This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by JR Krebs following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. JR Krebs, the Founding Partner, has years of legal experience as a bankruptcy attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries and damage to your car. A Huntsville truck accident lawyer helps people who get hurt in these crashes. These lawyers know the special rules for big trucks and can help you get money for your medical bills.
Truck crashes are not like regular car accidents. Big trucks weigh much more than cars and can cause worse injuries. The truck company may have a team of lawyers trying to pay you less money than you deserve.
Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers can help if you've been in a truck accident in Huntsville. We know how to deal with truck companies and their insurance. Our team will work hard to get you fair payment for your injuries.
People with bad injuries from truck crashes need legal help right away. If someone died in the accident or if the truck driver says it wasn't their fault, a lawyer is important. Truck accident cases have many details that regular people might miss, like driver logs and truck maintenance records.
Alabama has a strict rule called contributory negligence that can stop you from getting any money if you were even a little bit at fault. An alabama 18 wheeler accident lawyer knows how to fight these claims. An alabama truck accident lawyer can gather evidence to show the truck driver or company was fully to blame for what happened to you.
Taking the right actions after a truck crash can make a big difference in your recovery and legal case.
Getting checked by a doctor is the first thing to do after a truck accident. Some injuries don't show up right away, like internal bleeding or concussions. A medical record from right after the crash connects your injuries to the accident.
Write down details about what happened if you can move around safely. Take pictures of all vehicles, the road, traffic signs, and your injuries with your phone. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers so they can tell what they saw later.
Call the Huntsville Police Department at the scene so they can make an official report. The officer will talk to everyone involved and write down what happened. This police report becomes important evidence for your case and insurance claim.
Tell your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Give them the basic facts about when and where the crash happened. Many policies have rules about reporting accidents within a certain time.
A truck accident attorney Huntsville residents trust can protect your rights when dealing with big trucking companies. Many huntsville trucking companies have teams of lawyers ready to fight claims. Your lawyer will collect evidence like driver logs and maintenance records before they disappear.
Each step protects your health and legal rights after a serious truck crash. The evidence gathered in the first few days often makes the biggest difference in the outcome of your case.
Big trucks crash for many reasons on Huntsville roads. An alabama trucking accident attorney looks for these specific causes when building your case.
Understanding why truck crashes happen helps show who was at fault. This matters a lot in Alabama because of the contributory negligence rule, which can prevent you from getting money if you were even 1% at fault. Knowing the exact cause helps your lawyer fight back against claims that you shared blame for the accident.
Driver Fatigue - Tired truck drivers make dangerous mistakes on the road. Many truckers feel pressure to drive more hours than allowed by law, especially when facing tight delivery deadlines.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving - Truck drivers sometimes drive too fast for road conditions or traffic. A fully loaded truck needs much more distance to stop than a car, making speeding even more dangerous when a truck driver has to brake suddenly.
Distracted Driving - Truck drivers who look at phones, adjust GPS systems, or eat while driving take their eyes off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction at highway speeds means the truck travels hundreds of feet without the driver watching the road.
Improper Loading - When cargo shifts during travel, it can cause the truck to tip over or jackknife. Trucks with unbalanced loads handle poorly and may swing into other lanes unexpectedly.
Mechanical Failures - Problems with brakes, tires, or steering systems often cause serious accidents. Trucking companies must inspect and maintain their vehicles regularly, but some skip these checks to save money.
Poor Weather Conditions - Rain, fog, and ice make driving harder for everyone, especially large trucks. Some truck drivers fail to slow down in bad weather, creating dangerous situations on Huntsville's roads and highways.
Inadequate Training - New or poorly trained drivers may not know how to handle their trucks safely. Proper training teaches drivers how to manage their vehicles in emergencies and difficult driving conditions.
Truck accidents involve more people than just the truck driver. Many companies and people play a role in keeping trucks safe on the road. When a crash happens, your lawyer looks at everyone who might share blame for what happened to you.
In Alabama, finding all responsible parties is extra important because of the strict rules about fault. Your lawyer will check records, safety logs, and company policies to find everyone who should pay for your injuries. This careful work helps build a stronger case.
Truck Driver - The person behind the wheel may have broken safety rules or driven carelessly. Drivers must follow special rules about rest breaks, phone use, and how many hours they can drive each day.
Trucking Company - The company that owns the truck or employs the driver can be responsible for the crash. These companies must check driver backgrounds, train them properly, and make sure they don't drive too many hours.
Cargo Loading Company - Some businesses only load cargo onto trucks but don't drive them. When boxes or materials aren't secured correctly, they can shift during travel and cause the driver to lose control.
Truck Maintenance Provider - Companies that fix and maintain trucks must do their work correctly. A mechanic who forgets to tighten brake parts or check tire pressure can cause deadly accidents even if they weren't on the road when it happened.
Part Manufacturers - Companies that make truck parts like brakes, tires, or steering components can be responsible if these parts fail. Even if the driver and trucking company did everything right, a defective part can still cause a crash.
After a truck accident, you can ask for money to cover different kinds of losses. The law allows victims to receive payment for both the money they spent and the suffering they experienced. These payments help put your life back together after a serious crash with a big truck.
The amount of compensation depends on how badly you were hurt and how the accident affects your life. Alabama courts look at your medical records, work history, and other evidence to decide what's fair. Many truck accident cases settle before trial, but some go to court where a jury decides the payment amount.
Medical Expenses - This covers doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and medicines you need after the accident. It also includes future medical care like physical therapy or home nursing if your injuries are long-lasting. Your lawyer will gather all medical bills to show the true cost of your injuries.
Lost Income - When you miss work because of injuries, you can get money for those lost wages. If you can't return to your old job or can't work as many hours as before, you can also receive money for reduced earning ability in the future. Your work history and doctor's statements help prove these losses.
Property Damage - This pays for fixing or replacing your damaged car and any personal items that were inside it. The payment should cover the fair market value of your vehicle if it was totaled in the crash. You can also get money for a rental car while yours is being fixed.
Pain and Suffering - This compensates for physical pain and discomfort from your injuries. Unlike medical bills, there's no exact dollar amount for pain, but more serious injuries typically receive higher amounts. Your daily pain level and how it limits your activities help determine this amount.
Emotional Distress - Truck accidents often cause mental suffering like anxiety, fear, sleep problems, or post-traumatic stress. You might feel afraid to drive or have nightmares about the crash. These invisible injuries deserve compensation just like physical ones.
Loss of Enjoyment - When injuries prevent you from doing activities you once loved, you deserve payment for this loss. If you can no longer play sports, enjoy hobbies, or participate in family activities because of your injuries, this compensation acknowledges that loss.
Our law firm knows the Huntsville court system inside and out, which helps your truck accident case move forward smoothly. The judges and local rules in Madison County courts are familiar to our team. We use this local knowledge to build stronger cases that address the specific concerns of Huntsville courts.
Every client gets personal attention from our lawyers who answer your calls and explain things clearly. We understand that recovering from a truck accident is hard enough without confusing legal talk. Your questions and concerns matter to us, and we make sure you understand what's happening with your case at every step.
Local Court Experience - Our lawyers appear in Huntsville courtrooms regularly and know how local judges handle truck accident cases. This helps us prepare your case in ways that work best in Madison County courts.
Personalized Attention - You work directly with your lawyer, not just assistants or paralegals. We listen to your story and build your case around your specific injuries and needs.
Clear Communication - We explain complicated legal issues in simple terms you can understand. Your lawyer keeps you updated on your case without using confusing legal language.
Proven Results - Our firm has helped many truck accident victims in Huntsville get fair payment for their injuries. We know how to stand up to big trucking companies and their insurance providers.
Here are answers to common questions people ask about truck accident cases in Huntsville.
Truck accident settlements vary widely depending on your injuries and the crash details. Most settlements range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, with more serious injuries resulting in higher amounts. The final amount depends on your medical bills, lost wages, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
Proving negligence requires showing the truck driver or company failed to act safely and caused your injuries. Your lawyer will collect evidence like the truck's black box data, driver logs, witness statements, and accident scene photos. Police reports and violations of trucking regulations also help build a strong case showing who was at fault.
Alabama follows the contributory negligence rule, which can prevent recovery if you had any fault in the crash. Even if you were just 1% responsible, you might not receive compensation under this strict rule. This makes having a skilled lawyer especially important to defend against claims that you contributed to the accident.
Talking to the trucking company's insurance representatives without a lawyer can hurt your case. Insurance adjusters often record conversations and look for statements they can use to reduce your payment. It's safer to have your lawyer handle all communications with the trucking company and their insurance representatives.
Alabama law gives you only two years to file your lawsuit, and this time passes faster than you might think. Our lawyers can start working on your case right away with a free case evaluation that costs you nothing.
You can talk with our lawyers about your accident without paying any upfront fees. We only get paid if we win money for you, so there's no financial risk to getting legal advice. Contact us today to learn about your options and how we can help with your truck accident case.
J.R. is dedicated to providing personalized representation, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. He tailors his strategy to the unique challenges and needs of each client and case, ensuring focused and individualized attention.
His practice mainly covers Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, including car and 18-wheeler accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, defective products, and wrongful death. He also handles commercial disputes on contingency, with experience in contracts, construction, and probate. For any dispute headed toward litigation, J.R. develops an aggressive strategy to maximize your recovery through negotiation, arbitration, or trial.
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