Truck Accident Lawyer in Montgomery, Alabama

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Truck accidents rarely have a single cause; often, a combination of factors contributes to these devastating incidents. Understanding these causes is crucial for establishing liability.

Driver Negligence Factors

• Fatigue: Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet tight deadlines, leading to violations of Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. Drowsy driving significantly impairs reaction time and judgment.
• Distracted Driving: Use of mobile phones, GPS devices, or other distractions divert a driver’s attention from the road.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug use, including prescription medication, can severely impair a truck driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
• Speeding and Reckless Driving: Driving too fast for conditions, aggressive lane changes, or tailgating are dangerous maneuvers, especially for large trucks.
• Inexperience or Lack of Training: Inadequate training or insufficient experience with specific types of cargo or routes can lead to errors.

Trucking Company Negligence Factors

• Improper Maintenance: Failure to regularly inspect, maintain, or repair trucks (e.g., brakes, tires, lights) can lead to mechanical failures.
• Negligent Hiring Practices: Hiring drivers with poor driving records, a history of substance abuse, or inadequate qualifications.
• Pressure for Delivery: Encouraging or coercing drivers to violate HOS rules to meet unrealistic delivery schedules.
• Lack of Training or Supervision: Failing to provide adequate training on safety protocols or to properly supervise drivers.

Vehicle and Equipment Malfunctions

• Brake Failure: Defective or poorly maintained braking systems are a common cause of loss of control.
• Tire Blowouts: Worn, improperly inflated, or defective tires can lead to sudden loss of control.
• Steering or Suspension Issues: Malfunctions in these critical systems can make a truck difficult or impossible to control.
• Defective Parts: Manufacturing defects in truck components can lead to catastrophic failures.

Cargo-Related Issues

• Improperly Loaded Cargo: Unbalanced, overloaded, or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable, leading to rollovers or jackknifes.
• Overweight Loads: Exceeding weight limits puts undue stress on truck components and makes stopping more difficult.

Environmental and Roadway Factors

• Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, or fog reduce visibility and traction, increasing accident risk.
• Poor Road Design or Maintenance: Potholes, inadequate signage, or poorly designed intersections can contribute to accidents.

Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents

Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, accident victims often suffer severe, life-altering injuries. These injuries typically require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and may result in permanent disability.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Ranging from concussions to severe brain damage, TBIs can cause cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Can lead to paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), chronic pain, and loss of bodily functions.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Multiple or complex fractures, often requiring surgery and prolonged recovery.
• Internal Organ Damage: Injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs, potentially leading to internal bleeding and life-threatening complications.
• Burn Injuries: Caused by vehicle fires or chemical spills, leading to severe pain, scarring, and long-term medical needs.
• Amputations: Loss of limbs due to crush injuries or severe trauma.
• Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Though seemingly minor, these can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.

Psychological Trauma: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges are common after such traumatic events.

Establishing Liability and Seeking Compensation

Determining liability in a truck accident case is a complex process. It involves a thorough investigation to identify all contributing factors and responsible parties.

Key Steps in a Truck Accident Investigation

1. Scene Preservation and Evidence Collection: Securing accident reports, witness statements, photographs, and surveillance footage.
2. Truck Data Analysis: Examining the truck’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD), event data recorder (“black box”), and GPS data for insights into speed, braking, and driver activity.
3. Driver Logbook Review: Checking for HOS violations or falsified records.
4. Maintenance Records Scrutiny: Investigating the truck’s maintenance history for signs of neglect.
5. Expert Witness Consultation: Engaging accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and trucking industry experts to provide testimony.
6. Review of FMCSA Regulations: Identifying any violations of federal safety standards.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to recover various types of damages, both economic and non-economic.

• Economic Damages: Quantifiable financial losses, including:
  • Medical expenses (past, current, and future)
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Home modifications for disability
• Non-Economic Damages: Subjective losses that do not have a direct financial cost, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium (for spouses)

Punitive Damages: In rare cases where the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or intentional, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Your actions immediately following a truck accident can significantly impact the success of your claim.

1. Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location if possible.
2. Call 911: Report the accident to law enforcement and request medical assistance for any injuries.
3. Do Not Move the Vehicles: Unless it poses an immediate danger, leave the vehicles as they are for the police investigation.
4. Gather Information:
   • Exchange contact and insurance information with all parties involved.
   • Note the truck’s company name, DOT number, and license plate.
   • Get contact information for any witnesses.
5. Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries.
6. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor immediately. Some injuries may not be apparent until hours or days later. Prompt medical documentation is critical for your claim.
7. Limit Communication: Do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting your attorney. Avoid discussing fault or the extent of your injuries with anyone other than medical professionals and your lawyer.
8. Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer: Engage legal counsel as soon as possible. They can protect your rights, manage communications, and begin the investigation immediately.

Why Choose Stokes Stemle for Your Truck Accident Claim?

Stokes Stemle is dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents secure maximum compensation. Our team of experienced truck accident lawyers understands the unique challenges of these cases and is committed to providing aggressive, compassionate representation.

• Specialized Knowledge: Deep expertise in federal trucking regulations (FMCSA), state laws, and commercial vehicle litigation.
• Comprehensive Investigation: We partner with leading accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and private investigators to build an undeniable case.
• Client-Centered Approach: We prioritize your well-being, handling all legal complexities so you can focus on recovery.
• No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

The dedicated semi-truck accident lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC will only rest once you are fully compensated for your injuries and damages. We will make sure you get the justice you deserve. Our legal team will conduct a thorough investigation of your truck accident case. Where necessary, our firm will work with reconstruction experts. Those experts will help us determine what happened in your accident and who may be at fault.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us put our expertise to work for you.