If you were injured in a truck accident in Huntsville and it wasn’t your fault, the trusted lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are ready to help with your compensation claim.
Truck accidents typically result in worse injuries than passenger car crashes. When you or your loved ones have suffered injuries from a truck accident, it can feel devastating and impossible to make decisions about your next steps.
Not only do you have to deal with insurance companies and healing from injuries, but you may also feel overwhelmed by expenses and supporting your family during this difficult time. It may be helpful to turn to an attorney to understand what compensation you could be entitled to and hold the trucking company accountable.
If you suffered truck crash injuries in Huntsville, turn to a truck accident lawyer in Huntsville at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. Since 1966, our experienced attorneys have been standing up for injured victims and taking cases to court throughout Alabama.
Contact our legal team today to learn more about your legal rights. The consultation is free, confidential, and without further obligations.
Types of Injuries in a Truck Accident in Huntsville
Some common truck accident injuries can remain permanent and affect a victim’s entire future, which is why it is so important to receive compensation for any medical expenses and future life care expenses. Examples of truck accident injuries include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries can be especially devastating because they may lead to paralysis and may not be immediately apparent. In some cases, spinal cord injury victims must endure extreme pain and extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injuries – TBIs can result in loss of cognitive and motor functions. Symptoms may include confusion, nausea, vision problems, and cognitive difficulties.
- Traumatic orthopedic injuries – Traumatic orthopedic injuries include any severe injury to the bones, joints, or soft tissue. Often, this may include “dashboard knee” or other bone or joint injuries.
- Burns – Truck accidents pose a high risk of rupturing fuel tanks or spilling toxic materials, leading to a fire and severe burns.
- Whiplash – Whiplash is often misunderstood as a minor injury. However, whiplash can often be quite severe. It occurs when a victim’s head and neck snap forward, but the torso remains in place. Whiplash injuries might not appear immediately but can still have a significant impact on a victim.
- Broken bones – Because commercial trucks are much larger and more powerful than passenger vehicles, drivers and passengers are far more likely to suffer broken bones in a truck accident.
- Internal injuries and bleeding – These severe injuries can include bleeding and damage to critical organs and may be challenging to treat. Some severe internal injuries include aortic dissection and damage to the liver or kidneys.
- Neck and back injuries – Neck and back injuries can vary from more minor to very serious, such a dislocated discs in the spine. In some more tragic instances, these injuries can be permanent or life-threatening.
- Joint damage – Joint injuries are common in truck crashes. Blunt-force trauma can lead to significant damage to joints, tendons, and ligaments.
- Head injuries – Along with traumatic brain injuries, victims may also experience other head injuries, including a bruise or mild concussion.
- Amputation and disfigurement – Any amputation or disfigurement will impact a victim for years or their entire lifetime. Treatment may require long-term medical care or prosthetics.
Large commercial truck accident injuries can have a lasting impact on the victim’s life. If you suffered injuries due to a large truck accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and wrongful death. Speaking to the experienced truck accident injury lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., to determine what compensation you may be entitled to.
How to Prevent Truck Accident Injuries in Huntsville
While Huntsville truck accident injuries may, in some cases, be unavoidable, there are steps that drivers can take to reduce the likelihood of an accident. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration points out that large commercial trucks have blind spots, are limited in how they can maneuver, and have difficulty stopping quickly. These factors should guide how motorists drive around them.
Here are some tips to avoid a truck accident in Huntsville.
- Stay visible and away from the truck’s blind spots.
- Make sure to be careful when passing a truck, signal clearly, and avoid spending too much time in the blind spot.
- Never cut off a large commercial big rig or semi-truck. The trucker may not be able to slow quickly to avoid the crash, even if the car is visible.
- Do not tailgate as this could result in your vehicle going under a truck in a crash.
- Anticipate wide turns. Trucks need more space than regular vehicles to turn.
- Be patient and avoid honking or driving aggressively, which can distract truck drivers and lead to a crash.
What to Do After Being Injured in a Truck Accident
Sometimes the worst-case scenario happens, and a driver and passengers are injured in a truck accident. In this situation, the most important thing to do is to get medical attention and a thorough medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Call the police immediately after the trucking accident and ensure that any injured people receive immediate treatment, either at the scene of the crash or by being transported to the emergency room of a hospital.
Even if a victim does not feel at first that he or she is injured, they should arrange to see a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. Not only does this ensure that any injuries are identified, but it is also essential for documentation when seeking compensation later for any truck accident injuries.
What Information Should Be Collected After a Truck Accident
While medical evaluation of victims is the priority in a truck accident, it is also important to collect information at the accident scene to protect your rights and legal options after the crash.
Be sure to collect the following information if it is safe and possible for you to do so:
- The truck driver’s contact and insurance information
- Information about the owner of the truck and trailer
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Any witness statements and their name and phone number
- The police accident report
All of this information can help to corroborate any potential compensation claims. It is also important to keep records of any medical bills and lost wages to help determine the claim’s value.
How Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., Can Help
Truck crash injuries can be traumatic and overwhelming for the victim, especially as they try to navigate their rights and what compensation they may be entitled to under the law. If you were injured in a truck accident in Huntsville, consider reaching out to an experienced truck accident attorney at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., for your legal needs.
Our trusted and knowledgeable attorneys may are ready to help you seek the compensation that you deserve. Contact our experienced attorneys to learn more about your legal rights today. The consultation is free and confidential.
