How Do Truck Accident Claims Work in Alabama
A truck accident in Alabama happens for various reasons. If you or the person you loved got involved in a truck accident in the state, you would be entitled to compensation.
But it is vital to hire the right Dothan truck accident lawyer and know the truck accident laws in the state in order to make the right decisions when filing an accident claim for the injuries and damage incurred.
How Common Are the Accidents in the State?
Each year in the US, there are more than 100,000 large truck accidents, which lead to serious injuries, and another 5,000 large truck collisions that lead to fatalities.
When it comes to Alabama, larger commercial trucks usually travel around 6.4 billion miles every year. Unlike truck accidents, car collisions frequently happen in this state.
In 2021, there were about 150,000 car accidents compared to 12,000 reported truck crashes. In simple terms, crashes and collisions with big trucks occurred at 1/15th, which is basically the rate of accidents between three or more PSVs.
Who will be Liable for Your Truck Accident?
Among the major reasons that truck collision cases are much more complicated compared to typical car accident claims is the matter of liability. In standard car accident claims, an individual who caused the crash is always liable for the damages of the victim. This is not the case in big truck accident collisions.
As a matter of fact, even if it is clear that the truck driver was negligent, they might not be liable specifically. Usually, a trucking company might only be liable to pay for the damages. That is because many employers are responsible for their workers’ conduct when they are in the line of duty.
For that reason, a trucking firm might be responsible for your injuries and damages, even in the case involving reckless or careless truck drivers.
But the trucking firm might not be accountable in certain situations. If the driver violated the company’s policies when the crash happened, you wouldn’t have a case against the company.
In other cases, third parties might be wholly or partially liable for your injuries or damages. For instance, if a truck accident happens because of a truck defect, its manufacturers might be responsible for the damages.
Proving Negligence
You may think it is evident that you have grounds for a truck accident lawsuit. However, in the aftermath of a truck accident, filing civil and insurance claims might be the last thing on your mind.
If you are currently sitting in a hospital bed wondering what to do next, you are not alone in this. Taking legal steps should be one of the first steps you need to take so that you can prove the negligence of the other party. With the help of an attorney, there are several options, which might work for you. Some of these options include:
- Filing a truck accident claim in Alabama civil courts
- Filing a truck accident claim with the insurer of the party at fault
- Filing a truck accident case with your insurer
Final Thoughts!
Truck accident liability turns out to be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you get injured and are trying hard to recover.
Fortunately, there are reliable Alabama attorneys who can represent your interest and protect your rights by proving negligence of the other party.
