Truck accidents can lead to severe injuries and substantial medical expenses for victims. If you’ve suffered an injury in a truck accident, you will likely face new bills for your treatment on top of your usual living expenses. This can be difficult, especially if you are missing time at work while you recover.
Fortunately, in Alabama, you have the right to pursue compensation from anyone whose negligence causes you to suffer an injury. A Mobile truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to handle your case, gather evidence, and work with insurers and/or civil courts to help you recover your damages.
Contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (251) 298-8380 for a free consultation with a member of our team. We may be able to represent you on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you’ll never pay anything if and until we win your case.
Important Alabama Laws That May Affect Your Ability to Recover Damages
When it comes to accidents, Alabama is what’s known as an at-fault state. This means the responsible party may be held liable for your damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Contributory Negligence
In order to recover compensation for injuries, you typically need to prove that the responsible party’s negligence actions injured you. However, in Alabama, you may also have to prove that you played no part, at all, in causing the accident.
This requirement is due to Alabama’s contributory negligence law. If you are found to be even 1% responsible for causing the accident that injured you, you may not be eligible to recover damages from the other party in your accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Truck Accident lawyer serving Mobile, call 800-537-8185
Potentially Liable Parties in a Truck Accident
A Mobile truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can investigate your case to determine who is liable for your injuries. Liability is often established when someone’s negligent or reckless actions cause an accident.
Driver Liability
Driver negligence may include:
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while distracted
- Not maintaining gap distance
- Conducting illegal maneuvers
- Violating a traffic law
If the driver’s actions cause an accident, their employer may be held liable, thanks to the principle of vicarious liability.
Municipality Liability
Sometimes, a road’s state of disrepair can create difficulties for a truck driver. Inadequate roadway lighting or signage can make it difficult for the truck driver to anticipate changes in the road, leading to a crash or collision.
In these accidents, a third party, like a construction company or municipality that allowed hazardous road conditions to persist, may be at-fault for the accident.
Mechanic or Vehicle Manufacturer Liability
There are many ways in which mechanical problems with the truck itself can lead to roadway collisions. Sometimes, the maintenance company with whom the carrier contracts fails to properly maintain key systems, like tires, oil, etc. If the truck fails because of poor maintenance, such a provider may be held liable.
In other situations, a faulty or defective truck part may cause the accident. Negligent parts manufacturers, distributors, or retailers may be liable for damages arising from accidents in these situations.
Distributor Liability
Overloaded or poorly loaded cargo can also cause a truck operator to lose control of their vehicle. In these situations, a distributor who loaded the cargo improperly may be held liable for damages.
If you suspect that another party’s negligence caused your accident, call the Morris Bart law firm to discuss your case with a member of our team today at (251) 298-8380.
Mobile Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Building a Personal Injury Case in Alabama
A Mobile truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can investigate the circumstances leading up to your accident to support your claim of negligence. During the course of our investigation, we can also collect documentation of the value of your damages.
Our investigation may involve:
- Going to the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Gathering evidence from photos, surveillance videos, etc.
- Obtaining a copy of the police accident report
- Seeking driver logs and the truck’s maintenance records
- Collecting medical records related to your injuries
- Talking to medical, vocational, and accident reconstruction experts
Keep in mind that the insurance company may also be investigating this accident. Whatever you say to them may be used as evidence against approving your claim and against you if the case goes to court. Use caution when speaking to the responsible party’s insurance agents or posting on social media.
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Types of Recoverable Damages
Every truck accident is different. The types of damages that may be available to you depend on the severity of your injuries, the costs of treatment and medicines, whether your treatment will be ongoing, and so on.
If you have missed time at work because of your injury, or if you will no longer be able to work, these losses may also factor into your damages.
You also may be able to claim non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, and diminished enjoyment of life, where applicable.
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Call Morris Bart & Associates, LLC for Help with Your Case
You do not need to take on a truck accident legal case on your own. A Mobile truck accident lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can handle all aspects of your case when we represent you.
Keep in mind that time may be limited to act. Alabama enforces a statute of limitations for filing a civil action against the at-fault party. You generally file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of your accident, per Alabama Code § 6-2-38. If you wait too long, you may risk your ability to recover any compensation from an accident.
Call the Morris Bart law firm today at (251) 298-8380 for your free consultation on your case with a member of our team.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
