Liability For Montgomery Truck Crashes

After a truck accident in Alabama, figuring out who is at fault can be difficult. To get full and reasonable compensation for your injuries, however, you must determine who is responsible. Therefore, you need a skilled truck accident attorney to investigate the cause of your accident and injuries. There may be more than one party to blame.

If you need legal assistance, contact the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. today. When you take this step, your lawyer will review your claim extensively to determine exactly what went wrong, who is at fault, and how to show culpability in your case. An appointment will cost you nothing to get the process started. In fact, you’re not charged for legal services unless your attorney wins your case.

Potentially Liable Parties

The trucking industry is large and involves many different entities. Therefore, people are often surprised to learn that the truck driver is not always the only one at fault for a collision. When you’re injured by a commercial truck, the driver, truck company, or even the cargo loader may be at fault. That is why everything must be investigated thoroughly. Let’s look at the possible scenarios.

The Truck Driver

A truck driver may hit you if they are speeding, tired, drunk, or distracted. They are also responsible for inspecting the truck and making sure the cargo is loaded properly. If the evidence shows they were negligent with respect to the truck’s operation, repair, or loading, they can be held liable in a truck driving claim.

The Truck Company

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes certain guidelines for trucking businesses. When a company violates any of these rules and it leads to a wreck, the company may be held liable. For example, if a trucking company hires an unqualified driver or pressures them to work more than the allowed hours, they may be held responsible. Companies might also be vicariously liable for the errors of their drivers. 

The Truck Owner

A truck owner may be either a company or an individual. If they don’t perform regular maintenance, such as checking the brakes, steering, engine, or hydraulics, they may be found liable for causing a truck accident.

Cargo Loaders or Shippers

According to federal law, a truck must be properly loaded and secured. If goods are loaded improperly, the contents may shift, throwing the truck off balance and causing operational difficulties. This can be especially dangerous if the truck is transporting hazardous materials. 

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturing Companies

Sometimes a defective part leads to a truck accident. A defect may cause the transmission to fail, the steering to work improperly, or cause a tire blowout or brake failure. 

Gathering Evidence

To file a truck accident claim, you must show solid proof that another party or parties acted negligently. If you cannot persuade a court and prove your case, you won’t be able to go forward with the claim.

That’s why it’s important to speak to a lawyer as soon as you can. Evidence may also take the form of:

• Medical reports and bills
• Truck driver logs and inspection reports
• A trucker’s medical history, driving experience, and driving record
• Electronic onboard recording device (EOBR) information
• Truck wreckage information
• A trucking company’s compliance history
• Weigh station tickets and reports
• Maintenance schedules
• After-crash alcohol and drug test results
• A police report
• Dashcam footage

The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better chance they can preserve and gather evidence from investigations and the responsible parties to prove liability. 

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case in Montgomery, Alabama

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need to contact a truck accident attorney about your case. Call the Law Office of Richard F. Matthrews, Jr. to schedule a no-obligation consultation today.