Getting hit by a large commercial truck can result in severe injuries and monetary losses. The sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler can destroy your vehicle and cause catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a semi-truck accident, you’ll need to take legal action to replenish your losses and recuperate from your injuries.
A Surprise personal injury lawyer from Zanes Law can assist you with every step in the claim filing process and, if necessary, take your case to court. Our Surprise truck accident lawyers will investigate your accident, determine fault, and fight for the damages you’re entitled to.
How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help Your Case
Many people wonder if it is necessary to work with a law firm. It can be tempting to just accept a settlement and move on. However, it is worth the effort to fight for the maximum compensation possible because of the costs and severity of injuries sustained in 18-wheeler accidents.
An experienced truck accident lawyer in Surprise can negotiate aggressively with insurance adjusters and defend your rights when large trucking firms don’t want to pay their fair share. Your attorney will conduct a detailed investigation to determine who should be held responsible for the crash.
It may be challenging to prove the other party was at fault, however, a lawyer will have the resources and experience to know what evidence is necessary and how to use it to bolster your claim
Evidence Is Critical to Prove Negligence in a Trucking Accident Claim
Personal injury claims are only as good as the evidence you provide. The evidence will show the insurance company that you mean business and could win if you were to take your case to court. Our truck accident attorneys in Surprise gather evidence and investigate extensively to build your case.
Our firm has the resources to collect the following pieces of information to build a strong claim:
- Eyewitness statements
- The truck’s maintenance records
- The truck’s “black box” event recorder data (EDR)
- Photos from the accident scene
- Traffic camera footage, surveillance video, dashboard camera recordings
- The truck company’s training and hiring records
- The inspection records of the truck
- The official police report
- Your medical records
- Toxicology reports
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Surprise, call 866-499-8989
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Injuries?
Depending on the evidence recovered, an experienced attorney will determine who could be held liable for your injuries. It is important to pursue all sources of liability to ensure you collect the maximum amount of compensatory damages possible.
In a commercial truck accident, the following parties may be held solely responsible or could share liability for your crash:
Semi-Truck Drivers
Truck driver negligence is often a factor. If police reports and witness testimonies show that the driver was intoxicated, distracted, or behaving recklessly leading up to the collision, they may be held liable for your injuries and accident-related losses.
The Trucking Company
If the trucking company’s records show that the driver was hired without a valid CDL endorsement or wasn’t trained properly, it may be held responsible for the crash. The trucking company may also be at-fault if higher-ups pressured the driver to work excessively long hours without a break.
Your Surprise truck accident attorney can gather this documentation and will understand how to review the records to find out if these instances of negligence occurred.
The City, County, Municipal, or Government Agency Responsible for the Roads
A.R.S § 12-821.01 allows you to hold the local government liable for an accident caused by a pothole, incorrect road sign, or any other issue that the municipality could have fixed. There may also be evidence of a traffic light not working properly, a poorly designed intersection, or some other road hazard that caused your crash.
A personal injury attorney in Surprise will be familiar with local and municipal laws that may pertain to your case and can investigate to determine if any of these problems could be elements that contributed to your collision.
A Cargo Loading Company
When cargo is loaded into a truck improperly, it can cause a balance issue that may result in an accident. If you were injured in a collision caused by a poorly loaded vehicle, an auto accident lawyer can take action against the cargo-loading company.
Manufacturers of Trucks or Components
Sometimes the truck malfunctions because of a defective part. Tires can blow out or steering mechanisms can fail despite proper maintenance and installation. If evidence of a defect in a truck component can be found, a commercial semi-truck accident lawyer can help you pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Surprise Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989
Don’t Speak to Insurers Without a Truck Accident Lawyer in Surprise, AZ
It’s common for insurance companies to call truck accident victims and offer a settlement before they’ve had the chance to hire an attorney. If you receive a call or letter from an insurer after a collision, don’t speak to them unless your lawyer is present.
Insurance companies are often hesitant to accept liability and offer fair compensation. Initial settlement offers are often too low to cover all the bills, pain, and psychological effects caused by the crash. Or, they may dispute the severity of your injuries or try to blame you for the accident.
They may take your statements and use them against you. To best protect your claim, let your truck accident attorney in Surprise handle all communications with the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
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How Much You’ll Receive from a Truck Accident Settlement
While we can’t say for how much financial compensation you’ll receive from your truck accident case, we can educate you on the damages often available to auto accident victims. Depending on the injuries and losses you’ve suffered due to the collision, you may receive the following damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are payments that can compensate for specific financial losses that you’ve taken on due to the accident. They can cover the cost of your current and future medical care, assistive devices, and rehabilitative therapy. They can also make up for lost wages, decreased earning ability, and the replacement or repair of your car.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can compensate for losses that are more subjective and psychological in nature. You might receive these damages for the mental anguish, diminished quality of life, or physical pain caused by your injuries. Your attorney will work with you to calculate how much you’re owed for each non-economic loss you’ve endured.
Punitive Damages
If the truck driver who caused your collision was intoxicated or demonstrated gross negligence when the crash occurred, you may also be awarded punitive damages. These damages are used to punish the at-fault party for their extreme recklessness and deter others from behaving similarly.
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Filing Deadline for Truck Accident Lawsuits in Arizona
A.R.S. § 12-542 states that all truck accident victims have two years from the date of their collision to file a lawsuit. If your attorney needs to take your case to court to get the compensation you’re owed, they’ll need to file a civil suit within the state-imposed timeframe.
Failure to file before the two-year deadline will most likely prevent you from receiving the damages you need to recover from your injuries and recuperate your financial losses. To give your lawyer enough time to investigate your crash, identify the guilty party, and file a lawsuit, contact a personal injury firm as soon as possible.
A truck accident lawyer in Surprise, AZ, can review your claim and help you identify your options. If you’re still eligible to file a lawsuit, our team will work diligently to get you the jury award you deserve.
Contact a Surprise, AZ Truck Accident Law Firm to Get Started on Your Claim
To get the legal representation you need to make the most of your claim, contact a lawyer from Zanes Law.
Our Surprise truck accident attorneys have delivered favorable case results for thousands of clients and may be able to help you maximize the compensation you recover. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
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