Category: Truck Accidents

May 31, 2024 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

According to TRIP, a National Transportation Research Nonprofit, in 2022, Alabama’s freight system moved 590 million tons of freight, valued at $448 billion. The TRIP report also found that 15 percent of travel on Alabama’s Interstate highways and 20 percent of travel on its rural Interstate highways is by combination trucks.

Jan 31, 2024 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

If you have been injured or a close family member has tragically lost his or her life in an accident involving a semi or large commercial truck, you should contact a Tuscaloosa truck accident lawyer right away. You will need legal representation in order to recover your losses, and it is important that you choose a lawyer who has specific experience handling large truck accident cases. We represent clients who have been seriously injured and who have lost loved ones in trucking accidents throughout Tuscaloosa, and we can use our experience to help you collect the financial compensation you and your family deserve.

Sep 29, 2023 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

U-turns are among the most complex maneuvers a vehicle can make on the road — especially if that vehicle is a tractor-trailer. For the everyday sedan or SUV, the task may seem straightforward, but when it comes to large vehicles such as 18-wheelers, the complexity multiplies. In Alabama, a state that is known for its vast highways and major transportation routes, U-turn accidents involving tractor-trailers are particularly concerning.

May 17, 2022 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

It can be scary out there on the road, particularly with the increasing amount of large truck activity. Truck accidents happen more frequently than they should. As experienced Tuscaloosa truck accident lawyers, we’re here to help you.

Feb 28, 2022 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

Accidents involving large trucks such as semis and tractor-trailers occur far too often on Alabama roadways. While some of these accidents are caused by errors common in all accidents, such as distracted driving and driving under the influence, there are causes that are unique to large trucks. A Tuscaloosa truck accident lawyer from our firm explains.

Jul 16, 2021 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

Owning and operating a commercial truck can be an enormous responsibility. There are many issues that must be attended to, including ensuring that the truck is properly maintained. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry and sets the standard for what types of maintenance must be performed on large trucks. Our Tuscaloosa truck accident lawyer understands these requirements and uses that knowledge to represent those who have been injured in trucking accidents caused by maintenance-related issues so they can recover the compensation they deserve. 

May 19, 2017 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

Weather conditions affect all motor vehicles. Often those effects are most pronounced for big rigs. While truck drivers generally benefit from a low risk of major injuries, any Tuscaloosa truck wreck lawyer can confirm that other motorists who share the roads with them are not always as lucky. To help reduce the chance of serious truck accidents, drivers of smaller vehicles need to recognize how weather conditions can affect their own vehicles — and how neighboring trucks can pose greater risks. Weather-Related Road Conditions Can Have Unexpected Effects on Motorists The results of certain weather conditions are obvious, but those results may be more extensive than most drivers realize. And when they affect massive vehicles weighing upwards of 80,000 pounds, the risks are even more pronounced. The Federal Highway Administration’s Road Weather Management Program offers a list of weather events that impact roads, which includes the following: Wind speed reduces visibility by blowing dust and debris, which reduces truck drivers’ abilities to see smaller vehicles. It also affects the stability of top-heavy vehicles, making drivers more likely to lose control or even tip over. Other drivers should be aware of the risks and give semis a wide berth. Precipitation makes roads slippery, affecting braking distances for trucks more than for other vehicles. However, it can also create lane obstructions, requiring truckers to react more quickly than their vehicles allow. Other drivers can reduce the risks by maintaining a greater distance between their vehicles and all four sides of trucks. Fog […]

Oct 21, 2016 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

Many drivers have nodded off for a split second behind the wheel. This experience is as terrifying as having no memory of driving the last 5 or 10 miles. Drowsy drivers take real risks with their own lives and those of others. Place the drowsy driver in control of a massive tractor trailer truck, and the risks increase dramatically. Each Tuscaloosa truck wreck lawyer at our firm is pleased that hours of service laws help ensure that truckers take the time for the rest they need. Unfortunately, the right number of hours of sleep does not necessarily create enough rest when medical conditions affect the quality of sleep. One Study Shows Sleep Apnea to Be a Notable Issue for Truckers Simply stated, sleep apnea is a breathing-related disorder that interrupts breathing during sleep. In its extreme forms, this condition can be life-threatening. Since just about any level of severity can interrupt restful sleep, however, it leaves many individuals drowsy even after they believe they had a good night’s sleep. An article published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cites one study that states that 28 percent of commercial truck drivers have mild to severe sleep apnea. The article goes on to list a wide array of factors that places individuals at higher risk for this disorder, including (but not limited to) the following: A family history of sleep apnea Overweight Certain physical attributes, such as a large neck, recessed chin and others Smoking and alcohol use Age over 40 […]

Jun 30, 2016 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

No one wants to share the roads with drowsy drivers. However, each Tuscaloosa truck wreck lawyer at our firm has seen the dangers increase almost exponentially when someone nods off behind the wheel of a commercial semi truck weighing in at 80,000 pounds or more. Federal law has required truckers to maintain paper records of their hours of service for nearly three decades, but those requirements have only been marginally effective in helping truck drivers remain alert on the road. Hopefully, new laws that require electronic record-keeping will prove to keep more motorists safe. New Law Moves Forward in Spite of Some Trucker Protests According to one report from CBS News, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) finalized requirements for a system that replaces paper records with electronic hours reporting. They predict that the new requirements will help prevent records tampering, save about 26 lives per year and prevent 562 injuries annually. Some of the key points of the new law are as follows: With some exceptions, the law requires truckers to transition into the use of approved electronic recording devices over a two-year period. Truckers who use previously-approved devices that do not meet the new requirements have four years to replace their current devices. Smart phones and other electronic devices that satisfy technical requirements can be used, provided they are FMCSA-approved. At least one trucker advocacy group has argued that the use of unproven technology does not guarantee increased safety or hours-of-service compliance so much as it increases […]

Jan 22, 2016 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

Considering that thousands of drivers across the country operate electronic devices while driving, it is not surprising that many people are injured in distracted driving accidents every day. When large commercial trucks are involved, the chances for serious injuries and fatalities increases exponentially due to the weight of these vehicles. In spite of this risk, however, federal trucking regulations do not impose any additional electronic device restrictions on truck drivers than the ones commonly imposed by the states for drivers of passenger vehicles. Proposed Ban Fails, but Limited Ban Takes Hold Asserting that distracted driving was approaching the risks of DUI driving back in 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) proposed a full ban on the use of even hands-free devices for novice drivers, school bus drivers and commercial truckers. While that ban failed, the NTSB tried repeating the hands-free ban recommendation in 2014 after cell phone use by a truck driver appeared to be the direct cause of a massive truck-versus-train collision in Maryland. Regrettably, federal legislators have not recognized the wisdom of the NTSB recommendations. Currently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued the following restrictions for interstate truck and bus drivers, as well as for anyone who transports certain hazardous materials: No texting while driving: The restriction clearly defines texting as anything that requires more than a single button-press. Hands-free talking: Commercial motor vehicle drivers cannot hold a phone to talk, and the rule includes anything that amounts to reaching for a phone for positioning […]