Licensed attorney since 2007. Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Washington D.C.
Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting for Victims in Alabama & Georgia
Truck accidents cause some of the most devastating injuries on Alabama and Georgia roads. When a fully loaded commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic—severe injuries, permanent disability, or loss of life. If you were injured in a truck accident in Birmingham or anywhere in AL or GA through no fault of your own, Bodewell’s truck accident lawyers are ready to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation.
Trucking companies and their insurers move fast to limit their liability. We move faster—preserving evidence, identifying every responsible party, and building cases designed to win.
Birmingham Truck Accident Lawyers Focused on Results
Our Birmingham truck accident lawyers represent people injured in crashes involving tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and commercial fleets. These cases are not like standard car accidents—they involve federal safety rules, corporate defendants, and aggressive insurance teams. We prepare every case with trial-ready precision.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Birmingham, Alabama
Truck crashes often result from preventable safety failures. Our investigations frequently uncover one or more of the following causes:
1. Inadequate Driver Training
Commercial drivers must be properly trained and licensed. When trucking companies rush drivers onto the road without adequate preparation, serious accidents can occur.
2. Driver Fatigue
Long shifts and unrealistic delivery deadlines lead to fatigue. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules limit driving hours, but violations remain common.
3. Poor Truck Maintenance
Trucking companies are required to inspect and maintain their vehicles. Mechanical failures often stem from:
- Worn or blown tires
- Defective brakes
- Steering or suspension failures
4. Speeding and Unsafe Driving Practices
Speeding dramatically increases stopping distance for large trucks.
- Tailgating
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to yield
5. Improper Loading or Overloading
Unbalanced or overloaded cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes, and loss of control.
6. Traffic Law Violations
- Running red lights
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Failure to signal or yield
7. Prescription Drug or Substance Use
Drug use can impair judgment, reaction time, and alertness—putting everyone on the road at risk.
8. Distracted Driving
Phone use, GPS systems, eating, or paperwork distractions are especially dangerous for commercial drivers.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or employer
- Maintenance or repair contractors
- Cargo loading companies
- Truck or parts manufacturers
We identify every responsible party to maximize your recovery.
Truck Accident Claims in Alabama & Georgia
State law matters. Alabama applies contributory negligence, meaning insurers may try to deny claims if they allege any fault. Georgia follows modified comparative fault, allowing recovery if you are less than 50% responsible.
Many claims must be filed within two years; some notices are shorter—call to confirm your exact deadline.
Compensation Available After a Truck Accident
- Emergency medical care and hospitalization
- Surgeries, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for surviving families
Why Choose Bodewell Truck Accident Lawyers
- Experience handling complex commercial vehicle cases
- Deep knowledge of FMCSA regulations
- Aggressive investigation and evidence preservation
- No fees unless we recover compensation for you
Meet the advocates who may handle your case: Meet Our Team or contact Bodewell today.
General information only; not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham 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.