Large trucks are more likely to cause devastating injuries and fatalities when involved in an accident. Families struggling with a loved one’s physical recovery, medical bills, and financial uncertainty often feel alone and worry about what the future holds. At Moore Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers in Mobile, AL provide the compassionate, dedicated legal support you need to go up against powerful insurance companies and win. Since 1985, we’ve served more than 15,000 injury victims in Alabama and can help you pursue the justice and fair compensation you deserve.
Key Takeaways
Commercial truck claims are complex —Unlike claims involving regular passenger vehicles, big truck accidents often involve catastrophic injuries, higher insurance policy limits, multiple liable parties, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
Preservation of evidence is vital—It’s important to contact a Mobile personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, as black box data and other evidence may be lost without swift legal action to secure it.
Strict contributory negligence rule— In Alabama, if you’re found even 1% responsible for an accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
Local knowledge matters— Our team has spent more than 40 years navigating local roadways and courts in Mobile and surrounding areas, and is proud to put our homegrown insight to work for you.
What is Considered a Big Truck Accident?
When people think of big trucks, tractor-trailers usually come to mind. However, there are plenty of other types of large commercial vehicles that can cause serious accidents and injuries. Some common types include:
- Box trucks and delivery vans
- Garbage and recycling trucks
- Dump trucks and construction vehicles
- Bucket trucks and utility vehicles
- Cement mixers
- Tow trucks and flatbeds
- Public and commercial buses
Our Mobile truck accident attorneys have successfully handled claims involving all types of large commercial vehicles and know how to build compelling cases that get results for our clients.
Common Causes of Big Truck Accidents
Big truck accidents happen for a multitude of reasons. Some common causes include:
Driver error—Poor training and mistakes like failing to yield the right of way can have deadly consequences.
Driving under the influence—Operating a big truck while impaired by alcohol or drugs is against the law.
Driver fatigue— Drivers pressured to meet tight deadlines may violate FMCSA hours-of-service (HOS) rules, which can result in exhaustion, reduced reaction time, and falling asleep at the wheel.
Speeding and reckless driving—Ignoring speed limits, running red lights, or driving aggressively can often make it impossible to avoid a collision.
Distracted driving—Using mobile devices or GPS, eating and drinking, and other distractions take a driver’s focus off the road.
Improper loading and unsafe turns—Unbalanced cargo can cause a truck to jackknife or tip.
Blind spots — Failing to check blind spots while merging, changing lanes, or making wide turns can result in serious collisions with smaller vehicles or even pedestrians.
Inspection and maintenance failures—Skipping brake inspections, ignoring balding tires, or failing to perform regular maintenance can turn big trucks into serious hazards.
Vehicle defects—Sometimes a crash is caused by faulty design or a manufacturing flaw in a steering system, tire, or brake component.
Common Injuries and Losses in Commercial Truck Accident Claims
While some victims survive with minor injuries, the force generated by a big truck’s size and weight often leads to life-altering consequences, such as:
Back and spinal injuries—From whiplash to slipped discs to paralysis, these injuries often require costly medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
Head and brain injuries—Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a life-changing impact on cognitive and motor function and result in serious psychological issues.
Broken and crushed bones—Occupants of smaller vehicles frequently sustain multiple breaks, compound fractures, or crushed bones that require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
Amputation— The cost of prosthetics and home modifications can be exorbitant, and losing a limb may leave a victim unable to work and do things they once enjoyed.
Internal injuries—Blunt-force trauma can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
Disfigurement—Lacerations, burns, and other injuries can leave permanent scarring that significantly impacts a victim’s quality of life.
Psychological trauma—Being involved in a terrifying truck accident can result in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Our truck accident lawyers in Mobile understand the far-reaching physical, emotional, and financial impact these injuries have on families. We’re dedicated to holding responsible parties accountable and protecting your health and financial security.
Recovering Damages
Victims of big truck accidents often face a long, costly road to recovery. Our truck accident lawyers pursue every available avenue of compensation to ensure you receive the financial support you need to move forward. Our personal injury attorneys may be able to help you recover damages such as:
Economic damages—These cover tangible financial losses such as past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage.
Non-economic damages—These compensate victims for intangible losses like physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Wrongful death damages— Under Alabama law, punitive damages are the only type available in a wrongful death lawsuit. Instead of compensating the family for their losses, these damages are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
Valuing Your Claim
Each case is unique, with various factors that influence the value of a big truck accident claim. We work with medical and financial professionals to determine future care costs and lost earning capacity, and ensure your claim accurately reflects the long-term effects of your injuries. When valuing your claim, your truck accident lawyer knows how to account for the full scope of non-economic damages like emotional pain and suffering as well.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident case is complex because it often involves navigating a web of potentially responsible parties, including:
Trucking company—Companies are often held accountable for their employees’ negligence under the concept of vicarious liability. They may also be directly liable for failing to vet or train drivers, pressuring them to violate safety regulations, or failing to maintain their trucks.
Truck driver—Drivers may be liable for their own negligent actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or operating while fatigued or impaired.
Cargo loaders and shippers—If a third party loaded the truck, they must ensure the cargo is balanced and properly secured to prevent dangerous shifts or spills.
Maintenance and repair providers—A shop or mechanic that performs inspections and repairs can be held accountable for substandard work that leads to a mechanical failure.
Manufacturers—If a manufacturing flaw in a part, like a tire or braking system, caused the crash, the manufacturer, designer, or seller may be liable under product liability law.
Freight brokers—Brokers have a duty to hire reputable carriers and may share liability if they knowingly hire an unsafe company.
The 1% Rule
Identifying every responsible party and proving negligence are critical elements of truck accident cases. Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence standard, often known as the 1% rule. Under this standard, if an insurance company can prove you were even 1% at fault for the crash, you may be completely barred from recovering any compensation.
Because companies and independent contractors that operate commercial vehicles have high policy limits, insurers are even more aggressive in their pursuit to shift blame. We know how to counter their assertions and thoroughly investigate these cases to demonstrate how and why any responsible parties are at fault.
How We Build Your Case
In the aftermath of a truck accident, some of the most critical evidence must often be gathered quickly. Trucking company representatives and insurance adjusters may be sent to the crash scene, so it’s vital to secure evidence as soon as possible. Do not give a statement, sign anything, or accept a settlement without speaking to a Mobile truck accident lawyer first. Make sure to go to the emergency room, and if possible, take pictures and gather contact information from the truck driver and any witnesses.
Gathering Evidence
Our team moves swiftly to gather evidence and build a case to prove the defendants were 100% responsible. We take immediate action with evidence preservation letters and subpoenas to obtain the truck’s black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and personnel files before they are lost or destroyed. We also review records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to identify past violations.
Working with Experts
Our team collaborates with respected experts like accident reconstructions, engineers, medical professionals, and economists. These experts help us demonstrate how a crash occurred, who is at fault, the extent of your injuries, and their physical, emotional, and financial impact on your life.
Dealing with Insurers
Your truck accident lawyer manages all communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters to protect you from aggressive tactics designed to shift blame and minimize payouts.
Our attorneys have successfully gone head-to-head with powerful insurance carriers in high-stakes negotiations and at trial. Whether securing a favorable settlement out of court or winning a verdict before a jury, we have the tenacity, experience, and legal acumen to hold them accountable.
Truck Accident Evidence Checklist
To build the strongest possible case, we gather:
- Data from Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), also known as the black box
- Hours-of-Service logs
- Driver personnel files, training records, and history of traffic violations
- Maintenance and inspection records
- FMCSA records
- Post-accident drug and alcohol tests
- Photographs
- Dashcam, traffic camera, and surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Your medical records
Why Choose Our Mobile Truck Accident Lawyers?
Finding the right legal team doesn’t have to be a chore. At Moore Law Firm, we provide the dedicated advocacy, persistence, and experience required to take on trucking companies and their insurers. With our team, you get:
Local trial experience— Our team has practiced personal injury law in Alabama for decades. We understand the inner workings of local courts and know how to create compelling cases that resonate with judges and juries.
Deep knowledge of trucking laws— Our lawyers are well-versed in complex FMCSA and state regulations that govern the commercial trucking industry.
Personalized and compassionate approach—Our attorneys approach every case with care, tailor legal strategies to your circumstances, and always keep you updated throughout the process.
No upfront costs—Our truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our GET MOORE GUARANTEE ensures any compensation you receive is maximized.
Find a Truck Accident Attorney Near You in Mobile, AL
If you or a loved one has been injured in a big truck accident in Alabama, don’t wait to seek legal help. Call Moore Law Firm at 251-445-7602, contact us, or use the convenient chat feature on our website to schedule a consultation with a truck accident lawyer near you. We serve clients in Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, Saraland, and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Truck Accident Claims in Alabama
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Alabama?
Generally, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. However, if you’re taking action against a municipality or government agency, the deadline to file a notice of claim may be as short as six months, so it’s vital to contact a truck accident attorney in Mobile as soon as possible.
Will my case go to trial?
Our attorneys aren’t intimidated by the aggressive tactics of insurance carriers, and make every effort to settle your case through negotiations. If a reasonable settlement can’t be reached, we’re prepared to take your case to trial and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
What if the trucking company’s insurer contacts me?
Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on your side. Don’t give them an opportunity to twist your words, shift blame, or pressure you into accepting an inadequate settlement. Politely decline to give a statement and refer all communications to your truck accident attorney.
What if the crash happened in a work zone?
If you were injured in a construction site accident or a roadway work zone, multiple parties, such as contractors and government entities, may be liable. This adds another layer of complexity to your truck accident claim. Seeking the counsel of a Mobile personal injury lawyer gives you the best chance of a successful outcome for your case.