Truck Accidents Lawyer in Scottsdale

The trucking industry plays a vital role in transporting essential goods across the country, but driving a big rig is demanding and requires a lot of skill and long hours behind the wheel. Unfortunately, commercial trucks are still involved in many injuries and fatal crashes in Arizona yearly. There were over 13,000 accidents involving a commercial truck in Arizona in 2021, resulting in as many as 1014 fatalities and many more injuries. So, what happens if you are hurt in a commercial truck accident? Our Scottsdale personal injury law firm explains how truck accident claims work in Arizona and what you should do to recover fair compensation for your damages.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Arizona?

Truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including environmental factors (e.g., bad weather, slippery pavement, low visibility), mechanical or equipment failure (including engine, brake, and defective parts issues), cargo problems (unsecured or improperly loaded cargo), and driver error. Mistakes or negligent behavior can lead many truck drivers to create a dangerous situation and cause a serious accident.

Federal laws require drivers of commercial vehicles to take breaks after driving for a certain number of hours to avoid fatigue, but some drivers skip their breaks or ingest stimulants and energy drinks to stay awake. This is dangerous as the driver can feel fatigued and fall asleep once the effect of the stimulant wears off. Besides falling asleep at the wheel, fatigued drivers may also end up misjudging the speed and distance of other vehicles.

Other behaviors such as speeding, making unsafe lane changes, following other vehicles too closely, or driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol are common causes of accidents. It is also worth mentioning that drivers of smaller vehicles also cause many accidents. A smaller vehicle can be rear-ended by a truck if it cuts in front of the truck without leaving the truck driver enough braking distance or can be caught under the trailer if it tries to pass a truck while it is making a wide right turn, for example.

How Is Fault Determined in a Scottsdale Truck Accident?

In a truck accident, determining who may be at fault can be a complex task because, in many instances, there is more than one responsible party for the truck crash. For example, suppose you were involved in a jackknife accident with a semi-truck speeding down the highway at a significant grade. There is some fog and low visibility, but the truck driver is in a hurry and driving aggressively. In the meantime, a passenger vehicle veers off to the right and cuts in front of the truck without noticing it. The truck driver slams on the brakes to avoid a collision, but that causes the cargo to move and the trailer to swing to the left, hitting your vehicle and jackknifing the truck. Your car is totaled, and you end up with multiple injuries and broken bones.

In this scenario, there may be several at-fault parties. First, the truck driver may be partially at fault for speeding and failing to observe basic safety rules for driving downhill in low visibility conditions. The trucking company may also be at fault for encouraging this driver to engage in aggressive driving by pressuring them to deliver cargo on a tight schedule without the required rest breaks. The logistics company that failed to secure the cargo and load it properly may also have contributed to the trailer swinging out of control. Finally, the driver of the other passenger vehicle who triggered the chain of events for driving distracted may also be partially responsible.

If our example were true, you would likely find yourself filing multiple insurance claims against the truck driver, the trucking company, the logistics company, and the distracted driver of the other passenger vehicle. Having to file more than one insurance claim can make your case extraordinarily complicated and require the help of a Scottsdale truck accident lawyer.

Is It True That Truck Accident Cases Are Significantly Harder to Win Than Car Accidents?

As illustrated by the example above, truck accidents can be significantly more complicated than car accidents because there is usually more than one at-fault party, and several factors contribute to the crash. Whether it was a driver error, improperly loaded cargo, a mechanical defect, or the actions of another driver, a truck crash needs to be rigorously investigated in order to assign liability and allow truck accident victims to seek compensation.

In addition, trucks are large and heavy vehicles – a loaded semi-truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. That often results in catastrophic or fatal injuries and destruction to other vehicles, which drives the value of the claim significantly higher than a car accident claim. A lot has been lost, and thus, there is a lot more at stake. To make matters more complicated, it is still the truck accident victim’s job to prove that the others were at fault for the accident. Truck accidents may be more complex, but with the right legal representation, you can increase your chances of winning your case regardless of how complicated it may be.

Why Should I Hire a Scottsdale Truck Accident Attorney for My Case?

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you should be able to focus on healing and getting back on your feet. By hiring a seasoned truck accident attorney, you can rest assured your case will be in the hands of a professional who can take over important tasks such as investigating the accident and negotiating with the insurance company. Trucking companies often have a team of lawyers ready to fight back against any accident claims – and you should do the same and reach out to the Wilson Ortiz Law Firm for the solid legal help you need to win your case. Call 623-294-1442 to learn more about how we can help you.