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Wrecks involving semi-trucks can change the lives of those involved in an instant. Due to the massive size and weight difference, occupants of passenger vehicles often bear the brunt of the collision and suffer serious injuries or are tragically killed.
If you or someone you love were involved in a wreck with a semi-truck in Arizona, first seek the medical help you need. Once you are receiving treatment, don’t battle it alone – it is important that you seek professional legal advice. These cases can be incredibly complicated from a legal perspective. The Phoenix truck accident attorneys at Hastings & Hastings are here to help. While you’re focusing on your recovery, an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Here at Hastings and Hastings, we are proud to offer the people of Arizona a free initial consultation with a licensed Phoenix personal injury attorney. Simply give us a call at (480) 706-1100 or fill out our online form and we will get back to you. You will never meet with a paralegal or salesperson at your free initial consultation – instead, you will speak directly with a licensed attorney, because only they can give you legal advice! Do not settle for anything less.
Being involved in a truck accident is an incredibly serious matter. In addition to dealing with your injuries, you may now have legal rights that should be protected in what amounts to a very complex legal situation. Truck accident claims aren’t as simple to navigate as other types of vehicle accidents.
Trucking companies are just that: companies. You are an individual. The trucking company involved has an entire legal team at their disposal. If you don’t have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side, one of two things will happen to your claim. You will either be denied outright or you will not be paid enough to even cover your bills, let alone getting paid what your claim is truly worth.
The insurance company representing the trucking company may talk you into signing a settlement agreement that isn’t fair to you. Their insurance company isn’t looking out for what is in your best interest. Honestly, the only “best interest” they have in mind is their own. They want to pay out as little as possible so that they can keep a healthy profit margin. Don’t sign anything without first talking to an attorney of your own. A truck accident attorney has the job of advising you about what is in your best interest. They can also deal with the insurance company on your behalf and help you get a fair payout for your accident.
Fault can be tricky to determine in these types of cases. There can be more than one defendant. Having an experienced Phoenix truck accident lawyer on your side can help ensure that all of the proper defendants are named.
The Hastings & Hastings team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured victims in Arizona, and we have a long history of fulfilling that commitment. With more than four decades of experience, we are well-equipped to handle complex truck accident cases. Our goal is always to maximize financial compensation for our clients and ensure justice is served.
We understand that being involved in an accident comes with physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress. From personalized attention from a licensed attorney to putting more money in your pocket when we win your case, we go above and beyond to assist you every step of the way.
At Hastings & Hastings, we believe that communication is key; our team works hard to keep you informed on all aspects of your case so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family. We never waiver on our commitment: We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve without asking for payment upfront – no matter what your financial situation may be.
We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars over the years for our clients. Because of our track record of success and satisfied clients, over half of the cases we handle come from referrals and repeat clients. We will stop at nothing to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact Hastings & Hastings to schedule a free consultation for your truck accident claim.
A Phoenix truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and the compensation you may be eligible for. They will review all pertinent evidence and do a comprehensive investigation. Here are some of the pieces of evidence that an attorney may look for, and why they are critical:
Logbooks: Logbooks are a vital source of information for truck accident cases. They contain data about the driver’s hours of service, rest periods, and other relevant details about the trucker’s shift. This information can be used to see if the driver was suffering from fatigue or violating federal regulations, helping to prove fault.
Black Box/Computer Data: The black box or computer data from the truck can provide vital data concerning the speed, braking, and other actions taken by the driver near the time of the accident. This data can be used to establish if the driver was acting negligently, helping to prove fault.
Documents Detailing the Load of the Truck: The load of the truck can be a crucial factor in many truck accidents. If it was not correctly secured or too heavy, it could have caused the truck to roll over or become unbalanced. Examining documents describing the load of the truck can help ascertain if the load was an element in the incident, helping to prove fault.
Details Regarding Previous Deliveries: Investigating data about earlier shipments can reveal if the driver went against federal regulations, such as driving for too many hours without a rest.
Tractor-Trailer Inspections: Inspections of tractor-trailers are an important resource in truck accident cases. They show the condition of the truck and can help establish if it was maintained correctly. If its mechanical fault is linked to inadequate maintenance, the company responsible for taking care of it may be held accountable for the accident.
Recreations of the Scene of the Accident: Recreating the site of the accident can assist in determining how it occurred and who might be responsible. This data can be utilized to rebuild the accident, which can help demonstrate liability.
Training Information: Reviewing the training details can help reveal if the driver was qualified to operate the truck. If not, the company that hired them could be held accountable for the accident.
Big rig drivers should always have their eyes on the road. But just like many other motorists, they get distracted by their phones, or they try to eat while on the go. These distractions can have deadly consequences for anyone that gets near them. Deaths caused by semi-truck accidents could be avoided if all truck drivers acted in a responsible manner. Unfortunately, some don’t, and this can lead to serious injuries or death.
Truck drivers often spend many hours on the road. They are required to rest, but sometimes they try to beat the system. Drowsy driving is one of the main causes of semi-truck accidents in the state of Arizona. If a drowsy driver has caused you to suffer injuries or lost wages, please contact our office.
While all truck drivers are supposed to have the proper training, some trucking companies fail to provide safety education. The shortage of truck drivers in this country has caused some companies to hire anyone they can find even if they don’t have the right training.
Trucking companies often push drivers to haul as much freight as possible. This often puts them over the legal weight limit. While the state patrol and other law enforcement agencies try to stop this practice, they can’t catch them all. Being over the weight limit can make it hard for truck drivers to stop. This can lead to rear-end accidents that are often deadly. If you have bee rear-ended by a semi, make sure to give us a call.
There are many injuries that can result from a truck accident in Phoenix simply because a semi-truck is so much larger than other vehicles. So, injuries are often devastating. Examples of common injuries include, but are not limited to:
Often, these injuries are catastrophic in nature. Even if they aren’t, they are often so severe, that you require a substantial amount of time for you to make a full recovery.
Fault can be a complicated matter in Phoenix truck accidents. There can be more than one defendant based on the circumstances of the case. So, if you’re involved in a truck accident in Phoenix or the surrounding areas, it’s imperative that you get a case evaluation from an experienced truck accident attorney. This is the only way that you’ll get a clear picture of who may be named as a defendant for your claim.
Here are some of the parties that could be liable in a truck accident and what needs to be done to prove liability:
The truck driver is often the first person who comes to mind when thinking about who is responsible for a truck accident. Truck drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles safely and following all traffic laws.
If a truck driver was driving under the influence, was distracted, fatigued, or otherwise operating their vehicle negligently, they may be liable for the accident. To prove liability, it is necessary to gather evidence such as the trucker’s driving history, the results of a blood or urine test screening for drugs and alcohol, or eyewitness testimony.
The trucking company may also be liable in certain instances. This is because they are responsible for making sure that their vehicles are adequately maintained and that the drivers they hire have the required qualifications to operate them safely.
Your lawyer can gather evidence such as maintenance records, driver training records, or other documentation to show why the company should be responsible.
In certain cases, the company that loaded and/or maintained the truck may also be held responsible for a truck accident. For example, if the load was not properly secured, resulting in an overturn, then the loading company may be liable. Similarly, if a mechanical failure occurred due to inadequate maintenance, then the company responsible for maintaining the truck could face repercussions.
In certain cases, another driver may be liable for a truck accident. For example, if another vehicle caused the truck to swerve or change lanes suddenly, causing the truck to crash into you.
In some cases, the manufacturer of faulty truck parts could be held liable for a truck accident. For example, if a defective tire is found to have caused the crash, the tire’s maker may be responsible.
Other potential defendants could include a government agency responsible for road repairs or a truck leasing company. There could be one defendant or multiple defendants. It’s vital to have a thorough review of the facts.
When a truck accident or other vehicle accident occurs in Phoenix, a legal concept known as comparative negligence is used. The fault and/or negligence of each party involved is based upon their respective contributions to the accident.
It is essential that you have the facts of your case reviewed by an experienced Phoenix truck accident attorney. Remember that insurance companies don’t want to pay out what they should. These cases can be complicated from a legal perspective. Because of this, there can be more than one defendant. So, the report that you have that says you’re holding fault, may not be as cut and dry as it seems.
As a victim of a truck accident in Phoenix, you may be eligible for financial compensation. This comes in two forms: economic and non-economic damages. Examples of economic damages include financial losses you experienced because of the accident, such as:
Medical Expenses: The cost of medical attention, including emergency care, hospitalization, therapy, and ongoing medical treatment, may be awarded.
Lost Wages: If you’ve been prevented from working due to your injuries, you could be eligible for lost earning compensation. This may include wages lost since the accident and future earnings, as well as commissions or bonuses you missed out on.
Property Damage: If any property was damaged in the accident – like your vehicle, cell phone, or laptop – you may receive reimbursement for repairs or replacement costs.
Non-economic damages include losses that can’t truly be quantified in terms of money, but the court uses money as a means to compensate you for the loss that is present. Examples include:
Pain and Suffering: In addition to economic losses, non-economic damages such as physical pain or emotional distress resulting from the incident might also be compensated.
Loss of Consortium: This refers to the loss of the companionship, love, and affection of a spouse or other family member as a result of the injury. This can include the loss of the ability to engage in sexual relations, the loss of emotional support and companionship, and other forms of relationship damage.
Sometimes, the court determines that the actions of the defendant(s) were so heinous that they must step in and make an example of them. By doing so, the court hopes to send a strong message to others to not repeat the behavior. The court does this by assessing punitive damages to them.
In most cases, there is a two-year deadline to file an Arizona truck accident case. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. It is best to file your claim as soon as you can. This is helpful so that you can be assured that no deadlines are missed and the facts are as clear as possible. This also helps preserve evidence.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a Phoenix truck accident, Hastings & Hastings is here to help. We have over 90 years of combined experience handling semi-truck accidents. We know how serious they can be. As an experienced Arizona accident law firm, we know how to get you every dollar you deserve if you’ve been injured by a semi-truck.
Hastings and Hastings has been serving Arizona for over 40 years, representing injured victims and battling the insurance companies to make sure you get all the compensation you deserve. At the end of your case, our discount fee puts more money in your pocket, allowing you to take care of what matters most: your health and your loved ones. If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident, don’t wait, call today at (480) 706-1100 or send us a message online to schedule your free case evaluation.