Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyers Serving Mobile, AL

Our attorneys know how to handle big cases involving 18-wheelers

The biggest of all commercial trucks, tractor-trailers are a common sight on roads and highways in Mobile and throughout Alabama. Most motorists don't think twice about sharing the road with an 18-wheeler - until they're involved in a wreck.

Truck accidents involving such vehicles are some of the most serious wrecks we see on our roads for one, simple reason: the sheer size of an 18-wheeler. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds. That huge disparity in size means that when a car collides with a semi-truck, the people in the car are often catastrophically injured.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a wreck, you need to call the 18-wheeler accident lawyers at Dean Waite & Associates, LLC.

Tractor-trailers are incredibly dangerous vehicles

Again, the key factor in tractor-trailer accidents is size. A fully loaded truck can weigh 20 times as much as the average car, and when it hits something, the force of impact is much greater. Because of their size, 18-wheelers also have a much longer stopping distance and are more difficult to maneuver than smaller vehicles. They take wide turns and can hit other cars as the trailer swings outward during a maneuver. And they have massive blind spots that can put anyone driving near the trailer in danger.

Tractor-trailers are also much taller than smaller cars, which brings its own dangers. A truck’s high center of gravity makes it more likely to roll over when taking a sharp turn or operating in windy conditions. In addition, when a smaller vehicle hits the side or rear of a tractor-trailer, it may slide underneath the trailer, which can cause devastating injuries.

That’s why truckers are held to high legal standards

Because semi-trucks are so large and potentially dangerous, their drivers are held to high legal standards. Truckers are required by law to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL). They are considered legally impaired at a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04, which is half the legal limit for motorists. And they are expected to follow federal hours of service (HOS) rules, which require the trucker to take mandatory rest breaks and refrain from driving too many hours in a given period of time.

But the trucking industry is a for-profit industry. And in many cases, trucking companies cut corners to increase profits. Overloaded trucks. Unrealistically tight delivery schedules. Unqualified drivers. And an overloaded or poorly maintained tractor-trailer - or one operated by a reckless, fatigued or intoxicated driver - is a massive hazard to everyone else on the road.

We have the experience and dedication to get the job done right

Standing up to trucking companies after an 18-wheeler wreck isn't easy. That's why you need to contact us right away. We understand the laws that govern interstate trucking, and we know how to hold the trucking companies accountable. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your accident, build a strong case for the full and fair compensation you deserve, and, if necessary, face the trucking company's lawyers before a judge and jury.

Take your tractor-trailer accident case seriously right from the start. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation.