Truck Accident

Hare Wynn has your team of experienced Alabama truck wreck lawyers.

If you were injured in an accident involving a semi-truck in Alabama, you may have the right to obtain compensation for your injuries. Truck wreck cases are different from ordinary car wreck cases: injuries are typically more severe, medical and crash reconstruction experts often need to be consulted, and a set of laws and regulations inapplicable to ordinary passenger vehicles comes into play. Trucking companies can be expected to aggressively defend themselves with teams of lawyers and experts.

In order to maximize your recovery in an Alabama truck wreck case, you need to contact a team of Alabama truck accident lawyers who have the experience necessary to get what you deserve. Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton has been recognized as one of the leading injury firms in Alabama and has a team ready to help you at a moment’s notice.

Hare Wynn’s Birmingham attorneys have extensive experience representing the victims of eighteen-wheel truck wrecks. In 2023, Hare Wynn obtained a $3.5 million settlement for a client who suffered an orthopedic injury in a truck wreck. In recent years, Hare Wynn has obtained other multi-million dollar recoveries for personal injuries or death arising out of eighteen-wheel truck wrecks. Hare Wynn lawyers have also successfully developed and presented legal arguments in truck wreck cases that have led to precedent-setting decisions on issues such as the liability of a truck driver’s employer for negligent entrustment of a truck and the liability of a trucking company that “hands over” a load to a second trucking company’s driver who then causes a wreck.

Hare Wynn will make the investment of time and resources necessary to maximize recovery in truck wreck cases. Hare Wynn will work with engineers and other crash reconstruction experts, trucking industry experts, and other experts and consultants to explore all available avenues of recovery.

Hare Wynn is based in Birmingham, and our lawyers have represented individuals who were injured in truck wrecks throughout Alabama. Recently, Hare Wynn has handled personal injury and wrongful death cases arising out of truck accidents that occurred across Alabama, including in Jefferson County, Shelby County, Cleburne County, Etowah County, and Autauga County.

With over 130 years of experience serving Alabama residents, Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP knows what it takes to win your case. Our main goal is to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries so that you can fully recover. Our firm has successfully taken hundreds of cases to trial and obtained billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We aggressively fight for each and every client.

What Should I Do at the Scene of a Truck Accident?

It is always tough to do, but in the aftermath of an accident, it is essential to keep a cool head. Turn on your hazard lights and, if it is safe to do so, remain in your car as you call emergency services. Have yourself examined by the EMT and paramedics as they arrive. Even if you feel your injuries are very small, you should get a full medical inspection both for yourself and any passengers with you.

Do not, under any circumstances, leave the scene of the accident before you have gotten all the information you need to pursue a case. This will include the names and contact information of everyone involved including eyewitnesses.

As the police officers arrive on the scene be sure to take note of their names and badge numbers. You will also need as many snapshots and photographic evidence of the incident as you can get. Take pictures of both vehicles from several wide angles around the cars. Then take some close up shots of the points of impact and any other aspects you feel might be important.

Don’t inadvertently take responsibility for the accident by saying anything seemingly innocuous like “sorry” and don’t discuss what you “believe” happened with anyone but the police officer and the insurance agent from your policy providers –– you aren’t obligated to speak with the insurance agents of the truck driver.

How is Compensation Determined Following a Truck Accident?

Like most personal injury cases the types of damages that can be compensated will be economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Current Medical Expenses

This can include the fees for visiting the emergency room, undergoing surgery, hospital care, treatments and consolations with approved medical professionals.

Future Medical Expenses

Including rehabilitation and all other ongoing medical attention.

Lost Wages

Covering any wages lost from the time of the accident to the conclusion of the lawsuit.

Loss of Earning Capacity

If the victim has been impaired to the point that their regular work operations are negatively impacted, there is compensation for this as well. The amount will be equal to what the victim would have earned had the accident not taken place.

Pain and Suffering

This includes coverage for pain experienced due to the accident. Some factors that will affect the overall amount include the extent of pain, nature of the injury, and the amount of time the victim is expected to recover.

Mental Anguish

there is also compensation available for emotional pain and anguish brought on by the accident itself. This can include embarrassment, emotional distress, grief, worry, fear, nervousness and more.

Loss of Consortium

Compensation can also be awarded the spouse of the victim to cover the loss of services, aid, society or assistance provided.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are damages that are based on the wrongfulness of the actions of a truck driver or trucking company.  The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from engaging in similar misconduct.

In Alabama, punitive damages are the only damages available in wrongful death cases and may be awarded when the wrongdoer’s careless or negligent actions caused a death.  Alabama is the only state that allows recovery of only punitive damages for wrongful death.  In injury cases, punitive damages are available under Alabama law where the defendants’ actions go beyond simple negligence.  For example, a trucking company may be liable for punitive damages if its driver consciously engaged in conduct that he knew posed a serious risk of injury or death.

How Will Your Birmingham Truck Accident Attorney Prove Fault?

In order for you to recover for your truck accident injuries, you’ll need to prove that the truck driver’s negligent or wrongful actions caused your injuries . There are many ways to do this.

The truck driver likely isn’t just going to admit he was at fault. So, our Birmingham truck accident lawyers will rely on the following tools to prove causation:

• Accident recreation specialists – These experts can use all the information available to show that the truck driver was at fault.
• The police report – This report will include statements by the drivers and witnesses. It may include information that proves the truck driver was responsible for the accident.
• Maintenance logs – Tractor-trailers must be maintained every month. There are certain logs that drivers have to keep to prove this maintenance was done. If the logs show negligence, your attorney is going to want to include them as evidence.
• Pictures – There will be pictures of the accident scene in the police report. You may have even taken your own pictures. Experts can use these pictures to prove causation.
• Witness statements – Accounts of the wreck provided by eye witnesses can help establish liability.
• Dashcam video – Many trucks are equipped with onboard cameras that record the events leading up to a wreck.

Proving that the truck driver was at fault won’t always be easy. However, the attorneys at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP have years of experience handling cases like this. He has the skills to get you the compensation you deserve.

What Kind of Damages Will Your Birmingham Truck Accident Lawyer Demand?

If you get hurt in a truck accident, you’re going to need a Birmingham truck accident lawyer. You will be injured and need to focus on getting better. Let your attorney focus on getting you compensation for your injuries.

Some of the damages he’ll demand include:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills (past, present, and future)
• Diminished earning capacity
• Permanent disability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages

You may have to pursue multiple parties for your injuries. In a tractor-trailer accident case, there could be claims against any of the following:

• Truck driver
• The company he works for
• Broker who negligently selected a company with an unsafe record to haul a load
• The company who overloaded the truck with product
• The company who services the vehicle
• Manufacturer of the truck or its parts
• The mechanic who repairs the tractor-trailer

What are the Statistics for Truck Accidents in Alabama?

Your truck accident attorney knows how dangerous truck accidents are.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need to contact the Birmingham truck accident lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton.

What Are Some of the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents?

When commercial vehicles crash into a passenger car, the results can be disastrous.

Some of the common injuries suffered in a truck crash include:

Back injuries

It’s hard to imagine a truck accident that doesn’t cause back injuries. Your body is going to be thrown about your vehicle. You may even be ejected from the car. When a tractor-trailer collides with your car, you are going to sustain back injuries. These may be as simple as disc issues or as serious as a spinal cord injury.

Head and Brain injuries

Truck accidents often cause head and brain injuries. You could break facial bones or suffer a concussion. You may suffer something as serious as a traumatic brain injury (TBI.) TBIs occur when you suffer a severe blow to the head. This happens when you whack your head on the steering wheel or windshield.

If you suffer a TBI, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Impaired vision
• Inability to speak
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vertigo
• Impaired hearing

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can be quite scary. The thing about them is that you can’t see them. You may not even feel them. Not all internal injuries are painful. Some don’t bother you at all right away. If left untreated, internal injuries can be life-threatening. You need to get checked out so you can make sure you aren’t suffering from internal injuries. Birmingham truck accident attorneys handle a lot of internal injury cases. Some of the most common types of internal injuries include:

• Bleeding on the brain
• Punctured lungs
• Aneurysm
• Internal bleeding
• Concussion
• Organ damage

Your truck injury attorney will make sure he demands damages for all of these injuries. Experienced truck accident lawyers have handled dozens of cases just like yours. They know what your injuries are worth. They’ll work hard to negotiate a settlement with the driver’s attorney to get you paid.

Your Birmingham Truck Accident Lawyer Knows the Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Your truck injury lawyer needs to prove that the truck driver is at fault. Truck accident cases are usually based on negligence (i.e., carelessness or inadvertence) or wantonness (i.e., conduct that is carried on with a reckless or conscious disregard of the rights or safety of others). In order to prove negligence, you have to show four things:

• The truck driver owed you a duty of care
• He breached that duty
• You were injured
• Your injuries were caused by the driver’s breach

Proving these things comes down to looking at what caused the accident to begin with. Some of the common causes of truck accidents include:

Overloaded trucks

Because they’re trying to carry too much freight, truck drivers may overload their vehicles with too much product. When this happens, the truck is imbalances. This can cause the truck to jackknife.

Driving While Overtired

Because they work so many hours, many truck drivers are overtired. Although there are federal laws limiting the number of hours drivers work, some don’t abide by this rule. An overtired driver can fall asleep at the wheel and crash into an unsuspecting vehicle.

Distracted Driving

Just like car drivers, truck drivers get distracted. They could be texting and driving. Or, they could be trying to eat their lunch while driving. All it takes is 2-3 seconds to lose control of your vehicle.

Improper Truck Maintenance

Trucks are supposed to be maintained every so many miles. Truck drivers must keep logs of their truck’s maintenance. If they don’t keep this up to date, their truck can malfunction.

Speeding

Because they’re paid by the mile, a lot of truck drivers try to cover too much ground in one shift. They drive too fast and end up harming other drivers on the road.

Drunk Driving

Like all other drivers, some truck drivers are reckless and drink before getting behind the wheel. Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard when it comes to DUI. Penalties for DUI are higher for commercial truckers as well.

Inexperienced Drivers

When people first start driving trucks, they have a hard time getting the hang of it. Despite the hours of training and education, some truck drivers make mistakes when they’re new. This is what causes accidents.

Your Birmingham truck accident lawyer is familiar with all of these causes. They know what it takes to prove causation. And they’ll use this knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Birmingham Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident in Alabama, you need to contact our Birmingham, AL lawyers. We can review your case and let you know what it may be worth. He can also answer any questions you may have.

Call Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP and schedule your risk-free initial consultation today. It gives you a chance to meet with an experienced truck accident attorney at no cost. And, you pay nothing until you win at trial or obtain a settlement.