Licensed attorney since 2007. Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Washington D.C.
The #1 Truck Accident Lawyers In Bessemer, Alabama
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in the Bessemer, AL area at no fault of your own, you may qualify for compensation.
Contact a Bessemer truck accident lawyer from Bodewell Law to get a free, no-obligation case consultation today.
Truck accidents can be very serious and can result in significant injuries for those involved.
There are many causes of truck accidents, and it’s important to know who can be held liable for your injuries.
Looking for an experienced Bessemer truck accident lawyer who gets results?
Our Bessemer truck accident lawyers have years of experience helping people like you get the compensation they deserve.
We understand what you’re going through, and we want to help.
The first step is to call us and schedule a free consultation.
We’ll sit down with you, review your case, and help you understand your legal options.
We work on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
Don’t wait to get the help you need.
Call our office today and let us help you get started on the road to recovery.
Want to find out if you qualify for compensation right away?
Use our chatbot below to get a free, instant online case evaluation now!
Table of Contents
Causes Of Truck Accidents In Bessemer, Alabama
Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors.
Eight (8) of the most common causes of truck accidents include, but are not limited to:
. Inadequate Training
Truck drivers are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
To get a CDL, truck drivers must undergo special training.
Unfortunately, not all trucking companies provide adequate training to their drivers.
This can lead to inexperienced drivers getting behind the wheel of a large truck.
2. Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often work long-hour shifts. And sometimes, they are pressured to meet unrealistic deadlines.
This can lead to driver fatigue, which is a major cause of truck accidents.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules in place to prevent driver fatigue.
But these rules are often not followed.
3. Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Trucks are large and heavy vehicles.
They require regular maintenance to keep them running safely.
Unfortunately, some trucking companies cut corners when it comes to maintenance.
This can lead to mechanical failures that cause accidents.
The most common maintenance problems that lead to accidents include:
- Worn tires
- Defective brakes
- Faulty steering
4. Speeding and Other Unsafe Practices
Truck drivers often feel pressure to meet deadlines.
As a result, they may speed up or engage in other unsafe driving practices.
Speeding is one of the most common causes of truck accidents.
Other unsafe driving practices include:
- Tailgating
- Improper passing
- Failure to yield
5. Improper Loading
Trucks must be loaded properly to avoid accidents.
If a truck is overloaded or improperly balanced, it can be very difficult to control.
This can lead to accidents when the truck driver tries to make a turn or stop suddenly.
6. Violations of Traffic Laws
Truck drivers must obey all traffic laws. But sometimes, they violate the rules of the road.
This can lead to accidents.
Common violations that lead to accidents include:
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Failure to yield
- Failure to properly signal
7. Prescription Drug Use
Unfortunately, some commercial truck drivers use prescription drugs to stay awake while driving.
This is against the law. But, it happens more often than you might think.
Prescription drug use can lead to accidents because it can cause drowsiness and impaired judgment.
8. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major problem on the roads today.
And it’s even more dangerous for truck drivers because of the size and weight of their vehicles.
Many truck drivers can be distracted by anything from talking on the phone to eating or drinking.
And when they’re distracted, they’re more likely to cause an accident.
Choosing The Right Bessemer Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it’s important that you choose the right lawyer.
The lawyer you choose can make all the difference in the world.
Some of the things you should look for when choosing a lawyer include:
Experience
When it comes to choosing a lawyer, experience is everything.
You want to choose a lawyer who has successfully handled truck accident cases in the past.
This will give you the best chance of getting a favorable outcome.
The trucking company will have experienced lawyers on their side, so you need someone who knows what they’re doing.
A Good Reputation
You should also choose a lawyer who has a good reputation.
This is important because it will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re in good hands.
Be sure to read online reviews and talk to people you know who have used the lawyer’s services.
Contingency Fees
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
This means that they don’t get paid unless they win your case.
Contingency fees are important because it gives the lawyer an incentive to fight for you and get you the best possible outcome.
Compatibility
It’s important that you choose a lawyer you’re compatible with.
This is important because you’ll be working closely with the lawyer and you need to be able to trust and communicate with them.
Free Consultation
Finally, be sure to choose a lawyer who offers a free consultation.
This is important because it will allow you to meet with the lawyer and get a feel for their personality and how they do business.
How Our Bessemer Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Our Bessemer accident lawyers have the experience and knowledge you need to get the best possible outcome.
We will guide you through every step of the legal process and fight for you every step of the way.
We offer a free consultation so that you can meet with us and get to know us.
We will answer any questions you have and help you understand your options.
There is no obligation, so please contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
You can also use our chatbot below to get a free, instant online case evaluation to find out if you qualify for compensation right now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident and the Resulting Injuries?
Liability is typically determined by a variety of factors, with the goal being to show negligent conduct that directly caused an accident and resulted in injuries.
In these kinds of situations, proving negligence is particularly difficult, which is why you need the assistance of a qualified truck accident lawyer.
In general, there are a few possible people who might be held responsible for your accident and damages, although this varies from case to case.
Five (5) parties who might be held liable for your injuries caused in a truck accident include, but are not limited to:
1. The Truck Driver
The most common person to be held liable for a truck accident is the truck driver.
If the driver was negligent in any way, they can be held responsible.
This includes cases where the driver was acting negligently in some way, such as negligent driving.
Common types of negligent driving include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Driving while distracted
2. The Trucking Company
Depending upon the circumstances, the trucking company that employs the driver might also be held liable.
If the company knowingly allowed an unsafe driver to operate one of their commercial trucks, they can be held responsible for any semi-truck accidents or injuries that result.
In other cases, the company might be held liable if they failed to properly maintain their vehicles.
This includes cases where a truck was involved in an accident because of worn tires or defective brakes, for example.
3. The Manufacturer
In some cases, the manufacturer of the truck or truck parts might be held liable for an accident.
This is most likely to happen if there was a defect in the truck that led to the accident.
For example, if the truck had faulty brakes, and the accident was caused by the brakes failing, the manufacturer might be held liable.
It’s important to note that, in order to hold the manufacturer liable, you’ll need to prove that the defect was the cause of the accident.
This can be difficult, which is why you need the assistance of an experienced accident lawyer.
4. The Cargo Loader
The company or person who loaded the cargo onto the truck might also be held liable if the accident was caused by an improperly loaded truck.
If the cargo was overloaded or not properly balanced, it can be very difficult for the truck driver to control the vehicle.
This can lead to accidents.
The cargo loader is responsible for making sure that the truck is loaded properly.
If they do not do their job correctly, they can be held liable for any accidents that occur.
5. A Third Party
In some cases, a third party might be held liable for a truck accident.
This typically happens when another driver causes an accident.
For example, if another driver cuts off a truck and the truck driver swerves to avoid them and ends up crashing, the other driver can be held liable.
Determining who is liable for a truck accident and your injuries can be very difficult.
There are a lot of factors that need to be considered. This is why it’s so important to have the assistance of a qualified lawyer.
Experienced Bessemer truck accident lawyers will know how to investigate your case and determine who is liable.
They will also know how to build a strong case against the liable party.
Why Do You Need a Bessemer Truck Accident Attorney?
Truck crashes can be very complex.
There are a lot of different parties who might be held liable, and it can be difficult to determine who is responsible.
In addition, the trucking industry is heavily regulated.
This means that there are a lot of rules and regulations that need to be considered during the process of legal action.
This can make it difficult to build a strong case on your own.
You need the assistance of an experienced lawyer who knows how to navigate the complex legal system and build a strong case.
Seven (7) of the important reasons why you need a truck accident lawyer include, but are not limited to:
1. Find All Liable Parties
As we mentioned above, there can be multiple parties who are liable for a truck accident.
An experienced lawyer will know how to investigate your case and determine who is responsible.
This is important because you need to name all liable parties in your lawsuit.
The lawyer will also know how to gather evidence to support your claim.
This evidence will be essential in proving who is liable for the accident.
It can be very difficult to obtain this evidence on your own.
2. Handle Complex Negotiations
An experienced lawyer will know how to navigate the complex legal system and will be able to skillfully negotiate on your behalf.
This is especially important if you are up against a large trucking company or their insurance company.
They will have teams of lawyers working against you, so it’s important that you level the playing field by having an experienced Bessemer truck accident attorney in your corner.
You deserve to have someone fighting for you who knows the law and how to get you the best possible outcome for your case.
The lawyer you choose can make all the difference in the world.
3. Provide Appropriate Legal Strategy
Being a crash victim is a very difficult thing to deal with.
You are likely dealing with serious injuries, high medical bills, and the stress of not being able to work.
The last thing you need is the added stress of having to deal with a complex legal case.
This is where an experienced lawyer can help.
They will provide you with the legal guidance you need and will develop a strategy to get you the best possible outcome.
This is an extremely important decision, so be sure to choose a lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases.
4. Ensure Comparative Fault Laws Are Applied Correctly
Like other states, Alabama has comparative fault laws.
This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If your percentage of fault is less than 50%, you are entitled to compensation.
The lawyer will work to ensure that these laws are applied correctly in your case.
5. Guide You Through the Legal Process
One of the most challenging things about being a truck accident victim is the legal process.
There are a lot of steps involved, and it can be very confusing.
An experienced lawyer will guide you through each step of the process and make sure that you understand what is happening.
This is extremely important because it can be easy to make a mistake that could jeopardize your case.
You need someone in your corner who knows the ins and outs of the legal process and can make sure that everything is done correctly.
6. Help You Get Full Compensation
The goal of any personal injury case is to get full and fair compensation for the victim.
This means getting money for all of your damages, including your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
An experienced lawyer will know how to value your case and will fight to get you the full compensation you deserve.
This is important because you need money to pay your bills and support yourself and your family.
7. Take Your Case to Trial if Necessary
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, there are times when a trial is necessary.
If the insurance company is not offering a fair settlement, your lawyer may recommend taking your case to trial.
An experienced lawyer will be prepared to take your case to trial and will fight for you every step of the way.
This is essential because you need someone who will fight for you and strive to get you the best possible outcome.
What Compensation Is Available for Bessemer Truck Accident Victims?
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
The amount of compensation you are eligible for will depend on the severity of your injuries, the amount of damage to your property, and other factors.
Some of the most common types of compensation that truck accident victims receive include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
- Emotional and psychological damage
- Other damages
The type and amount of compensation you are eligible for will be determined by the facts of your case.
An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to help you understand what types of compensation you may be entitled to and will fight to get you the full amount that you deserve.
