Accidents involving larger commercial trucks in Arizona often result in major injuries and extensive property damage. These incidents can occur in a wide variety of ways but usually boil down to the negligent actions of a truck driver, the trucking company, or another party closely associated with the operation of the larger vehicle.
Truck Driver Negligence
When examining the causes of truck accidents, it is important to look at the person actually in charge of the truck when the accident occurred, the driver. There are various ways that commercial truck drivers can be negligent in their duties behind the wheel. These drivers are supposed to have training above and beyond what traditional vehicle drivers do, which includes obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL).
Some of the most common ways that negligent truck drivers cause accidents include the following types of actions:
- Failing to abide by the hours of service requirements put in place by state and federal regulators
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving while distracted by phones, radios, GPS devices, or something else in the vehicle
- Failing to follow basic traffic laws, including behaviors such as speeding, failing to yield the right of way, following others too closely, not sticking to truck-only lanes, etc.
- Failing to follow basic checks before operating the truck for the day
Truck Company Negligence
The trucking company responsible for the vehicle could also be at fault for causing an accident. Aside from truck drivers, truck companies have responsibilities for the overall safe operation of these vehicles. Some of the most common causes of Arizona truck accidents in which our Phoenix personal injury lawyers have found trucking companies at fault include:
- Failing to regularly inspect and maintain each vehicle, per federal regulations
- Failing to conduct adequate background or training checks for new drivers
- Encouraging drivers to skip regular maintenance checks or to operate beyond the allowable hours of service
- Failing to follow up on complaints about specific drivers
Other Parties Associated With the Truck
There are various other parties who may be held responsible for truck accidents due to their actions. Some common causes of vehicle accidents include issues with defective or worn-out parts on a truck, along with issues revolving around the weight of the vehicle or the weight distribution in the cargo area.
Sometimes, third parties are responsible for the maintenance of a vehicle, along with the loading and unloading of the vehicle. These parties could be responsible if one of the following causes occurs on the roadway:
- Uneven weight distribution leads to an accident
- Overloading of the vehicle causes problems for the driver
- Defective or worn-out parts lead to mechanical breakdown and truck failure
Work With a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or somebody you care about has been harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver, trucking carrier, or other party, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled
truck accident attorney in Phoenix as soon as possible. These claims can be challenging, particularly when standing up against aggressive insurance carriers or the trucking company. Your attorney can fully investigate the claim, handle negotiations with other parties involved, and work to recover the compensation you or your loved ones may be entitled to.
