Anyone’s who’s traveled on the Pima Freeway, the Loop 202, or I-10 has likely witnessed or encountered multiple near misses involving commercial trucks. Given the volume of high-speed freight vehicles and overall traffic, such incidents can be heart stopping. However, when you or a loved one is involved in an accident with a commercial truck, the results are disproportionately disastrous.
According to the most recently reported state data, Arizona saw 3,245 truck accidents, of which 106 resulted in fatalities and 679 in serious injuries. As Arizona’s most populated area, the majority of truck crashes occurred in Maricopa County.
While your first responsibility is to secure a safe place and any necessary medical care, it’s also important to seek legal protection through a knowledgeable truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Key Takeaways:
- Commercial truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, complex insurance issues, and federal and state safety regulations.
- A truck accident lawyer secures critical, time-sensitive evidence before it’s destroyed or lost.
- An attorney evaluates full, long-term damages to secure maximum compensation for accident victims.
How Commercial Trucking Accidents Differ from Regular Car Crashes
Commercial truck accidents differ from car accidents mainly due to significant impact force, resulting in serious, often catastrophic injury and devastating damages. They require greater legal complexity, frequently involving multiple responsible parties and federal regulations.
Severe Injuries
Due to their massive size and weight, truck accidents usually result in severe injuries, some of which include:
- Traumatic brain and neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
Multiple Liable Parties
Any person or entity who was responsible for training, organizing, preparing, maintaining, or driving the truck could be liable for damages. The following is not an exhaustive list of those who may share liability.
- The trucking company that hired, trained, and scheduled the driver.
- The driver is expected to operate the vehicle responsibly and legally.
- Shippers and loaders could have improperly loaded or secured the cargo.
- Maintenance may be the responsibility of the company or a third party, but whomever provides the service may be held liable for mechanical failures.
- Manufacturers of any of the vehicle’s parts might have supplied a faulty product.
Federal Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets federal regulations that govern commercial vehicle driver qualifications, hours of service, and vehicle safety and maintenance.
Evidence of negligence exists if any of the regulations are violated. The driver or company may be solely responsible for the violation; however, they could share liability.
Why Victims Need Experienced Legal Representation
Due to the legal complexities, an experienced truck accident lawyer is an invaluable representative for victims involved in commercial truck collisions. They secure critical evidence and maximize compensation.
What Does a Truck Collision Attorney Do?
- Collects complex evidence
- Identifies liable parties
- Handles aggressive insurance companies
- Identifies and proves negligence
- Calculates the full value of damages Navigates the legal process
FAQs
Involvement in an accident can be overwhelming, particularly if it was with a commercial vehicle. As experienced Scottsdale truck accident attorneys, we’re here to assist you with questions and concerns surrounding the collision.
Do trucking companies have special insurance?
Yes, commercial trucking companies are required to carry special insurance, as mandated by the Arizona Department of Transportation and FMCSA. It requires high-limit liability coverage for specialized risks.
Is there a deadline to file a lawsuit?
Arizona’s statute of limitations to file a lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the accident. There are limited exceptions, which a truck accident attorney can explain.
Can I recover compensation even if I was partially responsible?
Arizona adheres to a pure comparative negligence system, meaning drivers who were partly responsible can still recover significantly for their injuries. Damages are apportioned by percentages of parties at fault.
Contact Kwasman Law To Learn More About Our Legal Services
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Scottsdale truck accident, securing legal help as soon as possible is critical to your recovery. Our experienced team at Kwasman Law provides in-depth knowledge and a successful history of managing serious injury claims.
Contact us at Kwasman Law in Scottsdale for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // New Africa
