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Trucks are an essential part of the American economy. Unfortunately, they can also cause serious harm or even death to other motorists. Large commercial trucks like tractor-trailers, big rigs, and 18-wheelers can weigh up to 20 times as much as a passenger car. This means that even the sturdiest of cars and light trucks will be decimated if stricken by a semi.
If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident, you need superior representation. Let Shapiro Law Team go up against truck companies—we’ll fight tooth and nail for your rightfully deserved compensation.
Semi-truck accidents rarely have minor consequences. Trucking company attorneys are quick to arrive on the scene alongside their insurance company and other corporate entities to prevent the injured party from recovering fair compensation.
Based in Phoenix, Shapiro Law Team represents those injured by large trucks. If you were injured in a trucking accident, seek medical care immediately and contact us as soon as possible so we can begin our investigation and build a case against the responsible entities.
At Shapiro Law Team, we handle your case from start to finish. Give yourself the best chance at securing maximum compensation by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer. Once you call us, Phoenix truck collision attorney David Shapiro will call accident reconstructionists, biomechanical engineers, truck design experts, and others to inspect the scene.
Along with examining the circumstances of the crash, we also consider the following:
If we find any evidence of negligent behavior on the part of the trucking company, truck driver, or another party, we can use it to build a claim for damages against the defendant on your behalf.
We hire trucking experts who will look at every aspect of the crash. Our experts document valuable evidence, assess the truck’s condition, and review maintenance history. We also look at the driver’s logbook to see if the trucking company was following the rules. We’ll also gather evidence and statements from eyewitnesses.
When involved in a serious truck accident, you may be hospitalized. If you suffered a serious brain, spinal, or orthopedic injury, you may need multiple surgeries, including long-term medical care and acute rehabilitation. Even after being discharged, you will likely need additional outpatient medical treatment like follow-up appointments, physical or occupational therapy, cognitive retraining with speech pathologists, and a host of other medical treatments. A truck accident victim could also become permanently disabled and may not be able to return to work.
These life-changing or fatal injuries mean you may be able to seek a large amount of damages to pay for lost wages, medical expenses, and even property damage. Consult with an attorney today to learn more.
Determining liability can be tricky, especially following a trucking accident. Involved parties typically include the trucking company, independent contractors, cargo companies, and maintenance crews.
A trucking company could be liable for your accident if the company or one of its employees caused your crash. Although most truck drivers are technically independent contractors, trucking companies are still vicariously liable for them under federal law. Here are a few examples:
A trucking company and its staff owe many responsibilities to the public. Any breach of federal law or public safety protocol could cause a truck accident in Arizona. If you’ve been involved in a crash, call Shapiro Law Team. Protect your right to compensation by using an attorney to negotiate your case.
The aftermath of a commercial truck accident in Phoenix can be chaotic and confusing. Following the right steps after a motor vehicle accident separates mediocre compensation from maximum compensation:
If you’re unsure of what steps to take to obtain compensation, call Shapiro Law Team. Our attorneys can walk you through what you need to do after a truck accident to have the best odds of securing financial recovery.
Compensation depends on the facts and circumstances of your case.
If you were at fault for the crash, chances are you’ll need to rely on your own health insurance to get compensation for your injuries.
If the careless or negligent actions of the truck driver or trucking company were responsible for the crash, you have options. In general, most truck accident claims are resolved through settlements with an insurance carrier.
If the truck driver or company is responsible, you’ll file a claim against the truck company’s insurance carrier. Keep in mind that commercial trucking companies are required to carry higher insurance limits than those who operate traditional vehicles on Arizona’s roadway.
Remember, their insurance carrier is not on your side. If the insurance carrier denies the claim or makes an inadequate settlement offer, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or trucking company in civil court.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident that was caused by the careless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, various types of compensation available for your injuries and other losses may be available. Typically, an Arizona truck accident victim can recover both economic and non-economic compensation if their insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit is successful.
Also referred to as “special damages,” this type of compensation includes an injury victim’s medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, property damage costs, and more.
Often referred to as “pain and suffering” losses, non-economic damages are harder to calculate. They can include loss of enjoyment of life, emotional and psychological damage, loss of consortium damages, and more.
These damages are not always awarded. Punitive damages are meant to act as a form of punishment against the negligent party in the case. When awarded, these damages send a signal to others that the type of actions displayed by the defendant are not acceptable in society as a whole.
Many states put limitations in place for personal injury settlements. Arizona’s Constitution specifically prohibits placing caps on personal injury claims.
Article 2, Section 31 of the Constitution states that “No law shall be enacted in this state limiting the amount of damages to be recovered for causing the death or injury of any person.”
Arizona operates under a pure comparative negligence system, which means that crash victims can receive compensation even if they are up to 99% at fault for a crash. That said, there are limitations in these cases. The total amount of compensation a person receives will be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
There are numerous causes of truck accidents in Arizona. An investigation often uncovers the main causes of these crashes revolve around driver errors, truck company negligence, or truck failure. Below are the top causes of truck accidents in Phoenix, Arizona:
Injuries caused by a large truck crash are often catastrophic. At Shapiro Law Team, we have experience helping Phoenix truck accident victims who have sustained the following:
Our Arizona truck accident lawyers also help clients who have sustained significant emotional and psychological trauma as a result of the accident and their injuries. These unseen injuries can have a long-lasting impact on the victim.
Lastly, our team is here to help families who have lost a loved one due to a truck accident. Our wrongful death attorneys are ready to offer your family assistance as we work to hold the truck driver and trucking company responsible.
Typically, large commercial trucks operate safely on Arizona’s roadways. That does not mean these accidents are rare. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, over 5% of accidents were caused by truck tractors (with and without semi-trailer attached) and other truck combinations.
You do not have to go up against a trucking corporation or its insurance provider alone. Attorney David Shapiro and his team can help you bring a claim against one or more responsible parties. With an experienced personal injury attorney by your side, you can achieve maximum compensation. You don’t pay unless we win.
Call for a free consultation at (480) 470-3123.