Truck Accident Attorneys in Mobile, AL
Motor vehicle collisions involving commercial trucks are known for being catastrophic. Commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other massive trucks are enormous in size compared to nearly every other type of vehicle on the road. This means that they are likely to destroy other vehicles that may cross their path.
If you have been seriously injured after being hit by a truck, you have the right to financial compensation. Make sure that you are getting the most out of your claim. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Whibbs, Stone & Barnett can help you ensure that every loss is accounted for. Call our office at 850-434-5395 to schedule your free consultation today.
Fault for Truck Accidents in Mobile, AL
One of the most important jobs your attorney will have after your truck accident will be to figure out who is at fault. You might have assumed that the truck driver who hit you is responsible for causing the accident. Truck driver negligence is one of the most common causes of truck accidents in the Mobile, AL area as well as the Florida Panhandle. It is not uncommon for truck drivers to engage in negligent driving behaviors, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Road rage
- Speeding
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to stop
- Failure to yield
- Drowsy driving
- Impaired driving
But truck drivers are not the only party who are liable for truck accidents. It is not uncommon for multiple parties to share fault for truck accidents in Mobile. For example, when a trucking company over works a truck driver, violating federal trucking regulations, the trucking company can also be found culpable when a drowsy truck driver causes a truck accident. Some of the other parties who could share blame for your truck accident include:
- Safety inspectors
- Cargo loaders
- Auto parts designers
- Truck parts manufacturers and distributors
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck
- Government agencies
- Other third parties
Your attorney will need to conduct an in-depth investigation into the details of your truck accident. This is the only way that we will be able to gather the evidence needed to support your case and to reveal who is ultimately responsible for causing your truck accident. Rest assured, we will ensure that all parties who share fault for your injuries are named in your lawsuit, so you can be awarded maximum compensation for your damages.
How Shared Fault Could Affect Your Mobile, AL Truck Accident Claim
If you are accused of sharing fault for your truck accident in Alabama, it is critical that you get an attorney on your side to handle your case. Unlike Florida, Alabama follows a pure contributory negligence system. This means that if you are found to share even one percent of fault for the truck accident, you will not be able to be awarded compensation in court.
With that being said, it is not unusual for the liable party to attempt to cast blame on the injury victim. It is one of the best ways for them to be able to avoid paying you the compensation that you deserve. For that reason, you need to be sure that you have an aggressive truck accident attorney representing you. This is the only way to ensure that your portion of fault is accurately assessed and that your truck accident settlement is protected.
The Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Lawsuits in Mobile, AL
If you are thinking about pursuing a truck accident lawsuit, you need to act quickly. This is because there is a limited amount of time for you to file a lawsuit under the law. The Alabama statute of limitations sets the amount of time that you have to file a personal injury lawsuit such as a truck accident claim in civil court. Under the law, you will have two years to get your claim filed in most cases.
If your lawsuit is not filed before the statute of limitations expires, your case will be barred from being heard in civil court. This means you will have lost the opportunity to obtain maximum compensation for your suffering. Fortunately, you can avoid this legal struggle by getting help from a truck accident attorney who will be prepared to take action quickly and get your case filed before time runs out.
How Much Is Your Truck Accident Lawsuit Worth?
After everything you have been through, you may be wondering how much you could be awarded if you chose to move forward with your truck accident lawsuit. When another party’s negligence is the cause of your accident, you have the right to be made whole. This means that you should be compensated for each and every loss you have suffered as a result of your truck accident injuries.
The damages that truck accident victims sustain are often broken up into two different categories. These are known as economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the ones that have a direct impact on you financially. Non-economic damages do not affect you financially but can impact you emotionally and physically. There are some types of economic and non-economic damages that are sought after more frequently than others. Some of the damages that you could be awarded in your truck accident claim include:
- Inconvenience
- Reputational damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of household services
- Costs of increased insurance premiums
- Costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Hospital expenses and medical bills or equipment costs
You may also be awarded punitive damages which could dramatically increase the amount of your final award. However, it should be noted that punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the courts find the actions of the defendant to be abhorrent or grossly negligent. The courts will then have the opportunity to impose punitive damages as a way of punishing the liable party further.
Contact a Seasoned Mobile, AL Truck Accident Attorney
If you have suffered catastrophic injuries in a commercial trucking accident, and you are ready to hold the liable party accountable, you need an aggressive and experienced truck accident lawyer on your side. Schedule a no-cost, risk-free consultation with Whibbs, Stone & Barnett today. Fill out our online contact form or call our office at 850-434-5395 to get started.
