Huntsville Truck Accident Lawyer

When a commercial truck crashes into you, your vehicle and your health are not the only parts of your life that can be damaged. For help regaining your financial footing, call a Huntsville truck crash lawyer.

One of the most devastating vehicle accidents you can be involved in is a truck accident. Between the financial strain of car damage and medical expenses and the physical toll of your injuries, you may struggle to pick up where you left off after you leave the hospital.

When something as massive as a truck collides with your car, you can expect serious damage. The average car weighs in at about 4,000 pounds—that’s less than half the size of the lightest commercial truck, at 10,000 pounds. A five-axle semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Suffice it to say that the potential for injury is immense. 

The higher the weight, the more serious the damage becomes. Because of rampant trucker negligence and many other factors, you’re not alone in having been hurt in a truck accident. You don’t have to file your claim alone either—a Huntsville truck accident lawyer from the Henry Dailey Law Firm is here to help. 

Truck accidents can be complicated. Not only are you likely suffering worse injuries than someone in a car accident, but you may also have trouble navigating the legal issues unique to commercial truck collision cases as you pursue compensation. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need for your injury claim. 

Determining Fault in a Huntsville Truck Accident

In the first steps of filing your claim, you will be expected to name the defendant, who should be responsible for the damages you suffered in the accident. It makes sense, of course, that the person at fault would be the truck driver.

But truckers are not the only party involved in the case. After all, when they’re driving, they are at work, and it’s not unlike if you were injured at a construction site. If you were passing the site and something fell and hurt you, you could be compensated by the employer or the company—not just the individual who dropped the object. 

This concept is called “respondeat superior,” and it can add an extra layer of complication to your claim. When the fault of the accident is moved to the employer, you then must determine who is responsible based on who might be responsible for the employee. 

For example, if the driver involved in your Huntsville 18-wheeler accident is an independent contractor, finding the person at fault might be a little more complicated than looking at a driver who is regularly employed by a single trucking company. 

When filing your claim, be sure you know exactly who is responsible for your accident. If you’re not sure, speak to one of our attorneys. We can help you answer the questions you need answered to get yourself back on track. 

What to Expect During Your Case

Even after you’ve done your research and found the person at fault for your injuries, the claims process isn’t simple. Alabama laws will complicate the process—even if you think you have an open-and-shut case.

For example, keep in mind that the personal injury statute of limitations in Alabama is two years from the date of your accident. You may need to move quickly. If your Huntsville truck wreck case is not handled within that two-year period, you will be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries. 

While the truck driver may be clearly at fault for your accident, the case does not end there. The defendant will likely build a defense based on your own actions during the accident. The insurance company may not want to pay for your expenses, so getting your compensation may be difficult. 

That’s because Alabama also recognizes “pure contributory negligence,” which could damage your case. Many states have negligence laws, where, if you are partly responsible for your accident, you’ll be held accountable for your part in the accident. Alabama, however, takes it a step further. Under pure contributory fault, you will be unable to be compensated for your losses if you hold any blame. 

As easy as it can be to lose your compensation, you may need someone on your side who can fight for you. Knowing Alabama law is vital, and without that knowledge, you could lose your compensation. That’s why a truck accident lawyer in Huntsville can be so helpful for victims like you.

Fair Compensation for a Truck Crash in Huntsville

Getting a proper settlement isn’t always easy, but getting the financial coverage you need for your damages is important as you fight to get your life back. After your semi-truck accident, it’s important to take note of all the expenses you have endured, as well as the non-economic damages. 

Non-economic damages are difficult to financially account for because they are subjective. While a medical bill will get you a specific dollar amount, something like mental anguish may be hard to quantify. In Alabama, however, there are no damage caps on your personal injury suit. Be sure to include all the compensation you need to recover from all of your injuries. 

When you begin to calculate your compensation, be sure to include all damages, including future ones. You may know ahead of time that you need a certain surgery, for example, or a long-term stint in therapy. These are just as important to include as your initial damages. 

If you’re not sure where to start, look at the list below. While it doesn’t cover every damage you might have sustained because of your Huntsville 18-wheeler crash, it can get you on the right track:

• Healthcare Costs – Serious injuries are common in 18-wheeler accidents, and you may have suffered long-lasting physical damage, such as broken bones and head injuries. You may need care for weeks or even months after the accident.
• Lost Income – If you are unable to work after your accident, you could receive compensation for the time you were unable to work as you recovered.
• Emotional Trauma – A serious truck accident can leave you deeply shaken and afraid, and these symptoms can develop into conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Household Services – Many accidents end in severe spinal injuries, which could leave you paralyzed and unable to even handle household chores. If this is the case for you, you should be compensated for the expense of housecleaning and other services.
• Loss of Companionship – One of the worst outcomes of a truck crash is the loss of a loved one. While this is a more common form of compensation in wrongful death cases, if your spouse, for example, passed away because of a truck crash in Huntsville, your emotional suffering should be included in your claim for compensation.

Connect with a Huntsville Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

After a truck accident, you might be thrown into the world of law and insurance claims. With your injuries on top of that, you might be feeling overwhelmed. But you don’t have to resolve your claim alone.

A truck accident can leave you struggling with the everyday things you might once have enjoyed, but through a free consultation with a Huntsville truck accident lawyer, you can get the help you need to move on. Contact the Henry Dailey Law Firm by phone at 205-995-2412 or via the online contact form at the bottom of this page.