Tucson Truck Accident Lawyer

Tucson Truck Accident Attorney

Large trucks are important to Arizona’s economy, and most Tucson drivers will encounter these vehicles on a regular basis as they drive through the area. Any large commercial truck is inherently dangerous due to its size, and when accidents involving these vehicles happen, they often cause far worse damage than what results from standard passenger vehicle accidents.

Truck accidents generate not only more extensive damages but also more complex legal issues for those involved. Depending on how your recent truck accident happened, more than one party could bear fault for your damages.

Experienced Legal Representation in Tucson for Truck Accident Claims

The attorneys at Bleaman Law Firm, PC, have helped many past clients navigate their truck accident claims and other vehicle accident cases with confidence, and we can put this experience to work for you.

Our firm is committed to client recovery, and we aim to secure as much compensation as possible as swiftly as possible on behalf of every client we represent. If you or a family member is struggling with injuries and financial losses related to a truck accident, our team can lead you through the legal proceedings necessary to secure fair compensation for your losses.

Proving Liability for a Truck Accident in Tucson

Arizona upholds the fault rule for resolving vehicle accidents. This means that before you can secure any compensation for damages suffered in a truck accident, you must prove the exact cause of the accident.

Truck accidents can happen for many of the same reasons that other vehicle accidents happen, such as distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations. However, the trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the country due to the unique risk factors that large trucks present to other motorists on the road.

If a trucking company fails to conduct an appropriate background check on a driver and the driver causes an accident, or if the company fails to enforce applicable industry regulations in any way that contributed to the accident, it is possible for both the at-fault driver and their employer to share fault for your damages.

Vicarious liability comes into play in any case in which an employer shares responsibility for the actions of their employee. Your Tucson truck accident attorney can assist you in determining whether this legal concept applies to your case and help you understand whether it may impact your case award.

Some of the risk factors unique to commercial trucks commonly cited in accident cases include:

• Unsafely loaded cargo: Any commercial truck responsible for carrying cargo must have all its cargo loaded, balanced, and secured correctly. Special types of cargo, such as smaller vehicles, construction equipment, and large items, require specific measures to keep them secure in transit. If improperly loaded cargo causes a collision, the party responsible for loading the vehicle may face liability for the resulting damages.
• Truck driver error: All commercial truck drivers are required to possess the skills and experience necessary for handling their vehicles safely. Truck driver negligence is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents, but if the driver’s employer never ensured appropriate training or otherwise contributed to causing the accident, they can share fault.
• Driver fatigue and driving under the influence (DUI): Truck drivers have demanding jobs, and some, unfortunately, push themselves too long without rest or use drugs and alcohol to cope. Fatigued driving is very dangerous, and the trucking industry is required to enforce hours of service rules to ensure drivers get adequate rest. Any truck driver who causes an accident because of DUI is not only likely to face criminal charges alongside their liability for damages inflicted on others, but they are also likely to lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• Faulty maintenance: Commercial trucks have larger and more complex internal mechanics than most passenger vehicles, and they also spend more time on the road than most other vehicles. This means they have greater maintenance demands, and any failure to correctly perform truck maintenance can easily result in a serious accident.

These are only a few examples of how truck accidents may happen, and it is not always clear who is at fault for this type of collision. If you experience a truck accident in Tucson, your health should be your primary concern, and you should wait for first responders to arrive if you sustained serious injuries in the collision.

If you are able to move around safely, try to take photos of the scene of the accident, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle. Report the accident to 911 if no one else has already done so. Once the police arrive, make their report, and allow you to leave, you should seek medical care even if you think you only sustained minor injuries.

Once you address your immediate medical concerns, you should then consult a Tucson truck accident attorney as soon as possible to determine your options for recovering your damages.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim for a Truck Accident in Tucson

Every driver is legally required to carry auto insurance that includes liability coverage. When a driver causes an accident and injures another motorist, the injured party can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy to seek recompense for their losses.

If a truck driver is responsible for the accident you recently experienced, their employer is likely to have a more robust insurance policy than the average driver. However, this does not mean it can fully cover your losses, or that their insurance carrier will handle your claim appropriately and in good faith.

Once you have ascertained fault for your accident, you can get on with a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. Having a Tucson truck accident attorney assist you with this can significantly increase your chances of securing as much compensation as possible for your damages in the shortest amount of time.

You will also be better prepared to address any disputes that arise between you and the insurance carrier when you have experienced legal counsel advising you.

Compensation You Can Claim in a Personal Injury Action

A successful insurance claim may cover some or all your vehicle repairs and medical expenses for treatment of your injuries. However, if you have any outstanding losses that the at-fault driver’s insurance cannot compensate, you may need to file a personal injury suit to recover the rest.

The purpose of a personal injury claim is for the victim to obtain the compensation they need to become as whole as possible again after a serious injury.

Under Arizona law, the plaintiff in a personal injury suit can claim compensation for:

• The cost of all medical care they need due to the accident. If another party physically injures you, you may hold them accountable for all the medical expenses you incur for the treatment of your injuries. This includes immediate treatment costs following the accident and the cost of any ongoing rehabilitative care you require to achieve maximum improvement from your injuries.
• Property losses. An auto insurance claim may cover your vehicle repair costs, but if your property losses exceed what is available from the at-fault driver’s insurance, the remainder can be included in your personal injury suit as economic damages.
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity. Truck accidents have a high chance of causing severe injuries, some of which will require extensive medical treatment and recovery time. If this applies to your situation and you cannot work for any extended period due to the defendant’s actions, you can seek recompense for the income you could not earn during your recovery. If you were permanently disabled by your accident, the defendant is also liable for the income you can no longer earn in the future.
• Pain and suffering. Arizona law doesn’t limit how much a plaintiff may seek for their pain and suffering. Your Tucson truck accident attorney can help determine a suitable figure based on the severity of your injuries, the scope of any long-term or permanent effects you will suffer from the incident, and the overall impact of the accident on your quality of life.

After finalizing your insurance claim for as much compensation as possible, your Tucson truck accident attorney can be an invaluable asset for maximizing the case award you secure from a successful personal injury suit.

The team at Bleaman Law Firm, PC, has years of professional experience handling the most challenging vehicle accident claims on behalf of Tucson area clients. We know the devastating effects of these accidents and the many legal questions you and your family are likely to have concerning your recovery. Our firm can provide the compassionate and responsive legal support you need in this difficult time.

You have a limited window in which to file a personal injury claim in Arizona and an even shorter time to file an insurance claim after an accident. As soon as you have resolved your immediate medical concerns following an accident, the next step in your recovery is to contact an attorney you can trust to support you through the legal proceedings ahead.

Contact Bleaman Law Firm, PC, today to schedule your consultation with our team and learn how we can empower your recovery efforts.