If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident in Selma, you’re not alone. According to TRIP, a national transportation research group, Alabama averages 130 fatalities each year in crashes involving large trucks, placing it among the states with the highest rates of deadly truck collisions. These crashes often impact drivers and passengers in the other vehicle, not the truck. As freight traffic grows and more trucks fill Alabama’s highways, understanding your legal rights after a collision is more urgent than ever.
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If you've been hit by a commercial truck in or near Selma, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills pile up, work becomes impossible, and the trucking company may already be working to protect itself. You deserve someone who will fight for you. A truck accident attorney in Selma can step in immediately to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and pursue the full compensation you may be owed, all while you focus on healing.
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Table of Contents
- Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
- Potential Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim
- Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Common Injuries From Truck Accidents
- Why Truck Accident Cases Are Complicated
- Alabama Trucking Laws
- Proving Liability in a Truck Accident Claim
- What a Truck Accident Lawyer in Selma Does
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer in Selma Today
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Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can be chaotic and traumatic, especially when large commercial vehicles are involved. Knowing what to do immediately after the crash can make a huge difference in your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a truck accident in Selma, Alabama:
Whether the crash seems minor or severe, call 911 as soon as you are able. Dispatching emergency services ensures that:
- Police can document the scene and file an official crash report
- Paramedics can check you and others for injuries
- The scene is secured, which helps prevent additional harm
Don’t assume someone else will call. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask serious internal injuries.
Truck accidents often involve significant force, and injuries aren’t always immediately obvious. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or abdominal pain can show up hours or even days later. Getting checked by a medical professional creates a record of your condition and helps protect your health and your claim.
If it’s safe and you’re physically able:
- Photograph all vehicles involved, including damage and license plates
- Capture road conditions, skid marks, signage, and any visible injuries
- Take wide-angle shots of the entire scene as well as close-ups
- Record a short video walking through the accident area
Visual evidence can be powerful when proving liability.
If anyone nearby saw what happened, ask for their name, phone number, and a brief statement of what they observed. Witnesses can play a key role in supporting your version of events when fault is disputed.
In the moment, it’s natural to feel shaken or confused. Try to stay calm, and don’t apologize or admit fault, even casually. These statements can be used against you later. Stick to basic facts when speaking with police, and let the investigation determine what happened.
The official crash report will include important details about the accident, including the officer’s observations, citations issued, and a preliminary assessment of fault. Ask how and when you can obtain a copy. Your truck accident lawyer in Selma will also use this report when building your claim.
Let your insurance company know that you’ve been in an accident, but keep your statement brief and factual. Don’t speculate about who caused the crash or describe your injuries in detail—those assessments should be left to medical professionals and your lawyer.
Soon after the accident, you may receive calls from the trucking company’s insurer. They might act concerned or offer a quick settlement, but their goal is to limit the company’s liability, not to help you. Do not:
- Give a recorded statement
- Accept a settlement
- Sign any documents
Instead, refer them to your lawyer.
Evidence can disappear quickly, and trucking companies often have legal teams working against you from day one. A local truck accident attorney can:
- Preserve key evidence like black box data
- Investigate the cause of the crash
- Handle all communication with insurers
- Fight for full compensation on your behalf
The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of a successful outcome.
Potential Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim
Truck accidents can leave victims facing serious injuries, financial strain, and life-altering changes. If you were hurt due to a truck driver’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. The amount and types of compensation available will depend on the specifics of your case, including the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.
Here are the most common types of damages that may be included in a truck accident claim:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all costs related to your treatment, such as emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and any future medical care you’ll need due to your injuries.
- Lost Income: If your injuries prevented you from working, you can seek compensation for lost wages. If your ability to work has been permanently reduced or eliminated, you may also be able to recover damages for lost future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: These damages account for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. This may include ongoing discomfort, mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful Death & Punitive Damages: If a truck accident results in a fatality, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim. In cases involving reckless or egregious behavior, such as driving under the influence or repeated safety violations, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on a wide range of factors. A truck accident lawyer in Selma can help calculate your potential compensation and fight to recover the full amount you may deserve.
Results that matter
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Large trucks operate under different physical and mechanical conditions than passenger vehicles, which means that when a crash occurs, the results are often devastating. When we examine how truck accidents happen, it’s often due to a mix of driver error, mechanical failure, or violations of federal safety standards.
Here are some of the most common types of truck crashes seen on Alabama roads:
- Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, resembling a folding knife
- Rear-End Collisions: Often due to longer stopping distances and driver inattention
- Underride Crashes: When a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a truck
- Rollover Accidents: Caused by speeding, overcorrection, or shifting cargo
- Tire Blowouts: A blowout at highway speeds can cause a sudden loss of control
Frequent causes of these collisions include:
- Driver fatigue (often due to Hours-of-Service violations)
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Distracted driving, including phone use
- Overloaded or unbalanced cargo
- Poor truck maintenance and mechanical failure
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
A qualified truck accident lawyer in Selma will investigate the root cause and hold every responsible party accountable.
Common Injuries From Truck Accidents
Due to their massive size and weight, trucks cause far more serious injuries than typical passenger vehicle crashes. Even at moderate speeds, a collision can leave victims facing life-altering consequences. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These can range from concussions to permanent cognitive damage
- Spinal cord injuries: Leading to chronic pain or paralysis
- Internal injuries: Including internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken bones and fractures: Often requiring surgery and lengthy rehabilitation
- Severe burns: From fires or chemical spills following the crash
- Wrongful death: In fatal cases, families may pursue a wrongful death claim
If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries, contacting a truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Complicated
Unlike typical car accidents, truck crashes often involve:
- Multiple potentially liable parties, such as the driver, trucking company, vehicle maintenance contractor, cargo loader, or even a manufacturer
- Federal trucking regulations, including Hours-of-Service limits, weight restrictions, and inspection requirements, which can impact liability
- Corporate insurance teams and defense lawyers who are trained to minimize payouts and shift blame
Every moment counts after a truck crash. A qualified truck accident lawyer in Selma can move quickly to:
- Preserve physical and digital evidence, such as black box data, driver logbooks, maintenance records, and dashcam footage, all of which can be lost or altered if action is delayed
- Investigate the scene while skid marks, debris, and vehicle positions are still fresh
- Locate and interview witnesses before memories fade or people become unreachable
- Protect you from making damaging statements to insurance adjusters who may twist your words to reduce your payout
When you hire an attorney from Floyd Hunter Injury Law early, you give yourself a better chance at building a strong claim and avoiding the traps that can derail your case.
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I had an accident in 2015, and they reached out to me and promised to help my case. Needless to say, they work hard with every client and truly help you!
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I highly recommend them for any injury case anyone has, they helped me every step of the way!
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-Arthur R.Alabama Trucking Laws
Commercial truck drivers and companies must follow strict rules under both federal and Alabama state law. These regulations exist to reduce crashes and protect everyone on the road.
Hours of Service
One of the most critical rules involves Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations. These laws limit how long a truck driver can operate a vehicle without taking rest breaks. Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of truck crashes, and violations of HOS rules can be used to show negligence.
CDL Requirement
Truck drivers are also required to have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). To get and keep a CDL, drivers must meet training, testing, and physical fitness standards. If a trucker is operating without a valid license or has a history of safety violations, it may strengthen your legal claim.
Maintenance & Inspection
Another key area of regulation is truck maintenance and inspections. Trucking companies are responsible for performing regular checks on brakes, tires, lights, and other essential systems. Failing to inspect or maintain a vehicle properly can lead to mechanical failure and catastrophic accidents.
When a truck driver or their employer violates these rules and causes harm, those violations may be used as evidence of negligence. Our skilled team at Floyd Hunter Injury Law can investigate the crash, obtain maintenance logs and driver records, and use those violations to support your case.
Proving Liability in a Truck Accident Claim
To recover compensation after a truck accident in Selma, you’ll need to prove that another party, such as the truck driver or trucking company, was at fault. That means showing more than just that the crash happened; it requires clear evidence and a legal foundation for negligence.
Elements of Negligence
To build a successful personal injury case, your attorney will apply the legal theory of negligence. This involves proving 4 key elements:
- Duty of Care – The truck driver and company had a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle safely
- Breach of Duty – That duty was violated through reckless driving, rule violations, or unsafe maintenance
- Causation – The breach directly caused the accident and your injuries
- Damages – You suffered measurable losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering
Once these elements are established through strong evidence, your lawyer can pursue compensation from all liable parties involved in the crash.
What Evidence Helps Prove Fault?
Truck accident cases often depend on the availability of technical and physical evidence. Unlike typical car accidents, commercial truck crashes involve additional records that can help determine what went wrong and who should be held accountable.
Key pieces of evidence include:
- Black box data (event data recorders), which can reveal speed, braking, and hours driven before the crash
- Driver logbooks, showing rest periods and Hours-of-Service compliance
- Maintenance records, which may expose a pattern of neglect or missed inspections
- Police crash reports, offering initial assessments of fault and any traffic citations issued
- Witness statements, especially from neutral bystanders, that can corroborate your account of events
What a Truck Accident Lawyer in Selma Does
After a serious truck accident, the last thing you should have to worry about is paperwork, legal deadlines, or combative insurance adjusters. A truck accident lawyer in Selma takes that burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Your attorney’s job goes far beyond filing paperwork. Here’s what they do to protect your rights and strengthen your case:
- Manages Your Case While You Heal
From the moment you hire a lawyer, they take charge of the legal process, handling forms, deadlines, court filings, and communication. This allows you to focus on medical treatment and recovery without the added stress of managing a claim. - Investigates and Builds a Strong Claim
Your lawyer will launch a thorough investigation into the crash. This includes gathering black box data, reviewing driver logs, inspecting maintenance records, securing witness statements, and working with crash reconstruction experts when needed. - Communicates With Insurance Companies
Insurers representing the trucking company will often try to settle for as little as possible or deny your claim outright. Your attorney acts as your shield, handling all correspondence and negotiations to prevent you from being taken advantage of. - Pursues Maximum Compensation Through Settlement or Trial
Whether through direct negotiation or a courtroom battle, your truck accident lawyer will work to recover the full compensation you may deserve. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer will be ready to take the case to trial.
When you work with a local Selma attorney who understands both the legal system and the trucking industry, you’ll have someone in your corner every step of the way, fighting to get you the outcome you deserve.
Our Selma Truck Accident Attorneys
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, Alabama law allows you 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, evidence disappears quickly, so it’s best to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Selma as soon as possible.
Liability might extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, the freight loader, a maintenance contractor, or even a truck manufacturer. Your attorney will investigate all potential responsible parties.
Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule, meaning if you’re found even 1% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages. That’s why it’s crucial to have strong legal representation.
Do not sign anything or agree to recorded statements. Their goal is to minimize their financial responsibility. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney at Floyd Hunter Injury Law.
Yes, truck accident cases involve federal regulations, corporate insurance policies, and more complex investigations. They also often result in more severe injuries, which raises the stakes for compensation and legal support.
Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer in Selma Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you’re likely facing medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about what comes next. You don’t have to carry that weight alone.
You deserve a legal team that treats you with respect, keeps you informed, and fights relentlessly for the justice you’re owed. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Don’t wait. Reach out now and take the first step toward securing the support and compensation you may need to move forward.
Fill out our contact form to speak with a Selma truck accident lawyer.