Truck accidents can result in severe injuries and death. These are also large, heavy vehicles that can cause serious injuries or damage in an accident. If you have suffered injuries from a truck accident in Phoenix, you need to know your rights and whether or not you are qualified to seek damages.
One of the most effective steps you can take is to hire a Phoenix truck accident lawyer. A lawyer who has regular experience in nothing but truck accident cases will represent truck accident cases including semi-trucks, delivery trucks, and tractor-trailers specifically.
They also know how to navigate complicated cases. Now, let us look at the reasons for hiring a Phoenix truck accident attorney to assist you in such cases after a crash, which will be discussed below.
Understanding Truck Accidents
Truck accidents do not involve cars. In addition, trucks are far larger and heavier than normal cars, with a fully loaded 18-wheeler weighing in at up to 80,000 pounds.
It increases the danger of collisions. This type of injury can cause victims to have broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries.
Many truck accidents have more than one responsible party, including the truck driver, driver employer, cargo loaders, and manufacturer.
Figuring out who to blame is tricky. A Phoenix truck accident attorney will tell you who is responsible for taking responsibility for the damages.
Most Common Reasons for Truck Crashes
There are plenty of reasons why truck accidents may occur.
Here are a few of the most familiar reasons:
Driver Fatigue
Most of truck drivers work for long hours and drive without enough sleep. This can mean that their reaction time and judgment is impaired through fatigue.
Distracted Driving
Distractions such as using a phone, eating or changing the radio can cause a truck driver to be involved in an accident.
Speeding
Trucks take longer to stop than cars. This offers us important information that even if we are the best drivers in the world, still when we are driving a truck and speeding it causes hazardous collisions.
Poor Maintenance
Brake failure, bald tires, or other mechanical defects can cause a failure of operation and crash.
Improper Cargo Loading
A truck overloaded for its capacity, or with semi-trailers that are not secured correctly can throw a truck off balance and cause it to roll over.
Your Phoenix truck accident lawyer can look into the accident to find out exactly what caused it.
Why do you need to have an attorney in a truck accident?
Somebody may feel that he/she is at their wit’s end after experiencing a truck accident. The medical bills, lost wages and mental strain can weigh down on you.
A Phoenix truck accident attorney helps you navigate through this difficult process. This is why you need to hire a lawyer:
To Protect Your Rights
Most insurance companies seek to pay as little as possible. They might try lowballing you with a settlement offer. Having a lawyer also ensures that your rights are protected and that you have someone fighting to receive fair compensation for your injury.
To Determine Liability
As previously noted, there are multiple parties involved in a truck crash. An attorney will do the investigation needed to determine who is at fault. They may look into:
- The truck driver’s actions
- Policies of the trucking company
- Records of maintenance done on the vehicle
- The cargo-loading process
It ensures a thorough investigation so that all negligent parties are held accountable.
To Manage Complex Rules and Regulations
Given that truck accidents are regulated by federal and state law, one set of regulations that may apply in a truck accident case is those that govern the trucking industry.
Take, for example, regulations governing how long truck drivers may work without rest, which are promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Things like these are known by a Phoenix truck accident lawyer and they help you out by making the best use of these pieces of information and providing you with a valid case against the law.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Seek Medical Attention
Your health should come first right. Go to the doctor even if you feel good, because hidden injuries can often appear.
Call the Police
Notify the police of the accident and obtain a copy of the police report. This report can come in handy later as evidence.
Gather Information
Get the name, contact info and insurance information of everyone involved. In addition, the truck’s registration number and the company name of the truck should also be noted.
Don’t Talk to the Insurance Companies
Do Not Talk to the Trucking Company Insurance Adjuster Before You Talk to an Attorney Your statements might not be used at your benefit.
Get In Touch With A Phoenix Truck Accident Attorney
Contact a well-versed attorney as soon as you can. They can get going on your case as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Truck accidents can change lives. One of the best things you can do if you were involved in a crash is to get a Phoenix truck accident lawyer. They will fight for your rights, navigate the legal minefields, and help you get what you are owed.
Never suffer the consequences of a truck collision on your own. For the sake of your health and well-being, contact a Phoenix truck accident lawyer you trust, now.
