Alabama Woman Wins $6.5 Million Settlement After DUI Truck Crash in Louisiana
How Dean Waite & Associates Fought for Justice Across State Lines
No one ever expects a work trip to end in a hospital bed. But that’s exactly what happened to one Alabama woman when a company truck veered into her lane and hit her head-on in Louisiana. The crash left her seriously injured, unable to work, and facing a long, painful recovery.
She turned to Dean Waite & Associates, LLC for help, and after a hard-fought legal battle, her case settled for $6.5 million.
This case shines a spotlight on the devastating impact of impaired driving by commercial drivers and shows how legal strategy, persistence, and deep knowledge of truck accident litigation can secure life-changing results for the injured.
A Head-On Collision Caused by a Drunk Company Driver
The crash happened in Louisiana while the client, a Mobile County resident, was wrapping up a work assignment. She had been on the job site for several weeks and was heading home when a company vehicle crossed the center line and struck her head-on. The driver of the company truck was later found to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the crash.
The collision caused catastrophic injuries. She sustained multiple broken bones and a traumatic injury to her heart. She was hospitalized for an extended period and couldn’t return to work for months after finally coming home to Alabama.
With mounting medical bills and uncertainty about her future, she needed more than just compensation. She needed a legal team that understood what was at stake, and how to win.
Why Truck Accident Cases Involving DUI Are So High-Stakes
When a commercial truck driver is under the influence, the legal implications are severe. Not only does it show gross negligence, but it also creates an opportunity to pursue punitive damages in many cases. These are intended to punish the defendant and serve as a deterrent to others in the industry.
However, even in cases of clear wrongdoing, trucking companies and their insurers rarely hand over fair compensation without a fight. They may deny liability, question the extent of injuries, or try to downplay the driver’s intoxication. That’s why it takes an attorney who knows how to investigate company policies, driver records, and toxicology reports to build a powerful case.
In this case, our team at Dean Waite & Associates, LLC uncovered evidence to prove the driver’s impairment and hold the company accountable.
Can You File a Lawsuit in Alabama for a Crash That Happened in Another State?
Yes, depending on the specific facts of the case and the location of the parties. In this instance, the victim was an Alabama resident working temporarily in Louisiana. So even though the crash occurred in another state, our firm was able to represent her interests, guide her through the legal process, and fight for justice while she recovered back home.
Cross-state truck accident cases add layers of complexity. Laws can differ when it comes to liability, insurance minimums, and damages. That’s why it’s critical to work with a law firm that understands how to handle jurisdictional issues and protect the rights of out-of-state plaintiffs.
Building a Case That Proves the Full Impact of a Serious Injury
After a crash involving multiple broken bones and cardiac trauma, the medical records only tell part of the story. To achieve a high-value settlement like this one, our firm had to thoroughly document every aspect of the victim’s losses.
That included:
- The cost of hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up care
- The time she missed from work
- How her injuries would affect her long-term health and income
- The emotional toll of the crash and the difficult recovery process
By compiling detailed records, working closely with medical experts, and keeping pressure on the defense, the legal team at Dean Waite & Associates, LLC positioned the case for maximum compensation.
The Importance of Taking Immediate Legal Action
In serious truck accident cases, the trucking company’s insurance team is usually working within hours of the crash. They send investigators to the scene, collect statements, and try to get ahead of any potential claims.
This is especially true in cases involving suspected impairment. They know the stakes are high, and they’ll do everything possible to shift blame or limit their liability.
If the victim waits too long to contact an attorney, key evidence could be lost. That includes:
- The driver’s logs
- Drug and alcohol test results
- GPS data
- Truck maintenance records
- Eyewitness accounts
Our team acted quickly to preserve evidence and establish a timeline of events that would stand up in court.
What a $6.5 Million Settlement Means for a Crash Survivor
The result in this case wasn’t just about the number. It was about giving the victim the resources to rebuild her life.
After months of recovery and lost income, the settlement allowed her to:
- Pay her medical bills
- Replace her lost wages
- Plan for future care needs
- Move forward with peace of mind
It also sent a clear message to the trucking company and others like it that there are consequences when safety is ignored and lives are shattered.
Why Victims Need an Attorney Who Focuses on Serious Injury Cases
Not all personal injury lawyers are equipped to take on trucking companies, especially in cases involving out-of-state crashes and impaired commercial drivers. Trucking cases are often more aggressive, better defended, and packed with technical evidence that must be handled correctly from the start.
Dean Waite and his dedicated legal team have been handling serious injury and wrongful death cases for more than two decades. He knows how to go toe-to-toe with insurance carriers and corporations that refuse to do the right thing.
The client in this case didn’t have to fight alone. She had a Mobile-based team with the experience, determination, and results to back her up.
Drunk Truck Drivers Are a Threat to Every Road User, and Companies Know It
The most frustrating part of this case isn’t just what happened. It’s that it keeps happening. Trucking companies across the country know the risks of putting impaired drivers behind the wheel, yet many still fail to take real action to prevent it. Whether it’s cutting corners on background checks, ignoring red flags in drug tests, or pressuring drivers to meet deadlines at any cost, the warning signs are often there.
When a company lets safety standards slip, the consequences are often tragic. Innocent people like our client end up in hospitals. Families are torn apart. And the corporations responsible usually try to sweep it all under the rug, just to save money.
This settlement didn’t just compensate a crash victim. It sent a message. If a company hires or keeps an impaired driver on the road, it will be held accountable. Not every case results in millions of dollars, but every case deserves the same level of determination and justice.
Get Help After a Catastrophic Truck Crash
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident, you deserve a law firm that won’t back down. Whether the crash happened in Alabama or while you were working out of state, Dean Waite & Associates, LLC is ready to investigate your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
The sooner you act, the better your chance of recovering critical evidence and holding the trucking company accountable. Contact Dean Waite & Associates, LLC today for a free consultation. It costs you nothing to find out if you have a case, and there’s no fee unless you win.
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