Truck Accidents

Truck accidents

Your Trucking & 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer

 

Truck wrecks are some of Alabama’s most aggressively fought cases. The reason is simple. If you are hit by 30 tons of steel, chances are you are going to be seriously injured, and your medical care alone could run into 100s of thousands if not millions of dollars. Trucking companies do not want to pay that, so they hire teams of lawyers to make the disbursement to you as little as possible. Fortunately, Bill Eiland is an experienced trucking accident attorney and knows how to fight and win.

How Trucking Cases Are Different from Auto Cases

Trucking accidents require a different set of legal skills to get you the maximum dollars. There are two major reasons for this – the injuries are usually greater (requiring greater proof), and trucking companies usually have higher insurance amounts (so there is more potential money). An inexperienced lawyer can falter in both these areas, leaving you with less money to get your life back on track.

  • Often, more individuals and companies will be involved. These include the driver, the truck owner, the company that loaded the truck, and so forth.
  • Federal regulations must be followed. This can include the tonnage being carried, the driving times of the driver, and drug/alcohol restrictions.
  • Most trucks have black boxes that record vital details about the truck. This must be investigated before the vital data is lost.

What to do if you are injured in a trucking accident.

  • Get Medical Care. Chances are you will be injured. Do not refuse medical care. Even if you don’t think you are seriously hurt, go to the hospital. In a trucking accident, it is highly likely that someone will call 911 once they see the accident.
  • Gather Information. If you can, gather the names of witnesses and take photos of any damage. If you are not able to do this, we can send investigators to follow up.
  • Contact us. There is no time to waste. I can assure you that the trucking company lawyers will be on the case almost immediately. Remember, they are not there to help you. You need your own lawyers, especially lawyers experienced in trucking accidents. Call us as soon as possible.

What is my case worth?

No two cases are alike, but our experience can give us a good indication of the money you will need and what is available.

You need to be compensated for:

  • Medical expenses, including therapy and medications
  • Lost wages and possible future reduced income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of family quality of life
  • Medical equipment and supplies
  • Value of damage to your vehicle

 

Trucking Accidents and the Gulf Coast

Unlike other states, Alabama has a law that says you cannot collect anything if you are even 1% at fault. Much of our time will be focused on proving you had no fault in the accident.

Where the accident happened is critically important. Though we are licensed in Alabama, we can make arrangements should the accident have happened in Mississippi, Florida, and even Georgia.