badge
badge
badge

Huntsville Truck Accidents

Tractor-Trailer Collision Lawyer Assisting Victims in Huntsville

Huntsville is located in the Appalachian region of northern Alabama. It is served by I-565 and U.S. Highways 72, 231, and 431. Numerous road projects have been underway in Huntsville between 2014 and 2018, and the fast-paced economic growth in the region has resulted in an increase in truck traffic on its highways. Large commercial trucks present a significant danger to drivers with whom they share the road. When a commercial truck collides with a pedestrian, bicyclist, or smaller passenger car, the outcome can be devastating, due to the weight and size of the truck. As a result, the trucking industry has been subject to numerous federal and state regulations. If you are injured in a truck crash, Huntsville truck accident lawyer Greg Reeves at the Reeves Law Firm may be able to represent you.

Take Legal Action Based on a Truck Accident

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has promulgated federal regulations that set safety standards to which interstate truck drivers and trucking companies engaged in interstate business must adhere. Among other things, the FMCSA regulations restrict a truck driver's hours of service to reduce the number of fatigued truck drivers on the road. There are mandatory rest breaks and a maximum number of consecutive hours that may be driven. Truck drivers are supposed to record their hours of service in a logbook, and the logbook should be a correct record of what they did. A common violation among truck drivers is failing to properly record their time.

Under the FMCSA regulations, truck drivers and trucking companies must also ensure that their trucks are properly working and regularly maintained. They are also supposed to keep accurate maintenance records and follow rules related to the securing of cargo. An improperly maintained truck or a truck on which cargo is not secured can be dangerous. A truck accident attorney can help Huntsville residents hold a driver or company accountable for violating a regulation.

The state of Alabama has its own regulations for commercial trucks, but many of them are adopted from the FMCSA standards. Truck drivers and trucking companies operating only in Alabama must abide by the state safety regulations.

Determining fault in a commercial truck or tractor-trailer accident case is crucial. The fault may lie with the truck driver. To establish the truck driver's fault, you will need to show the truck driver's duty toward you, a breach of duty, actual and proximate causation, and actual damages. A truck driver can breach the duty to use reasonable care by behaviors such as speeding, failing to obey signs or signals, weaving, failing to yield, taking curves too fast, drunk driving, fatigued driving, texting while driving, or failing to properly load cargo. A truck driver's violation of state or federal regulations can be strong evidence of a breach of the duty to use reasonable care.

A trucking company may also bear responsibility for a truck accident. A Huntsville truck accident attorney can help you hold a company vicariously liable for a truck driver's negligent acts or omissions in the course of employment. In addition, it can be held directly liable under theories of negligent hiring, negligent training, or negligent supervision. A trucking company's failure to follow applicable federal or state regulations in connection with hiring or supervising a truck driver who causes an accident can serve as strong evidence of negligence. For example, a trucking company that looks the other way when presented with falsified logbooks could be held liable for negligent supervision if a fatigued driver falls asleep on the road and therefore gets into an accident that causes injuries to people in cars or other vehicles.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to hire an accident reconstruction specialist and other experts to establish that the cause of the accident was a mechanical failure or a dangerous road condition. It may be possible to file a lawsuit for damages against the manufacturer or road owner.

The nature and extent of the damages depend on the types of harm sustained, such as brain injuries, back injuries, soft tissue injuries, or burns. Damages may include medical bills, loss of income, rehabilitation, replacement services, and pain and suffering.

Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer in the Huntsville Area

If you are injured in a serious collision involving a tractor-trailer, you should contact the Reeves Law Firm. Greg Reeves has 30 years of legal experience and has served as staff at the prestigious Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College since 2011. He fights for the rights of victims in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and California. Call us at 256-355-3311 or use our online form to set up a free consultation.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
“Mr. Reeves came highly recommended from a family member. He worked tirelessly on my personal injury case with the end results being greater than I ever expected. Mr. Reeves and his staff did an outstanding job keeping me up to date on everything going on with my case. I highly recommend Greg Reeves if you want results beyond your expectations.” Paula G.
★★★★★
“I was injured by an uninsured motorist - out of state. Mr. Reeves went above and beyond to ensure my case was handled accordingly. I had no idea how to begin due to the extenuating circumstances. He handled everything and kept me informed throughout the process.” Stacy
★★★★★
“My daughter and I were in a serious car wreck. Without hesitation we chose Greg to represent us. He worked tirelessly and we ended up gaining more than we ever imagined. Greg is a caring, dependable, and assertive lawyer and we were blessed to have him on our side.” S. Rice
★★★★★
"Mr. Reeves did a great job for me on my accident claim. He is top notch in my book. Always responsive ( and that is most important to me ) and gave me good advice. I would definitely recommend him in an accident or personal injury case. If I ever have to deal with something like this again you can bet I will consult with him." D. Harville
★★★★★
"I am grateful I had Greg Reeves as a personal injury attorney and I highly recommend him. He was meticulous during the discovery phase and "left no stone unturned". I appreciate his patience and professionalism during the process. Greg's support staff was a pleasure to work with as well." M. J.
★★★★★
"Greg helped my father with a personal injury case. He did an exceptional job! He kept my Dad informed throughout the entire process and got very fair results. Greg was very supportive during a difficult time in our life which is very appreciative when you don't know what to expect. His integrity, honesty, and knowledge exceeded anything we could have expected. He went above and beyond! My family highly recommends Greg." A. Bowen