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Truck Accident in Auburn

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Truck Accident Attorney in Auburn, Alabama

Truck Accident Attorney in Auburn, Alabama

As you drive in and around Auburn, Alabama, you’re sure to encounter a number of large trucks on the road. These trucks are carrying goods and products in and out of Auburn, and as such are a key part of the economy and meeting consumer expectations and needs. But while trucks are necessary, they can also be dangerous. With thousands of truck-involved crashes happening per year in our state and hundreds resulting in injuries or fatalities, the risk of a truck accident is a very real threat.

At the office of the Alsobrook Law Group, our experienced Auburn, Alabama truck accident attorney knows that truck accidents aren’t just scary, but also totally devastating and completely overwhelming in many cases. If you have been in a serious truck accident in Auburn, we may be able to assist you in recovering a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses.

Liability for a Truck Accident in Alabama

When a trucking accident occurs and someone is injured, the injured person can bring forth a claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. Before this can be done, though, liability for the accident must be established.

One of the more complicated elements of a truck accident claim is that there are many potentially liable parties, and therefore a thorough investigation is required in order to pinpoint fault. Those parties against whom a claim could be filed might include the truck driver, the trucking company, a loader of cargo, a cargo manufacturer, a truck/truck part manufacturer, the party responsible for truck maintenance, the party responsible for road maintenance, or another third-party driver involved in the crash in some manner.

In order to determine which of the above parties may be at-fault and share some liability for damages that have resulted, the following sources of evidence may be required:

  • Eyewitnesses’ testimonies;
  • Driver’s logs;
  • Truck maintenance records;
  • Cargo shipping and loading logs;
  • Any video footage of the accident;
  • Driver’s statements;
  • Experts’ testimonies;
  • Accident reconstruction data;
  • Vehicle design information;
  • Police reports; and
  • Physical evidence (i.e. debris, angle of vehicles, skid marks, etc.).

There may be other relevant evidence that is worth gathering depending on the specifics of your accident.

Damages Recoverable in a Truck Accident Claim

As our lawyer and experts work on determining liability for the accident, you should focus on recovering to the fullest extent possible, following your doctor’s recommendations, and taking detailed notes about your pain, suffering, and any physical or psychological woes you are experiencing. Once we have determined liability for your accident, the next step will be calculating the value of your damages and issuing a demand letter requesting compensation from the liable party. You have the right to seek compensation for the full value of the losses you have suffered, including compensation for your:

  • Pain, suffering, and emotional distress;
  • Medical expenses and future medical expenses;
  • Property damage costs;
  • Lost wages and expected future lost wages and benefits; and
  • Any other economic or noneconomic losses you have suffered.

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available, although these damages are less common and are only awarded in cases where the defendant acted with fraud, malice, oppression, or wantonness. In Alabama, punitive damages are capped at three times the total compensatory damages, with a hard cap of $1.5 million.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Truck Accident

If you have been in a trucking accident, our lawyer strongly recommends acting quickly to protect your right to compensation. While it can be intimidating and overwhelming to start the claims process, doing so is very important. A few of our top recommendations of things to do immediately following a truck accident include:

  • File a police report and request a copy of the police report;
  • Get the truck driver’s information, as well as the information of anyone else involved in the accident or any eyewitnesses;
  • Send spoliation of evidence letters to the trucking company in order to ensure that evidence will be preserved;
  • Seek medical care and follow your doctor’s orders;
  • Start a journal which details the facts surrounding your accident and your recovery process;
  • Inform your own insurance company of the accident as soon as possible;
  • Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster or the trucking company without talking to a lawyer first; and
  • Call a lawyer. While not all motor vehicle accident claims need to be handled by a lawyer, truck accident claims often do. This is in large part because trucking accident cases are especially complicated, and because trucking companies have high-priced lawyers working for them. Hiring an attorney helps you to even the playing field.

The Truck Accident Statute of Limitations and Contributory Negligence

There are two very important things of which to be aware in the event that you are filing a lawsuit in our state: the statute of limitations and contributory negligence. While neither of these things may get brought up if you are filing a claim that does not end up in litigation, should your case go to court, they will definitely be considered.

The first, the statute of limitations, refers to a two-year limit on the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. If you breach the statute of limitations, your case will not be heard and you will be barred from recovery.

The second, the rule of contributory negligence, is a rule that can prevent you from recovering compensation if the defendant can prove that you contributed to your injuries in the slightest, even one percent. This is yet another reason why working with a skilled attorney is so critical.

Call the Alsobrook Law Group for Help with Your Trucking Accident Claim in Auburn

A truck accident attorney can be a boon to your case. At the Alsobrook Law Group, we will investigate your case, hire experts, organize all data, send necessary letters, handle all communications with the insurance adjuster, and more. We know that you have your hands full – our goal is to manage your claim for you and get you the settlement you deserve.

You can schedule a free consultation with our law office by visiting us in person, calling us at (334) 360-9534, or sending us a message online. We are here to serve you.

Zachary D. Alsobrook

Zach Alsobrook

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Zachary D. Alsobrook is a partner in the Opelika law firm of Alsobrook Law Group, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of criminal defense and DUI; divorce, child custody…

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