Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Nation’s Top Rated Truck Accident Lawyers – Munley Law® / Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

With Alabama’s freight industry growing rapidly and thousands of large trucks traveling the state’s highways every day, the risk of serious truck accidents is higher than ever. Collisions involving 18-wheelers, logging trucks, commercial trucks, or delivery vehicles can cause devastating injuries, extensive property damage, and long-term emotional and financial hardship. These cases are often far more complex than regular car accidents, involving federal safety regulations, corporate defendants, and aggressive insurance companies working to minimize payouts.

At Munley Law, we have decades of experience handling high-stakes truck accident cases across the country. Our nationally recognized attorneys have successfully taken on major trucking companies and won substantial recoveries for victims and their families. If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Montgomery, or anywhere else in the state, we’re here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

Truck Traffic and Truck Accidents in Alabama

In 2022, Alabama moved 590 million tons of freight valued at $448 billion. Truck freight in the state is projected to grow significantly — an increase of 59% by weight and 93% by value by 2050. This growth translates to trucks comprising about 15% of all travel on interstate highways and 20% on rural interstates. By 2050, truck freight in the state is projected to increase 59% by weight and 93% by value.

As the volume of truck traffic on Alabama roads continues to rise, the potential for serious truck accidents also increases. Given the size and weight of commercial vehicles, accidents involving trucks are far more likely to cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Because truck accident cases in Alabama may involve federal regulations, multiple parties, and high-value insurance policies, it’s more important than ever to work with an attorney who understands the trucking industry and Alabama law.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Alabama

Truck accidents in Alabama are often caused by a combination of human error, mechanical failure, and challenging road conditions. As freight traffic increases along major interstates and rural highways, the risk of serious collisions involving large trucks continues to rise. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents across the state:

Fatigue from Long Hauls

Truck driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of commercial truck crashes. Despite federal regulations limiting driving hours, some drivers push beyond their legal limits to meet deadlines. Alabama’s position as a key corridor for long-haul freight means truckers often pass through after spending many hours on the road. Fatigued drivers experience slower reaction times and impaired judgment, increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents.

Distracted or Impaired Driving

Using a phone, eating, adjusting a GPS, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can all contribute to deadly mistakes behind the wheel of a truck. In Alabama, where long rural stretches and heavy interstate traffic converge, a moment of truck driver distraction or impairment can have life-altering consequences for those in smaller vehicles.

Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions

While speeding is dangerous for any vehicle, it becomes especially hazardous for an 80,000-pound truck. Trucks require far more time and distance to come to a stop. Speeding on wet, winding, or congested roads greatly increases the chances of jackknife accidents, rollovers, or multi-vehicle crashes.

Poor Truck Maintenance

Commercial trucks undergo extreme wear and tear, and they require frequent inspection and upkeep. When trucking companies or maintenance providers cut corners on brake repairs, tire replacements, or lighting systems, the consequences can be deadly. Brake failure or tire blowouts on Alabama highways often lead to high-speed crashes that cause severe injuries or fatalities.

Improperly Loaded Cargo

Cargo that is overloaded, unbalanced, or unsecured can shift in transit and cause a truck to roll over or jackknife. On curving roads or steep grades, improper cargo loading is a serious risk. In these cases, the shipping company or loading contractor may be held liable in addition to the truck driver or carrier.

Challenging Road Conditions in Alabama

Alabama’s mix of urban interstates and rural two-lane roads creates unique hazards for large trucks. Routes like I-65 through Birmingham and Montgomery, I-20 through Tuscaloosa, and I-10 through Mobile often experience heavy traffic, while rural routes may lack proper signage or lighting. Sharp curves, narrow shoulders, and inconsistent road maintenance all add to the danger, especially for out-of-state truckers unfamiliar with local conditions.

One of the primary objectives of a truck accident attorney is to investigate, determine, and prove the cause of the accident that resulted in your injuries. This means acting quickly to preserve evidence from spoliation, obtain digital and physical evidence, engage expert witnesses, and more.

How Much is a Truck Accident Claim Worth in Alabama?

Impact of a Truck Accident

Truck accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries that can have lifelong consequences. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions frequently result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, and severe burns. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation, often preventing the victim from returning to work or living independently. In many cases, victims experience chronic pain, permanent disability, and emotional trauma such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a serious truck accident can disrupt every aspect of a person’s life, making skilled legal representation essential to securing the full compensation needed for recovery and future care.

Damages in an Alabama Truck Accident Case

Under Alabama law, truck accident victims are entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries and related expenses incurred. This compensation covers both economic and non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages. Families who have lost a loved one may also be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Economic damages are the tangible, out-of-pocket financial losses caused by the accident. These typically include:

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Lost income: Wages you lost during recovery, as well as any diminished earning capacity due to permanent injury.
• Future care needs: Costs for ongoing treatment, assistive devices, or home modifications if the injuries result in long-term disability.

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the personal, emotional, and psychological toll of a serious injury. These damages are often significant in truck accident cases and may include:

• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the accident and injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If the accident has impacted your ability to work, engage in hobbies, or enjoy daily life as you once did.
• Emotional distress: Including anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological consequences of a traumatic event.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, such as a trucking company knowingly allowing an unqualified or intoxicated driver on the road, punitive damages may be awarded. These are not meant to compensate the victim, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. Alabama limits punitive damages in most personal injury cases, but exceptions may apply in particularly egregious truck crash cases.

Wrongful Death Damages in Alabama

Alabama’s wrongful death law is unique. If a truck accident results in a fatality, the victim’s family cannot recover compensatory damages like medical costs or lost income. Instead, Alabama allows only punitive damages in wrongful death cases, intended to punish the party responsible and prevent future wrongdoing. These damages are awarded to the estate and distributed according to state intestacy laws.

Who is Liable in an Alabama Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident claims are often more challenging than standard car crash cases because multiple parties may share responsibility. Identifying every liable party is essential to maximizing compensation and holding all wrongdoers accountable. Below are the most common parties that may be liable in an Alabama truck accident case:

The Truck Driver

The truck driver may be held personally liable if their actions caused the crash. Common driver-related factors include fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or violating federal hours-of-service rules. If the commercial truck driver was acting negligently or breaking the law at the time of the crash, they can be named as a defendant in the case.

The Trucking Company

Commercial trucking companies are often liable under the principle of vicarious liability, meaning they are responsible for the actions of their employees performed within the scope of their employment. In addition, a trucking company may be directly liable if it failed to properly screen or train drivers, ignored safety regulations, pressured drivers to meet unsafe delivery schedules, or failed to enforce compliance with federal trucking laws. These companies also may be responsible for ensuring proper truck maintenance and recordkeeping.

The Maintenance Provider

Many trucking companies outsource vehicle maintenance. If a third-party maintenance company failed to perform necessary repairs or missed safety issues during an inspection — such as worn brakes or faulty steering components — it could be held liable for contributing to the crash.

The Freight or Cargo Loader

Improperly loaded, unsecured, or overweight cargo can make a truck unstable, increasing the risk of rollovers, jackknife accidents, and cargo spills. If a separate company was responsible for loading the truck and failed to do so according to safety standards, they may be found at fault.

The Truck or Parts Manufacturer

If a mechanical failure such as brake malfunction, tire blowout, or steering failure caused or worsened the accident, and the issue stemmed from a manufacturing or design defect, the truck or parts manufacturer may be liable under product liability law. These cases often require expert testimony and a thorough analysis of the vehicle’s components.

At Munley Law, we leave no stone unturned in our investigations. Our experienced truck accident attorneys work with industry experts to uncover all liable parties and build the strongest case possible on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Alabama Laws That May Affect Your Truck Accident Lawsuit

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Alabama, several state laws will impact your ability to recover compensation. Understanding these laws is crucial when deciding how and when to pursue a claim—and why working with an experienced truck accident attorney can make all the difference.

Statute of Limitations in Truck Accident Cases

The law that establishes a deadline to file a lawsuit is called the statute of limitations. In Alabama, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, as established under Ala. Code § 6-2-38. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely. The same two-year time limit typically applies to wrongful death claims, beginning from the date of death. While there may be very limited exceptions, it is critical to act quickly to protect your rights.

Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule

Alabama follows one of the strictest negligence laws in the country: pure contributory negligence. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation at all. This harsh rule makes it essential to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can build a strong case to prove the truck driver or other parties were entirely at fault.

Damage Caps

Alabama does not impose caps on economic damages (such as medical bills or lost income) in personal injury cases. However, non-economic and punitive damages may be capped in certain situations:

• Punitive damages are generally capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages, or $1.5 million, whichever is less (Ala. Code § 6-11-21).
• In wrongful death cases, Alabama does not allow compensatory damages; instead, the law allows only punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. In order to sue for punitive damages, you must show that the at-fault party acted intentionally, or knowingly and deliberately caused you harm.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Alabama?

In Alabama, a wrongful death lawsuit can only be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, not directly by family members.

Who is the Personal Representative?

The personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) is the individual responsible for managing the deceased person’s estate. If the deceased had a will, the person named as executor in that will usually serves as the personal representative. If there is no will, the court may appoint someone to serve in that role.

How are Damages Distributed?

Although the personal representative files the lawsuit, any damages awarded in an Alabama wrongful death claim are not part of the estate. Instead, they are distributed directly to the deceased person’s heirs, based on Alabama’s intestacy laws (laws governing who inherits if there is no will). This means that even though the estate brings the case, the beneficiaries may include a spouse, children, or other relatives, depending on the family structure.

Contact Munley Law for a Free Consultation with an Alabama Truck Accident Lawyer

Munley Law is nationally recognized as a leader in truck accident litigation, with a long track record of success in cases involving 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Truck accident lawyers Marion Munley and Daniel Munley have held prominent leadership positions in the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group and are frequently invited to speak and teach other lawyers about handling complex truck crash cases.

Our team has secured multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for victims across the country by holding trucking companies, insurers, and negligent drivers accountable. With decades of experience, deep knowledge of federal and state trucking regulations, and a commitment to personalized support, Munley Law is prepared to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. You pay nothing unless we win.