Truck Accident Attorneys in Tuscaloosa

The average fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 20 times more than the average passenger car. Knowing that, it’s no surprise that truck accidents often leave people in passenger vehicles with severe or fatal injuries. Because of their large size, unusual shape, and inability to stop quickly, tractor-trailers can cause a significant amount of damage in any collision.

If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Tuscaloosa, it’s time to discuss your case with a truck accident attorney and find out if you’re entitled to compensation. Set up a consultation now by calling Weaver Tidmore at 205-980-6065.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Trucks are involved in thousands of accidents every year, many of which cause massive property damage, severe injuries, and even fatalities. Some of the most common causes of Tuscaloosa truck accidents include:

• Unsafe or improper lane change.
• Defective truck equipment or component.
• Truck load distributed unevenly.
• Failure to yield right of way.
• Unsafe turns.
• Distracted, impaired, or fatigued driving.
• Following too closely.
• Rain, snow, or other inclement weather.
• Failure to follow road or traffic signs.

Liability can be traced back to truck drivers, drivers in other vehicles, or the truck manufacturer. In some cases, even the trucking company is liable for accidents. For example, if a trucking company routinely requires truck drivers to falsify documentation of breaks and rest stops to finish trips more quickly, they may be liable for damage caused by a fatigued driver.

Types of Truck Collisions

Truck accidents can typically be sorted into several different collision types, including:

• Jackknife accidents. Jackknife collisions are unique to tractor-trailers. They occur when the cab of the truck and the trailer form a 90-degree angle, usually as a result of sudden braking. The trailer swings out and the driver loses control of the vehicle. This type of accident can cause a rollover or block entire highways.
• Head-on crashes. Head-on crashes are often fatal for drivers and passengers in smaller cars, due to the amount of force and speed behind a tractor-trailer.
• Rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions occur when a truck driver drives over the back of a smaller vehicle. This may occur because of bad weather or not leaving enough space between vehicles.
• Underride accidents. Underride accidents can cause severe and fatal injuries for those in passenger vehicles. This type of accident happens when a vehicle gets stuck underneath the back of a tractor-trailer, typically when the truck stops abruptly and the vehicle behind it does not have time to stop. In many cases, the top of the passenger vehicle is ripped off.
• Rollover collisions. Rollovers are a serious risk for tractor-trailers, due to their higher center of gravity. Because of a truck’s size and shape, a rollover can cause a pileup accident or leave entire roads shut down for hours.

Common Injuries

Injuries vary quite a bit, depending on the location of the accident, the speed of both vehicles, and the type of crash. Victims often report:

• Traumatic brain injuries. The force of a collision can cause minor, moderate, or severe brain injuries. These range from concussions that heal without intervention to lifelong injuries that limit an individual’s mobility, emotional control, and speech.
• Spinal cord damage. Spinal cord damage can occur in truck crashes, due to the enormous amount of force and pressure placed on the spine at the point of impact. The amount of damage done depends on which part of the spinal cord is affected and whether the cord is partially or completely severed.
• Burn injuries. Burn injuries may occur if the engine ignites or if the truck was carrying hazardous materials at the time of the crash.
• Broken bones. Broken bones are relatively common in truck collisions. Outcomes vary, depending on the victim’s age and what type of fracture they suffer.
• Crush injuries. When a victim is crushed in the vehicle or between the vehicle and the road, they may suffer crush injuries. These are often irreparable.
• Internal bleeding. Internal bleeding may occur if the organs are pierced or damaged during the accident. This type of injury can quickly become fatal if untreated.
• Fatalities are, sadly, not uncommon after truck accidents.

Seeking Compensation with Weaver Tidmore

After a truck accident, you can expect substantial financial stress. The severe injuries often caused by these collisions, the property damage to your vehicle, and the time you have to spend away from work can all leave you with financial obligations you cannot meet.

That’s why it’s important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident. As soon as an accident is reported, the truck driver’s employer and legal team spring into action. They begin investigating the accident, tracking down the cause, and gathering evidence. You need someone who can do the same for you, especially since evidence starts to disappear naturally as time passes.

Your attorney can investigate the accident, request important pieces of evidence from the truck, and look for safety violations and other issues that may have led to your crash. From there, they can begin assessing your injuries and figuring out how much compensation you deserve.

Compared to other types of vehicle crashes, truck collisions can be fairly complicated. To seek compensation, you have to determine whether to go after the truck driver, their employer, the owner of the cargo load, or the manufacturer of the truck. No one will willingly accept fault and pay you a full settlement—you’ll need an attorney to negotiate for you. Your attorney will go through the mountain of evidence to figure out who is liable and, from there, begin fighting for the compensation you are owed.

Healing from a serious truck accident can be traumatizing. Don’t add to your stress by taking on the insurance companies alone. Let Weaver Tidmore help.

Reach Out to Us Today to Get Started

The team at Weaver Tidmore fights aggressively on behalf of each and every client. We know that a truck accident can leave you financially devastated, and we’re ready to fight for a full and fair settlement on your behalf. Get started now by calling us at 205-980-6065 or contacting us online.