Who Could Be Liable for an Arizona Truck Accident?

Accidents involving large commercial trucks often result in severe injuries for those involved. This is understandable, especially considering that these vehicles can reach 80,000 pounds and lengths of 75 feet or more. Here, we want to discuss who can be held liable in the event of a commercial truck versus traditional vehicle collision occurs. These accidents have a variety of causes, and there are several parties that could be found at fault for the incident.

Liability for Truck Accidents in Arizona

Data available from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows us that there were thousands of accidents involving large commercial trucks across the state during the latest reporting year. Unfortunately, these incidents resulted in significant injuries and even fatalities.

But who can be held responsible in the event a semi-truck crash does occur?

The reality is that there could be various parties at fault for a semi-truck crash. Arizona is a “fault-based” state when it comes to vehicle accidents. This means that, in order for a person to recover compensation for their losses, they have to prove the fault of the other party involved. It could very well be possible for a driver in a traditional passenger vehicle to cause a semi-truck crash. However, these incidents could also be caused by the truck driver or the trucking company.

A truck driver could be held responsible for a crash for a variety of reasons. A driver can cause a crash if they:

• Failed to follow traffic laws
• Operated too fast for conditions 
• Operated while impaired alcohol drugs
• Failed to yield the right of way
• Operated while distracted by a phone or another device
• Purposely allowed the truck to be overloaded beyond capacity
• Did not follow the hours of service requirements

If it is determined that the actions of a truck driver caused a crash, it may ultimately be the case that their employer is held responsible for their actions. A trucking company could be held vicariously responsible for the actions of a truck driver so long as the crash occurred when the driver was carrying out job-related functions. However, if a truck driver is an independent owner-operator, liability may fall squarely on the driver’s shoulders.

Trucking companies can also be held directly responsible for a crash that occurs if it is determined that their actions caused the incident. There are a variety of ways that trucking companies can cause truck crashes, including if they:

• Failed to conduct regular inspections and maintenance on vehicles
• Did not follow proper hiring protocols or failed to check a driver’s background
• Encouraged the driver to operate beyond their allowable hours of service

Working With a Scottsdale Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or somebody you love has been injured as a result of the careless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company in Scottsdale, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. These claims can become incredibly complex, and it is crucial for those involved to secure the resources they need to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers and trucking companies. Shapiro Law Team, a Scottsdale truck accident lawyer will be able to handle every aspect of your claim. This will include conducting a complete investigation into the incident to determine liability, working with trusted economic and medical professionals to properly value the claim, and negotiating with the insurance carriers involved.