Arizona Truck Accident Attorneys
Like every other state in the continental US, large commercial trucks are regularly seen passing through Arizona on our interstates. Unfortunately, that also means that people in Arizona may be injured if they are involved in commercial truck accidents.
Arizona Trucking Laws
The Arizona Department of Public Safety1 enforces laws and regulations related to the commercial truck industry. First, any commercial motor vehicle traveling in Arizona must have obtained an identification number from the US Department of Transportation, which means that the owner and operators of the truck will be required to follow all rules set out by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Trucking laws regulate many aspects of the industry, including:
- Hours of service limitations
- Inspection and maintenance of trucks
- Impaired and distracted driving
- Visibility and conspicuity
In addition to federal regulations, all truck drivers are required to comply with all of the traffic laws set out by the state of Arizona.2 When trucking companies or drivers violate the law, the risk of truck crashes increases.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck crashes can happen in many ways and the severity of damage and injury caused often depends on the type of collision that occurred. Some examples of types of truck accidents include:
- Underride accidents – When a car runs into the back of a truck and actually becomes wedged underneath the trailer.
- Override accidents – When a truck rear-ends a smaller car and the front of the truck drives up onto the back of the car.
- Jackknife accidents – When the coupling between the trailer and tractor fails and the trailer swings out perpendicular to the roadway.
- Rollover accidents – When the trailer of the truck tips over onto its side, often causing a cargo spill.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur for a multitude of reasons and the following are some examples of common causes:
- Driver negligence
- Failure to inspect or maintain the truck
- Defective truck parts
- Negligent hiring of unqualified drivers
- Dangerous road conditions
If any of the above caused your truck accident, you should take certain steps to protect your legal rights and seek financial recovery.
Truck Accident Checklist
The scene following a truck accident can be chaotic, however, there are some things you should do to help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. First, if you are able to, you should wait for law enforcement and give them your account of what happened. If you need emergency medical care, you should listen to any medical personnel on the scene and allow them to transport you. Even if you do not need an ambulance, undergoing a thorough and timely medical examination is critical. Finally, as soon as you are able, you should discuss what happened with experienced Arizona truck accident lawyers.
Why Hire an Attorney After a Truck Accident
Many truck accident victims can receive compensation from trucking companies and their insurers. Your chances of success are often substantially increased with a lawyer who has extensive experience handling often complex truck accident cases.
1http://www.azdps.gov/services/Commercial_Vehicles/Regulations/
2http://www.azdot.gov/docs/default-source/mvd-forms-pubs/99-0117.pdf?sfvrsn=0
RELATED BLOG CATEGORY FEED
- 16
- May
Which Trucks Pose a Danger to Motorists?
-
By USTA -
0 Comments
We’ve all seen news stories about horrific truck accidents involving large semi-trucks, many of which were carrying cargo at the time of the crash. While dangerous, these are not the only types of trucks that can cause serious…
READ MOREGET A FREE CONSULTATION
CONTACT USSTEPS TO FINDING A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
1
TRUCK ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE
Truck accident cases can be substantially more complicated and can require significantly more resources than other types of motor vehicle accident or personal injury cases. You always want to make sure that any attorney you hire has successfully handled cases that specifically involve large commercial trucks and the trucking industry. Your attorney should have a thorough understanding of trucking industry standards, FMCSA regulations, and truck accident reconstruction methods. At USTA, we focus specifically on truck accident cases and you can rest assured that we have the experience needed to successfully handle your case.
GET STARTED2
LITIGATION STRATEGY
With their legal teams and insurance companies, trucking companies are known for fighting against liability whenever possible. They will often try to strong-arm injured individuals into accepting inadequate settlements by intimidating them with the idea of trial and the resources involved in litigation. Unfortunately, too many attorneys recommend settling cases too early in the process to avoid any further litigation. You need an attorney on your side who is not intimidated by trucking companies and who has the resources and willingness to take your case as far as necessary to obtain the full settlement or award you deserve. The attorneys at USTA will not back down and will do what is needed to fully protect your rights as a truck accident victim.
GET STARTED3
FREE CONSULTATION
n order to best know if an attorney is the right one for you, you should meet with them in person or schedule a phone consultation. A positive attorney-client relationship is critical in a successful truck accident case so you should always ensure that you get a good feeling from an attorney before you decide to hire them. You want to stay apprised of new developments in your case and ensure your attorney is not too busy to address your questions or concerns as they arise. At USTA, we provide personalized and committed representation and invite anyone who believes they may have a truck accident claim to call and schedule a free consultation today.
GET STARTED
All rights reserved 2017 © US Truck Accident Attorneys, LLC. | Disclaimer |