Tucson Truck Accident Lawyer

Trucking carriers must carry minimum liability amounts that are extremely high, and their insurance companies often fight claims quite aggressively because of the amounts that are involved.

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which may make it much more difficult for them to brake in time to avoid accidents.[1] When they collide with passenger vehicles, substantial physical forces are released because of their sheer sizes and weights.

Truck accident statistics

In 2016, the Arizona Department of Transportation states that 11,991 commercial truck and bus crashes occurred, representing 4.85 percent of the total number of accidents. One hundred and two of these collisions were fatal and 2,880 resulted in injuries.[2] According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is responsible for regulating trucks at the federal level, 4,311 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2015, which was an increase of 8 percent over the number of fatal crashes in 2014. There were 87,000 injury accidents involving commercial trucks and buses in 2015 across the country.[3] Many of these accidents result from the negligence of the drivers and the companies for whom they work.

Experience that Counts

In your search for legal support, you’re not merely looking for an experienced lawyer. You deserve a legal team with deep-rooted expertise specifically in large truck accidents. Our Arizona team and our co-counsel firms are intimately familiar with the life-altering ramifications that stem from such incidents, and we’re prepared to battle for the financial restitution you’re entitled to. The pursuit of your claim can materialize in four ways:

• Trial verdict
• Arbitration
• Settlement
• Mediation

The pathway best suited for you will hinge on the intricacies of your case. We prioritize understanding your situation by dedicating time to listen to every detail. This equips us to construct the most effective legal strategy to represent your interests.

Arizona Large Truck Accident Stats From 2022

Commercial Truck Accident Stats in Tucson

In the realm of road safety, semi-truck accidents are a significant concern not only in Arizona but also across the entire United States. As per data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2022, Arizona reported a total of 2,868 large truck crashes. Of these, a tragic 156 resulted in fatalities.

In comparison, the national figures for the same year are considerably higher. The United States saw a total of 179,949 large truck accidents, leading to 5,236 deaths.

While these numbers are certainly alarming, it’s important to put them into perspective. Considering the national figures, Arizona’s stats represent roughly 1.6% of total large truck crashes and nearly 3% of those that resulted in fatalities across the country. This places Arizona somewhere in the middle of the pack when comparing state-by-state statistics.

However, even one life lost is one too many. Each statistic represents a disrupted life, a grieving family, or a survivor grappling with recovery. That’s why it’s crucial to focus on preventive measures, stricter safety regulations, and comprehensive legal support for accident victims to alleviate this issue.

Causes of large truck accidents

In its Large Truck Crash Causation Study, the FMCSA identified multiple causes of the collisions. It also found that truck driver factors accounted for 33 percent of the fatal crashes while passenger car driver factors accounted for 57 percent.[4] Some of the most common causes of these accidents include the following:

• Speeding
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Driver inattention
• Driver distraction
• Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Obstructed view
• Driving while fatigued
• Improperly secured loads
• Failing to stay within a lane
• Careless or reckless driving
• Inadequately trained drivers

Other factors that contribute to accidents include slick roads and poorly maintained or defective truck parts. The Tucson truck accident attorneys at Lamber Goodnow may thoroughly investigate truck accident claims in order to determine all of the potential causes.

Common types of tractor-trailer crashes

There are several common types of tractor-trailer accidents that can occur. Commercial trucks have several large blind spots around them, and the drivers must rely on their side mirrors in order to see. Many accidents happen when truck drivers are unable to see cars behind or beside them and change lanes, colliding with the smaller vehicles.

Other common types of accidents occur when the trucks jackknife. In this type of accident, the rear of the truck swings out of the front tractor’s control. If the driver is unable to regain control of the trailer, then the whole truck can go out of control. Jackknifing often happens when the brakes are suddenly applied.

Some accidents happen when smaller vehicles go underneath the back or side of the large trucks. These collisions are called underride collisions, and they may shear off the top part of the smaller vehicles and cause fatalities. Tire blowouts can cause the large trucks to go out of control, and they may also cause accidents to vehicles around them when the debris hits their windshields.

Trucks may also turn over when they are speeding, are driving in high winds or when they have loads that shift. When trucks overturn, other vehicles may crash into them.

Trucking regulations and laws

In order to help reduce the number of accidents that may be caused by drowsiness, the FMCSA has hours-of-service rules in place for commercial trucks that weigh more than 10,000 pounds.[5] The following rules apply to commercial drivers of trucks that carry property:

• Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after they have had 10 consecutive hours off.
• Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after they have come on duty following a 10-hour off period.
• Drivers may not driver after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days and must take at least 34 hours off before restarting.
• Drivers who use sleeper births must take eight hours in their berths along with an additional two hours off duty or in their births.

Drivers must keep logbooks that they must produce for inspection when asked. Because of problems with drivers manipulating their logbooks, the FMCSA passed the ELD mandate, which is a new rule that will go into effect at the end of 2017. It will track all of the miles and hours that are driven electronically in order to prevent logbook fraud.[6]

Commercial Truck Liability and Insurance Information

There are multiple parties that might be liable in large truck crashes, including the following:

• The truck driver
• The truck driver’s employer
• The company that leased the truck from its owner
• The manufacturer of any defective parts
• The loading or shipping company in cases involving improper loading

Navigating liability and insurance coverage is often a complex process following a semi-truck accident. Such incidents can result in considerable property damage, severe injuries, or even death, making understanding the intricate dynamics of responsibility and compensation crucial.

Multiple parties can bear liability in semi-truck accidents. This list includes the truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, the company that leased the truck, the manufacturer of any defective parts, and the loading or shipping company in cases of improper loading. This multi-faceted liability results from the interconnected nature of the commercial trucking industry.

The employers of truck drivers, for instance, may be held accountable for accidents caused by their drivers’ negligence under the principle of respondeat superior, a Latin phrase that translates to “let the master answer for the servant.” This principle suggests that employers may be held liable for the actions of their employees in the course of their work.

In situations where multiple parties are at fault, the jury typically determines the percentage of fault each party holds. Each defendant is then responsible for paying their respective portion of the damages. If the plaintiff is also found to be at fault, their award can be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them.

Insurance plays a vital role in these situations. Commercial trucks are required by federal law to carry significantly higher liability insurance coverage compared to regular vehicles due to the potential for more substantial damages. This insurance can provide compensation for victims’ medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering.

However, dealing with insurance companies, particularly those covering commercial vehicles, can be challenging. They often aim to limit their financial liability and may dispute claims or offer lower settlements. This makes it all the more essential to have experienced legal representation to negotiate and ensure fair compensation.

In the aftermath of a semi-truck accident, understanding and navigating liability and insurance is a complex but necessary process. Legal guidance can help victims navigate these waters, securing the rightful compensation they deserve for their losses.

Damages in large truck accidents

The damages that might be available in crashes involving large trucks will depend on the facts of the case, the extent of the injuries and the amount of the losses. Damages are divided into two categories, including special damages and general damages. Special damages include the economic losses that people might suffer, including past and future medical losses, past and future income losses and property losses. General damages include noneconomic losses, including pain and suffering, disfigurement, emotional distress and others. In cases involving wrongful deaths, the families may also recover funeral and burial costs, lost inheritance rights and losses of consortium for the spouses.