Jefferson County Semi Collision Lawyer
Commercial truckers are heavily regulated under provision of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1999. Overseen by the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Alabama DOT, truck companies and truck drivers are required to follow strict rules regarding safe operating procedures on our roads and highways. Yet, every year, the statistics on truck accidents are a sobering reminder of how dangerous these large commercial semi tractor-trailers can be when they cause an accident.
Learn more at our truck accident checklist page
Consider the following from the recent Alabama truck accidents statistics* for 2009:
- 81 large trucks and three buses involved in fatal crashes
- 80 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and three fatalities involving buses
- 1,911 large trucks and 127 buses involved in nonfatal crashes
- 678 large trucks and 50 buses involved in injury crashes
- 973 injuries in crashes involving large trucks and 138 injuries in crashes involving buses
- 1,213 large trucks and 77 buses involved in tow-away crashes
- 21 large trucks involved in Hazmat (hazardous material) crashes
Contact an Attorney at the Drake Law Firm Immediately
Truck companies put their investigators on the scene of a truck accident within hours of a crash involving one of their drivers and vehicles. Don't let them get the advantage. Get an attorney from our team on your side as soon as possible. If you have been in an accident with a truck, time is of the essence. Your medical bills are piling up and the insurance adjuster for the truck company is calling you every day for a recorded statement. An experienced truck accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
Truck Accident Statistics
Everyone has experienced the "white-knuckled" fear associated with being close to a weaving tractor-trailer on an interstate. The Department of Transportation has very specific guidelines designed to ensure your safety while driving around trucks. Too often, however, the trucking company has failed to ensure the driver's qualifications and allowed him to drive while fatigued or with an improperly maintained truck. Like the other 49 states, Alabama's Department of Public Safety requires a commercial driver's license for anyone desiring to operate a tractor-trailer on our highways. In conjunction with the federal DOT rules, all potential truck drivers must pass a written test and be certified as physically fit.
Unlike a simple car accident with another, regular-sized motor vehicle, an impact by a fully loaded 85,000 pound truck can generate tremendous forces upon the occupant. Many of the truck accident cases we have handled through the years involved catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury, death, paralysis, etc.
Trucking Company Negligence in Hiring and Supervision
All too often a trucking company will attempt to skirt the rules to save money. Common examples include hiring disqualified drivers, allowing truck drivers to operate their vehicle while fatigued, paying for speeding tickets, etc. Alabama law allows injured claimants to make a separate claim for negligent supervision and hiring, if supported by the evidence.
Drake Law Firm has handled truck accident cases involving many instances of negligent hiring and supervision on the part of the trucking company. We hire truck industry experts who review the log books, personnel files, company safety history and then offer an opinion about the accident, driver error and the specific cause of the accident.
What a Truck Accident Attorney From the Drake Law Firm Can Do for You
Unlike a simple auto accident claim, many steps have to be taken to properly preserve the evidence. Drake Law Firm has handled hundreds of truck accidents. Our investigator will meet with the witnesses and the investigating police office. If necessary, our attorneys will hire an accident reconstructionist to recreate the accident, and retain a truck industry expert to review the truck company's safety record. Our staff will obtain depositions of your treating physicians, and order all the pertinent medical records and bills. An attorney will work for you while you focus on getting better.
Free Consultation · Contingency Fee · State and Nationwide · Million Dollar Verdicts
Our lawyers have experience handling injury claims of all severity, including minor injuries and complex, catastrophic injuries. Our Birmingham truck accident attorneys represent victims of negligence in communities throughout Alabama and the nation. From anywhere, call us toll free at 866-779-9690 or contact us by e-mail to arrange a free case evaluation.
*http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/CrashProfile/CrashProfileMainNew.asp?STATE_ID=AL&dy=2009
