If you were hurt in a crash involving a semi-truck on I-85, you are probably dealing with more than just a damaged vehicle. Maybe you are out of work, facing rising medical bills or trying to make sense of paperwork while your body is still healing. These accidents are some of the most serious we see in the area. And when it’s a big rig crash, the legal process becomes a lot more complex.
A trucking crash is not like a regular car accident
When a commercial truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the damage is often devastating, and so is the legal aftermath. Alabama law and federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) govern trucking accidents.
That means timelines, documentation and the burden of proof all work differently. Insurance policies for commercial carriers are larger and more aggressively defended, and you may face pushback even if liability seems obvious.
Liability can extend beyond just the driver
It’s easy to assume the truck driver is the only one at fault, but these cases usually involve multiple layers. The company that owns the truck, the third-party logistics firm that loaded it or even the mechanic who signed off on its brakes. They all play a part in what went wrong, and they may all try to shift blame away from themselves. That makes your claim more complex, but it also opens up more paths to recovery if you know how to pursue them.
You have a right to compensation, but you need to act fast
After a truck accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering. But building a strong case takes evidence, and that evidence can disappear quickly.
Some wipe or bury black box data, dashcam footage, driver logs and maintenance records once a legal team gets involved. That’s why the sooner you act, the better your chances of preserving the proof you need to hold them accountable.
Where your legal rights meet the real world
If a semi-truck crash on I-85 turned your life upside down, you don’t have to untangle the legal system on your own — but you do need to know what’s at stake and what’s still possible.
Understanding your rights means knowing who might be responsible, what you are entitled to and how quickly things can shift if you wait too long. If you are overwhelmed or unsure what to do next, this may be the moment to get someone in your corner who knows how to fight back when big companies try to bury the truth.