If you think you’re partly to blame for a trucking accident, consider that you might not be. Traffic accidents typically happen without a moment’s notice, and the intense nature of these accidents means your memory may be less than perfect. Your attorney might find, through their investigation, that you have little or no fault for the accident.
If you are partly to blame for the truck collision, you might be less to blame than someone else—a truck driver. Even if you are the party most at fault for the accident, you may deserve compensation from one or more insurance companies. If you were in a trucking accident, let an Arizona truck accident attorney sort out the details and fight for the compensation you deserve.
You May Still Deserve Compensation If You Share Fault for a Truck Accident
Without getting too deep into legal statutes and other complicated details, know this: Being partially at fault for a truck accident does not automatically prevent you from receiving compensation. You may still be eligible to:
- File a claim with your own insurance provider
- File a claim with the insurance provider covering a truck driver, trucking company, or other liable party
- Sue a trucking company or another negligent party with liability for your accident
Do not assume you’re responsible for all your accident-related costs. Not only may you be covered, but you may also deserve compensation for damages you haven’t considered.
Allow a truck accident attorney to evaluate your circumstances. They will have a pressure-free conversation about your options. You may also benefit from hiring a lawyer who will pursue all the compensation you deserve for medical costs, pain and suffering, and any other damages from your trucking accident.
Truck Drivers, Trucking Companies, and Others Have a Responsibility to Prevent Accidents—But They Don’t Always Honor This Duty
Virtually everyone involved in the trucking industry has a duty of care. This duty requires them to act ethically, with caution, and with foresight. Trucking accidents are one potential consequence when one or more parties fall short of this duty.
Attorneys know that accidents like yours can result from:
Truck Driver Negligence
Driving a commercial truck is an important, difficult job that requires skill, constant alertness, and regard for others’ safety. Some examples of truck driver negligence that may lead to an accident include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which is against the law and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules
- Speeding
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots
- Tailgating
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving once they’ve surpassed their hours limit
- Engaging in other careless or aggressive actions
A driver should also regularly inspect tires, trailer hitches, and other components that can lead to an accident if they malfunction.
Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking companies can be liable when their driver causes a collision. Any case against a trucking company may be stronger if your attorney can prove that a trucking company’s negligence ranged beyond a driver’s carelessness. Examples of negligence by a trucking company include:
- Hiring unqualified, unlicensed, or otherwise unfit drivers
- Failing to use the latest in safety equipment, which may include on-vehicle cameras, speed limiters, and event data recorders (EDRs)
- Not actively looking for signs of impairment among drivers
- Failing to regularly inspect (and promptly repair or replace) trucks and trailers
- Not appropriately disciplining any drivers who break rules or regulations
A trucking company may also be liable when its trucks or trailers malfunction. These companies must prioritize safety, train their employees comprehensively, and do everything in their power to prevent collisions.
Negligence by Truck or Cargo Trailer Manufacturers
Equipment made for the trucking industry must adhere to the highest quality standards. Trucks and trailers are on the road nearly constantly, which means they endure much wear and tear. If a truck or trailer defect led to your accident, the manufacturer of the defective component may be liable for your damages.
Municipal Negligence
Many drivers and passengers take for granted that local, state, and federal governments ensure safe driving conditions. That quickly changes when dangerous roads lead to a trucking accident.
Some of the duties a municipality generally has include:
- Keeping roads paved (and ensuring a smooth surface when paving occurs)
- Filling in potholes and dangerous cracks
- Installing and maintaining adequate lighting along roads
- Ensuring all work zones are positioned as safely as possible
- Maintaining traffic signals
If infrastructure-related hazards contributed to your truck accident, a municipality may have financial responsibility for your damages.
Reasons to Hire an Attorney as Soon as Possible After a Truck Accident
Whether or not you think you’re partly to blame for a truck accident, hiring a lawyer affords you several benefits. Some of the most common reasons why truck accident survivors hire an attorney are:
The Daunting Cost of a Truck Accident
Trucks are unusually likely to be involved in fatal accidents. This statistic is a testament to the following:
- Trucks’ multi-ton weight
- The added weight and danger when a truck is carrying cargo
- The immense potential for a truck to severely damage any vehicle it hits, which may mean serious injuries for occupants in that vehicle
Those who survive truck accidents are often plagued by psychological trauma, physical pain, and serious injuries. Those victims often need a large sum of money to cover medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The Fight That May Lie Ahead of You
Trucking companies and auto insurance providers know that claims and lawsuits are likely to come. It’s just a matter of time for most. These parties may be prepared for your case, and they may:
- Have in-house personnel and attorneys ready to fight your case
- Be determined to pay you as little compensation as possible
- Show little empathy or compassion for you
- Place their financial interests far above your well-being
If you don’t decide to fight for yourself, you should not expect liable parties to do the right thing on their own accord. Give your case a chance by hiring a trucking accident lawyer.
A Law Firm’s Personnel
When pursuing a potentially large sum after a truck accident, why not have an entire team on your side? That’s what you’ll likely get when you hire an attorney, who may also come with:
- One or more paralegals who help lawyers with critical legal tasks
- One or more case managers who may ensure you get regular updates, answers to your questions, and a generally positive experience with your law firm
- Experts who often contribute to truck accident cases at the attorney’s request
A law firm may also have investigators whose job is to gather evidence from traffic accidents. All these resources are baked into a law firm’s fee so that you won’t pay a dime extra for these personnel.
A Law Firm’s Financial Backing
Your attorney will determine how to best put their resources to work. Simply having the firm’s financial backing is a great start.
Law firms that have been achieving significant case results for years are generally willing to invest in their clients’ cases. They don’t shy away from short-term costs that may help produce significant long-term gains.
An Attorney’s Prior Experience, Which Is Highly Valuable
You don’t know how a lawyer’s experience will benefit your case, but you can be certain it will. When someone has previously dealt with insurers, trucking companies, and others who may play critical roles in your case, you can be confident they know what they’re doing.
Medical Bills, Lost Income, and Other Damages Your Lawyer Will Include in Your Truck Accident Case
From the very second you sign with a law firm, that firm will urgently fight for you. Your attorney will gauge their success on the financial outcome of your claim or lawsuit. A “successful” recovery will cover the cost of both your economic and non-economic damages, which may include:
- Healthcare costs, which can include the cost of emergency services, surgeries, specialist visits, medical imaging, and the many other types of care you might need after a serious traffic accident
- Pain and suffering, which is a non-economic type of harm that can include physical pain and discomfort, disfigurement, lost quality of life, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and certain other physical, emotional, and psychological harm
- Lost income, as many accident survivors lose non-guaranteed income while recovering from an accident
- Other professional damages, which can include lost bonuses, diminished earning capacity, missed promotion opportunities, and lost benefits
- Property costs, which may include the cost of repairing your vehicle, getting temporary transportation, and replacing any items that were totally damaged during the accident
While injuries from a truck accident may be obvious, that’s not always the case for other damages. An attorney will conduct a detailed evaluation of your damages. This comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure you are seeking the entire sum of compensation you deserve.
Will I Need to Sue a Trucking Company After My Accident?
Let an attorney handle the case strategy. You may be eligible to sue a trucking company or other parties. You may eventually choose to do so. With that said, trust that your truck accident lawyer will:
- Quickly gain a full understanding of insurance policies, at-fault parties, and other factors that may inform your case strategy
- Give you a detailed rundown of all your options, explaining the benefits and potential drawbacks of any given approach
- Identify the most efficient path to securing the compensation you deserve
- Advise you on how to proceed, whether that means filing an insurance claim, suing a trucking company, or taking another approach
Truck accident attorneys have a duty to do what’s best for their clients. When your lawyer presents a plan or gives advice, you can trust that they’re acting in your best interests.
What to Do Once You’ve Hired Your Truck Accident Attorney
When it comes to completing your case, your lawyer will do the work—all of it. This is one of the most glaring benefits of hiring a truck accident attorney.
While your list of case-related duties will be far shorter than your lawyer’s, it’s a list you should follow.
Follow Your Lawyer’s Instructions and Advice
If you’ve hired an attorney, it’s fair to assume it’s because you trust them. It only makes sense that you will follow their advice and trust their guidance. Some instructions you’ll likely receive from your attorney include:
- Do not speak with insurance representatives unless you’ve discussed it with your lawyer first
- Do not do anything that can compromise your physical or mental health
- Call your attorney if you have any questions
- If you’re thinking about doing anything related to your case, reach out to your lawyer first
All advice your lawyer gives will be meant to protect and serve you.
Listen to Your Doctors
Trusting your doctors and mental health professionals is as important as trusting your lawyer. You should follow your providers’ advice because:
- These parties will want to see you heal as soon as possible, and their advice will be geared toward this goal.
- If you don’t follow your doctor’s advice, you risk allegations that you are exaggerating injuries, mental health difficulties, or both.
Heeding the professionals’ advice should benefit your health, well-being, and case.
Be Alert for Updates from Your Truck Accident Lawyer
Excellent truck accident lawyers are in regular contact with their clients. Your attorney may call or email when there’s been a significant change in your case or to ensure you’re doing alright.
Be alert that your lawyer may reach out at any time, and do your best to answer or respond as quickly as you can.
Don’t Wait to Hire Your Attorney (Here’s What You Risk if You Do Wait)
An attorney will take over your case as soon as you ask them to, but it’s your case. Your lawyer won’t be able to do anything on your behalf until you’ve officially hired them.
Don’t wait to find your truck accident lawyer. You will find that once you’ve hired an Arizona personal injury lawyer to handle your case, the load on your shoulders lightens significantly.