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Semi-Truck Accidents In Arizona

Being involved in a traffic accident is a consistently negative experience, but it can be made worse if the vehicle with which you collide is the size of several vehicles put together. An average small car weighs about 2,600 pounds, and larger vehicles weigh about 4,400 pounds. An average semi-truck weighs about 33,000 pounds. Semi-truck accidents can be even more devastating if they occur at a high speed or other special factors are involved. It isn’t uncommon for semi-truck accidents to result in life-altering injuries like paralysis and amputation, or even death. Serious injuries mean serious injury claim payouts, and trucking companies and their insurance providers will fight vigorously to protect their bottom line. If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck accident in Arizona, you deserve trustworthy legal representation to look out for your interests. Schedule your free case evaluation with our firm today by calling 480-470-1504.

Immediate Response After A Semi-Truck Accident

After any type of accident, you should remove your vehicle from traffic, if possible. Other drivers might not be paying attention or even be distracted from witnessing your accident and crash into you in a subsequent collision. You should also turn on your hazard lights if they are functional. It is usually best to remain stationary until paramedics arrive if you have been injured, unless there is a dangerous condition like the car smoking and possibly igniting. In some traffic collisions, you can use your discretion on whether or not to call the police to the scene- it isn’t always necessary for small fender benders or clear fault situations like rear-end collisions. Police responders may even ask if you believe your property damage is above a certain threshold. But if you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, it’s safe to assume that the threshold will be met. The police can issue a report at the scene of the accident, which will sometimes indicate which driver was at fault. Do your best to avoid making statements that could put you at fault for the accident. While this report is not determinative on a personal injury claim, it can be a key piece of evidence if you are pursuing compensation for your injuries from a trucking company. You can also take pictures and videos of the scene yourself if you are physically able. Witnesses may have seen the accident or even captured it on their dash cams.

Most people do not enjoy going to the doctor and will put it off unless absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, if you don’t seek medical attention after a traffic collision, it will be nearly impossible to pursue an injury claim. Your medical record is the most solid piece of evidence showing your injuries, and the basis for pursuing other damages like lost wages. Your medical expenses can be used to calculate damages like pain and suffering, increasing your total award. Seeking prompt medical attention can also help you avoid taking actions that might aggravate your injuries. Even if you have health insurance and weren’t at fault for your collision with a semi-truck in Arizona, getting care for your injuries isn’t always straightforward. One of the benefits of hiring a quality injury attorney for your claim is that they will help you coordinate with medical providers so you can receive effective treatment that strengthens your claim at the same time. Our Arizona law office works persistently to achieve favorable resolutions for our clients, and we don’t get paid until you win. Get started today with your free consultation by phone at 480-470-1504.

Federal Regulations For Semi-Truck Drivers

Many semi-truck drivers get paid based on how many trips they complete, so driving fast and for as many hours as possible results in a higher paycheck. This becomes dangerous quickly, as being tired can slow reaction time in a vehicle that is already more difficult to maneuver due to its massive size. Semi-truck drivers traveling in and through Arizona must abide by federal limitations for property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers. They can be difficult to understand, but if the trucking company is found to be in violation, it can create a stronger injury claim for the plaintiff. Failing to abide by federal regulations demonstrates negligence on the defendant’s part, and could even trigger additional punitive damages based on the statutory violations. It should also be noted that in Arizona, the BAC legal limit for drivers decreases from .08 to .04 for commercial vehicles.

Property-Carrying Trucks

A semi-truck driver carrying property can drive a maximum of 11 hours per day after at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty. These 10 hours can be split into 2+ and 7+ hours if the driver spends at least 7 consecutive hours in their sleeper berth. The driver may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. For every 8 hours driven without interruption, the driver must take a 30-minute break. A driver may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. A 7/8 period can be restarted if the driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers are allowed to extend their driving hours by 2 hours if they are slowed down by adverse weather conditions. These limitations do not apply to a driver who remains within a 150-mile radius and does not exceed a maximum on-duty period of 14 hours, known as the short-haul exception.

Passenger-Carrying Trucks

Passenger-carrying drivers can drive a maximum of 10 hours per day after 8 consecutive hours off-duty. Passenger-carrying trucks may not drive beyond the 15th consecutive hour instead of the 14th consecutive hour like property-carrying trucks. The 34-hour reset rule does not apply to passenger-carrying trucks. The driver must take 8 hours in the sleeper berth, which can be split into two periods if neither of them last less than 2 hours. Like property-carrying trucks, passenger-carrying trucks can extend their driving hours by 2 hours for adverse weather conditions.

Starting Your Demand Letter With An Experienced Arizona Injury Attorney

For an injury claim, you should typically attempt to negotiate a settlement with the other party before filing your lawsuit in court. If you start the negotiations at too low of a sum, it will be nearly impossible to work it back up to a figure that fairly represents your damages. From the moment you contact the other party’s insurance provider, they will attempt to manipulate you into making statements that could hurt your case. This is typically done by twisting your statements to make it sound like you were at fault for the accident. The court does not assign an attorney to represent your interests in a personal injury claim, so if you want legal counsel, you will need to retain it yourself. If you were seriously injured by a semi-truck driver in violation of federal regulations, have no doubt that the opposing party’s counsel will use every trick in the book to reduce their liability. Our Arizona law team can represent plaintiffs in a variety of traffic collisions, including traffic accident involving semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles. The first call you should be make after an accident with a semi-truck is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Your second to be to a personal injury attorney for more information about your claim. To schedule your free consultation by phone with our firm today, call 480-470-1504.

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