$900,000 Jury Verdict After 18-Wheeler Crash on the Bayway
How Dean Waite & Associates Fought for a Truck Accident Victim in Mobile, Alabama
When fog rolls across Mobile Bay, visibility can drop in seconds. For drivers, it can feel like moving through a wall of clouds — a place where even one reckless mistake can turn deadly. That’s what happened to a Grove Hill man traveling east on I-10 when an 18-wheeler barreled out of the tunnel and slammed into his stopped vehicle, causing a devastating truck wreck.
The impact was violent, crushing the back of his car and sending it into the retaining wall. It should have been a clear-cut case of a truck driver going too fast for the conditions. But when the insurance company got involved, the truth became another thing lost in the fog.
Attorney Dean Waite knew better than to accept their version of the story. After nearly a year of litigation, the case went before a jury, and justice was served with a $900,000 verdict for the victim.
A Truck Driver Going Too Fast for the Conditions
The crash happened on the Bayway in Mobile, Alabama, a stretch of I-10 known for heavy fog and unpredictable traffic flow. When visibility dropped, the client’s car came to a stop along with the rest of traffic. Moments later, an 18-wheeler exited the tunnel, traveling well above a safe speed and never slowed down.
The truck slammed into the back of the man’s vehicle, crushing the trunk and forcing it into a retaining wall. It was the kind of crash no one walks away from unscathed.
Emergency crews responded quickly, and doctors later determined the victim had suffered severe neck injuries. The damage was so significant that he required two surgeries to repair the trauma caused by the collision.
But the case was far from straightforward.
How The Defense Tried to Shift Blame
Like many trucking companies and their insurers, the defense tried to turn the focus away from the crash itself. They discovered that the client had undergone a previous neck surgery several years before the wreck, and they seized on that fact to argue that his injuries weren’t caused by the crash at all.
Their argument was simple but deceptive: the pain, surgeries, and recovery were all tied to his “preexisting condition.”
Attorney Dean Waite and his team weren’t buying it. They knew the difference between an old injury and one made worse by negligence. Through careful investigation and collaboration with medical professionals, they built a case that showed the clear connection between the impact and the client’s post-crash medical treatment.
The trucking company’s insurer stood firm, refusing to offer more than $280,000 (a fraction of what the case was worth). After nearly a year of litigation and a court-ordered mediation, the insurance company refused to budge.
That’s when Dean Waite took the fight to court.
Taking the Case to Trial
When negotiations fail, Dean Waite doesn’t walk away. He prepares.
At trial, the team presented evidence proving the truck driver was going too fast for the weather conditions and never applied the brakes before impact. The force of the crash wasn’t just theoretical. It was captured in the physical damage, the medical records, and the expert testimony.
Through cross-examination and expert analysis, Dean Waite showed that the client’s surgeries were not simply the result of a prior injury. They were the direct consequence of the crash — a crash that never should have happened.
The jury agreed. After hearing all the evidence, they returned a $900,000 verdict in favor of the injured client, which was more than three times what the insurance company had offered.
Standing Up to Insurance Company Tactics
This case is a textbook example of how insurance companies try to protect their bottom line. Even when liability seems clear, they search for ways to discredit the victim, question their medical history, or minimize the impact of their injuries.
For the victim, it’s not just a legal fight; it’s a personal one. He had endured surgery, pain, and months of recovery, all while being told his suffering didn’t matter.
Dean Waite refused to let that stand. By backing medical evidence with trial strategy and persistence, he exposed how the trucking company’s negligence caused the crash and how their insurer tried to obscure the truth.
This wasn’t just a win in dollars. It was a reminder that in the justice system, preparation and persistence still matter.
Why Preexisting Injuries Don’t Eliminate Liability
Many injured drivers in Alabama worry that a prior condition will ruin their claim. But under the law, if an accident aggravates a preexisting injury, the at-fault party can still be held responsible for the harm caused.
Insurance companies often mislead victims into thinking otherwise. They rely on confusion, hoping people will accept a small settlement out of fear their medical history will be used against them.
As this case proved, that strategy doesn’t hold up when evidence tells the real story. With detailed medical documentation and expert testimony, an attorney can demonstrate how the crash directly worsened a client’s condition and secure compensation that reflects the full scope of their pain and recovery.
Skilled trial lawyers know how to separate what existed before from what was newly damaged. That distinction can mean the difference between being dismissed and being made whole again.
A $900K Verdict That Sends a Strong Message
The $900,000 jury verdict did more than help one man recover. It sent a message to trucking companies and insurers that reckless driving in dangerous conditions won’t be excused.
When an 18-wheeler barrels through fog without slowing down, the consequences can be catastrophic. That’s why Dean Waite fights for accountability — not just for his clients, but for every driver who shares Alabama’s highways.
This case also shines a light on a larger truth: the civil justice system works best when victims refuse to settle for less than they deserve. Even when faced with corporate lawyers, lowball offers, and delay tactics, the right evidence and representation can turn the tide.
The Dean Waite Difference
At Dean Waite & Associates, LLC, results like this come from one simple philosophy: do the work that others won’t. From investigating crash sites to working with medical experts, Dean and his team take a hands-on approach that gives clients the advantage when it matters most.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a commercial truck or 18-wheeler, don’t let an insurance company dictate what your case is worth. You deserve someone who will dig deep, fight hard, and make sure your voice is heard. Make the call that matters. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you.
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