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Truck Accident Lawyer Mobile, AL

Mobile, Alabama truck accident attorney who delivers results - Dean Waite

Truck accidents in Alabama involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks and other large commercial vehicles can lead to complicated injury and wrongful death claims. Whether you're dealing with an 18-wheeler accident on I-10 in Alabama, a rear-end tractor trailer crash on I-65 in Prichard or a delivery truck accident on Government Street in Mobile, you need an attorney who knows how the legal system works here and knows how to deliver results. You need Mobile, Al truck accident lawyer Dean Waite. We are here to serve you any time of the day or night.

Don't hesitate ... Call Dean Waite.

Dean Waite has extensive experience handling complicated commercial truck accident injury and wrongful death claims. In case after case, he consistently secures sizable settlements and verdicts for victims and their families. Some of his notable case results include:

  • $6.75 million truck accident settlement
  • $4.75 million truck accident settlement
  • $2 million truck accident settlement

But your truck accident case is about more than just money. It's about making sure your accident receives the attention it rightfully deserves. It's about holding truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for their actions. It's about justice.

At 55 MPH, a fully loaded 18-wheeler takes more than the length of a football field to stop. (Source: FMCSA)

What legal issues typically arise during truck accident claims?

It's not simply the large size of tractor trailers (which can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded) that makes truck accidents different from regular car wrecks and often more complicated. Many other legal issues and complications often come into play. Many trucking companies will aggressively fight any potential claims against them. Often, they (and their insurance carriers) will be on the scene of the accident within hours of the crash. They will look for any evidence to minimize the liability of the trucking company or the driver. They know that the faster they begin the investigation, the better off they will be. And that means the victims may not get fairly compensated.

That's why you need to act quickly and level the playing field by putting an experienced attorney like Dean Waite on your side.

To learn more about issues related to truck accidents, visit the following sections of our website:

How can Mobile attorney Dean Waite help me with my Alabama truck accident?

Experience matters when it comes to serious truck accidents in Mobile and throughout Alabama. Truck accident victims throughout the region routinely rely on Dean Waite to help them deal with their complicated truck accident claims.

From carefully reviewing the official accident report to investigating the trucking company, visiting the scene of the crash and consulting with accident reconstruction experts, Dean Waite leaves nothing unexamined in pursuit of justice.

You have too much at stake to leave your truck accident to chance. Make sure your accident receives the attention it rightfully deserves. Contact us. Call (866) 434-5840 and schedule a free case evaluation. Best of all, you only pay fees if we win your case.

FAQs about truck accidents

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about truck accidents by clicking on the questions listed below:

What are common types of truck accidents?

There are many different kinds of truck accidents. Some of the most common commercial trucking accidents include:

  • Rear-end truck accident - Crash involving a truck running into the back of another vehicle.
  • Rollover truck accident - Improperly loaded tractor trailers and speeding trucks sometimes roll over, causing serious multi-car accidents.
  • Jackknife truck accident - Term used to describe tractor-trailer accidents in which the truck trailer and cab fold back towards each other and form a V shape. Vehicles trapped in the V shape often get crushed, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
  • T-bone truck accident - Multi-vehicle accidents in which one vehicle crashes straight into the side of another vehicle.
  • Head-on truck accident - Among the most serious accidents we handle at our law firm. Contact us immediately if you or a loved one was involved in a head-on collision with a large commercial truck.

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Why do truck accidents happen?

Common causes of commercial truck accidents vary widely. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Speeding truckers - When truckers drive too fast, they often don't have time to slow down and avoid crashing into another vehicle.
  • Distracted truck drivers - Texting while driving or using a hand-held cellphone while driving is against the law nationwide for all commercial truck drivers. Even so, some truck drivers break these laws and engage in other distracting behavior (from eating to watching television while driving), resulting in serious distracted driving truck accidents.
  • Tired truck drivers - Some truck drivers drive too long by choice or under strict orders from trucking companies. The result - some fatigued drivers fall asleep at the wheel and cause serious or even fatal asleep at the wheel truck accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates how long drivers can stay behind the wheel under its hours of service (HOS) regulations.
  • Inexperienced truck drivers - Some new truck drivers lack the experience and judgment that comes from years of driving a big rig or tractor trailer. Trucking companies may be liable in a lawsuit if they knowingly allow a driver with inadequate training to operate one of their vehicles and that driver causes an accident.
  • Drunk truck drivers - Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs sometimes cause serious truck accidents. In Alabama, truck drivers are considered legally drunk if their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.04 percent or higher, half the legal limit for other drivers statewide. Such strict laws exist to protect the public. Commercial trucking accidents involving impaired drivers often result in serious injuries.

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Should I accept an offer for my truck accident?

Proceed with caution before accepting any settlement offer. What might seem like a reasonable amount of money now might only end up covering a fraction of the costs associated with your accident. In most cases, once you agree to settle your case you waive your right to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party. If you need help assessing a settlement offer, you may want to seek legal advice from an attorney.

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What if the trucking company denies any wrongdoing?

Some truck drivers and trucking companies try to point the finger at responsible drivers like you who did nothing wrong. That's not right. That's why we take pride in our work and welcome the opportunity to learn more about your case. We believe drivers like you should not be bullied by trucking companies. We're on your side and prepared to do what it takes to win your case.

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What if the trucking company refuses to cooperate?

Some trucking companies think they can avoid compensating injury victims by simply ignoring their requests for inspection reports, driving records and other important documents. We know how to take on insurance companies and demand the information you rightfully deserve after your accident. That's why we urge you to contact our firm today. Helping people just like you drives us to work harder every single day.

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Can I file a truck accident lawsuit in Alabama?

Under Alabama law, you have a legal right to pursue compensation from a trucking company to cover the cost of your accident-related expenses. In some cases, filing a lawsuit might be your best option. After your lawsuit is filed with the appropriate court, your case may go to trial.

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How can a lawyer help me with my truck accident?

Having someone in your corner, looking out for your best interests - that's what great truck accident attorneys do for their clients. That's why we want to work with you. We understand how complicated and confusing commercial truck accidents can be in Alabama.

Without a lawyer investigating your crash and advocating for your best interests, you could jeopardize your ability to obtain the compensation you need after your accident. Insurance companies often don't have your best interests at heart. Instead, most insurance companies only care about one thing - boosting their bottom line by paying injury victims as little as possible.

If you choose to hire Dean Waite & Associates, we can aggressively investigate your commercial truck accident. Dean Waite can reach out to a variety of experts who can help support your claim, from accident reconstruction experts to medical professionals who can testify about your injuries. We know what questions to ask, what evidence to look for and how to compile that information in a strong legal case. Find out what many truck accident victims in Mobile, Alabama already know - Dean Waite gets the job done right.

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Why is it important to hire an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident?

One of the most important steps for you to take after a truck accident is to contact an attorney. Immediately. Time truly is of the essence in accidents involving commercial vehicles. This is because trucking companies and their insurance carriers typically begin investigating the crash immediately. They often send investigators to the scene to take photographs, make measurements, and contact witnesses. They want to conduct a thorough investigation and take control of the situation to protect their interests - not yours. They may remove the truck from the scene and clean up around the accident. If you don't get representation immediately, you may never know exactly what the trucking company's team did with evidence that could have been used to prove your case.

By contacting Dean Waite immediately after your crash, you will rest assured you have someone in your corner. We can investigate the scene as soon as possible and begin building a case on your behalf. By getting started immediately with the investigation, you give yourself the edge you need. Experienced lawyer Dean Waite knows how to use experts such as accident reconstructionists, if necessary. He will take all necessary steps to make sure your rights are protected if you were injured or a family member died in a truck accident.

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How are truck accidents different from other accidents?

Different state and federal laws apply to commercial trucking accidents in Alabama. The two main federal agencies that regulate trucking accidents and investigate them are the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Many federal trucking regulations are classified under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Such rules cover a wide range of legal issues, including:

  • Requiring drivers to have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
  • "Hours of Service" regulations (limits amount of time driver can work and includes mandatory rest periods)
  • Properly maintaining commercial trucks
  • Mandatory truck inspections
  • Keeping accurate records of inspections and repairs
  • Weight restrictions for trucks

If a truck driver or trucking company violates Title 49, other federal regulations or Alabama Department of Transportation regulations, victims of such accidents could have grounds for an Alabama truck accident claim or truck accident lawsuit.

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Truck accidents and trucking companies

Trucking companies have a responsibility to hire experienced, licensed truck drivers and properly maintain their vehicles. When they fail to do so and truck accidents occur, such companies should be held accountable for their actions.

Unfortunately, dealing with trucking companies in Alabama can often be extremely complicated for many different reasons. These include:

  • Unresponsive trucking companies - Some trucking companies fail to return phone calls, emails or other forms of communication. We know how to track them down and get the information you need to build a strong legal case.
  • Denying requests for information - Trucking company records must be provided after an accident. Unfortunately, some trucking companies refuse to reveal information about the truck driver, truck maintenance and repairs.
  • Falsifying records - After a truck accident, some trucking companies change their records in an effort to hide violations, including failure to repair the vehicle or forcing their drivers to work longer hours.
  • Several companies involved - There may be multiple layers of liability in a trucking accident because many different companies and insurance companies may be involved in the crash. One company may own the cab, while another may own the trailer. Another might own the contents of the trailer, while there may be another company responsible for loading the truck. Each company may point the finger at the other in a lawsuit. We can deal with all of them - including their insurance carriers - on your behalf.
  • Teams of attorneys - The more companies involved in a truck accident, the larger the number of lawyers. Dealing with all of them can be intimidating for some people. They don't scare us. We know how to take on trucking company attorneys and will fight for your rights. Remember, you didn't do anything wrong. You shouldn't have to pay for someone else's mistakes. Don't hesitate ... Call Dean Waite.

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