Commercial Truck Accidents Are All Too Common: What Alabama Drivers Need to Know
You’ve likely passed a semi-truck or 18-wheeler on the highway and felt your grip tighten on the wheel. For good reason—commercial truck accidents are among the deadliest on Alabama’s roads, and they’re more common than you might think.
At Nelson, Bryan, and Cross, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating these crashes can be. Victims often face catastrophic injuries, financial hardship, and complex legal hurdles. Here's what every Alabama driver needs to know about commercial truck accidents—and what to do if you're involved in one.
Why Are Commercial Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
The average passenger vehicle weighs around 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That size and weight difference means that even a minor truck collision can lead to:
Serious injury or death
Multi-vehicle pileups
Spilled hazardous materials
Long-term disability
Truck drivers often operate under tight delivery deadlines, leading to fatigue, speeding, or reckless behavior.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Alabama
While every crash is different, common causes include:
Driver fatigue from long hours
Speeding or aggressive driving
Distracted driving, including GPS or phone use
Mechanical failures (brakes, tires, lights)
Improper loading of cargo
Driving under the influence
Poor training, faulty equipment, and inadequate oversight by trucking companies also play major roles.
Who May Be Liable in a Trucking Accident?
Commercial truck crashes are complex because multiple parties may share liability:
The truck driver
The trucking company
The cargo loader
The vehicle manufacturer
A maintenance provider
This means your case may involve multiple insurance companies, federal regulations, and more aggressive defense tactics.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you’re injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, follow these steps:
Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately
Document the scene (photos, license plate, truck company name)
Get witness information if possible
Do NOT talk to the trucking company’s insurer without a lawyer
Contact an attorney experienced in truck accident litigation
The trucking company will likely have a legal team on the case immediately. You should, too.
How Truck Accident Claims Differ From Regular Car Accidents
Commercial trucking accidents are subject to federal regulations from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). These rules govern:
Hours of service
Maintenance records
Driver licensing and training
Drug and alcohol testing
Your attorney should know how to access this data and preserve black box (event data recorder) evidence before it disappears.
We’re Here When You Need Strong Legal Representation
At Nelson, Bryan, and Cross, we’ve helped Alabama residents recover damages from some of the nation’s largest trucking companies. We’ll fight to get compensation for:
Medical bills
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Long-term rehabilitation
Wrongful death (if applicable)
Don’t Wait—Truck Accident Claims Have Deadlines
Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. But trucking cases need urgent investigation—don’t wait to secure your legal rights.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll stand with you, from the first phone call to the final outcome.
