Common causes of truck accidents include intoxication, driving while distracted, and fatigued driving. Each of these scenarios can slow down the driver’s response time and cause them to have unpredictable reactions to roadway hazards. When commercial drivers put others at risk by engaging in these behaviors, crash victims may qualify to recover fair damages.
When you are in this situation, working with an Alabama truck accident lawyer may be in your best interest. At Steve Morris Law, your justice is our priority, and we strive to tailor our case strategy to suit the priorities of each client. We respect the fact that we are visitors to your story, and we seek to enrich your life by providing target legal services when you need them most.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Those who operate large commercial vehicles should make sure to follow all federal and state laws about how to operate their vehicles safely. For example, they shouldn’t be using their phones, eating food, watching TV, or reading while driving. Likewise, they should get plenty of rest before they get behind the wheel. Finally, they should make sure they are clear-headed and sober enough to drive. These are a few of the errors that are common causes of traffic collisions involving big rigs in Alabama.
Distracted driving
Drivers who choose to text, groom themselves, eat, change clothes, watch movies, or engage in other non-driving activities endanger those around them. Under Code of Alabama Section 32-5A-350.1, it’s illegal for to text on a wireless telecommunication device while driving. For example, someone may break the law if they forget to use a turn signal or they swerve into someone else’s lane because they’re texting. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accounted for 3,308 deaths in 2022.
Fatigue
Driving while tired or exhausted is dangerous and, much like alcohol, impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle. A sleepy truck driver may lose consciousness while behind the wheel, causing them to swerve into an oncoming lane of traffic. Under state and federal regulations, truckers can’t drive for more than a certain amount of time. When they skirt these laws to try to maximize their payout, it can cost others their lives.
Impaired driving
For someone who’s drunk or under the influence of drugs—either prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal—it can be difficult for them to stay in their lane. When a trucker is intoxicated or impaired, this can be especially harmful to those around them. These enormous vehicles are hard to stop and steer suddenly, so missteps can cause serious accidents, like jackknife collisions.
Proving Fault After a Truck Crash
While each case is different, many semi collisions will involve proving negligence. Under this doctrine, victims need to establish that someone owes them a responsibility to act or refrain from acting a certain way. For example, truckers have an obligation to follow traffic laws and trucking regulations.
Victims should also be able to show the at-fault individual or agency made an error—like drinking liquor before driving—that caused or contributed to the crash. Lastly, victims should show a connection between someone’s mistake, the crash, and the losses experienced by the victims.
How an Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys who regularly handle crash cases involving semis have a wealth of carefully honed knowledge at their disposal. They also have training in understanding how insurance and employment laws impact the process of requesting compensation.
Your lawyer can also ease your mind by handling the legal steps in the claims procedures so you can save your energy for other things—like healing and spending time with your loved ones.
Additionally, a legal professional can review proposals you may receive from the at-fault truck driver or company or their insurer. They can help you understand if an agreement is fair and worth signing. If they believe you can get a better deal through negotiation or going to trial, they can assist you in taking these steps.
Contact Steve Morris Law After a Collision with a Commercial Vehicle
People who operate, manage, and repair large trucks—like semis and eighteen-wheelers—may be held accountable if a driver or maintenance error causes a crash that hurts unsuspecting victims. When you are out of work, hospitalized, or harmed in any way because of the negligence of a truck driver, company, manufacturer, or repair place, Alabama’s personal injury laws may allow you to persue compensation for your losses. Instead of taking this step by yourself, consider partnering with a seasoned personal injury lawyer who can help.
Steve Morris Law has helped many victims of the common causes of truck accidents—like drunk, impaired, tired, and distracted driving. We understand what’s at stake, and we welcome the opportunity to ease your burden by taking on legal matters. Reach out to our capable team today by calling 256-357-9211 to schedule a no-obligation consultation to see if we’re a good fit for you.
