Montgomery Truck Accident Lawyers
Trucks power the country, making food, manufacturing components, consumer goods, and other items accessible to companies and individuals everywhere. For the most part, truck drivers and the vehicles they command are extremely safe. But when something goes wrong, either on the driver’s side or in the truck itself, the consequences can be devastating.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Montgomery truck accident, fight for the compensation you deserve with Mann & Potter. Call us at 205-879-9661 to set up a consultation now.
What Sets Truck Accidents Apart from Other Vehicle Accidents
While accidents solely involving passenger vehicles tend to follow the same settlement or lawsuit process, truck accidents are considerably more complex, expensive, and time-consuming. A variety of factors contribute to this.
First, consider the sheer size of a truck and the way in which its weight is distributed. While a fully loaded tractor-trailer could be roughly 40 tons, a smaller passenger vehicle might be less than two tons. The shape of the tractor-trailer is also a contributing factor. The length of the truck makes it nearly impossible for the driver to see what is happening alongside the truck, putting them at risk of sideswipe or lane change accidents. Because of their size, trucks take more time to stop, require more skill to steer, and require constant maintenance.
Another factor setting truck accidents apart from other types of crashes is the variety of parties involved. When you are involved in a crash with another passenger vehicle, you likely only go through their insurance company for compensation. When you collide with a truck, a lot more parties are invested in the outcome of your claim.
The tractor and trailer may be owned by different entities, so they each have their own insurance policy. The insurance policy is likely held by truck driver’s employer , or if they are self-employed, by their own vehicle insurance. The cargo load may be owned by an entirely different party and insured separately. All of these parties must be dealt with as you fight for compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
A single truck accident can cause a catastrophic amount of damage, which is why so much work goes into investigating collisions and figuring out why they happened. Not only is this helpful to victims’ personal injury claims, it also gives insight into ways to avoid similar accidents in the future.
Some of the most common causes of Montgomery truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Irregular or too few breaks
- Distracted driving
- Difficulty checking blind spot
- Bad weather that leads to icy roads
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Poor maintenance on the truck
- Faulty truck components
Proving Your Claim
While truck accidents are much more complex than passenger vehicle accidents, they also have a lot more evidence available. This is helpful to you as you pursue a personal injury claim and try to get the compensation you are owed.
Your attorney may look into a variety of electronic data and logs that track driver behavior and accident information. The black box of the truck has valuable information regarding how long the truck was in operation without a rest break, braking patterns, truck speed, and more. Your attorney may also analyze data from the truck’s GPS device or inclinometer.
Other types of evidence include truck inspection reports, repair logs, logbooks, dispatch instructions, and the truck driver’s phone records. Beyond that, they gather the same evidence used in other vehicle accident cases, including eyewitness testimony, photographs and video footage of the scene of the accident, and police reports.
Parsing this evidence is challenging, which is why it is crucial to choose an experienced Montgomery truck accident attorney. While the evidence may indicate that someone is at fault for the accident, it takes an experienced legal professional to know who is at fault and how to hold them accountable for your injuries and property damage.
Getting You the Compensation You Deserve
Your attorney will use the available evidence to figure out who is liable for the injuries you’ve suffered and how to negotiate a fair settlement. In some cases, liability falls solidly on one party. In others, multiple parties are partially liable. Our team will work on negotiating with the liable party to get the compensation you are owed. Depending on the severity of the accident and how solid your case is, you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses if your injuries are likely to require long-term care
- Lost wages
- Lost future income if your ability to work is permanently impaired
- Property damage
- Expenses associated with permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
How We Can Help
At Mann & Potter, we understand how a truck accident can completely change the course of your life and impact your future. When someone else’s negligence is responsible for your injuries, we don’t think you should be left handling the financial fallout on your own. From the beginning, we focus on creating the strongest case possible for you. While a settlement is likely, we also gather the evidence necessary for a court case.
Our in-depth investigations provide the evidence and insight needed to hold the liable parties accountable for the harm they have caused. We use our strong negotiating skills to keep insurance companies from lowballing you or otherwise taking advantage of you as a victim. Their goal is to protect their profits—our goal is to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Throughout your case, we will keep you updated, let you know about your options, and make sure you are an active part of the process. When your legal case is in good hands, you can rest easy and spend more time recuperating from the physical and mental stress of an accident.
Contact Mann & Potter Now
The sooner you contact our team after a truck accident, the sooner we are able to help you. Immediately after an accident, the truck driver’s company, legal team, and other parties start investigating and building a case. You deserve the same level of attention and care. Schedule a consultation now by calling Mann & Potter at 205-879-9661 or get in touch with us online.