Construction zones are known to be hazardous. Despite reduced traffic in 2020, work zone collisions increased. Unfortunately, construction vehicles pose a risk to other drivers as well. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported 67% of truck accident fatalities in 2019 were passenger vehicle occupants.
If you were injured in a car crash caused by a construction truck, the Morris Bart law firm can advocate for your rights. You may qualify for a personal injury claim to recuperate your financial losses. Learn how a construction truck accident lawyer in Birmingham can help your case.
Birmingham Construction Truck Accident FAQ
If you want to accurately determine who’s liable for your damages after a wreck with a construction truck, you’ll need an experienced Birmingham construction truck accident lawyer on your side. We can answer your frequently asked questions.
Who Is Liable in a Construction Truck Accident in Birmingham?
Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Construction Truck Accident Claim?
Who Is Liable in a Construction Truck Accident in Birmingham?
Construction trucks can cause devastating injuries when they collide with passenger vehicles due to their sheer weight and size—especially if they’re carrying cargo. While it may seem fairly easy to lay blame on the construction truck operator, it’s not always so cut and dry.
When it comes to determining who is liable in a Birmingham construction truck accident, the at-fault party could be:
- The truck driver: The operator could have been negligent, tired, drunk, or incompetent.
- The trucking company: The driver’s employer may have poor hiring practices, resulting in allowing an incompetent operator to drive the truck. Or they could be liable for overworking their employees and neglecting hours of service regulations. The company could also be liable for improperly loaded cargo.
- Parts manufacturers: If the construction truck had faulty equipment or wasn’t regularly inspected, they could be indirectly liable.
- One or more of these parties: Liability could lie with a combination of these parties. While it makes the situation more complicated, it could also mean a higher settlement value.
Why do I Need an Attorney for My Construction Truck Accident Claim?
No accident victim is ever required to work with a lawyer. But having a Birmingham construction truck accident attorney on your side if you’ve been injured in a wreck is vital for ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Determining liability and proving negligence can be so complex with construction truck accidents. You don’t want to attempt handling it on your own. You might be dealing with more than just the construction truck driver. Liability could come from the trucking company, a parts manufacturer, or a combination of them all.
If you’ve been hit by a construction truck, you’re likely dealing with severe injuries, high medical costs, property damage, and missed time at work. In some cases, you could be survived by a loved one who died in a fatal construction truck accident.
With so much to manage, will you have the time, energy, and resources to file a claim and deal with insurance companies? A construction truck accident attorney can:
- Better understand complex trucking laws
- Investigate the facts of the case
- Determine liability and prove negligence
- Deal with multiple insurance companies
- Calculate your damages
- Handle communications with all involved parties
- Represent you in court if necessary
For a free legal consultation with a Construction Truck Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call (205) 380-4158
Construction Truck Accidents Caused by Negligence
Driving a construction truck is not the same as driving a car. These large vehicles are more difficult to manage and tend to have immense blind spots. Construction trucks are designed to serve a specific occupational purpose and road safety is not the primary concern.
Construction truck drivers must be properly trained. If an inexperienced or unlicensed driver is allowed to operate a construction vehicle, an accident could cause massive destruction. A negligent driver or negligent employer may be liable for your damages.
Additionally, construction trucks may be manufactured using defective parts or poorly maintained. When vehicle manufacturers or auto repair companies are careless, mechanical failures may ensue. Sadly, when construction trucks crash, passenger car occupants are more likely to be injured in preventable collisions.
Available Damages After a Construction Truck Collision
Alabama law permits you to recover damages caused by another party’s negligent acts. The settlement or court award you may obtain will largely depend on the losses you suffered as a result of the construction truck crash.
The damages you may qualify for could cover the cost of:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stay
- Out-patient care
- Prescription drugs
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property loss
- Pain and suffering
In rare instances, you may be awarded punitive damages on top of your court-awarded compensation. The intent of punitive damages is to discipline a defendant for outrageous behavior that posed an unreasonable risk to others.
Click to contact our Birmingham Truck Accident Attorney today
We Represent Birmingham Construction Truck Accident Victims
The Morris Bart law firm will not hesitate to take legal action against the party responsible for your injuries. You were owed a duty of care. Violating this duty puts you and other motorists in danger. We can help you with a variety of construction truck accidents involving:
- Big rig trucks
- Dump trucks
- Cargo trucks
- Concrete trucks
- Bulldozers
- Excavators
- Forklifts
- Cherry pickers
Regardless of the construction vehicle that injured you, we can assist your pursuit of justice. Hold the at-fault party accountable for the damage they caused.
Our Real Case Results
Our construction truck accident attorneys in Birmingham may be able to reach a better outcome for your case than you could on your own. We have successfully helped truck accident victims reach financial recovery.
For example, after our client suffered two concussions and a broken neck and vertebra in a truck accident, we secured a $337,500 payout.
Deadlines to Sue After Your Construction Truck Accident
A construction truck accident in Birmingham is subject to Alabama’s personal injury law. The statute of limitations for your case is just two years. You have to file your case within two years of the date of your collision or risk losing the right to seek damages.
This may sound like a long time but you must not wait too long to file a claim. Auto insurance companies use claim settlement tactics that may delay proceedings. Your construction truck accident attorney in Birmingham will need time to strengthen your case and fight for the settlement you deserve.
Reach Out to Morris Bart & Associates, LLC Today
A car crash involving a construction truck can leave you drowning in medical debt. A Birmingham construction truck accident attorney from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC may be able to offer you some relief. Our team has over 40 years of experience helping accident victims recover financially.
Call us 24/7, 365 to learn more about your legal rights after an accident. For your convenience, our law firm works on a contingency-fee basis. We only get paid when we win your case.
Questions?Call (205) 380-4158
to find a Morris Bart office near you.