[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/blog\/suing-a-trucking-company\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/blog\/suing-a-trucking-company\/","headline":"How to Sue a Trucking Company in Alabama (Not Just the Driver)","name":"How to Sue a Trucking Company in Alabama (Not Just the Driver)","description":"If you get hurt in a truck accident in Alabama, multiple parties may bear financial responsibility for your injuries and other losses. For example, you might file a claim against the truck driver who caused the crash due to their negligent or reckless operation of the truck. However, you may...","datePublished":"2025-10-21","dateModified":"2025-10-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/about-us\/#Person","name":"Stokes Stemle, LLC","url":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/about-us\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c02b76809a8bb1e2e89ae628639dd275e08bc9cd4fb207fd202cad74bbeb604f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c02b76809a8bb1e2e89ae628639dd275e08bc9cd4fb207fd202cad74bbeb604f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Stokes Stemle, LLC - Personal Injury Attorneys","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/stokeslogo600x60.jpg","url":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/stokeslogo600x60.jpg","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trucking-company.png","url":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trucking-company.png","height":1200,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/blog\/suing-a-trucking-company\/","about":["Truck Accidents"],"wordCount":1111,"articleBody":"If you get hurt in a truck accident in Alabama, multiple parties may bear financial responsibility for your injuries and other losses. For example, you might file a claim against the truck driver who caused the crash due to their negligent or reckless operation of the truck.However, you may also want to bring a legal claim against the trucking company that owns and operates the truck or that employed the at-fault trucker. Although you may have various reasons for wanting to sue the trucking company and different legal theories of liability you might assert against the company, understanding the process of filing an accident claim against a trucking company can prepare you for what to expect when seeking financial recovery.An experienced truck accident lawyer can explain how to sue a trucking company for not paying you for injuries and property damage you sustained in a crash caused by the truck driver\u2019s or the company\u2019s negligence. Contact Stokes Stemle today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.Why Trucking Companies Can Be Held LiableYou may be wondering, \u201cCan I sue a trucking company?\u201d The answer is yes. Trucking companies may bear liability for a truck accident under various circumstances. Some of the common reasons for holding a trucking company liable for your injuries from a truck crash include the following:Vicarious Liability \u2013 When a trucking company employs a truck driver who causes a crash due to negligent or reckless driving, the company may also bear liability for the accident as the at-fault driver\u2019s employer under the doctrine of vicarious liability.Negligent Hiring\/Retention \u2013 A trucking company may bear liability for a truck accident caused by a trucker\u2019s negligence when the company negligently hired or retained the driver, including knowingly disregarding information indicating that a truck driver poses a significant safety risk, such as a driving history that includes multiple infractions or accidents.Negligent Truck Maintenance \u2013 A truck company may cause a trucking accident when its truck crashes after suffering a mechanical issue or failure caused by the company\u2019s inadequate maintenance or repairs.Direct Negligence \u2013 A trucking company may also be held responsible for an accident when it directs the truck driver to engage in activities that increase the risk of the driver causing an accident, such as speeding or disregarding hours-of-service limits.Common Reasons to Sue a Trucking CompanySome of the reasons why you might sue a trucking company in addition to or instead of a truck driver include the following:The trucking company employed the at-fault truck driverThe trucking company has more substantial financial resources than an at-fault truckerThe trucking company holds the insurance policy covering the at-fault driverThe trucking company bears direct liability for the accident, such as by retaining a risky truck driver, negligently maintaining the 18-wheeler involved in the accident, or instructing the driver to engage in unsafe behaviorEvidence Needed to Build a Case Against a Trucking CompanyProving a trucking company\u2019s liability for your injuries and losses from a truck accident may require obtaining the trucking company’s records and other evidence, depending on your theory of liability against the company. Examples of evidence you may need to build a truck accident case against a motor carrier include the following:Truck inspection and maintenance recordsRadio dispatch logsCargo manifests for commercial trucksThe negligent truck driver\u2019s employment and driving recordsState and federal records for the trucking company, including records of regulatory violationsTruck event data recorder (\u201cblack box\u201d) logsThe truck driver\u2019s hours of service logsGPS recordsAccident scene photosDashcam videoSurveillance or traffic camera footageEyewitness statementsPolice accident reportsAccident reconstruction reports or testimonySteps to Take if You Want to Sue a Trucking Company in AlabamaWhen you have a legal claim against a trucking company in Alabama after a crash, steps you can take to put yourself in the best position to pursue your case include the following:Report the accident to law enforcement and request a copy of the police crash report when it becomes available in the days following the collision.Seek immediate medical attention to document the injuries you sustained in the crash and begin medical treatment or rehabilitation.Obtain copies of your medical records, including your injury treatment and rehabilitation.Notify your auto insurance company of the crash and review your policy to check for available coverage.Follow your doctor\u2019s treatment recommendations; do not delay or skip your treatment or rehabilitation.Keep copies of all bills, invoices, and receipts related to medical expenses or vehicle repair costs.Gather copies of your pay stubs or income statements if you lost wages while recovering from your injuries or if prolonged or permanent disabilities prevent you from returning to work.Finally, talk to an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options for obtaining compensation through a fair settlement or verdict.How an Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer Can HelpPursuing an accident claim against a large trucking company can seem daunting and stressful for truck accident victims, as the company\u2019s representatives, insurers, and lawyers may make it challenging for you to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. However, you can hire a truck accident attorney to advocate for you and handle all the details of your case.An Alabama truck accident lawyer can help you obtain the financial relief you need and deserve after a devastating crash by doing the following:Investigating the crash to recover all available evidenceReviewing the facts and circumstances of the accident to identify liable parties and your legal options for financial recoveryObtaining records of your injuries and losses to determine how much compensation you might recover in a truck accident claimBuilding a compelling case to hold the trucking company liable for your injuries and losses, including working with accident reconstruction or trucking industry experts as necessaryFiling your claims against the trucking company and handling negotiations for you to take the stress of the claims process off your shouldersPursuing your injury claims in court if litigation becomes necessary to hold the trucking company accountableContact Our Truck Accident Law Firm to Learn MoreIf you\u2019ve suffered injuries and property damage in a truck accident, you may have grounds to file a truck accident lawsuit against both the truck driver and the trucking company that owns and operates the truck involved in the crash. Contact Stokes Stemle today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a truck accident attorney to learn more about your right to sue a trucking company after a crash."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Sue a Trucking Company in Alabama (Not Just the Driver)","item":"https:\/\/stokesstemle.com\/blog\/suing-a-trucking-company\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]