Opelika Truck Accident Lawyer

A loaded semi-truck can weigh 20 times as much as a passenger car, giving it a considerable size and weight advantage over other vehicles. These enormous vehicles have more force, often causing catastrophic injuries that leave their victims with expensive medical bills and a lower quality of life. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we believe no one should have to pay the price of a truck accident that was someone else’s fault. Our Alabama truck accident lawyers want to help you recover compensation for the harm you have suffered.

We have significant experience with truck accident cases, and our firm’s focus on personal injury cases helps us better advocate for our clients. In addition, we don’t charge for initial consultations and only collect a fee if we successfully secure compensation. That way, our clients can pursue justice without financial risk. Contact us today to find out what an Opelika truck accident lawyer with our firm can do for you.

What To Do If You Are in a Truck Accident in Opelika, AL

You should always prioritize your health after a truck accident. See a doctor as soon as possible for a full checkup, explaining that you were involved in a truck collision and reporting any symptoms you’re experiencing. Follow their treatment recommendations and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.

You should also take steps to preserve your right to pursue compensation. If you’re able to do so, take photos and videos at the accident scene to document the damage. Hang on to all of your medical records and documentation of any expenses you incur that relate to the accident. Retain the services of an Opelika trucking accident lawyer who can represent you and manage your claim while you concentrate on your physical recovery.

How Stokes Stemle Attorneys Can Help with Your Truck Accident Case

Working with an experienced Opelika truck accident attorney is the most effective way to increase your likelihood of recovering maximum compensation after a crash. The following are ways the team at Stokes Stemle, LLC, can help you:

• We’ll conduct a thorough investigation into the collision to determine what happened and who’s to blame. There may be more than one liable party.
• We’ll prepare a robust truck accident claim on your behalf that accounts for the full scope of your accident-related injuries and losses and demands the full, fair compensation you deserve.
• We’ll manage all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies to protect your rights and give you the time and space you need to focus on healing.
• We’ll not hesitate to file a lawsuit and take your case to court if the insurers refuse to make a fair offer and if doing so presents the best possible opportunity to secure justice for you.

If you’re searching online for “truck accident attorney near me,” let us show you what we can do for your auto crash case.

Do You Need an Attorney After a Serious Truck Accident?

Truck accident cases are more complex than most car accidents, which is one reason you need an attorney. There are more potentially liable parties, more state and federal laws that apply, and trucking companies with large legal teams to use against you. Overcoming these challenges is difficult without the help of an Alabama trucking accident attorney.

Another reason to hire a lawyer is that truck accidents often involve more significant losses than car accidents. More severe injuries mean more expensive medical bills and more time away from work, which could affect your income. Depending on your injuries, you may be permanently disabled and unable to work again. Without a lawyer’s help and the money from a truck accident settlement, you may be left without the money you need to care for yourself and your family.

What Compensation Is Available After a Truck Accident in Opelika, Alabama?

While nothing can undo the injuries you sustained in a truck accident, financial compensation can help you heal, cover your medical and repair expenses, and give you peace of mind during a difficult time. An Alabama truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for the following:

Truck Accident Liability in Alabama: Drivers, Trucking Companies, and Third Parties

Depending on the cause of an Alabama truck crash, several parties may share responsibility, including the following:

• Truck Drivers – Truck drivers may be liable when they cause a wreck by speeding, driving while distracted, following too closely, driving while impaired, or violating federal hours-of-service rules.
• Trucking Companies – Trucking companies may be responsible for crashes resulting from poor hiring practices, inadequate driver training, unsafe schedules, deferred maintenance, or putting pressure on drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
• Third Parties – Third parties may also bear fault, including cargo loaders who improperly secure freight, maintenance providers who perform careless repairs, truck or parts manufacturers who sell defective components, or other motorists whose negligence contributes to the collision.

At Stokes Stemle, LLC, our Opelika 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers will work to identify every liable party and pursue compensation from all available sources.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case in Opelika, AL?

Every truck accident case is different, which means their timelines are different, too. That said, most issues are resolved within a few months. However, the process could take longer if there are any questions about liability or if you take the case to trial. After reviewing your case, a truck accident lawyer can tell you more about the timeline.

How Blind Spots Contribute to Commercial Truck Crashes

Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides, with the spots directly behind the trailer, beside the cab, and along the passenger side presenting the greatest risk. When truck drivers don’t check these areas before changing lanes, merging, or turning, they may collide with smaller vehicles they couldn’t easily see. Blind-spot crashes can also occur when motorists linger too close to a truck.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents often cause more severe injuries than other traffic collisions. Some of the most common injuries from Opelika truck accidents include:

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Opelika?

While mechanical defects, lousy weather, and loose or shifting cargo can cause crashes, driver errors are behind many Alabama truck accidents. A few common examples of driver error that can cause a truck crash include:

• Impaired driving– Truck drivers who drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel place themselves and everyone around them in danger. These truckers have impaired reflexes, judgment, and sensory perception and are likelier to fall asleep at the wheel. All these factors make a truck crash more likely.
• Distracted driving– A driver not watching the road, keeping both hands on the wheel, or focusing on driving is more likely to cause a crash. Both Alabama law and federal regulations prohibit truck drivers from texting while driving. Federal rules also ban interstate truck drivers from using a cell phone without a hands-free system.
• Drowsy Driving: Research indicates that drowsy driving is nearly as dangerous as impaired driving. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), going more than 20 hours without sleep affects a driver about as much as driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent. The effects of drowsy driving include slower reflexes, lapses in judgment, changes in perception, and a higher risk of passing out behind the wheel.
• Speeding– The Alabama Department of Transportation listed speeding or driving too fast for road conditions as the primary cause of over 300 truck accidents in one recent year. Because trucks weigh so much more than cars, they need much more time and space to slow down and stop. If a speeding truck driver slams on the brakes, they could make the truck overturn or cause a jackknife crash.

• Following too closely– Impaired, distracted, aggressive, or drowsy truck drivers are likelier to leave a short distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. Not allowing enough space between cars dramatically increases the risk of a rear-end collision.
• Not checking blind spots– Semi-trucks have large blind spots in front of the cab, behind the trailer, and running diagonally from both sides of the vehicle. A truck driver who changes lanes or merges without checking their blind spots could sideswipe a car next to them.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Opelika Today

Our Alabama trucking accident lawyers understand the toll these crashes take and want to help you recover the resources to meet your needs. We are ready to answer your questions and discuss your options for pursuing compensation. Call us or visit our contact page today for a free consultation.