Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

When an 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the outcome can be devastating. Victims often face catastrophic injuries, lost income, and overwhelming medical expenses. Collins Law, LLC, helps Alabama families recover and move forward after serious truck crashes.

Commercial truck accidents involve complex investigations, federal regulations, and large insurance companies. An experienced Alabama 18-wheeler accident lawyer understands these challenges and takes quick action to protect your rights. If you’ve been injured, contact our firm today to discuss your next steps and learn how you can pursue fair recovery for your losses.

Why You Need an Alabama 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including the driver, the trucking company, the maintenance provider, and the shipper. Each will have its own insurer and legal team. Without an experienced lawyer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, and many truck accident victims accept settlements far below what they deserve.

An Alabama 18-wheeler accident lawyer knows how to handle these high-stakes cases. They gather black box data, review driver logs, and work with crash experts to determine fault. They also identify regulatory violations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), such as exceeding legal driving hours or failing to maintain vehicles.

Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer levels the playing field against powerful insurance companies that have their own lawyers. While you focus on recovery, your legal team manages every communication, preserves critical evidence, and builds a case that supports your claim from day one.

How Truck Accident Claims Differ from Car Crash Claims in Alabama

A commercial truck wreck differs significantly from a typical car crash. Trucks are heavier, carry more momentum, and cause far greater destruction. However, beyond the scale of harm, these cases involve multiple layers of liability and stringent federal safety regulations.

Commercial truck drivers must adhere to regulations governing rest hours, cargo weight, cargo securement, and maintenance standards. A violation of any rule can strengthen your claim. In contrast, car accidents often center on basic negligence, such as speeding or distracted driving.

Insurance coverage also differs. Commercial trucks typically carry higher policy limits, which means insurers will defend claims more aggressively. A qualified Alabama truck wreck lawyer knows how to handle this complexity, negotiate with multiple carriers, and demand accountability from every responsible party.

Understanding Alabama’s Legal Landscape for Truck Crashes

Alabama follows a contributory negligence system. Under this system, if you are even 1 percent at fault for a crash, you will not be able to recover compensation. Because of this rule, evidence must be airtight.

Your truck accident lawyer keeps track of all filing requirements and deadlines, making sure your claim is timely filed and all deadlines are met.

Alabama courts also require clear proof that the trucking company or driver acted carelessly and that their actions directly caused your injuries. Gathering and presenting this proof requires skill, resources, and a thorough understanding of both state and federal trucking laws.

What You Should Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in Alabama

The moments immediately following a crash are frightening, but what you do next can have a significant impact on your case. Take these steps if you can:

  • Call 911 immediately – Get medical help for anyone injured and make sure law enforcement documents the scene.
  • Seek medical care – Even if injuries seem minor, hidden trauma can appear later.
  • Collect evidence – If possible, take photos of the vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and license plates.
  • Gather contact information – Record names of witnesses, officers, and company representatives.
  • Avoid speaking with the trucking company’s insurer – They may use your words to weaken your claim and pressure you into accepting a small settlement.
  • Contact a lawyer quickly – Evidence such as black box data or driver logs can disappear fast, and an attorney can act fast to preserve it.

Following these steps preserves vital proof and can strengthen your future claim.

Truck Accident FAQs

Below are common questions people ask after an Alabama truck crash. These answers can help you understand what comes next.

It would be very challenging to handle a truck accident case on your own. Trucking companies and insurers have vast legal teams protecting their interests. Your lawyer will protect you by gathering evidence, filing your claim on time, managing negotiations, and taking your case to trial if required.

Under Alabama Code § 6-2-38, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline usually means losing your ability to pursue recovery.

Alabama’s contributory negligence rule is strict. If you share even 1 percent of the blame, you may be barred from obtaining compensation.

 

Even if the driver shares responsibility, their employer may also be liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds companies responsible for the actions of their employees taken within the scope of their duties.

Most lawyers handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front and no legal fees unless they recover compensation for you.

The value depends on your medical costs, lost income, and the overall impact on your life. Your lawyer reviews every detail to estimate the full value of your losses.

You still have the right to file a claim. Your lawyer will identify who was responsible and seek recovery on your behalf.

The Alabama Department of Revenue defines a truck as a “self-propelled vehicle designed and used primarily for the transportation of property in or upon its own structure.” A truck may also qualify as a “commercial motor vehicle” if it is operated for business purposes and has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds, or if the combination of truck and trailer has a GVWR of at least 26,001 pounds. Such vehicles are subject to state regulation. If they are involved in interstate commerce, they are also subject to federal regulation.

If you still have questions, an Alabama truck wreck lawyer can review your situation and clearly explain your options.

How Your Truck Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case

An experienced lawyer for truck accident cases begins by conducting a thorough investigation. The goal is to identify every factor that contributed to the collision and every party involved.

This process often includes:

  • Securing the truck’s electronic control module or “black box” data
  • Reviewing the driver’s logbooks and rest schedules
  • Examining maintenance and inspection reports
  • Gathering witness statements and crash scene photos
  • Consulting accident reconstruction and medical experts
  • Reviewing your medical treatment and employment records

Your truck accident attorney organizes these findings into a clear narrative showing how negligence caused your injuries. They also handle all communications with insurers and opposing counsel, negotiate settlement offers, and prepare for trial if negotiations fail.
By managing the process from start to finish, your lawyer allows you to focus on healing while they work to protect your financial future.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

The losses from a truck wreck can reach far beyond the initial hospital visit. Depending on the facts of your case, your Alabama truck wreck lawyer may pursue recovery for:

  • Medical care, hospitalization, and rehabilitation
  • Future treatment or therapy needs
  • Lost wages and reduced earning potential
  • Physical pain and mental anguish
  • Property repair or replacement
  • Loss of quality of life

Each case is unique. Your lawyer reviews your medical records, employment information, and personal circumstances to calculate an accurate value for your claim. While money cannot undo what happened, it can help you rebuild stability and independence.

Will My Truck Case Go to Court?

Many truck accident cases settle before reaching a courtroom, but some require formal litigation. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, your lawyer may file a lawsuit to continue pursuing your claim.

Filing in court does not always lead to a trial. Settlement discussions often continue even after the case begins. A prepared attorney builds each case as if it will go before a jury, which frequently encourages insurers to negotiate seriously.

If a trial becomes necessary, your Alabama 18-wheeler accident lawyer will present evidence, question witnesses, and argue for accountability on your behalf. You’ll receive guidance at every stage, so you always know what to expect.

What If the Trucking Company or Driver Tries to Avoid Responsibility?

Trucking companies frequently deny fault to protect their profits. They may claim another driver caused the crash, argue mechanical failure, or insist you were distracted. Some even alter or lose key documents, such as maintenance records or driver logs.

Your lawyer knows these tactics and takes immediate steps to preserve evidence. A legal notice—known as a spoliation letter—requires the company to retain critical records and data. If they ignore it, courts can impose penalties.

Your lawyer may also obtain cell phone records, fuel receipts, and GPS data to expose inconsistencies in the trucking company’s story. By building a detailed timeline of events, your attorney can strengthen your position and work to keep the defense from shifting blame.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Truck Accident Attorney?

The aftermath of a commercial truck accident can be overwhelming. You’re in pain, out of work, and trying to focus on your care. At the same time, you might be getting calls from insurance adjusters hounding you to accept a settlement you’re not sure is fair. Worse, the trucking company might be trying to shift the blame onto you in an attempt to get out of paying you at all. During this difficult time, you deserve a friend and ally who can step in and advocate for your rights. You deserve Attorney Collins.

While you work on getting better, an Alabama truck accident attorney from Collins Law can work on the following:

  • Investigating the accident to find out what happened and why
  • Reducing your accident-related medical bills, a service few in the legal industry offer
  • Determining everyone who could be at fault for your injuries, from the truck driver to their employer and beyond
  • Calculating what the accident has and will cost you, both financially and personally, so we know what fair compensation entails
  • Filing your truck accident claim and negotiating with involved parties for an out-of-court settlement
  • Preparing for trial and representing you in court if the liable parties won’t make you a fair offer
  • Treating you with the empathy and compassion you deserve from the moment you walk through our door
  • Never charging you any upfront costs to get started on your case

Our law firm has a proven track record of keeping our clients’ medical bills down after their cases are resolved, which is rare in the legal profession. We also have a policy to never take home more money than our clients if we get their cases resolved via settlement or verdict. You deserve compensation for your injuries, and we make sure more of it gets to you.

You should not have to take on the powerful trucking and insurance companies alone. Instead, trust our team to take care of the legal matters while you focus on healing.

Why Are Trucking Accidents More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Collisions?

Personal injury cases involving truck crashes are typically more complicated than those involving other vehicle collisions. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Trucks are large and heavy, and the considerable force they impart on impact can cause severe injuries.
  • Liability is often shared by many different parties involved in the trucking industry.
  • The trucking industry is subject to state and federal regulation, which can complicate matters of liability.
  • Trucking companies have deep pockets and high-power legal teams to protect their profits.

Because of these complexities, it could be a mistake to trust your case to a run-of-the-mill personal injury lawyer. Instead, look for a lawyer like Attorney Collins, who’s handled and won truck accident cases in the past.

Who Could Be Liable for a Truck Wreck?

The complex, multilayered nature of the trucking industry means that many different parties could be liable for your injuries, including:

  • The truck driver, if they were negligent in the operation of their vehicle
  • The trucking company, if it directly employs the driver or negligently supervised a subcontracted driver
  • The truck’s owner, if they did not adequately maintain the vehicle
  • The company that loaded cargo onto the truck, if they did not follow securement regulations
  • A vehicle or parts manufacturer, if defects contributed to the accident

Depending on the circumstances, several of the above parties could have played a role in causing your injuries. If that’s the case, your lawyer will seek to determine everyone who’s to blame so that they can pursue claims against each party and maximize your compensation.

What Are Common Types of Commercial, Big Rig, and Semi-Truck Accidents?

Commercial truck accidents come in many different types, some specific to these types of vehicles. The most common include:

  • Head-on collisions
  • Sideswipe accidents
  • T-bone/side-impact crashes
  • Rear-end impacts
  • Merging accidents caused by large blind spots
  • Wide-right-turn collisions
  • Rollover collisions
  • Underride accidents, in which a smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath the high trailer
  • Jackknife accidents caused by the trailer coming out of sync with the tractor

What Injuries Can Someone Sustain in a Truck Accident?

The most common truck accident injury types include:

  • Sprains, strains, tears, and other forms of soft tissue damage
  • Chemical and thermal burns
  • Traumatic amputation

Furthermore, the psychological trauma of having a painful, near-death experience can lead to the development of mental health disorders. These can include emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Why Choose Collins Law, LLC for Your Alabama Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident cases require focus, precision, and persistence. Collins Law, LLC, brings all three to every client we represent. We’ve handled complex trucking cases across Alabama and understand how to uncover hidden evidence, manage expert testimony, and confront corporate legal teams.

Our approach is hands-on. We treat clients like people, not case numbers. You’ll always know where your claim stands and what steps we’re taking to move it forward. We combine thorough investigation with strong advocacy to pursue meaningful results for our clients.

When your family faces the fallout of a truck crash, you deserve support and guidance from a team that genuinely cares. Call Collins Law, LLC, today to speak with an Alabama 18-wheeler accident lawyer who listens and acts decisively.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Alabama Today

Were you hurt in a truck collision in Alabama? Did you lose a loved one to a fatal truck accident? If so, Collins Law can empower you to get the money and justice you deserve for what you’ve suffered. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.