Experience is Key in Trucking Cases
Every day, thousands of trucks travel our roads. Given their size and weight, tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles typically cause greater damage and more severe injuries when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, around 140,000 to 150,000 people are injured in commercial vehicle accidents each year in the U.S. Many of these injuries are severe, leading to lifelong challenges for survivors and their families.
At Beasley Allen, we understand the trauma and challenges that come after trucking accidents. With decades of experience and over $32 billion in verdicts and settlements, you can trust that our veteran trial lawyers will fight for you to ensure the best possible outcome.
We stand up to big trucking firms and their insurance companies in and out of the courtroom. Our thorough investigations ensure we find the details needed to win your case and maximize your recovery.
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Chris Glover Managing Attorney (Atlanta) Atlanta, GA -
Greg Allen Lead Product Liability Attorney Montgomery, AL -
Mike Crow Principal Montgomery, AL -
LaBarron Boone Principal Montgomery, AL -
Ben Baker Principal Montgomery, AL -
Parker Miller Principal Atlanta, GA
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accident cases can be really complicated, but our lawyers are here to help. We know all the ins and outs of the laws and regulations, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and industry-specific standards of care.
- Rollovers: When a truck loses control due to tire blowouts, speeding on curves, overcorrection, or other driver errors, it rolls over.
- Jackknife Accidents: When a truck skids and its trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, resembling a folding pocketknife.
- Head-on Collisions: When a truck veers into oncoming traffic, often due to driver fatigue, distraction, or medical issues, making a collision almost unavoidable.
- Rear-end Collisions: These happen when a truck driver fails to stop in time for slowed or stopped traffic.
- Blind Spot Collisions: Trucks have large blind spots, making it hard for drivers to see other vehicles.
- Lost or Shifting Freight: Improperly secured or loaded cargo can detach or shift suddenly, causing the driver to lose control or stop abruptly, leading to crashes.
- T-Bone Crashes: When a truck runs a stop sign or red light and hits another vehicle on its side.
- Underride and Override Collisions: These are among the deadliest. Underrides happen when a smaller vehicle gets wedged under a truck, while overrides occur when a truck runs over a smaller vehicle from behind.
Truck Accidents Trending Upwards
In 2022, large trucks were involved in a staggering 5,837 fatal crashes, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year and a whopping 49% rise over the past decade. These massive vehicles accounted for 6% of all fatal crashes and covered 10% of total vehicle miles traveled.
The number of injuries from large-truck crashes also saw a rise, with 161,000 people injured—a 3.9% increase. Unfortunately, most of these injuries were sustained by occupants of other vehicles. Tragically, 5,936 people lost their lives in these crashes, with 70% of the fatalities being occupants of other vehicles.
Most of these fatal crashes occurred on rural roads, with September and October being the most dangerous months. Rural roads often have higher speed limits and less traffic enforcement, contributing to the higher incidence of severe accidents.
Accident Investigation
Our thorough investigation of truck accidents forms the backbone of your claim. We identify all potential sources of liability, even those others might overlook.
Our investigation involves reconstructing the crash scene and documenting debris and road markings. We check for driver fatigue, distractions, substance use, safety violations, and review the driver’s background for any criminal history. We analyze data from the truck’s “black box” and GPS, review video footage, inspect the truck for defects, and examine its maintenance records and load information. Additionally, we investigate the trucking company’s accident history and safety violations, assess their culture, driver screening, training protocols, and monitoring systems.
Compensation and Damages
Our decades of experience help us spot when commercial vehicle and truck companies cut corners, prioritize profit over safety, and break the law. We also know that product failures can mean more parties are responsible. At Beasley Allen, we guide you through the process from start to finish. Our goal is to provide you with clear options so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Truck crash victims and their families can receive different types of compensation:
- Economic Damages: These cover financial losses and help restore your physical condition. They include hospital and medical bills, rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses, lost income and earning capacity, vehicle and property damage, and lost household services.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are harder to quantify but just as important. They cover things like emotional distress, mental anguish and trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (companionship), diminished quality of life, and scarring and disfigurement.
- Punitive Damages: These are meant to punish the defendant and discourage future misconduct. They apply when a trucking company acts with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, like repeated safety violations.
Understanding these damages can help you and your family get the compensation you deserve.
After the Accident
What you do right after a truck accident can significantly impact your case.
- Safety First! If you’re not seriously injured, check on others involved, call for medical help, and report the crash to law enforcement. Stay at the scene and talk to first responders if you can.
- Act Fast. Trucking companies will quickly protect their interests, so it’s crucial to act fast to protect yours. Collecting and preserving evidence right after the accident is key while everything is fresh and intact.
- Work Together. Gather as much information as possible: take photos of the vehicles, note weather conditions, get license plate numbers, and collect witness contact info. Document any visible damage or defects on the truck and note any markings on the trailer. Record the truck’s registration, insurance details, and information about who was operating or maintaining it.
- Important Reminder: Avoid discussing your injuries publicly, including on social media, and never talk to the other party’s lawyers or insurance company without your lawyer.
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