Truck Accident Lawyer in Gadsden, AL

A collision with a tractor-trailer is often far more deadly and damaging than a collision involving two passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, suffering more damage and injuries doesn’t always mean that it’s easier for victims to recover compensation. In fact, you could find yourself going up against a number of insurance companies when you try to get a fair settlement.

That’s why it’s important to work with a law firm you trust throughout this process. At Weaver Tidmore, we know that a serious tractor-trailer accident in Gadsden can cause untold financial distress and pain. We’re here to help. Schedule a consultation now by calling us at 205-980-6065.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Attorney in Gadsden

In many cases, tractor-trailer accidents look fairly cut-and-dry from the outside. A driver falls asleep and veers into the other lane, colliding with a passenger vehicle and totaling their car or causing significant injuries. In these situations, victims often wonder why they even need an attorney to fight for compensation. Shouldn’t the truck driver’s employer or insurance company do the right thing and pay for your losses?

You might expect that, but unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t interested in doing the right thing. They’re more interested in doing the right thing for their executives and shareholders, which means limiting payouts to injured accident victims. When you talk to them, you won’t know that, though. They do a great job of acting nice, showing concern over your injuries, and promising a fair settlement. What they don’t tell you is that their first settlement offer is likely too low to consider.

On top of that, there’s a lot at stake in a Gadsden truck accident. While an accident involving two passenger vehicles might only have two insurance companies involved, truck accidents have many more parties with a stake in your claim. The truck driver, their employer, the owner of the truck, the cargo loading company, the owner of the truck’s load, and government entities may all have some liability in your claim. You’ll need to defend your claim against all of them to get to the truth and get the money you deserve.

With an attorney, you can skip this hard work. Instead, you can entrust your case to a team of attorneys with substantial experience in Alabama truck accident cases. As you recover and bounce back from your accident, we will handle the investigation and fight aggressively for the compensation you are due.

The Dangers of Truck Accidents

The average full truck weighs about 50,000 pounds and the average passenger vehicle weighs about 3,000 pounds. A truck that weighs 16 times more than your vehicle has the potential to cause multiple fatalities and significant property damage, even in a crash that doesn’t happen at high speeds. Furthermore, the shape and weight distribution of trucks makes severe accidents even more likely. Those who are involved in a truck accident are far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries than those who are involved in collisions that only involve passenger vehicles.

Common Causes and Types of Collisions

Truck accidents are surprisingly common, despite the fact that drivers must undergo approved training programs and aggressive CDL testing to become licensed. This is partially due to the huge shortage of drivers across the country. As the demand for truck drivers has increased, the number of actual drivers has dropped. Because of this, employers have slowly dropped their standards over the years, simply to get loads from A to B. This means that the roads have more drivers with unsafe driving histories, issues with fatigued driving, or insufficient trucking experience.

Some of the most common causes of trucking collisions include:

• Fatigued driving
• Driving while distracted
• Inexperience with the truck or with truck driving in general
• Unfamiliar with the roads or road conditions
• Poor road conditions
• Tailgating
• Unsafe lane changes
• Driving too fast or slow for conditions
• Unbalanced load

There are several common types of truck accidents, each of which has its own risks. These include:

• Jackknife accidents. These collisions occur when a truck driver loses control of the vehicle. The trailer swings away from the cabin, creating a 90-degree angle and making the driver unable to control the truck. These collisions often shut down entire highways.
• Rollovers tend to happen when a driver brakes too quickly or swerves. The weight of the load pulls the truck onto its side.
• Wide-turn accidents. Before a truck driver makes a right turn, they tend to swing left to make room for the turn. If that happens when there is a vehicle next to them, they may trap the vehicle and pin it.
• Blind spot collisions. This type of collision often occurs when a vehicle is next to a truck, directly in its blind spot. A car may get pinned between the truck and median or pushed off the road completely.
• Rear-end accidents. While these accidents are often minor when they involve passenger vehicles, a tractor-trailer rear-ending a car can cause fatalities and severe injuries.
• Underride collisions. An underride collision happens when a vehicle behind a truck does not stop in time. The front of the car gets stuck underneath the back of the truck.

Getting the Compensation You Deserve

Because truck accidents cause such significant amounts of damage, victims may be entitled to substantial compensation. A full and fair settlement should compensate you for:

• Medical bills, including future medical expenses if your injuries will affect you permanently
• Lost wages, including future income if your injuries have made you unable to work
• Property damage
• Disability or disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering

Truck drivers often carry large insurance policies on their vehicles, and some trucks are covered by multiple policies. This means that seriously injured victims have a chance of getting the full amount they deserve, rather than being limited by policy maximums.

Contact Weaver Tidmore Today to Start Your Claim

The first step to fighting for the compensation you deserve is finding an attorney you trust. At Weaver Tidmore, we understand that a truck accident can completely change the course of your life, and we’re determined to help you get the compensation you are due. Schedule a meeting today by calling us at 205-980-6065 or filling out our online contact form.