If you have been injured in a truck accident in Phoenix, contact attorney Jason Hutzler today at (602) 730-4530 or contact us about your case. We can help you recover compensation for your injuries or loss. We serve Phoenix and the surrounding areas and available to take your call 24/7.
If you were involved in a truck accident in Phoenix , contact Hutzler Law today! Our truck accident attorneys will take the time to understand you and how the accident has impacted your life. Let us help maximize your claim’s value. Call 602-730-4530 or fill out our short contact form online.
One of Phoenix’s Top-Rated Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents can be particularly devastating. It is very common for truck accidents to result in severe injuries, property damage and even fatalities.
You have a legal right to pursue compensation for your losses if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident. However, there is a limited window of time in which you can file a claim. That’s why it is crucial to take immediate action.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, our team of Phoenix truck accident attorneys is here to help.
Call our team at (602) 730-4530 today for your free consultation and let us help you get back on your feet.
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Why Hire Our Phoenix Truck Accident Attorneys at Hutzler Law?
At Hutzler Law, our Phoenix truck accident lawyers offer compassionate and skilled legal representation for injured trucking accident victims and families across Arizona. We know the large trucking companies that frequently travel across the state, and we are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with them or their legal teams in a fight for justice. Our law firm has the experience and resources that Phoenix injury victims need to win complex truck accident cases.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win Your Truck Accident Case
To better serve injured truck accident victims in Maricopa County, we work on a contingency basis. This means that injured truck accident victims do not pay us unless we can win your case for you! Our Phoenix personal injury attorney Jason Hutzler has recovered millions for injured accident victims across the state. Let us show why many injured truck crash survivors and their families choose Hutzler Law.
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Have you been injured in a truck accident in Phoenix?
Do You Need a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer? Give us a call at (602) 730-4530 or fill out a free case evaluation form online. You’ll speak directly with a licensed attorney at no cost to you. Let an experienced Phoenix truck accident attorney from Hutzler Law explore your legal options for compensation with you and give you more information about the truck accident claims process.
Need Legal Help? Let’s Talk.or, give us a ring at (602) 730-4530.
What Are the Common Causes of Phoenix Truck Accidents?
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, nearly 600,000 commercial trucks are registered in the state. More than 12,500 truck accidents occur on Arizona roadways yearly, resulting in more than 1,200 injuries and dozens of fatalities
One of the most common causes of accidents on Phoenix roadways is speeding, which refers to exceeding the posted speed limit and driving faster than the weather or traffic conditions allow.
Speeding is dangerous in any vehicle. In a commercial truck—which weighs 20-30 times more than other vehicles on the roadway—this risky driving behavior is even more dangerous. No vehicle can stop immediately when the driver perceives a hazard and reacts to it by braking.
Instead, braking takes time to stop a truck. The heavier the vehicle, the longer the distance to stop. Likewise, the faster the vehicle travels when the brakes are applied, the harder the brakes have to work to stop. Commercial trucks (also called semi-trucks or tractor-trailers) require up to 40 percent more distance to stop than smaller vehicles without the added distance needed for braking when traveling at highway speeds.
Another common cause of commercial vehicle accidents in Phoenix is truckers straying from their designated routes. Except for traveling a short distance from pick-up or drop-off locations around the city, commercial trucks must use designated truck routes to move through the city. These truck routes include most arterial streets except Central Avenue and First Avenue.
When trucks fail to use the designated routes, they face many hazards, including thick traffic congestion on narrow roadways, the potential for sharp turns that could result in rollovers, and the presence of vulnerable roadway users such as pedestrians or bicyclists.
Other common causes of truck accidents in Phoenix include:
- Distracted drivers. All drivers on Arizona roadways cannot use handheld devices such as cell phones to text when driving. A commercial truck driver is also under federal regulations that prohibit handheld devices. Unfortunately, many drivers text and drive anyway, exposing themselves and others to the hazards of an activity that is a manual, visual, and cognitive distraction.
- Driver fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)—the federal agency that regulates and oversees the commercial trucking industry in the U.S.—notes that fatigue refers to mental or physical exhaustion that impairs a driver’s performance. The causes of fatigue can include lack of adequate sleep, medical conditions such as sleep apnea, stressors at work or home, or a combination of multiple factors. Many truck drivers are expected to work long shifts and struggle to get adequate rest regularly. Approximately 13 percent of all commercial truck drivers in accidents reported exhaustion at the time of the crash.
- Alcohol or drug impairment. FMCSA regulations place the legal impairment limit of drivers with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) at .02 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood, which is far lower than the .08 impairment limit permitted for other adult drivers on Arizona roadways. CDL-holders must also undergo regular drug and alcohol testing to ensure they are qualified to drive. Despite these rules, some drivers drive under the influence or are unaware that their medication produces intoxicating effects.
- Blind spots. Phoenix drivers lose dozens of hours of productivity each year due to being caught in traffic congestion. Trucks travel through this congestion with significant blind spots on all four sides of their vehicle. A blind spot is where the driver cannot regularly see through their side-view mirrors. These blind spots are known as “no-zones” on commercial trucks. Federal traffic safety agencies consistently warn drivers to stay out of the no-zones by not lingering directly next to the truck, not tailgating, and not allowing a truck to tailgate them. This warning suggests that other motorists are responsible for protecting themselves from no-zone accidents when the truck drivers must ensure a sufficient traffic gap before changing lanes.
The Injuries That Result From Truck Accidents
Truck accidents produce the most serious injuries a person can incur, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, which are catastrophic due to the likelihood of permanent disabilities that prevent the sufferer from earning an income.
Other commonly occurring injuries from truck accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic amputations and crushed limbs
Filing a Phoenix Truck Accident Claim
Individuals injured in truck accidents can seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a personal injury law firm. Here is a brief look at the steps involved in the claims process.
Hiring a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck accident is a highly complex claim requiring quickly gathered evidence and experience in valuing a personal injury claim. A legal team with experience in commercial vehicle accident claims can provide a wealth of wisdom and guidance through the process and make proving the claim less difficult.
Investigating the Truck Accident
A truck accident attorney at our law firm will investigate how the accident occurred to determine all liable parties and the insurance policies available to compensate the claim. The legal team will gather evidence and documentation to prove liability and injuries.
Valuing Your Truck Accident Case
Your Phoenix truck accident lawyer will value your claim based on several factors, such as available insurance, the severity of your injury, the presence of permanent disabilities that will impact your ability to earn an income, and the expenses you incurred in treating your injury.
Filing Your Phoenix Truck Accident Claim
You first file your Phoenix truck accident claim as a demand with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The insurance company can either accept the claim, deny it, or make an offer to settle the claim out of court for less than its full value.
Negotiating a Settlement
Usually, an initial settlement offer for a truck accident claim is less than half of the claim’s value. Your attorney can negotiate to convince the insurer to increase their offer and can communicate counter-offers on your behalf. However, the decision as to whether to accept a settlement is yours alone.
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Phoenix
There is a deadline on the ability of a personal injury claimant to use the court system to seek compensation for their injuries, known as the statute of limitations. In Arizona, the statute of limitations is usually two years from the accident’s date. Failing to file a lawsuit by this date usually results in the inability to collect money even through the settlement process, as an insurance provider offers a settlement to avoid going to court.
Most personal injury claims—including truck accident claims— resolve by settlement before a trial begins. However, the experienced attorneys at Hutzler Law work to ensure that all the claims they handle are court ready, as it makes stronger cases, and there is no guarantee of a settlement for any claim.
If the insurance company refuses to pay a fair claim, our law firm can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent parties.
Collecting Your Compensation
After your claim, our Phoenix truck accident lawyers will help you obtain maximum compensation. Because we work on a contingent fee basis, we will now deduct fees for our services. Come to our office to learn more about our fees and payment structure, and meet with us for a FREE initial consultation. We can explore your legal options and discuss our payment structure in greater detail.
FAQ – Phoenix Truck Accidents
If the truck driver caused the accident, why can I hold the trucking company liable?
The trucking company is liable as the truck’s owner, and the company’s owner or manager must ensure that the drivers they hire are qualified to drive. Additionally, vicarious liability refers to a business’s liability for their employee’s actions during their employment. Many drivers do not work directly for a company but work as owners/operators.
You might seek compensation from other sources of liability instead of, or in addition to, the truck driver and the trucking company that employs them. Examples include the manufacturer of defective parts used on the truck or another vehicle involved in the accident, other drivers, or the entity or individual tasked with providing service on the truck.
How long do I have to file a Phoenix truck accident claim?
The statute of limitations for most cases is two years from the accident’s date. If you are filing a wrongful death truck accident claim, you have two years from your loved one’s death to file the claim as a lawsuit in court.
I can’t afford a Phoenix truck accident attorney. Can I seek compensation on my own?
Fortunately, the contingent fee billing method that personal injury lawyers use ensures that legal help is available for those who need it. Instead of requiring a retainer or billing the client hourly for the work, the attorney enters into a contingent fee agreement with the claimant allowing the claimant to pay for their attorney’s services through a percentage of the award.
Are there federal rules and regulations for truck drivers?
Trucking companies in Phoenix and across Arizona often put profit over security. The more time their truck driver spends on the road, the more money they make. This push for higher profits was one factor behind the formation and development of FMCSA. If a trucking company violated FMCSA rules and regulations, it should be held responsible for the injuries it caused.
The FMCSA has rules and regulations that limit a truck driver’s ability to drive impaired. In Arizona and across the country, truckers cannot have a BAC greater than 0.04. In addition, the FMCSA limits the number of hours truckers can work. Your truck accident lawyer will know those rules and regulations and can determine if the trucking company or truck driver violated those rules. Phoenix commercial truck accident attorneys represent injured accident victims who suffered from others’ negligence.
How do I find the best truck accident attorney for my case?
A truck accident victim can suffer life-changing injuries that result in permanent impairment. These individuals and their families need someone who can fight for their rights during this time. But how do you find the best truck accident lawyers in Phoenix for your case?
We know you have many choices after a serious truck accident. Injured truck accident victims in Phoenix can find an attorney by asking friends for a referral or visiting the Arizona Bar Association. However, we invite you to contact our law firm first for a free consultation. We want to show you why many injured car accident victims and families chose our law firm from the beginning. Let us handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery.
How do your lawyers fight for Phoenix truck accident victims?
Our attorneys are available to assist you after a truck accident. To do this best, we work closely with your doctor and medical team. Our lawyers want to know how your injuries affect your life and future. After all, no two cases are ever quite the same, and the compensation you seek should reflect the damages you suffered. Our experienced Phoenix trucking accident attorneys work tirelessly to quantify your losses and get you the money you deserve.
Speak to a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer Today
The trucking industry is one of the most federally regulated industries in the U.S. There are many types of evidence to gather when an accident occurs due to the driver’s carelessness or recklessness. The amount of evidence also makes truck accident claims particularly difficult without the assistance of an attorney.
Let an experienced Phoenix truck accident attorney from Hutzler Law explore your legal options for compensation with you and give you more information about the truck accident claims process. Contact us at (602) 730-4530 for your free case evaluation.
What our Phoenix Clients Say: “My work colleague referred me to Jason after my truck accident, and I was so glad I trusted him and his law firm with my case. We reached a favorable outcome, I got the compensation I deserved, thank you Jason.” – Daniel
Hutzler Law, PLLC – Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyers
4323 N 12th St, Suite 101,
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 730-4530