Scottsdale Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Lawyer Scottsdale, AZ
Seeking the services of a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ from Yearin Law Office is one of the best steps you can take after an accident. Finding yourself in a car accident is a terrible situation. Being hit by a big rig can be downright terrifying. Usually, these types of accidents are more severe and cause greater injury because of the size of the truck. Semi-trucks can weigh five times more than the average mid-size cars, and take two to three times longer to stop than a passenger vehicle.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you are at risk for more serious injuries than compared to a collision with an average passenger vehicle. It’s important to take steps to protect your rights because accidents with a commercial vehicle are often more complex.
Types of Truck Accidents
Accidents happen every day. Sometimes, they’re avoidable but most times, they’re not. Most accidents result in minor injuries. But some accidents are much more severe.
Truck accidents, those accidents with big rigs, tractor-trailers, eighteen wheelers, and other large commercial trucks, almost always cause serious injuries or death. Because of the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, the force of the impact can result in tragic consequences.
In 2017, nearly 5,000 trucks were involved in fatal accidents across the United States. While truck accidents don’t always result in fatalities, that shows how much physical damage such accidents can cause.
Truck accidents vary just like any other car accident. The most common accidents include:
- Rollover
- ‘Jackknife’
- Tire blowout
- Blind spot
- Rear-end
- Lost load
- Head-on
- T-bone
Even the most defensive drivers can’t avoid all accidents. If a truck changes lanes and crashes into your vehicle, that’s not your fault and you should not be on the hook to pay for any of the costs associated with your recovery. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer will help give you the best chance of recovering the full value of your claim.
Common Injuries
From 2016 to 2017, large truck accidents where injuries occurred increased by five percent. This results from many factors. The most important aspect of any truck accident is your recovery. Common injuries include:
- Burns
- Cuts
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Death
When you work with a seasoned truck accident lawyer Scottsdale, AZ, you give yourself the best chance of making sure you don’t have to pay your medical bills. It’s important to remember that you didn’t cause the accident so you shouldn’t bear any of the responsibility for the costs associated with your recovery.
Damages to Fight For
When you’re injured through no fault of your own, it can be frustrating and worrisome, wondering how your bills will get paid. Working with an aggressive truck accident lawyer Scottsdale, AZ gives you the best chance of recovering damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
When you’re injured in a truck accident, you’re likely facing a long recovery because of the severity of your injuries. You may even be out of work. The insurance company representing the owner of the truck or the truck driver may contact you and offer you a settlement.
They know you need quick cash and they will prey on you hoping you’ll take their initial offer. Don’t do it. It’s a low-ball offer that likely won’t include any of your future needs.
Make sure you don’t end up having to pay out of pocket for your medical expenses. Work with an aggressive and compassionate truck accident lawyer Scottsdale, AZ who can help you get the compensation you need to get better.
Contact us Today
At Yearin Law Office we understand the severity of your injuries, the long recovery ahead, and the worry you have about your bills will get paid. Our goal is to remove the worry so you can focus on your recovery. Working with us means you have the peace of mind knowing you’re being guided by seasoned truck accident injury lawyers.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you get back on your feet.
What are the Leading Causes of Truck Accidents?
To build a strong truck accident case, it helps to establish fault and prove how the truck driver showed negligence. Depend on your truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ to help you gather evidence, but there are several common causes of truck accidents.
Intoxicated Driving
Even though commercial truck drivers must undergo random medical exams and drug tests, intoxicated driving remains a leading cause of truck accidents. Other than alcohol, drivers also use illegal substances to stay away while on the road.
Speeding
To reach a destination on time, a truck driver may exceed the posted speed limit. Because trucks need more braking distance, extra speed makes it harder for drivers to come to a complete stop before colliding into a car.
A truck accident lawyer in Scottdale, AZ, from Yearin Law Office knows what evidence to gather to prove the truck driver sped. For instance, the accident site could have skid marks along the road.
Improper Loading
Drivers and those in charge of loading must ensure they distribute cargo weight evenly and secure it properly to prevent movement. Poorly loaded cargo could shift during a drive and put others on the road in danger.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers may only drive a specific number of hours before they must take a break. Sometimes, drivers break federal regulations and Hours of Service rules to complete runs. Depending on how long they go without a break or sleeping, fatigue could set in and slow the driver’s reflexes.
Improper Maintenance
Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to operate properly and keep others on the road safe. Failing to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule could cause issues to persist longer than necessary, which may trigger an avoidable accident. Brakes could fail, visibility may become limited because of broken lights and tires could blow out if not changed and inspected regularly.
Distracted Driving
Just like car drivers, some truck drivers operate their vehicles while distracted. Looking at a screen, talking on the phone or eating may take the driver’s eyes off the road long enough to cause a disaster. A Yearin Law Office truck accident lawyer in Scottdale, AZ could interview witnesses to determine whether they saw the driver glancing down immediately before the accident or uncover other evidence that indicates distracted driving.
Mechanical Defects
Examples of mechanical defects include engine failure, malfunctioning windshield wipers and a failing suspension system. Rather than the trucking company or driver, you may have a case against a parts manufacturer or commercial truck supplier.
Scottsdale Truck Accident Infographic
What To Do After An Accident
What you do after being hit by a truck can impact your ability to recover and get back on your feet, both financially and physically. Contact our team at Yearin Law Office to review your case. It won’t cost you anything for an initial consultation.
Call the Authorities
If you’ve been in an accident with a truck, you should call 911 and ask for the police to respond. If the truck driver attempts to flee, don’t go after the driver. Try to get their license plate number or other identifying information and wait for an officer to get on the scene. If you or a passenger were injured, your first priority is seeking emergency medical attention.
Get a Police Report
Having a police report can give you the documentation you need as evidence of the truck accident. The police report will usually not lay out blame for the accident, as that’s for the insurance companies to decide. If the police officer issued a citation to the truck driver, let a Scottsdale truck accident lawyer in AZ know, as this detail can help your case. A police report is important so your insurance company can battle with the truck driver’s insurer about fault. Many times, it’s clear from the report who the at-fault driver was, and in other circumstances, it requires a back and forth dispute.
Make Sure You Are Okay
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries. While your injuries may not be immediately apparent, seek medical attention always. Just like a police report documents the facts of your car accident, a doctor can document your injuries from the truck accident. This medical report will be used by your insurance company to attempt to get you more compensation for your serious injuries. It will also be used by your AZ truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale to fight for your rights.
Take Pictures of the Accident
Once you are safe and out of immediate danger, get pictures of the damages to your vehicle and of your injuries. Take photos of the scene and road conditions to help you file a claim with the insurance company. You’re going to need a lot of evidence to get the insurance company to take responsibility. You may also want to write down anything you remember about the accident. Once you assess your injuries, if you’re able to take pictures, do so. But don’t post these pictures on social media. And don’t put yourself in more danger by taking pictures. Make sure you get pictures of:
- The truck
- Your car
- The scene
- Your injuries
- Both vehicle damage
- Debri
- Tire marks
Exchange Information
If you are of stable health, then exchange information with the truck driver. If you are unable to do so because of a serious medical condition that required you to be ushered to the hospital, the officer can obtain this information instead. Gather details such as the truck’s registration, the insurance company, employer name, driver’s license number, license plate number, address, full name, and contact.
Speak to Witnesses
If there were witnesses to your accident, request their contact information so a truck accident lawyer in Arizona can reach out in the days to follow for an official statement. If they can stay at the scene to give police a statement, that is the best outcome. Your insurance company may attempt to speak with them as well to verify the information you provided. Witnesses can also help determine fault by their recollection of the events of your truck accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company will need to know about the accident. After all, that’s what you have insurance for. Depending on the insurance laws in your state and your policy limits, they may cover part of your damages and help you work with the other insurance company.
Keep Your Documents Together
Make sure to keep a file with information about the accident until everything is settled. You want to have the police report, your photos, witness information and insurance correspondence in one place. Being organized can make it easier if you have to go to court to get a fair settlement, with help from an Arizona truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Handling a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, there are several do’s and don’ts to keep in mind. This advice especially comes in handy if you need compensation for serious injuries or will be unable to work for an extended period. Make sure your loved ones have this information in case you are too seriously hurt to act on your own and that they know you are working with a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ.
Do Keep Evidence
Keep any cell phone or dashcam footage of the moments before, during, or after the accident. You never know how important a seemingly trivial detail can be in a case. You may have footage of the trucker driving recklessly an hour before the collision and not even know it.
Do Get Witness Information
Make sure you have the names and contact information for any accident witnesses. This is the type of information a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ, can use when building a case. The witnesses may have seen or heard something that seemed insignificant at the time but could end up being important in court.
Do Accept Medical Treatment
In the moments following a truck accident, you may be in shock. Your body hasn’t processed the trauma, and you may not know that you are hurt. Allow medics on the scene to help you and transport you to a hospital. Make and keep follow-up appointments with your doctors in case long-term problems arise.
Don’t Go It Alone
Hiring a competent and experienced attorney makes the entire legal process more manageable. Even if you think you have an open-and-shut claim, the trucker’s insurance company may find ways to complicate the process. A Yearin Law Office attorney can handle the stressful aspects of claims and settlement while you focus on healing.
Don’t Be Bullied
The truck driver or their employer wants to avoid liability and keep costs down. Don’t speak to the driver or anyone from his or her company or insurance provider after the accident. Allow the experts at Yearin Law Office to communicate on your behalf. We know how to work with trucking companies and their insurers.
Don’t Share on Social Media
As an accident victim, you probably want to vent your frustrations on social media. Be careful not to share too many details or post pictures related to your pending court case. The driver or trucking company may try to use that against you.
Contact Our Team at Yearin Law office
You deserve the skilled and trusted representation of the Yearin Law Office to help you recover for your injuries from the truck accident. Our clients have trusted us for more than 25 years to help them recover damages from the at-fault driver. We are here to help take the stress of the legal issues off your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery. We can help you recover damages that will get you back on your feet. We will try to collect for:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs
Truck accidents can be more complex cases because admitting fault can have more severe ramifications. The driver could lose their license, go to jail, and have to pay steep fines depending on the circumstances. The other insurance company may not want to admit fault, and instead, try to blame another entity. Although it isn’t required to have a truck accident lawyer to settle your claim, it can benefit you by making sure that you get a fair settlement based on the circumstances of your case.
Contact us today for your free initial consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ at the Yearin Law Office.
3 Factors That Influence Truck Accidents
A truck crashing into your vehicle can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Beyond legal complications, you could have various physical injuries that leave you unable to go to work or live life like normal.
Assessing the factors that led to a crash can help you figure out how this incident happened.
1. Weather Conditions
No matter if you are on a back road or a highway, rain and snow can leave a truck driver struggling to stay in control of his or her vehicle. Slick roads, which typically happen within a few minutes of a rainfall starting, mean that you should slow down. Some truckers may be rushing to get to their next delivery location and decide to ignore the added risk of taking turns at the same speed as normal while it is raining.
Truck drivers who do not leave enough space in front of them to stop on a snow-covered or icy road may also ram into your car. They could also be distracted by the falling droplets or snowflakes and accidentally sideswipe another person on the road. Talking to a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ like Yearin Law Office can help you after a crash happens.
2. Visibility
People driving a truck sit higher up in the driver’s seat than other people. Typically, these drivers cannot see the same areas on the road if they look out the side windows or out the back. This means if they do not routinely glance at their mirrors, they can easily hit other cars.
There are also blind spots even if they use their mirrors, which makes it even more dangerous for other smaller vehicles on the road. If you are in a crash, contacting a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ like Yearin Law Office can help you learn more about what to do next.
3. Emotional Reactions
Road rage can seriously impact how a truck driver reacts to a simple mistake from another driver. A truck tailgating you and trying to intimidate you by gesturing rudely or honking excessively can lead to an accident.
Due to their size, trucks often have different handling and a harder time coming to a full stop. This means some of these signs of road rage can have an even worse effect on other vehicles. After a discussion with a truck accident lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ, you may know what steps to take.
