Vestavia Hills 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

If you have a Vestavia Hills, AL 18-wheeler accident claim, Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.

Semi-truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Vestavia Hills roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a calculable number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, every day. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Vestavia Hills was approximately 36,000. This number is expected to grow in the coming years.

Vestavia Hills’s freeway system contains the I-65, I-59, I-459, I-20, US-280, US- SH-38, and SH-119. The automobile is still the most common form of transportation in Vestavia Hills, and with the city of Birmingham so close by, transportation can become busy during certain hours of the day.  Rush hour traffic, higher speeds, and possible encounters with drivers being negligent or inexperienced add danger to driving on Vestavia Hills freeways. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions when driving on these roads.

Vestavia Hills 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney
 

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Vestavia Hills, it is important that you choose an experienced Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Alabama.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Lowboy
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Dump-Trucks
4. Truck
5. Flatbed

Vestavia Hills truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Vestavia Hills streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Vestavia Hills happen along Vestavia Hills highways, which include the I-65, I-59, I-459, I-20, US-280, US- SH-38, and SH-119.

Types of Trucks
 

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Bob-Tail Trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Refrigerated trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Vestavia Hills roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Vestavia Hills bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Vestavia Hills city buses,
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound or,
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

The ways Vestavia Hills truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Vestavia Hills and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Jefferson County 10th Judicial Court
716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 325-5355

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Serve Vestavia Hills and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northern Central Alabama, including Adamsville, Alabaster, Ashville, Belle Haven, Bessemer, Beverly Station, Birmingham, Bluff Park, Branchville, Brighton, Brownville, Buena Vista, Camp Horne, Cardiff, Center Point, Chelsea, Childersburg, Clanton, Cropwell, Cullman, Eastaboga, Germania, Glen Iris, Glenview, Graysville, Grove Park, Harpersville, Highlands, Homewood, Indian Springs Village, Ishkooda, Jasper, Lakeview Estates, Leeds, Midfield, Minor, Moody, Mountain Brook, New Hope, Oak Grove Estates, Odenville, Oneonta, Pauls Hill, Pell City, Phillips Estates, Pleasant Grove, Rocky Ridge, Roosevelt Cairo Village, Rosedale, Shannon, Southside, Spaulding, Sylacauga, Talladega, Titusville, Vincent, Vinemont, Wenonah, Windsor Highlands, areas in the vicinity of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and other communities in Bibb County, Blount County, Jefferson County, Shelby County, St. Clair County, Tuscaloosa County, and Walker County.

Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Vestavia Hills 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

In the State of Alabama there are over 16,000 lawyers. Of course, not all lawyers practice personal injury trial work.
 

Some states offer Board Certification programs and others do not. The State of Alabama does have a Board Certification process. This is managed by the The Alabama State Bar Board of Legal Certification and one of the areas of practice is called "Civil Trial Advocacy." This specialty was first recognized in 1994.

According to the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, the specialty of Civil Trial Law is defined to: "include civil litigation, personal injury litigation, and any other type of litigation that is not criminal in nature, such as property disputes, construction or insurance claims and a wide array of other civil controversies. Second, usually money damages are at stake in civil litigation."

Alabama allows most of its specialization to occur through approved, external agencies. In order to call one's self a specialist in Alabama, a lawyer must first be certified by one of these agencies. Alabama's pre-requisite for being certified in Civil Trial Advocacy is certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification.

Alabama State Bar Board of Legal Certification

Rules of Professional Conduct:

Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice

A lawyer may communicate the fact that the lawyer does or does not practice in particular fields of law. A lawyer shall not state or imply that the lawyer is a specialist except as follows:

(a) a lawyer admitted to engage in patent practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office may use the designation “Patent Attorney” or a substantially similar designation;

(b) a lawyer engaged in admiralty practice may use the designation “Admiralty,” “Proctor in Admiralty,” or a substantially similar designation; or

(c) a lawyer may communicate the fact that the lawyer has been certified as a specialist in a field of law by a named organization or authority, but only if such certification is granted by an organization previously approved by the Alabama State Bar Board of Legal Certification to grant such certifications.

Alabama State Bar Rules of Specialization:

Rule 6. Minimum Standards for Certification of Specialists

6.01. In order to be certified as a specialist, a lawyer must be duly licensed in this state, engaged in active practice, and must be in good standing, throughout the period for which the specialty designation is granted. In addition, a lawyer must comply with the other requirements of Rule 6. 6.02. The lawyer must be certified by an agency approved by the board.

6.03. Every year the lawyer must complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing legal education course work in the area of the lawyer's specialty. These hours shall constitute a part of the annual requirement under the Alabama State Bar Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations.

Rule 7. Privilege Conferred and Limitations Imposed

7.01. A lawyer certified as a specialist under these rules may communicate the fact that he or she is certified as a specialist in a particular field of law and the name of the particular certifying agency by which the lawyer is certified. A lawyer shall not represent, either expressly or impliedly, that he or she has specialty status recognized by any entity other than the certifying agency. 7.02. Nothing in these rules shall in any way limit the right of a certified specialist to practice in all fields of law. Any lawyer shall have the right to practice in all fields of law, even though certified as a specialist in a particular field of law.

7.03. No lawyer shall be required to be certified as a specialist in a particular field of law in order to practice in that field of law. A lawyer shall have the right to practice in any field of law, even though not certified as a specialist in that field. Participation in a specialty recognition program under these rules shall be voluntary.

7.04. A lawyer may be certified as a specialist in more than one field of law. The maximum number of fields in which a lawyer may be certified as a specialist shall be determined only by the practical limits imposed by the requirement of substantial involvement and such other standards as may be established by the board pursuant to Rule 6.

Rule 8. Minimum Standards for Continued Recognition of Specialists

8.01. The period of recognition as a specialist shall be five (5) years. During this period the board or appropriate certifying agency may require evidence from the specialist of continued qualification for certification as a specialist. 8.02. Application for and approval of continued certification as a specialist shall be required prior to the end of each five(5) year period. To qualify for continued certification as a specialist, a lawyer applicant must pay the required fees and meet the requirements for certification renewal established by the board.

The only organization that the State of Alabama recognizes in the field of Civil Law Trial Advocacy is the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. This board has their own standards for accepting members. Those standards can be found here. 

Lawyers who have passed the United States Patent Bar may use the term "Patent Attorney."

Attorneys who practice Maritime or Admiralty law can use the term's "Admiralty" or "Proctor in Admiralty" in their advertising materials.

Hiring a Vestavia Hills 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Alabama state laws regarding trucking regulations. Vestavia Hills, located in Jefferson County, is a small city with an area of 14.6 square miles, and its freeways can become dangerous as residents aren't used to driving at high speeds. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the added dangers of traffic in Vestavia Hills. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Southeast Alabama truck accident, contact a qualified Vestavia Hills semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Vestavia Hills & Alabama Professional Associations
 

In addition to selecting a qualified Vestavia Hills accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles Vestavia Hills big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Birmingham Bar Foundation, or the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association? All lawyers that practice Vestavia Hills truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of Alabama. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
• Birmingham Bar Foundation

The Alabama Trial Lawyers Association serves the general public, by bringing justice to citizens who have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident. It is necessary for the Association to keep in contact with Alabama citizens, so they can be informed of their rights regarding accident laws.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating
 

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Vestavia Hills intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Vestavia Hills, AL or Jefferson County, it is in your best interest to contact a Vestavia Hills big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Vestavia Hills 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Jefferson County, AL
 

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred,
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Vestavia Hills, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, therefore making venue proper in Jefferson County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Vestavia Hills tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Vestavia Hills, Jefferson County, Alabama, areas include:

Jefferson County 10th Judicial Circuit Court
716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 325-5355

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Vestavia Hills and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northern Central Alabama, including Adamsville, Alabaster, Ashville, Belle Haven, Bessemer, Beverly Station, Birmingham, Bluff Park, Branchville, Brighton, Brownville, Buena Vista, Camp Horne, Cardiff, Center Point, Chelsea, Childersburg, Clanton, Cropwell, Cullman, Eastaboga, Germania, Glen Iris, Glenview, Graysville, Grove Park, Harpersville, Highlands, Homewood, Indian Springs Village, Ishkooda, Jasper, Lakeview Estates, Leeds, Midfield, Minor, Moody, Mountain Brook, New Hope, Oak Grove Estates, Odenville, Oneonta, Pauls Hill, Pell City, Phillips Estates, Pleasant Grove, Rocky Ridge, Roosevelt Cairo Village, Rosedale, Shannon, Southside, Spaulding, Sylacauga, Talladega, Titusville, Vincent, Vinemont, Wenonah, Windsor Highlands, areas in the vicinity of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and other communities in Bibb County, Blount County, Jefferson County, Shelby County, St. Clair County, Tuscaloosa County, and Walker County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Vestavia Hills Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Trucking companies in Vestavia Hills offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Vestavia Hills trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Vestavia Hills Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Vestavia Hills trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Vestavia Hills Flatbed Truck Accident Attorney
 

In many cases, Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Vestavia Hills tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Vestavia Hills truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Vestavia Hills truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Vestavia Hills tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Vestavia Hills Trucking Companies
 

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Lawyers Serve Vestavia Hills and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northern Central Alabama, including Adamsville, Alabaster, Ashville, Belle Haven, Bessemer, Beverly Station, Birmingham, Bluff Park, Branchville, Brighton, Brownville, Buena Vista, Camp Horne, Cardiff, Center Point, Chelsea, Childersburg, Clanton, Cropwell, Cullman, Eastaboga, Germania, Glen Iris, Glenview, Graysville, Grove Park, Harpersville, Highlands, Homewood, Indian Springs Village, Ishkooda, Jasper, Lakeview Estates, Leeds, Midfield, Minor, Moody, Mountain Brook, New Hope, Oak Grove Estates, Odenville, Oneonta, Pauls Hill, Pell City, Phillips Estates, Pleasant Grove, Rocky Ridge, Roosevelt Cairo Village, Rosedale, Shannon, Southside, Spaulding, Sylacauga, Talladega, Titusville, Vincent, Vinemont, Wenonah, Windsor Highlands, areas in the vicinity of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and other communities in Bibb County, Blount County, Jefferson County, Shelby County, St. Clair County, Tuscaloosa County, and Walker County.

Vestavia Hills truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Vestavia Hills truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Vestavia Hills Semi-Tractor Truck Accident Attorneys Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Vestavia Hills such as I-65, I-459 or US-31, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Vestavia Hills, AL. Vestavia Hills’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure which is serviced by multiple loops. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Vestavia Hills truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault
 

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Vestavia Hills road or highway, such as I-65, I-459, US-31, US-280, US-78, SH-38 at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Vestavia Hills highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on the U.S. 59 Southwest Freeway which is just under the beltway in Vestavia Hills.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation
 

A qualified Vestavia Hills 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Vestavia Hills truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights
 

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Vestavia Hills truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life
 

Qualified Vestavia Hills truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Vestavia Hills truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, one truck driving school is Transportation Support Inc, 721 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, AL 35235-2540, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Vestavia Hills and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northern Central Alabama, including Adamsville, Alabaster, Ashville, Bessemer, Birmingham, Branchville, Cardiff, Center Point, Chelsea, Childersburg, Clanton, Cropwell, Cullman, Eastaboga, Graysville, Harpersville, Homewood, Indian Springs Village, Jasper, Leeds, Moody, New Hope, Odenville, Oneonta, Pell City, Sylacauga, Talladega, Vincent, Vinemont, areas in the vicinity of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and other communities in Jefferson County and Shelby County.

Vestavia Hills truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Vestavia Hills 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.