DIAL '3' FOR ME
334-333-3333Accidents that occur between large commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, and smaller passenger vehicles often end with serious injuries or deaths. In addition to the damages done to your vehicle, you may be stuck with expensive medical bills, lost wages, and a serious injury that could be permanent or disabling. If you have lost a loved one or you have been injured due to an accident involving a truck or commercial vehicle, you could be eligible for compensation for your losses. Our Montgomery truck accident lawyers at Vance Law Firm are always here to answer your questions and are available for free consultations. Our skilled Alabama truck accident attorneys have experience when dealing with insurance companies and large corporations. We will always fight to uphold your rights, and work towards getting you and your family the compensation you deserve.
It can be extremely intimidating and scary to be cruising down the highway and be right beside a large truck or 18 wheeler. This can be even more frightening on some of the larger highways throughout Alabama. Highway 431 right outside of Montgomery has been nicknamed “Highway to Hell” because of all the large-scale accidents that occur on its pavement. This highway along with I-85 and a few others constantly have heavy semi-truck and other commercial vehicles traveling throughout the state. Unfortunately, accidents involving these large vehicles happen daily throughout the state of Alabama. An accident involving a big-rig or commercial truck can seem to be clear cut, but it is important to determine liability before moving on to insurance claims and compensation.
Determining liability is always the most important step in pursuing an injury claim against a truck driver or their employer. A competent truck accident attorney will be able to assist you and provide representation for you throughout the legal process. Our attorneys at Vance Law Firm can help you every step of the way, from the filing of a claim all the way through the litigation process. The Vance Law Firm legal team takes a personalized approach to each of our clients cases. Our firm has the resources to gather proper evidence, speak with witnesses and law enforcement officers, and we are equipped to hire the correct experts to aid in your case. Keep in mind, the trucking companies have their own attorneys and insurance carriers to fight against your claim. For this reason alone, hiring an experienced truck accident attorney to represent you and your case is crucial for your right to compensation.
Do you have questions about Alabama commercial trucking accidents? Contact The Vance Law Firm today!
A good example of how our truck accident attorneys work a step ahead of the trucking companies is through our persistence and great work ethics. Commercial truck drivers are mandated to keep a driver’s log that details each and every trip they travel. Usually the driver’s are only required to keep this log information for six months under federal law. However, if there is a request to preserve and keep the logs for longer periods of time, they must do so. Our staff will routinely make such requests when a case merits it. Our legal team will also be sure to send a letter to preserve any evidence from an accident. Many times truck companies will try to get the truck fixed after an accident as soon as possible, so in some cases they fix what could have caused the accident. The letter our attorney sends to the company following the accident, will keep them from being allowed to alter the evidence. If the truck was not being maintained properly then the trucking company could be found liable.
As one can see, the complexity of trucking accident cases can be overwhelming. The accident attorneys at Vance Law Firm truly understand and appreciate the investigation process. We have dealt with all different types of trucking accidents. Underride accidents, jackknife accidents, cargo spills, rollovers, defective equipment, and hazardous materials, our firm has represented cases involving all types of accidents. Many times a number of these trucking accidents could have been avoided had the driver or their employer followed the proper trucking regulations.
Due to the large size of these commercial trucks and their frequency on major highways, the federal government has created rules and regulations regarding the operation of these vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees these rules throughout the truck driving industry. If you anticipate operating one of these large trucks or you are already operating one, you should check and see if you are required to have a commercial driver license (CDL). CDLs are specialized licenses that require additional testing, knowledge, and training. The FMCSA is in charge of regulating the extent of testing and also regulates the type of license (class) you will need for the specific truck you will be driving. Chapter 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) contains the regulations regarding commercial truck drivers. Some of these regulations cover different areas such as the amount of hours a driver can operate their rig in a service day. Regulations and rules for maintaining the vehicle, and updating all the driver logs, and inspections are also in this section of the CFR. These rules and regulations also include drug and alcohol testing, and driver’s fitness tests. Even with the long list of regulations and rules set forth by the FMCSA trucking accidents still occur and you need to be aware of your rights.
At Vance Law Firm, we have a reputation for advocating for the rights of our clients for years. We have been successful at keeping up with all the state’s ever changing, laws, rules, and regulations surrounding trucking accidents. Our skilled Montgomery truck accident attorneys always take a personalized approach to each and every one of our client’s cases. At Vance Law Firm, we are compassionate to your needs and promise to treat you like a human being and not just a case number. Please call our office today for a free consultation and let our legal team give you a little peace of mind during this tough period of time.
