How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Fight for Victims and Families
Semis, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, flatbeds, box trucks, and other trucks of all shapes and sizes regularly drive through Tuscaloosa. Every day, a truck accident can occur on US 11, US 43, US 69, or US 82 and various state highways, duplexed interstates, and local roads. Truck accidents often involve large commercial trucks and smaller delivery trucks.
At Prince Glover Hayes, we have more than 45 years of experience fighting for injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. We also represent the victim’s family in cases where a truck accident in Alabama is fatal.
What types of truck accidents happen in Tuscaloosa?
Our truck accident lawyers handle all types of truck accidents, including jackknife accidents, rollovers, wide-turn accidents, blind spot accidents, cargo accidents due to overloads or improper loading, underride collisions, rear-end accidents, head-on crashes, broadsides, and any other type of truck accident.
Who is responsible when truck accidents cause injuries or deaths?
At Prince Glover Hayes, our attorneys can file personal injury and wrongful death claims against every responsible person or company. The defendants may include the driver, the driver’s employer, the owner of the trucks (like a fleet company), the companies involved in the shipment, loading companies, manufacturers of defective truck parts, and maintenance and repair companies.
How do you show who is responsible for my truck accident?
Your Tuscaloosa truck accident lawyers can guide you through each step of the claims process. Our team believes that thorough preparation of the evidence and a full understanding of the legal issues are the foundation for a strong recovery. Our attorneys handle the following parts of your claim with a constant eye on anticipating the arguments the insurance companies and defense lawyers are likely to assert.
The initial consultation
We’re here to answer your questions and explain your rights. Our lawyers will review what happened and what medical care you are receiving. In some cases, we recommend that you see other physicians.
The investigation of your claim
Our lawyers may work with investigators who go to the site of the accident. They can review the layout of the location where the truck accident occurred, examine what factors could strengthen your case, and question whether any neighboring residents or businesses have any video footage of the accident.
We’re prepared to review the police accident report and speak with the police who investigated the accident if necessary. If there are any other law enforcement officials (federal or state) who have relevant information, we can also speak with them.
We often work with other experts who we think can help with your case. These experts include truck part safety experts, trucking industry professionals, and traffic reconstruction experts.
The truck accident complaint
Our attorneys can file a formal complaint for damages against every responsible defendant and arrange to serve the complaint on each defendant.
The discovery phase of your truck accident case
We conduct two basic types of discovery:
- Questioning everyone with knowledge. Our lawyers formally question every defendant in writing (interrogatories) about everything they know about the accident, including how the accident happened and what precautions they took (or failed to take) to prevent the accident. We also formally question the defendants and all other witnesses in depositions. This can help us learn more about the liability side of your truck accident case and your injuries.
- Requests to review the evidence. Our attorneys seek to review all relevant documents and information about the truck accident case, including the following:
- Any electronic logging devices that record the hours the truck was in operation (which can help show driver fatigue) and other relevant information
- Any black boxes
- The insurance policies for the defendants
- The maintenance and repair records for the truck prior to the accident
- Any repairs to the truck after the accident
- Any other complaints involving vehicle accident negligence against any defendant
- Any other relevant information
The demand letter
Prince Glover Hayes prepares formal demand letters after we complete the above stages and assess all your financial and personal damages.
The demand letter summarizes why we believe the defendant(s) are liable. The demand letter also summarizes your damages. Your damages include all your losses to date and those you can reasonably expect to have for the rest of your life. These damages include:
- Your medical expenses
- Your lost income
- Your physical pain and emotional suffering
- Any damage to your vehicle
- Any scarring or disfigurement
- The loss of any bodily function
- The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (enjoyment of family relations)
The negotiation of your claim
Our personal injury lawyers understand how insurance companies place a value on the claims of accident victims. We look at whether an insurance company is playing fairly or if it’s better to take your case to a jury. Our job is to negotiate a settlement that is as strong as possible. The right to settle or not settle is your decision.
In some cases, our truck accident lawyers may settle with one defendant but not with another defendant. We can explain how you can receive compensation from the defendant that settles and still proceed with your claim against another defendant.
The trial of your truck accident claim
If your case does not settle, we can prepare you for the trial and explain your rights, such as the right to understand all questions before you answer them. Our truck accident lawyers can explain the jury selection process, how opening and closing statements work, and the role of the judge and the jury.
We understand how to persuasively argue accident claims in court. We’ve helped many accident victims obtain strong recoveries.
At Prince Glover Hayes, we handle truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that we only receive payment if your case is successful. Please call us or complete our online contact form for a free evaluation today.