and services to Alabama communities, they also increase the chance that we will encounter one in a highway crash. When that happens, the outcome is never good for the occupants of a passenger vehicle, largely because of the size differential.

Prattville Truck Accidents

The numbers tell us the tragic stories.  According to a University of Alabama study, semi-trucks were involved in 7,782 accidents that killed 89 people and injured 2,184 others. 

These large vehicles – whether a big rig, a 6-axle tractor, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, even local delivery trucks – make up about eight percent of total vehicles on the road but 11 percent of deaths on the highway, according to the Department of Transportation.

It is not a mystery why that happens.  A large truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds while your typical passenger vehicle weighs from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds. Catastrophic and devastating injuries, some of them permanent, as well as deaths, result from large truck accidents in Alabama every day.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Prattville truck accident, Chip Nix is just one call away. He can be reached at our Montgomery Alabama office at (334) 203-6669 regarding your large truck accident anywhere in Alabama.   Do not let the other side convince you the accident was your fault until you have had a consultation with Mr. Nix.

Common Causes of Prattville, AL Truck Accidents  

It’s estimated that across the U.S. about 5,000 people die every year as a result of a collision with a large truck.  Every one of us who drives on our highways has the same feeling of dread when passing a truck. We understand that one wrong move on either part can cause a lifetime of pain. 

While it is sometimes the error of a driver that contributes to an Alabama truck accident, truck drivers too have a responsibility to respect safety on the road. By virtue of driving you have accepted the responsibility of acting in a safe and responsible manner, no matter what type of vehicle you are driving.

Driver Error in Alabama Trucking Accidents

The majority of the blame for a Prattville, Alabama truck accident are due to the driver, whether the trucker or passenger car.

Consider the many factors that contribute to Alabama trucking accidents, or any accident involving a large truck.

  • Tailgating
  • Speeding 
  • Blind spots
  • Abrupt lane change 
  • Improper loading 
  • Vehicle defects 

Unsafe Passenger Vehicle Drivers – Smaller vehicles may think they can drive around trucks to keep their distance. In making fast maneuvers, they may actually be contributing to an accident.  For example, a car entering traffic without leaving sufficient room for the truck they are passing and pulling in front of may cause the truck to slam on the brakes or turn abruptly.

Drivers who drive in the blind spot of the truck, that is near the left and right rear tires or directly behind the truck, are not in areas where the truck driver can see them. The trucker may make a lane change without knowing they are there.

Not leaving enough room for a big-rig to stop or maneuver safely is a common error. Many in a passenger car may not realize that it takes much more distance for a driver of a big-rig to stop. Cutting in front of a large truck to change lanes suddenly has the potential to cause a truck accident.

Unsafe Truck Drivers – While most big-rig drivers take their responsibility seriously, there are times when driving is a challenge. Some of the mistakes made by passenger vehicles are to blame, while others we find are due to the negligence of a truck driver. 

There are many reasons the truck driver may be at fault and they include:

  • Speeding
  • Drug or alcohol use
  • Medical condition
  • Distracted driving
  • Violating Hours-of-Service rules
  • Pressure by companies to deliver fast
  • Uneven loading of a truck
  • Insufficient training

Drivers may own their own rig or may be working under contract. Either way, they have a certain time frame within which to deliver the goods.  Weather conditions may slow that down as may traffic. Regardless, the driver is supposed to have a set number of hours of rest before getting behind the wheel.

Violating the rules and he may be driving drowsy and distracted. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can result in dangerous, reckless, and aggressive driving in order to make tight deadlines.

Making a sudden turn at a high speed can cause a truck to flip over.  Some large trucks are loaded unevenly meaning that taking a sharp turn can throw the cargo around seriously undermining the vehicle’s stability. An inexperienced driver or someone not properly trained may be inclined to take extra pay to cut corners in order to deliver on time. 

Your Experienced, Compassionate Prattville Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has experienced an accident with a truck in Alabama you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.  A consultation with Mr. Nix will uncover the factors leading up to the truck collision in Prattville or anywhere in Alabama.

If you are not at fault, the other side will likely offer you some compensation. This is intended to keep you out of court but it is never fair or a representation of what you’ve lost.

Mr. Nix is an experienced Alabama truck accident lawyer who will apply his skill to obtaining for you the compensation you are entitled to.  Please call his Montgomery office at (334) 203-6669 before evidence proving your case disappears. 

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