Trucking Accident Attorney: Huntsville, Alabama

18-Wheeler / Semi-Truck Accident Attorney, Huntsville and North Alabama Areas

Truck Accident Injury Lawyer: Huntsville, Alabama

The team at Tyler Mann Injury Law knows how to build successful truck accident claims when negligent drivers and trucking companies injure victims, and we want to put our experience to work for you.

Differences Between Car and Truck Accident Claims

While you might assume that truck accidents and car accidents are handled identically, this is not the case for several key reasons. These reasons are also why it is essential to hire an experienced Alabama truck accident attorney to improve your chances of getting the compensation you need after a collision involving an 18-wheeler or semi-truck.

Key differences between car and truck accidents include:

  • Truck accidents often cause significantly more damage and more severe injuries, which require more compensation.
  • Because trucks are larger and heavier, they are operated differently. For example, large trucks need more time to come to a complete stop, which can affect how evidence of fault is presented and how your claim is argued.
  • Commercial trucks carry larger insurance policies, which means more compensation is available. But it also means their insurance providers will fight harder to reduce or deny claims.
  • Multiple parties may be considered liable in a truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the truck, and so on.
  • Truck drivers must follow not only state and local traffic ordinances but also federal regulations, which include limits on the amount a truck can haul and the duration of a truck driver’s consecutive driving period. You will need a lawyer who is familiar with these laws to determine whether the driver, company, or owner broke them in some way.

What to Do after a Trucking Accident Injury in Alabama

In the moments after a collision with a truck, you may be disoriented and in severe pain. However, it’s critical to keep these steps in mind to protect your health and rights to compensation.

  1. Get to Safety – If possible, move your vehicle and yourself off the road and as far away from moving traffic as possible.
  2. Call 911 – After a collision involving a truck, you may have suffered severe injuries. It is vital to receive emergency medical services on the scene as soon as possible to treat your injuries and those of other victims. It is also essential to have the police present at the scene to take statements and write a report. This report will serve as evidence when building your claim.
  3. Gather Information – If you are physically able, take photos of the vehicles and the accident scene. You should also obtain the contact and insurance information of any other drivers involved, the license number and employer of the truck driver, as well as the contact information of any witnesses.
  4. Get Medical Attention – If you were not treated at the scene, make an appointment to see your medical provider as soon as possible and inform them you were involved in a truck accident. They will be able to identify any hidden injuries, such as soft tissue damage or internal injuries, and link your injuries to the crash.
  5. Contact Your Insurance Company – After any auto collision, you will need to inform your insurance company about what happened. However, do not provide any details beyond the bare facts to either your own insurance company or the truck company’s before speaking to a lawyer. You will also need to file a report with the Alabama Department of Public Safety within 30 days if the accident caused an injury.

Compensation in an Alabama Truck Accident Claim

Because truck accidents often cause severe injuries and extensive damage, you may be able to get significant compensation for your damages after a truck accident, including:

  • Immediate and ongoing medical expenses
  • Disability accommodations
  • Past and future lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Property damage

How Long to File a Trucking Accident Claim in Alabama?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alabama is two years. This means that you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This may seem like a lot of time, but if you do not realize the extent of your injuries right away, or if you spend too long going back and forth with the insurance company, you may miss your window to file a civil claim for compensation. That’s why it’s critical to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible if you’ve been injured in a truck accident.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in North Alabama

There are many potential causes for a truck accident. Because of Alabama’s contributory negligence law, if you are found even partially at fault for the accident, you may not be able to get compensation, even if your injuries are serious.

An experienced truck accident lawyer can examine the evidence and reconstruct the accident scene to prove you were not at fault for your accident. Some causes of truck accidents may include:

  • Truck drivers working while distracted, drowsy, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Truck drivers speeding, changing lanes without checking blind spots, or behaving in other negligent ways
  • Incompetent or poorly trained truck drivers
  • Inadequately secured truck cargo that falls onto the road or onto your car
  • Hazardous road conditions or debris on the road
  • Mechanical failure due to inadequate truck maintenance

Types of Trucking Accidents

Rear-End Truck Accidents

When a truck driver fails to maintain proper following distance or becomes distracted, the truck’s massive weight makes it impossible to stop quickly.

These accidents often occur in heavy traffic on I-565 or Memorial Parkway when trucks can’t slow down in time. Even at relatively low speeds, a truck’s weight can cause serious injuries to occupants of passenger vehicles. Common causes include distracted driving, fatigue, or inadequate brake maintenance.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are hazardous and often occur on highway curves and exit ramps. These accidents happen when a truck’s high center of gravity becomes unstable during sharp turns, especially when carrying heavy or improperly secured loads.

When a truck rolls over, it can block multiple lanes of traffic and create hazards for everyone nearby. Rollovers are more common during adverse weather conditions on roads like Highway 72 or Cecil Ashburn Drive, where elevation changes and curves present additional challenges.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, resembling a folding pocket knife. These accidents typically happen when a truck driver brakes suddenly and the trailer continues forward with momentum, often sliding sideways across multiple lanes.

Jackknife accidents are particularly dangerous on Huntsville’s busier highways, like I-565 or Memorial Parkway, where multiple vehicles may be unable to avoid the swinging trailer. These accidents often occur due to improper braking techniques, slippery road conditions, or equipment malfunctions.

Underride Accidents

Underride accidents are among the most fatal truck accidents and occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a truck’s trailer. These accidents often occur at intersections like University Drive at Jordan Lane, particularly when a truck makes a wide turn or changes lanes without looking for smaller vehicles first.

The consequences are often catastrophic, as the top of the passenger vehicle can be sheared off. Despite federal requirements for underride guards, these safety devices often fail or are inadequately maintained, resulting in preventable tragedies.

Cargo-Related Accidents

Improperly secured or overloaded cargo creates serious hazards on roads. When cargo shifts during transport or falls from a truck, it can create sudden obstacles for other drivers, particularly on high-speed routes like I-565 or Research Park Boulevard.

These accidents may involve hazardous materials, construction equipment, or consumer goods. Drivers behind these commercial trucks often have little time to react when cargo suddenly spills, leading to multi-vehicle accidents. Liability in these cases may extend to loading companies or cargo owners in addition to the truck driver or trucking company.

The Importance of Investigating Truck Accidents

Why Immediate Investigation Is Important

After a truck accident in Huntsville, the clock starts ticking immediately. Trucking companies often dispatch their own investigation teams to the scene within hours to gather evidence and build their defense. This is why you need an attorney who can act just as fast.

Critical evidence can disappear quickly – skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired, and electronic data may be overwritten. By federal law, trucking companies are only required to keep certain records for a limited time (sometimes as little as six months). Without prompt action, valuable evidence that could prove your case might be legally destroyed or lost.

Weather conditions at accident scenes, especially during summer thunderstorms or winter ice events, can quickly alter the physical evidence. Our team knows how to preserve this evidence before it vanishes.

Key Evidence to Collect in Truck Accident Cases

Building a strong truck accident case requires specialized evidence that doesn’t exist in typical car accident claims. Our Huntsville truck accident attorneys know exactly what to look for:

  • Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data – the “black box” that records speed, braking patterns, and hours of service
  • Driver qualification files, including training records, previous violations, and drug/alcohol testing results
  • Maintenance records that might reveal neglected repairs or inspection failures
  • Weight tickets and cargo loading information
  • Cell phone records that could prove distracted driving
  • Dashcam footage from the truck or nearby vehicles
  • Witness statements from others on the Huntsville highway or road where the crash occurred
  • Post-accident drug and alcohol testing results

Our attorneys handle all aspects of evidence collection for our clients. We also work with accident reconstruction experts who understand the unique dynamics of commercial truck accidents on Huntsville roadways and can help pull together evidence showing how crashes occurred and who was at fault.

What to Expect During the Truck Accident Claim Process

Investigation and Case Building

The truck accident claim process begins with a thorough investigation. Unlike regular car accidents, truck accidents typically involve federal regulations, multiple potential defendants, and complex evidence. Our Huntsville attorneys start by:

  1. Securing the accident scene evidence before it disappears
  2. Identifying all potentially liable parties (often more than just the driver)
  3. Consulting with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries
  4. Working with accident reconstruction specialists to determine precisely how the crash occurred
  5. Reviewing the truck driver’s history and the trucking company’s safety record
  6. Calculating both current and future damages you’ve suffered

This comprehensive approach is particularly important for accidents that occur on Huntsville’s major trucking corridors, like I-565, where multiple factors often contribute to crashes.

Settlement Negotiation vs. Trial

Most truck accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, but having an attorney who prepares every case as if it will go to trial gives you leverage. Insurance companies and trucking companies are aware of which law firms are willing to take cases to court, and they often offer higher settlements to avoid facing these firms before a jury.

The settlement process typically involves:

  • Initial demand preparation that details all your damages
  • Responding to counteroffers from the trucking company’s insurers
  • Mediation sessions to find common ground
  • Continued negotiation until a fair settlement is reached

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys have extensive experience presenting complex truck accident evidence to juries in a way they can understand. Whether through settlement or verdict, our goal is to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Huntsville-Specific Truck Accident Resources

Most Dangerous Intersections for Truck Accidents in Huntsville

Huntsville’s growing population and position as a regional shipping hub have created several high-risk areas for truck accidents, including:

  • Research Park Boulevard and Old Madison Pike – A major intersection where commercial traffic from Research Park meets commuter traffic
  • Memorial Parkway and University Drive – One of Huntsville’s busiest intersections with frequent truck traffic
  • I-565 and Jordan Lane – A critical interchange for trucks entering and exiting the interstate
  • Memorial Parkway and Governors Drive – Heavy traffic flow with limited visibility in some approaches
  • Research Park Boulevard and I-565 – Frequent congestion with trucks merging at high speeds

Huntsville Medical Facilities Specializing in Truck Accident Injuries

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, these Huntsville medical facilities offer specialized trauma care:

Local Resources for Truck Accident Victims

Huntsville offers several support resources for those recovering from truck accident injuries, including:

To request an accident report from a Huntsville truck crash, visit the Huntsville Police Department’s Records Division or call 256-427-7020.

How Tyler Mann Injury Law Can Help After a Truck Accident

When you contact the team at Tyler Mann Injury Law, we can take over uncovering evidence that proves your accident wasn’t your fault and that the insurance company can’t ignore, as well as calculating your damages and negotiating a settlement so you and your loved ones can recover without worrying about your medical bills.

Our attorneys understand both state laws and federal regulations that apply to commercial trucking. We can fight to make sure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

After a truck accident, don’t try to handle your case alone. The trucking company will have a team of lawyers and investigators working immediately to minimize your claim. Level the playing field by calling Tyler Mann Injury Law for a free consultation. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win your case.