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Arizona Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi-truck accidents are dangerous events that can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, particularly for occupants of passenger vehicles. The Arizona Advocates are here to help.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

While accidents involving semi-trucks may be less common than passenger vehicle accidents, they can be far more devastating. Commercial trucks are significantly larger than ordinary vehicles, and can cause much more damage.

Semi-truck accidents often result in serious injuries and vehicle damage. Bills and expenses can pile up quickly, especially if you are unable to work due to your injuries. You may be feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next. If a truck driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the trucking company and their insurance.

The Advocates are competent, caring truck accident lawyers who can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. The experienced attorneys at The Advocates know the tricks insurance providers use to get out of offering you fair compensation for your losses.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, The Advocates are here for you. We will be by your side every step of the way to help you get your needs taken care of and assist you in receiving fair compensation for your injuries.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have been helping victims navigate their truck accident cases, and we are ready to do the same for you. We are a capable, compassionate legal team who make it our mission to help our clients with all aspects of their recovery, not just negotiation and litigation.

In addition to providing legal representation, The Advocates are prepared to help you:

  • Access necessary medical treatment
  • Find body shops in your area for vehicle repairs
  • Get a rental car if needed
  • Communicate with your employer regarding your injuries
  • Keep track of expenses and paperwork related to your accident

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Arizona Truck Accident Statistics

Where do truck deaths occur?

  • I-10 through Tucson and Phoenix is one of the deadliest highways for truckers in the nation
  • Accidents in rural areas are more likely to be fatal than accidents in urban areas
  • Most crashes involving tractor-trailers occur between the hours of noon and 3:00 pm

Arizona state truck accident statistics  

  • More than 2,500 truck accidents happen in Arizona every year
  • Most truck accident victims are male, due largely in part to the lack of female truck drivers
  • Around 10% of truck accidents are fatal, compared to less than 1% of passenger vehicle accidents
  • Arizona has one of the country’s lowest rates of fatal truck accidents
  • Most crashes occur on dry roads

Common causes of truck accidents

  • Driver fatigue: Commercial vehicle drivers work long hours, often driving on long stretches of rural road. It is easy to become tired, and it is crucial that truckers take regular breaks to rest
  • Distracted driving: Any activity that causes motorists to take focus off of the road in front of them increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents
  • Impaired driving: A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a danger to everyone on the road
  • Mechanical failure: One of the most common causes of truck crashes is faulty equipment
  • Improper passing or turning: 18-wheelers have a much larger stopping distance than passenger cars. If a truck is cut off by a car, it may be difficult for the driver to avoid an accident

Common truck accident injuries 

Truck accident injuries can be severe, particularly for occupants of smaller vehicles. Some common types of truck accident injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Disfigurement
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising

Arizona Truck Laws

Diagram of a semi-truck

How large can a commercial truck be?

Legal trucking loads in Arizona are as follows:

  • Length: 65 feet
  • Width: 8 feet, 6 inches
  • Height: 14 feet
  • Weight: 80,000 lbs.

Heavy loads require a permit from ADOT, and still must fall under certain size regulations:

  • Length: 120 feet
  • Width: 14 feet
  • Height: 16 feet
  • Weight: 250,000 lbs.

Anything over these sizes require a Class C permit, and may require one or more escorts.

What condition does a truck need to be in to drive?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the driver of a tractor-trailer must make sure that his or her truck is in good working order at all times.

“Good working order” means the truck must have properly functioning:

  • Brakes
  • Tires, wheels, and rims
  • Headlights, tail lights, and turn signals
  • Reflectors
  • Windshield and wipers
  • Mirrors
  • Steering system
  • Gauges
  • Horn

If any one of these components is faulty, it could seriously endanger the trucker and other drivers on the road. Regular truck maintenance and inspection helps keep everyone safe.

Trucker doing a safety inspection on his tires
New Truck Driver shows his CDL after passing driving exam

What is required to obtain a CDL?

Truck drivers must be at least 18 years old to hold a Commercial Driver’s License and operate a commercial vehicle in Arizona. In order to drive the truck across state lines, carry hazardous materials, or transport passengers, the driver must be at least 21 years old.

To obtain an Arizona CDL, a potential truck driver must:

  • Prove residency within the state
  • Speak and read English
  • Pass a set of written exams

What is the speed limit for semi-trucks in Arizona?

Arizona law states that vehicles over 26,000 lbs. and those carrying trailers over 6,000 lbs. may not travel faster than 65 miles per hour on a highway.

Arizona speed limit for trucks is 65

How many hours can a truck driver work at one time?

Driver fatigue is a serious problem in the trucking industry. Many trucking companies pay their drivers by the mile, so truckers are incentivized to keep driving, even when they are tired. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration created the Hours of Service Rule, a federal regulation limiting how many hours a trucker may drive at once.

The Hours of Service Rule is as follows:

  • Truckers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
  • Drivers may only be on-duty, driving or not, for a maximum of 14 consecutive hours
  • Drivers are required to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
  • In adverse conditions, the 11-hour and 14-hour maximums may be increased by up to 2 hours

It is crucial that truckers adhere to the Hours of Service Rule, as well as taking any additional breaks as needed. A truck driver falling asleep at the wheel is a major hazard for everyone on the road.

How long do I have to file a claim?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, it is best to call an attorney sooner rather than later. All states have a statute of limitations on both criminal and civil matters. The statute of limitations refers to the length of time a plaintiff has to file a claim before they lose their right of action. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for auto accidents is typically two years. 

The longer you wait to begin your case, the harder it may be to receive damages. As time goes on, evidence may be lost or forgotten. An eyewitness may forget what they saw, or video footage from a nearby business may be erased. The more quickly you are able to compile evidence, get treated for your injuries, and speak with an attorney, the easier it will be to file a claim.

Attorney discusses accident case with client

When Should I Hire a Truck Injury Attorney?

If you were injured in a truck accident, you’re likely dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and seemingly never ending medical expenses. Attempting to navigate the claims process during your physical recovery may add unnecessary stress to your plate.

Insurance companies will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility in the accident. They will go to extreme measures to diminish your claim and avoid paying you what you deserve.

If you choose to attempt to negotiate your settlement on your own, you may end up settling for less than you deserve. A personal injury lawyer with The Advocates can help you understand the next steps in your case.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, The Advocates’ law firm is here for you every step of the way. You deserve a team who will fight for you. You deserve an Advocate.

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