Before his accident, Michael Torres’s life was about movement — driving across Alabama managing logistics for a construction company. “I lived on highways,” he says. “They were my second home.”
That home turned hostile one foggy morning outside Montgomery, when a delivery truck sideswiped his vehicle. His car spun into the median, leaving him unconscious. “I woke up three days later,” he recalls. “My first thought wasn’t pain. It was: will I ever work again?”
Michael suffered multiple fractures and nerve damage in his left arm — injuries that forced him to pause his career. The trucking company denied responsibility, blaming the weather. “They acted like I was invisible,” he says. That changed when he hired a highway accident lawyer in Montgomery, Alabama who specialized in commercial vehicle crashes. “They explained that the company’s driver had ignored safety protocols, and weather wasn’t an excuse.”
Fighting Back Against Corporate Negligence
Michael’s attorney investigated the crash using GPS records, driver logs, and Department of Transportation reports. The findings were clear: the truck had been overloaded, and the driver lacked required rest hours. “It wasn’t bad luck — it was bad management,” Michael says.
His lawyer filed a claim not only against the driver but also against the company for negligent hiring and supervision. Under Alabama law, employers can be held liable if they knowingly allow unsafe drivers on the road. “That was a turning point,” he says. “It became about accountability.”
The legal process was long, but the support he received changed his perspective. “My lawyer treated me like a person, not a paycheck,” he says. “They called every week, explained every paper, and made sure I never felt lost.”
Through the lawsuit, Michael learned about different damage categories — economic (medical bills, lost wages), non-economic (pain, suffering), and punitive (to punish reckless conduct). “I had no idea the law was that detailed,” he admits. “I just wanted to be heard.”
Rebuilding a Life and Career
After two years of surgeries and therapy, Michael gradually returned to work, this time as a safety consultant. “I wanted to prevent others from what I went through,” he says. His case eventually settled for an amount that covered all medical costs, future treatment, and lost earning potential. But for Michael, money was secondary. “It was about dignity,” he says. “The trucking company finally admitted they were wrong.”
He now speaks at workplace safety events, encouraging businesses to prioritize driver rest and equipment checks. “A tired driver is a weapon,” he says bluntly. “My case was one of thousands every year.” His message resonates because it comes from lived experience — both as a victim and a survivor.
Michael’s Advice to Crash Survivors
He urges others never to underestimate their rights. “If you’re hurt in a highway crash, talk to an attorney immediately,” he advises. “Even a small mistake — signing a release too early — can destroy your claim.” He also stresses documentation: “Keep medical records, photos, and receipts. They’re your truth.”
Michael believes that hiring the right auto accident attorney in Alabama made recovery possible. “They didn’t just win a case,” he says. “They gave me back control.” His journey from victim to advocate reflects resilience and the human side of justice. “The law isn’t about revenge,” he says softly. “It’s about rebuilding.”
