Although they are not the most frequent kind of motor vehicle collision that puts Arizonan drivers in danger, truck accidents undoubtedly result in significant property damage, injuries, and fatalities when they do. Around 12000 accidents involving 18-wheelers, semis, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles occur annually, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (AZ DOT).
Nearly 2700 truck accidents result in at least one injury, while approximately 85 of these instances result in fatalities. You may anticipate that the occupants of the passenger vehicle will take the majority of the collision, given the size and weight of a fully loaded truck. Arizona’s personal injury laws cover truck accidents, so you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Speak with qualified truck accident lawyers to know what you can do about the truck accident that happened to you.
Respect for the pertinent laws and adherence to all procedural procedures are essential to the success of your claim. The specifics can be handled by your truck accident lawyer, but bear these things in mind.
Traffic Accident Fault Laws
Arizona requires you to show that the truck driver was careless when operating the vehicle, just like many other US states that hold drivers “at fault” for collisions. As failure to exercise reasonable care is considered negligence, the following instances pertain to truck accident cases, such as running red lights, failing to yield, driving while intoxicated or inattentive, and speeding. Keep in mind that parties other than the driver, such as the employer, the business that loaded the trailer, the producer of truck parts, and several other parties, may also be at fault for truck accidents.
Federal Laws
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has enacted a number of laws that cover truck drivers, the equipment and systems, weight loads, and many other facets of operating an 18-wheeler. Any infraction of these rules could serve as compelling proof of the above-described negligence. Another FMCSA regulation that benefits victims is the need for operators to carry at least $750000 in insurance coverage to pay medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses.
Statute of Limitations
Arizona has imposed a deadline for filing cases related to truck accidents, so you have two years from the collision date to do so. If the statute of limitations runs out, you are permanently disqualified from pursuing compensation. Any settlement negotiations you have with the truck insurance carrier will not affect this deadline.
Comparative Negligence
While determining who was at fault in a truck accident is crucial, you should also be aware that your own negligence may have contributed to the accident. Therefore, your compensation will be lessened by the degree of blame placed on you if you were also negligent.
In Arizona, truck accidents are all too common. In reality, there were almost 2,000 accidents involving trucks in 2018. In these accidents, there was at least one fatality for every 58 and 536 incidents involving injuries. You might be curious about your legal options if you were hurt in a trucking accident in Arizona. Depending on the accident’s specifics, you can be entitled to compensatory damages from the parties at fault.