When a semi-truck crashes into your car in Mobile, determining who is legally responsible can be complicated. Injuries and other damages from these collisions are often catastrophic, and there may be more than one party liable.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have a team of highly qualified truck accident attorneys ready to help you with your case. Our seasoned legal professionals have extensive experience managing complex truck accident injury cases in Alabama. When we represent you, we identify all responsible parties and potential sources of compensation.

If a commercial truck caused your crash, it is crucial to the success of your case that you do not delay seeking legal help. Our trusted Alabama law firm offers free consultations to discuss your situation and help you understand your legal options.

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today for your FREE, no-risk case evaluation. 251-888-8888

Do I Sue the Truck Driver or the Trucking Company After a Collision in Mobile?

The answer could be both, but it depends on the specific circumstances of your accident. In many truck accident cases, you may be able to pursue compensation from multiple parties. In other words, the truck driver, the trucking company, or both could bear legal responsibility for your injuries, medical costs, and other losses.

Our experienced truck accident attorneys in Mobile work to identify all potential sources of compensation to strengthen your ability to recover full damages for your medical bills, lost wages, personal property, and other non-economic damages.

How Do I Know if the Truck Driver That Hit My Car Is At Fault?

Truck drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road. Drivers who breach this duty through negligent or reckless actions or inactions can be held liable for resulting accidents. Following a truck accident, investigators will examine the truck driver’s behavior leading up to and during the collision to determine if there was negligence.

Common examples of truck driver negligence include:

• Distracted Driving: Texting or using a cellphone, adjusting GPS navigation systems, eating while driving, or managing electronic logging devices instead of focusing on the road.
• Speeding: Exceeding posted speed limits or failing to reduce speed for the truck’s size and weight, especially on Mobile’s busy highways like I-10 or I-65.
• Driver Fatigue: Violating federal hours of service regulations by driving beyond the 11-hour daily limit or failing to take required 30-minute breaks after eight hours.
• Impaired Driving: Operating the commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter substances that cause drowsiness.
• Failure to Check Blind Spots: Changing lanes or turning without properly checking the truck’s extensive blind spots, known as “no-zones,” which are significantly larger than passenger vehicle blind spots.
• Improper Lane Usage: Failing to stay in the right lanes on Alabama highways as required for slower-moving commercial vehicles or making unsafe lane changes in heavy traffic.
• Inadequate Braking Distance: Following too closely behind your vehicle without maintaining the longer stopping distance that loaded commercial trucks require.
• Jackknife or Rollover Errors: Losing control during turns, braking improperly on wet roads, or taking curves too fast given the truck’s high center of gravity and cargo weight.
• Backing Accidents: Failing to use a spotter or check surroundings properly when backing up in Mobile parking lots, loading docks, or delivery areas.
• Unsecured Cargo: Failing to perform pre-trip inspections to ensure cargo was properly secured, leading to shifting loads that caused loss of control.

When Could the Trucking Company Bear Responsibility for a Truck vs Car Crash in Alabama?

Trucking companies have legal obligations that extend beyond simply hiring drivers. When they fail to meet these responsibilities, a trucking company can be held liable for accidents their truck drivers cause. Alabama law provides several legal pathways to hold trucking companies accountable.

Vicarious Liability

Under Alabama law, employers can be held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. If truck drivers cause an accident while performing their job duties, the trucking company that employs them may bear liability. This legal principle applies even if the company did nothing wrong directly.

Negligent Hiring and Retention

Trucking companies must properly vet drivers before hiring them and continue to monitor their performance afterward. If a company hires a driver with a history of violations, accidents, or substance abuse problems, it may be liable for negligent hiring. Similarly, keeping a driver employed after discovering dangerous behavior can constitute negligent retention.

Violating Hours of Service Regulations

Federal regulations limit how many hours truck drivers can operate vehicles without rest. Companies that pressure drivers to exceed these limits or falsify logbooks violate the law. If fatigue contributes to an accident, a company may be held responsible if investigators determine they pushed their driver to violate hours of service rules.

Inadequate Training and Supervision

Commercial trucks require specialized skills to operate safely. Companies have a responsibility to provide thorough training to their drivers and oversee their performance. Failing to ensure drivers understand proper safety procedures, vehicle operation, or emergency responses can make a company liable when accidents occur.

Improper Loading of Cargo

Overloaded trucks or improperly secured cargo can cause drivers to lose control. Trucking companies or their contractors are required to load cargo correctly to prevent shifting, spills, or imbalanced weight distribution. When loading errors contribute to a crash on Mobile streets or Alabama highways, the responsible company may face liability.

Failure to Maintain the Vehicle

Regular maintenance keeps commercial trucks operating safer on the road. To help ensure the safe operation of their vehicles, trucking companies are required to inspect, repair, and maintain their fleets according to federal and state standards. Brake failures, tire blowouts, or mechanical problems resulting from poor maintenance can make the trucking company liable for resulting accidents.

Evidence That May Support Your Case and Why You Need Legal Help to Preserve It

You need comprehensive evidence to build a compelling truck accident case in Mobile. Time is a critical factor that impacts what evidence you are able to obtain, because critical evidence can disappear soon after the crash. Trucking companies will move quickly to protect their interests after an accident occurs.

Key evidence in truck accident cases includes:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: These devices record driving hours, speeds, and rest breaks, revealing whether the driver violated federal regulations.
• Black Box Data: Trucks have event data recorders that capture crucial information about the vehicle’s operation before a crash.
• Maintenance Records: Documentation of inspections, repairs, and maintenance schedules can show whether the trucking company kept the vehicle in safe condition.
• Driver Qualification Files: Personnel records reveal hiring decisions, training history, and any disciplinary actions against the driver.
• Logbooks: Paper or electronic logs show compliance with hours of service regulations.
• GPS and Telematics Data: These systems track routes, speeds, and driving patterns.
• Cargo Loading Documentation: Weight tickets and loading procedures can prove improper cargo handling.
• Company Safety Policies: Internal policies reveal whether the company prioritized safety or profits.
• Accident Scene Evidence: Photographs, skid marks, vehicle damage, and witness statements from the Mobile accident location.
• Police Reports: Official documentation of the crash and any citations issued.
• Medical Records: Documentation of your injuries and treatment directly links your harm to the accident.

An experienced attorney can take immediate legal action to preserve critical evidence. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we begin taking steps from day one. This includes sending spoliation letters to require the trucking company to preserve data. Without prompt legal intervention, companies may delete electronic records or destroy documents that could help your claim.

How Long You Have to File a Truck Accident Injury Claim in Alabama and Why You Do Not Want to Wait Until the Last Minute

Alabama law gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit – that deadline starts on the day of your accident. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation through the courts.

Waiting until the last minute to take legal action also puts your case at serious risk. In addition to losing the critical evidence we mentioned above, you limit the time your attorney has to build a solid case. Gathering evidence, vetting potential witnesses, and negotiating settlements all take significant time. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to build a strong case.

Why Seeking Legal Help to Manage Your Truck Accident Case Is Crucial in Alabama

Truck accident cases involve complex federal and state regulations that govern the trucking industry. That makes these injury cases much more challenging from day one. Being successful in these cases takes specialized knowledge and training that most accident victims do not have. In comparison, trucking companies and their insurers have experienced legal teams working to minimize their liability.

Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule

Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule that makes legal representation critical. Under this harsh standard, if you are found even one percent at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation. Insurance companies will aggressively investigate to find any possible way to blame you for contributing to the crash.

Protection from Insurance Company Tactics

An experienced attorney protects you from tactics insurance companies use to reduce or deny claims. They may also try to entice you with a quick settlement that falls far short of your actual damages. Without legal guidance, it is very easy to make a mistake that causes irreparable damage to your case.

Full Valuation of Your Claim

Attorneys handle negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. They calculate the full value of your claim including current and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages. Legal professionals understand what your case is worth and fight to secure fair compensation.

Managing the Legal Process

Your attorney also manages all legal deadlines, paperwork, and court procedures. This allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries while knowing a knowledgeable advocate is protecting your interests.

Need Legal Help After Being Injured in a Truck Accident? Here’s Why You Want to Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys to Manage Your Case

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we take an aggressive approach to managing truck accident cases, and we do not back down from large trucking companies or their insurance carriers. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly, build compelling cases, and pursue maximum compensation for our clients. When in our clients best interests, we will push to take a case to court to avoid delays and ensure we recover the maximum possible compensation.

If a semi-truck caused your car crash in Alabama, contact our trusted Mobile law firm today. Let our dedicated legal team fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing from your injuries.

We charge no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees when we take your case. And if we don’t win, we don’t get a dime.

Remember – Andy Wins! Call 251-888-8888 to find out how we can help you.