The Importance of Getting a Lawyer Involved Early in a Trucking Accident
The unfortunate reality is that if you are in a passenger vehicle and collide with a truck, a big rig, an 18-wheeler, a semi, or a tractor-trailer, devastating injuries will likely happen to those riding in the much smaller passenger vehicle.
A tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds, or even a delivery truck, delivers a far worse outcome than two cars colliding. With a passenger vehicle weighing about 5,000 pounds, the larger big rig delivers more metal to impact the crash.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, it is in your best interest to contact a trucking accident personal injury attorney right away so it can be investigated before evidence disappears
Trucking Accidents
Alabama truck accidents killed an average of 130 people annually from 2017-2021, according to TRIP (National Transportation Research Group).
Some Common Types of Trucking Accidents in Alabama involve:
- Rollover
- Load shifting
- Speeding
- Rear-end collisions
- Losing control
- Head-on collision
You Need a Timely Trucking Accident Investigation
No matter the type of accident, skid marks on the highway will tend to disappear, as will the debris strewn on the road with time.
Guardrails may be replaced, and you cannot go without a vehicle for a long time without repairing it.
A loaded semi on the side of the road will be righted and the load captured, taking away the essential elements of an investigation to pinpoint the negligent party.
Attorney Nix has found that drivers of both types of vehicles can make mistakes on the road that cause accidents. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, some of the common causes of accidents include:
- Tailgating and quick lane changes
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Lack of visibility around a large truck
- Driving tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Faulty brakes, tires, and equipment
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Failure to heed signals or stop
The liability for a truck accident can be a complicated investigation involving many layers of potential liability. The trucking company is responsible for the driver, ensuring he receives adequate sleep and training. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for its safety.
The cargo loader may be liable if the load is not balanced correctly.
Truck Accident Investigations
With all of the variables, it’s essential that Personal Injury Attorney Chip Nix begin investigating your truck accident right away.
In the past, we have found that a trucking company may keep a second set of books. Mr. Nix reminds you that part of putting together a case will involve uncovering evidence, such as all sets of logbooks. We will be looking to determine if the trucking company sets a realistic schedule for a driver to have the prescribed hours of sleep mandated by the federal government.
A black box recorder on board the truck will tell us about conditions during the collision. We may find the negligent party violated federal Hours of Service rules for rest, was driving tired, and fell asleep behind the wheel.
The insurance company for the trucking company has a legal team poised to fight your claim. The better prepared you are, the more likely your action will be successful.
Your Alabama Truck Accident Attorney
If you are injured in a truck accident, calling an experienced trucking accident attorney should be one of the first things you do. As we mentioned, there is a likelihood that evidence pointing to liability may go missing.
Because multiple parties may share liability, Mr. Nix will determine the fault of each party.
Attorney Nix has gone up against trucking industry attorneys in the past. Typically, they blame the car driver under the doctrine of contributory negligence. If they can make a convincing case that you are even 1 percent responsible for your accident, you will be without remedies.
Attorney Chip Nix understands that you must receive the maximum compensation for your loss due to an Alabama trucking accident. While you or a loved one focus on healing, let Mr. Nix address your losses and aggressively negotiate with the insurance agent for the trucking company.
A complimentary consultation with Trucking Attorney Chip Nix will outline some of your options going forward. Call his Montgomery office at (334) 279-7770 to schedule that conference.
Sources:
Alabama DOT
https://drivesafealabama.org/serious-stats/
