Commercial semi-trucks are significantly bigger than everyday cars because they have to have the durability to haul cargo across the country. This type of commercial vehicle is built for heavy-duty tasks. Unfortunately, this massive difference in size means that a smaller car will take the brunt of the damage if there is a collision between the two, which could result in catastrophic injuries.
A Phoenix truck accident lawyer could help truck accident victims seek fair compensation and legal representation, offering strong advocacy from insurance companies and other liable parties if you have been injured with truck accident injuries in commercial vehicle accidents with a tractor-trailer. The compassionate injury attorneys at Elmm Law Group, with their dedicated legal team, could help guide you through the process of pursuing a personal injury claim to recover from this traumatic experience.
Because of an 18-wheeler’s enormous size and weight, truck drivers must have a higher level of skill to operate their vehicles safely. One of the most common causes of trucking accidents is driver error, which could take several forms, including distracted driving and driver fatigue. Federal regulations prohibit commercial truck drivers from using their cell phones while driving and place hours of service limits on how long they can be behind the wheel. Yet, sadly, some truck drivers choose to participate in these dangerous behaviors anyway.
Semi-trucks also present unique dangers because of their cargo. The driver and crew are responsible for ensuring that all goods on the vehicle are secure and loaded correctly to avoid causing a pile-up on the roadway. When they fail to do so, devastating collisions can occur.
Hauling this heavy cargo over long distances for hours a day also causes significant wear and tear on a tractor-trailer. This is why regular vehicle maintenance is required to ensure that all its components are in proper working condition. The driver and the company, or even the truck manufacturer, must replace or fix any part of the truck that could fail and cause a crash while in motion.
When two cars collide, the cause of the vehicle accident and any resulting property damage can usually be attributed to the negligence or carelessness of one or both drivers. However, there could be several different causes of a truck accident, and some may not involve the trucker. Regardless of the cause, being hit by a big rig could result in serious injuries. A Phoenix truck accident attorney could help you pursue a claim for financial compensation, including lost wages, against the responsible party.
Responsibility for an 18-wheeler collision greatly depends on the facts leading up to the accident. The driver could be held responsible if they were distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, or otherwise failed to drive safely. For example, a truck has more blind spots than a smaller car, so the driver must constantly check them to ensure no other cars occupy those spaces.
If the accident was due to poorly secured cargo, responsibility could fall on the driver or the crew that loaded the truck. Finally, the company is responsible for maintaining and repairing its fleet of vehicles, so it could be held liable if a wreck was caused by faulty or incomplete maintenance.
Determining who was at fault for a tractor-trailer crash requires careful examination of the facts, often involving accident reconstruction, data from a black box, an analysis of the accident scene, and road conditions. A lawyer with extensive knowledge of truck accidents in Phoenix, and a history of favorable verdicts, could review your truck accident case and help determine the most appropriate party or parties to file a claim against.
It is important to remember that Arizona, guided by regulations from the Arizona Department of Transportation, has a statute of limitations on when a personal injury lawsuit or a truck accident lawsuit can be filed, whether you are filing against the driver or the transportation company. For injuries from a truck collision, your claim must be filed within two years after the date that the accident occurred.
Recovering maximum compensation becomes difficult if your suit is not filed within this two-year window. That is why you should get in touch with a seasoned truck accident attorney in Phoenix as soon as possible after suffering injuries in a semi-truck crash.
Getting hit by a large truck can be a terrifying experience and could result in severe injuries, including significant pain and suffering, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even fatalities, to you, your passengers, or a loved one. If you have been hurt, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the truck driver or the trucking company.
A dedicated Phoenix truck accident lawyer could help you pursue the financial recovery you need for medical bills, medical expenses, and other expenses so that you can focus on your healing. Call Elmm Law Group to schedule a free initial consultation today.
In Arizona, you have a strict time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. For injuries sustained in a truck collision, you generally must file your claim within two years from the date the crash occurred.
If you miss this two-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover any compensation. We encourage you to reach out to our team as soon as possible. Acting quickly allows us to preserve important evidence, interview witnesses, and build the strongest possible case for you.
Every truck accident case is unique, so there is no single standard settlement amount. The compensation you can recover depends entirely on the specific details of your collision and how your injuries impact your daily life.
When we evaluate your case, we look at several factors to make sure you receive fair compensation. You can often recover money for:
Our priority is to help you recover the maximum amount possible. We want you to rebuild your life comfortably and without financial stress.
Your health and safety are your top priorities after a collision. If you are involved in a wreck with a commercial truck, take these simple steps to protect yourself and your future claim:
Given our firm specializes in and exclusively handles personal injury cases, we’re able to provide one-on-one Client-Attorney contact to ensure our clients feel heard. Also, we don’t get paid unless you do! Our team can provide multilingual services in English, Spanish, and Serbo-Croatian.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, motorcycle wreck, pedestrian accident, trucking collision, or from a dog bite, call our Phoenix personal injury lawyer today for a FREE consultation. We’re available 24/7!
Take your first step towards speaking with our office by contacting us for a FREE consultation today. Call us at (480) 329-5084 or complete the form below. We look forward to evaluating your case!