7 Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Personal Injury Case
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Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer
Representing Victims and Families of Those Involved in Trucking Accidents in Phoenix
Semi-truck accidents can be deadly. They can also cause permanent injuries that require a lifetime of medical and specialized care. The size and weight of a truck causes it to respond differently to road conditions and sudden changes in traffic. If you or someone you love is involved in a truck accident, you should schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix truck accident lawyer. Truck accidents can be complicated. Don’t take on the insurance company, the trucking company, or the truck driver alone. Talk with an experienced lawyer to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
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The Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The common causes of Phoenix truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Improperly loaded trailer
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Improperly loaded trailer
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries. Those include:
- Head and neck injuries ranging from whiplash to broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Serious burns and lacerations
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
If you’re involved in a truck accident, get medical care right away. The body releases endorphins that can result in you feeling as if you’re not injured. You may not even know that you’re hurt. Additionally, many internal injuries don’t have noticeable symptoms until they’ve become severe. You can call 911 if you believe you have a medical emergency such as a broken bone, brain injury, head injury, neck injury, or back injury. If you don’t think you have a medical emergency, make an appointment with your doctor or visit a minor emergency center. Minor injuries can get significantly worse without treatment. Failure to get medical care in a reasonable amount of time may cause the defendant to claim that you weren’t really hurt.
Why Are Phoenix Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
If a semi-truck has a fully loaded trailer attached, the vehicle can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. To put that into perspective for you, the average passenger vehicle weighs less than 5,000 pounds. If you’ve ever hit an unexpected traffic snag and needed to slam on your brakes, you know how difficult it can be to control your vehicle. It takes even longer for a semi-truck to stop.
An improperly loaded trailer can also cause an accident. Even if the truck driver is following all of the rules of the road, taking a turn or needing to suddenly stop can cause the load to shift. The shifting load may cause the trailer to turn in an unexpected direction. This can cause serious injuries to other drivers or even the truck driver.
The sheer weight of these vehicles makes them extremely dangerous. It’s important that truck drivers and passenger vehicle drivers pay attention to the conditions of the road and follow all posted traffic laws.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
A single truck accident can result in the naming of several defendants. Ultimately, naming the responsible party depends largely on the facts surrounding the accident. The most commonly named defendants are:
- The trucking company that owns the vehicle. If the truck was not properly maintained, that could cause a serious accident. If the trucking company pushed the driver to break federal and state laws related to the amount of hours they drive, that can cause driver fatigue. It can also cause the driver to take unreasonable risks in relation to speed and other driving actions that put everyone at risk.
- The truck driver. The truck driver could be responsible for the accident regardless of whether they own the truck, are contracted or employed by a trucking company. Driving at a speed unreasonable for road or traffic conditions, driving under the influence, and distracted driving are the most common reasons why a truck driver may be responsible for the accident.
- The parts manufacturer or maintenance company. There are times when a truck accident is caused because of a defective part. There are also times when trucking companies outsource the maintenance of their fleet. If the truck wasn’t properly maintained or if the maintenance company took shortcuts, the company that provided the repairs and maintenance may be liable for the accident.
Truck Accident Victims Aren’t Always Treated Fairly
Despite the serious injuries that truck accidents can cause, victims aren’t always treated fairly by insurance companies and trucking companies. Both insurance companies and trucking companies are for-profit businesses. They may not want to pay you enough to cover your medical expenses let alone give you money for damage to your vehicle, lost wages, on-going medical care, or pain and suffering. Many trucking companies have their own legal departments. Some are even self-insured.
Why Do I Need A Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer?
You need an experienced Phoenix truck accident lawyer to deal with the insurance company, trucking company, and truck driver. Signing a settlement agreement without first having it reviewed by a lawyer to ensure it’s in your best interest can strip away your legal right to sue or to get financial help with future medical expenses related to your injuries. A Phoenix truck accident lawyer looks out for your best interest and explains how the settlement agreement may affect you. If necessary, the lawyer may litigate on your behalf.