The sheer size and weight of trucks passing through Tucson exponentially increase the risk of serious injury and fatality when they collide with passenger vehicles or pedestrians. When you or a loved one has been on the receiving end of sudden impact, you deserve the truth about what caused the accident. It costs you nothing upfront to work with a Tucson truck accident lawyer from Showard Law Firm who can investigate what happened in those moments before the collision. If evidence of carelessness or negligence can be identified, you may be eligible to file a truck accident lawsuit. Showard Law Firm will fight tirelessly for compensation that will take care of medical bills and survivor benefits, as necessary.

 

Types of Truck Accidents

 

Tractor-trailers account for more than 2,500 accidents and nearly 50 fatalities a year. Semi-trucks are not the only large, heavy vehicles involved in Tucson’s most devastating crashes. We also see a number of collisions involving:

 

• Dump Trucks
• Tow Trucks
• Garbage Trucks
• Fire Trucks
• Concrete Mixers
• Tanker Trucks
• Flat Bed Trucks
• Medical Transport Trucks
• Corporate Trucks

 

Trucks pose unique challenges to drivers. Sometimes the cargo is loaded improperly, increasing the risk of a rollover, unbalancing the vehicle, or obstructing views. Trucks may be carrying hazardous cargo that can spill out and cause a multiple car accident.

 

Where Do Tucson Truck Accidents Occur?

 

Arizona is home to some of the most dangerous roads in the nation, including the particularly deadly Interstate 10, which passes from Phoenix to California, traveling right through Tucson, and Interstate 19, which stretches from Tucson to the Mexican border. The high speed of interstates increases the stakes of a crash, but more than half of truck accidents occur on rural, local, or main artery roads.

 

Causes of Truck Accidents

 

Truck accidents occur in many different ways. Trucks can jackknife at a 90-degree angle after the driver brakes hard and fast. The truck can slide or rollover onto its side. A tire can blowout, forcing the truck to spin out. A swinging wide turn can impact vehicles or pedestrians.

 

A truck’s blind spots can cause a passenger vehicle to be hit, crushed, or forced off the road. The heavy loads trucks carry make it difficult for drivers to stop suddenly, causing rear-end collisions. Conversely, if a passenger vehicle is following too closely, it can become caught underneath a tractor trailer in an underride accident.

 

A truck driving in the wrong direction on a highway or veering over the line can result in a head-on collision, whereas speeding through an intersection and failing to yield right-of-way may lead to a T-bone accident.

 

Liability Issues in a Truck Accident

 

Liability issues arising in truck accidents include:

 

• Improper cargo loading and shifting, which causes the driver to lose control.
• Driver fatigue from schedules that encourage truckers to skip breaks and go beyond the legal limits.
• Failure to provide sufficient training in safety, defensive driving, and vehicle handling.
• Failure to adequately maintain the vehicle or maintenance personnel repair errors.
• Driver unfamiliarity or inexperience with the roads.
• Vehicle malfunction from defectively manufactured brakes, tires, steering shafts, or other components.
• Recklessness by speeding, tailgating, failing to signal, unsafe passing, distraction, road rage, or DUI.
• Passenger vehicle drivers who fail to obey the rules of the road.
• Poor road design, construction, or maintenance.

 

You may file a truck accident lawsuit against multiple entities that include the truck driver, the company or entity which employs the trucker, maintenance personnel, a truck manufacturer, a passenger vehicle driver also involved in the accident, or the government in charge of road maintenance.

 

Since truck accidents involve complex issues of liability, it is always recommended to work with an experienced lawyer who can ensure you receive fair compensation.

 

How Much is a Truck Accident Settlement Worth?

 

The amount you receive in a truck accident settlement depends upon:

 

• The severity of your injuries – “Hard injuries” like broken bones, joint damage, and traumatic brain injuries tend to garner larger settlements than soft tissue injuries like whiplash or lacerations.
• The amount of loss suffered – The courts will consider the exact totals of your medical bills, amount of wage/income loss, and property damage, as well as an estimated amount of “pain and suffering” related to the unique amount of disturbance to your daily lifestyle, ability to work, hobbies, and familial relations. Wrongful death cases consider the amount of contribution the decedent made to the family, as well as the cost of funeral and burial preparations.
• Anticipated future expenses – Disability cases tend to generate higher sums due to a projected loss of earning capacity and the estimated cost of ongoing rehabilitation and medical expenses. The use of a forensic accountant can be very helpful in arriving at a fair estimate that considers inflation costs.
• Liability and crash history – Sometimes, punitive damages are tacked onto a settlement that involves a repeat offender or an instance of clear and gross misconduct.

 

Questions to Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer

 

It can be intimidating to meet with a lawyer for the first time. Knowing what questions to ask a truck accident lawyer will give you greater confidence that you’re making an informed decision about your representation. Be sure to ask:

 

Questions related to experience:

 

• How many truck accident cases have you handled?
• Have you generally had good success with truck accident cases?
• Do you have the resources to review new or complex trucking laws?
• Are you aware of the specific laws that only apply to truck drivers or trucking companies?
• Do you see any trucking law violations in my situation?

 

Questions related to case management:

 

Responsiveness is one of the most important qualities to look for in a truck accident lawyer.

 

• Will I work with the same lawyer from start to finish?
• Who do I contact with my concerns?
• What is the best way to contact the firm?
• How often will you contact me with updates regarding the case?
• Will I be directly involved in making fundamental decisions regarding the case?

 

Questions related to your case:

 

Having a clear idea of what to expect during the process and what next steps to take can be empowering and satisfying.

 

• Is the other driver denying responsibility?
• What type of doctor should I see for my injuries?
• What should I do about my job?
• What kind of damages should I seek?
• How long do I have to file my lawsuit?
• What is the likelihood of achieving an out-of-court settlement?
• How long does it take to settle or go through to trial?

 

Questions related to cost:

 

The best attorneys do not charge anything upfront and only collect compensation if they have recovered a settlement or jury award for their clients.

 

• What is your fee structure?
• Will the other side pay my legal fees?
• About how much compensation can I reasonably expect after paying for the cost of litigation, given the facts of my case?

 

Where to Find a Tucson Truck Accident Lawyer

 

For a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Tucson, contact Showard Law Firm, where quality legal services are provided on a contingency basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless your case is won and compensation is collected on your behalf. Call today for a free, no-obligation case review.