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Contact Us Today Common Injuries in Truck Accidents The difference in weight between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle is massive. Unfortunately, that means that when a truck hits a car, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are likely to sustain serious injuries. Some common truck accident injuries include: Traumatic Brain Injuries – Severe blows to the head can cause traumatic brain injuries in which the brain swells and bleeds. These injuries require immediate medical attention to prevent death and to limit permanent damage. Neck and Back Injuries – Whiplash and other neck and back injuries can damage the spinal cord, leading to paralysis below the injury site. Broken Bones – The blunt force trauma of a truck accident can fracture bones. Arms and legs can break as they strike the car’s interior, and seatbelts can crack ribs. Burn Injuries – Particularly bad crashes can tear a fuel line, causing a fire. Burn injuries require extensive medical treatment. Amputations – The crash itself can sometimes amputate limbs. The crash may damage limbs beyond recovery, or rescuers may need to perform an amputation to extract a victim from the vehicle. Why Victims Must Seek Immediate Medical Attention There are several reasons why it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention after a truck accident. First, your injuries may be severe and can worsen over time if not treated. Injuries like whiplash may not be immediately apparent. However, delaying treatment can leave a lasting impact. Second, by seeking immediate medical attention, you show that your injuries are real, severe, and directly connected to the accident. If you delay treatment by a few days or weeks, the insurance company or opposing lawyers may use that to argue that your injuries weren’t as bad as you claim they were or that they had some other source. Third, when you seek medical attention, you create a paper trail of your injuries. Medical records provide essential documentation of your injuries that you need to build your case. An experienced truck accident attorney can use your medical records to prove the extent of your damages and losses. Ongoing Medical Care and Treatment for Truck Accident Injuries Medical treatment resulting from a truck accident is often extensive and ongoing. Over the next few weeks, months, and potentially years, you may have to undergo the following: Additional Surgeries – Internal injuries and broken bones may require more than one surgery to resolve. Physical Therapy – Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries all include extensive physical therapy as ongoing medical care. Pain Management – You may need to seek long-term pain care, especially if your injuries last longer than you can safely take habit-forming prescription medications. Lifestyle Changes – After a severe injury, you may be unable to do what you once could. Standing or sitting for extended periods may cause pain, and you may require a wheelchair. Contact Our Phoenix Truck Accident Attorney for Help If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in the Phoenix area, you need an Arizona truck accident lawyer to help you seek justice and accountability. Our attorney can investigate the crash, determine if the truck driver or trucking company acted with negligence prior to the crash, and seek the damages you need to recover. Contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer today and let our team pursue the money you need for your long-term care. About the Author Alex Silkman is the founder and managing member of Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. A Personal Injury Lawyer in Phoenix AZ, he focuses exclusively on personal injury, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death cases, with the goal of getting truly just results for accident victims and their families. Past personal injury cases have included $2.4 million dollars awarded in a wrongful death motorcycle crash, $2.2 million in a malpractice settlement, and a $450,000 award from a car crash resulting in a thoracic vertebrae compression fracture and a fractured clavicle.

Contact Us Today Although truck driver error or vehicle mechanical failures often cause or contribute to catastrophic truck accidents, poor road conditions – due to weather, inadequate road maintenance, or poor roadway design – are another critical factor in many accidents. If you were injured in a big rig truck accident, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer for wrecks caused by bad road conditions on your side. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we can investigate your accident and help you pursue options for recovery. Road Conditions: A Hidden Factor in Truck Accidents According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, roadway problems were among the top ten factors coded for drivers and their vehicles in a recent large truck crash causation study. Although weather does not typically affect road conditions in Arizona, poorly designed roadways in our state or road conditions due to poor maintenance can play a role in truck accidents.  Potholes or otherwise damaged or neglected roads can contribute to crashes if they affect the truck driver’s ability to control the vehicle. Poorly designed roads with tight entrance ramps or roads that are too steep for a large commercial truck can contribute to serious accidents, resulting in devastating injuries. Unfortunately, some road conditions are often not immediately apparent to truck drivers, affecting their ability to avoid such hazards. Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident Caused by Poor Road Conditions? Under Arizona law, the party responsible for the accident must pay for the victim’s financial losses, including medical expenses and lost wages. Determining who or what entity is liable for the accident can be a challenging inquiry for which you need a lawyer. Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the accident to decipher who is responsible. They will examine the truck driver's actions, whether the driver was an employee or independent contractor of a trucking company, the company’s policies and procedures concerning hiring and training drivers, and the vehicle’s maintenance log as they assess liability.  In addition to these potentially responsible parties, governmental entities or agencies may be found liable in part for the accident if hazardous road conditions contributed to the crash. For example, if the local municipality failed to maintain the roads to the extent that potholes or loose gravel caused the accident, they may be held responsible. Likewise, the governmental agency responsible for the design of the roadway, intersection, or placement of traffic signs and signals may be liable for the accident if these factors played a role in the crash.  Because suing the government involves specific deadlines and other procedural hurdles, contacting a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident for wrecks caused by bad road conditions is critical to your case. Seeking Justice and Support You can seek compensation from the party responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. Our firm will thoroughly investigate the accident and assess your financial losses so we can seek maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and even money for pain and suffering. Contact Our Phoenix Truck Accident Attorneys for Help If you were hurt in a truck road accident, call Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. Our legal team is well-equipped to handle all aspects of your case. We understand that you may feel intimidated by the legal process and need clarification about what steps you can take while recovering from your injuries. We have vast experience helping accident victims just like you. Contact us today for a free case review.

Contact Us Today All vehicle accidents can be devastating and life-changing, whether they involve cars, motorcycles, or semi-trucks. Property damage, serious injuries, high medical bills, and loss of life can result from any roadway accident. Despite similar impacts, it’s essential to understand how truck accident claims differ from auto accident claims. The size of the vehicles and the complex legal system surrounding commercial trucks make it harder to recover from an 18-wheeler accident. Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 times heavier than the average passenger car. As a result, truck accidents tend to be more severe and fatal than accidents that just involve cars. There are also multiple potentially liable parties in truck accidents, making it challenging to determine the identity of the at-fault party.  Additionally, the types of injuries from a semi-truck accident tend to be more severe than a car accident.  These injuries include: Brain trauma Spinal cord injuries Paralysis Burns Loss of limbs Facial and dental injuries Internal organ damage Fractures Lacerations Neck injuries Recovering from a semi-truck accident can require extensive medical care and long-term rehabilitation, which can lead to costly medical bills. Generally speaking, more money is necessary to cover losses after a truck accident because the injuries are more severe than those in auto accident claims.  You can seek compensation to cover the following: Medical bills Lost wages Long-term medical care Loss of future earning potential Pain and suffering Loss of enjoyment of life Identifying the Parties Involved in a Truck Accident Claim A truck accident could include more liable parties than a car accident because trucking is a commercial industry. Parties that could be at fault in semi-truck accident claims include: The truck driver Trucking company Truck manufacturers Truck maintenance providers Cargo loading company Other motorist(s) Understanding the Legal Process Because of its complexity, a truck accident investigation can require more time, energy, and attention than a car accident investigation. It takes time to interview multiple drivers, collect evidence like maintenance records, and conduct a thorough crash investigation.  A skilled truck accident attorney can: Investigate your claim to determine fault and collect evidence Interview witnesses and evaluate their credibility Obtain data from the truck’s black box Engage accident reconstruction specialists Assess your injuries and assign a value to your losses Negotiate with insurance companies Manage communications with insurers and at-fault parties File a lawsuit within the statute of limitations and track vital deadlines Concisely present how you’ve been affected by the accident Vigorously represent you in court if necessary Hiring a truck accident attorney can guide you down the path of recovering money to cover your medical bills and care. Contact Our Phoenix Truck Accident Attorneys to Learn More Working with an experienced truck accident attorney is essential when pursuing the compensation you need after you’ve been injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s actions. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we only concentrate on personal injury cases. Our legal team can vigorously investigate your truck accident, and we know how to protect you against insurance company tactics to reduce the value of your claim. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Contact Us Today Regular maintenance checks are vital to keeping any vehicle in good working order. This is especially true for large commercial vehicles, which are under considerable mechanical stress week in and week out. These vehicles also weigh up to 20 times more than the average passenger car, which puts more stress on the truck’s parts and makes them more likely to fail. When truck drivers and trucking companies don’t prioritize maintenance, serious accidents can result. Laws Governing Truck Maintenance The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and other regulators have implemented many rules regarding truck maintenance and additional safety measures. Here are some key FMCSA regulations concerning truck maintenance: All commercial trucks must be inspected by a qualified inspector every 12 months. Trucking companies must “ systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” all the trucks in their fleets. In addition to inspecting their vehicles before each trip, truck drivers must complete a daily post-trip inspection and report any issues to their employers. A truck driver or trucking company may be guilty of criminal negligence in the event of a truck accident caused by no maintenance. Common Maintenance Issues Leading to Truck Accidents The regulations above are designed to reduce the likelihood of preventable truck accidents. Unfortunately, they are only effective when they are followed to the letter. When truck drivers and carriers fail to regularly inspect their vehicles as required, they increase the chance of accidents resulting from the following common maintenance issues: Brake Failure: Worn or improperly maintained brakes can fail, leading to catastrophic accidents. Tire Blowouts: Inadequately inflated or worn tires can explode, potentially causing the driver to lose control. Steering Issues: Faulty steering systems can hinder a driver’s ability to control the truck, increasing the risk of veering off course. Improperly Secured Cargo: Cargo that is not secured correctly can shift in transit, throwing the truck out of balance. It can even fall off the vehicle entirely, creating hazardous conditions for other vehicles. Engine Problems: An inadequately maintained engine can seize up, catch fire, or even explode, leading to sudden stops, loss of power, or worse. What To Do After a Semi-Truck Accident If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident caused by a driver or carrier’s failure to maintain their vehicle, you could be entitled to file a claim for compensation. In many ways, this claim begins as soon as the accident occurs, and what you do in the aftermath can significantly affect your chance of success. With that in mind, consider taking the following steps: Seek medical attention right away and follow your doctor’s instructions Save any evidence from the accident scene (photos, witness contact information, etc.) Do not discuss the accident on social media Do not talk to any insurance companies without speaking to a lawyer first Hire a truck accident lawyer for maintenance issues Contact Our Arizona Truck Accident Attorney to Learn More Are you looking for an experienced truck accident attorney for maintenance issues? Then contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer today. We will review your case for free and advise you on your options for pursuing compensation.

Contact Us Today There are many dangers and potential consequences to being in any type of traffic accident. However, collisions involving large commercial vehicles have a far greater potential to cause catastrophic damage and life-altering injuries. The size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles, differences in handling, and the layered insurance policies of many trucking companies can make the semi-truck accident aftermath more physically, emotionally, and legally complex. The Scale and Severity of Truck Accidents Many passenger vehicle occupants who are involved in truck accidents suffer debilitating injuries that may last the rest of their lives. One of the main reasons for the increased severity of truck accidents is their enormous size. While the average passenger car weighs about 4,000 pounds, a fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. As a result, passenger vehicle occupants will experience the massive force of impact of an object 20 times heavier, which can lead to life-threatening injuries even at relatively low speeds. Furthermore, trucks require much greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles due to their substantial weight. While a passenger vehicle traveling at 65 mph under ideal conditions will require 300 feet to come to a complete stop, a tractor-trailer at the same speed will need 525 feet. As such, a truck driver who is speeding or tailgating is less capable of braking early enough to avoid sudden hazards. Legal Complexity in Truck Accident Cases Trucking accidents are often more complicated than other crashes because multiple parties may be at fault. While truckers are often liable for accidents, their employers might also be at fault if they pressured drivers into working in violation of hours of service (HOS) regulations or failed to maintain their vehicles, for example.  Furthermore, the trucking company’s insurers and legal team will do all they can to protect themselves from liability, meaning accident victims need the support of an experienced semi-truck accident attorney. The Physical and Emotional Toll Injuries from a truck accident can cause immense physical pain. These injuries may require intensive medical treatments over months or years or result in permanent impairments. Furthermore, many truck accident victims experience mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a loss of enjoyment of life due to the accident and resulting disabilities. Financial Implications for Victims What is the average settlement for a truck accident? The amount you can recover will depend on the value of your losses, such as medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering you have experienced. How long does it take to settle a semi-truck accident? The process is often longer than a car accident claim. It might take between a few months to well over a year. Your attorney can give you a reasonable estimate of how long your claim might take. Contact our Phoenix Truck Accident Attorney to Learn More If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident in Arizona, Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer can give you the support and advocacy you need. Contact us today for a free case review to learn more about your legal options.

Contact Us Today Semi-trucks are the lifeblood of the transportation industry. Every year, these machines transport goods across the nation, ensuring that the things we need are where we need them. Unfortunately, these mammoth vehicles can cause catastrophic accidents when mishandled, and these accidents may impact victims for the rest of their lives. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we focus on helping people injured in Phoenix truck accidents get the compensation they deserve after collisions involving semi-truck drivers. The goal of any insurer or semi-truck company is to protect themselves, not you. That means offering as little compensation as possible, leaving you to pick up the pieces. Has a semi-truck accident hurt your physical and financial health? Let our experienced semi-truck accident lawyers help you understand what to do after an accident with a semi-truck. What to Do Immediately After an Accident Commercial vehicle accidents can be traumatizing. You may be injured and in shock after a collision, making it challenging to get your thoughts together and act. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we want to help you understand what to do immediately after an accident. Contact the authorities and emergency services If possible, document the scene as thoroughly as possible Exchange information with the semi-truck driver Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately Ask witnesses for their contact information Your priority following a truck accident injury is to protect your well-being. Always seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. In the days and weeks following the crash, stick to your doctor’s treatment plan, keep all bills and paperwork related to the crash, and contact a skilled semi-truck accident lawyer for help. Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents Driving a large commercial vehicle is a demanding job. Many drivers work on tight deadlines, driving hours at a time to meet their company’s goals. Pressure, stress, fatigue, and distractions are standard in the trucking industry. However, these factors can also be dangerous and lead to devastating accidents. Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents on Arizona roadways include: Fatigued driving Distracted driving Driving while impaired or intoxicated Speeding Unsafe lane changes Failure to yield Aggressive driving Mechanical defects Driver inexperience Truck drivers unfamiliar with Arizona terrain may also be surprised by sudden monsoon storms in the South and snowstorms in the North. Inclement weather conditions may also contribute to some commercial vehicle collisions. Navigating Legal Challenges in Phoenix Seeking financial recovery after a semi-truck accident can be challenging. Who is liable? How can you prove the truck driver or trucking company is to blame? Evidence is the key to establishing liability. However, obtaining the evidence you need to build a solid claim is much easier with the help of an experienced Phoenix semi truck accident attorney. An attorney can help gather the vital information you need before it can be lost or destroyed. An attorney can also help you understand Arizona’s comparative fault system and how it may impact your claim. Arizona follows a pure comparative fault model, meaning that in civil lawsuits, your compensation diminishes by the same percentage of fault you bear for causing a crash. For example, if you are found to be 25 percent responsible for the collision, your compensation is reduced by 25 percent. Contact a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer Today A truck accident injury can change your life. Pursue the compensation you deserve and talk to the experienced legal team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer for help. Contact our Phoenix office for a free consultation.

Contact Us Today Semi-truck accidents can be devastating, leading to life-altering injuries, significant property damage, and even fatalities. Truck accident victims are often overwhelmed and not sure what to do next. However, there are three semi-truck accident laws that can help you understand your rights after this type of crash. Our Arizona semi-truck accident attorney is also an excellent source of information, and we offer free consultations so you can learn more about your rights. Hours of Service Regulations Arizona observes the federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations that govern commercial truck drivers. These federal regulations, set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), dictate the maximum hours a truck driver can operate their vehicle within specific timeframes. If a driver violates these regulations or their employer orders them to ignore them, these parties could be held liable in a truck accident lawsuit. 14-Hour Driving Window Commercial truck drivers can drive up to 14 consecutive hours per day. Within this span, they can drive up to 11 hours if they've had at least ten straight hours of off-duty time. 11-Hour Drive Time Limit Commercial operators cannot exceed 11 total driving hours within any continuous 14-hour period. Once they've reached 11 hours, they must take at least 10 hours off-duty before the 14-hour driving window resets. 30-Minute Break Requirement Commercial vehicle drivers must take a 30-minute off-duty rest break if they drive more than eight consecutive hours following their last off-duty period. This mandatory break can consist of any combination of mealtime, sleeper-berth time, or other off-duty intervals. 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit Commercial drivers may not work beyond 60 hours in a seven-day workweek or 70 hours in an eight-day workweek. To reset their weekly work hours, drivers must take a continuous off-duty break of at least 34 hours. Trucking Weight Limits Exceeding weight limits can lead to compromised vehicle stability, decreased maneuverability, and longer stopping distances. Like many states, Arizona enforces strict weight limits on commercial trucks to mitigate the associated risks of overloading: Maximum weight for single-axle vehicles is 20,000 pounds Weight limit for tandem axle vehicles is 34,000 pounds Maximum weight for vehicles with five or more axles is 80,000 pounds If trucks exceed this weight limit, it puts everyone on the road at an increased risk of an accident. Arizona's Comparative Fault System for Truck Accidents It is important to note that in Arizona, an injury victim who is partly to blame for an accident can still seek compensation through a truck accident claim. Arizona's comparative fault system for truck accidents allows injured parties to seek compensation if they are up to 99 percent at fault for the accident. However, in such a case, the injury victim’s monetary award will be reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility. For instance, a person seeking $100,000 in injuries who is found to be 20 percent to blame for an accident can receive up to $80,000. How an Attorney Can Help After a Semi-Truck Accident Semi-truck accident lawsuits are often difficult to navigate without the proper knowledge, training, and resources. Plus, hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer could provide an answer to the common question: what is the average settlement for a semi-truck accident? An experienced truck accident attorney can help by: Compiling and examining evidence Determining liability Assessing injuries Negotiating a settlement Contact Our Arizona Truck Accident Lawyer Today If you were hurt in a semi-truck accident, you need effective legal representation to seek compensation. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we can advocate for your rights and pursue financial relief. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Contact Us Today There’s an object in most semi-trucks called a black box recorder. Its official name is electronic control module (ECM) or event data recorder (EDR). They’re devices installed in motor vehicles to record technical vehicle and occupant information for a brief period of time before, during, and after a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, black boxes can record the following: Pre-crash vehicle dynamics and system status Driver inputs Vehicle crash signature Restraint usage/deployment status Post-crash data such as the activation of an automatic collision notification (ACN) system Black Box’s Vital Information Regarding semi-truck accidents, the information inside a black box recorder can be used as evidence in court against the driver. They can keep track of the following data: GPS coordinate location Average speed Speed at time of accident Acceleration rate Hard braking and sudden stops Cruise control usage Seat belt usage Length of time driving and distance Driver identification The data can also be used to recreate the accident with computer animation software. Preserving Data The driver and trucking company are not legally required to share this information with an accident victim. They fight hard against turning over black box recordings if they have proof the driver is liable. The company is required to give this information to law enforcement, though. Trucking companies may overwrite or delete information from the black box recording (intentionally or by accident). Restarting the engine or driving the truck after the accident can clear black box data. During and After an Accident It’s crucial for semi-truck accident victims to ask if black box data can be preserved at the scene and to request the truck be towed rather than driven away. Many black box recorders can only save data for thirty days or less. Ensuring the data is saved is crucial, and that may involve a protective order and subpoena. If you or a loved one has been in a semi-truck accident, act now. Contact the personal injury lawyers at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer today.

Contact Us Today No one wants to be in any sort of traffic accident. Whether you drive for business or pleasure, what starts as a way to get from point A to point B can quickly turn to tragedy. Today, we explore two crash situations and look at how, even when faced with adversity, the use of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney helps these accident victims get the outcome they deserve. Motorcycle Accident Too often, when it comes to accidents involving a motorcycle, it’s assumed that the rider was at fault. “He was probably riding too fast” is a perception many have. Although with little to protect them, if a motorcyclist’s life is lost, who is responsible is of little consolation. Let’s look at a recent motorcycle accident in Arizona and discuss what the next legal steps should be. In early March of this year, the tire on a cement truck traveling west on US 60, near Gilbert Road in Mesa, blew out, causing the driver to lose control. Once the driver lost control, the truck collided with a motorcycle and then the concrete barrier wall on the highway. Thankfully, the rider was not killed, but he was badly injured and pinned beneath the truck. After authorities came and were successfully able to free him, he was sent to the hospital in serious condition. What Could Happen Next Given the details of the initial story, it appears that the motorcyclist will survive this accident, but who knows what his long-term injuries may be? When determining who is at fault for the accident, one would assume the fault is entirely on the cement truck rather than the motorcycle rider. But who else may be at fault? A few parties that could be held at fault include: The cement company The manufacturer of the truck The manufacturer of the truck tire that blew out The driver of the truck As personal injury attorneys, we at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer look at the police reports and witness statements to determine the events of the incident. We then may complete research on the truck and tire to see if there were any defects that need to be pursued. If we find that the company may have been negligent as well as the actual truck driver, we may file a lawsuit against both. With multiple defendants involved in the lawsuit, they may be equally responsible for the plaintiff’s damages, or they may be held accountable for varying percentages of fault. In this case, we would expect a strong settlement or judgment in favor of the motorcycle rider. Semi-Truck Accident If you live in Arizona, you probably heard about the huge semi-truck accident along I-10 this summer. In July of 2015, a series of misfortunes befell a number of drivers in Quartzsite. First, a semi-truck was going the wrong way on the highway, leading to a fatal accident. Separately, another semi driver failed to slow for the congested traffic caused by the first accident, leading to a second collision when he rear-ended a different semi. Two other semi-trucks were also rear-ended in the accident, which led to the first truck—the one that failed to slow in the congested traffic—catching on fire. The driver in that fiery truck died. Initial reports indicated that fatigue might have been an issue in this case, which led to the allegedly impaired driver’s death. What Could Happen Next With multiple participants in an accident like this, you’re likely going to have a number of litigants, both plaintiffs and defendants. One thing to consider with semi-trucks is the increased level of responsibility they have. Commercial drivers need a different type of license and must follow various state requirements with a CDL (commercial drivers license). Also, commercial vehicles are required to carry a higher level of insurance, which could be a benefit for the person who is looking to insurance to pay out. The team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer looks at all of the components of a complicated case such as this one and use our extensive experience and case knowledge to deliver the best outcome. Depending on the amount of damage and injury incurred, we would expect a substantial settlement. If It Happens to You If you are involved in an accident while on a motorcycle or with a semi-truck, don’t rely on the insurance companies to make the best decisions. You need an experienced personal injury firm in your corner to ensure you get everything that is coming to you. Contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call us at 602.535.5899 for a free personal injury case review.

Contact Us Today Admit it. You’ve driven while talking or texting on your cell phone. We’ve all done it. We just can’t help ourselves. We need to read an email or check social media. We think it won’t hurt anyone because we’re at a red light but the truth is that sometimes we don’t put the phone down when the light changes. Just one more email or one more minute talking on the phone. It’s the same for semi-truck drivers. The Difference between You and a Semi-Truck Driver You don’t need a degree in physics to know that big, heavy things that are moving fast take longer to stop than smaller things moving at the same speed. There’s more of them to stop! A semi-truck filled to capacity weighs as much as 80,000 pounds compared to your tiny 3,000-pound car – you might be able to stop quickly with a small skid if caught by surprise. It’s a different story with a fully loaded truck. A trucker, waiting to hear about the birth of his daughter, hears the chime of his phone that a message just came in. He knows that he needs to keep his eyes on the road, especially during rush hour traffic, but he’s been on pins and needles all day. It’s just a quick glance, he reasons. Snagging the phone with his right hand, he opens the display and sees a picture of his beautiful new baby girl. A smile crosses his face when he glances back up. The river of moving cars has turned into a stopped sea of red taillights. His heart jumps up in his throat – he’s going too fast. There’s no way to stop in time so he swerves to avoid hitting the car in front of him. The swerve of his semi-truck quickly turns into a jack-knifed vehicle blocking two lanes of traffic on a rush hour freeway. One driver gets past but the next driver isn’t so lucky. The truck hits them. The next car can’t react fast enough to avoid the semi-truck accident and barrels into the already stopped vehicles. And on and on. Semi-truck driver common distractions Besides the typical distractions of checking phones, semi-truck drivers deal with a broad number of other distractions that can result in an injury accident. The most common situations involving distracted semi-truck drivers are: Poor sleep – Truck drivers have a tough schedule to keep when getting products to the stores and warehouses. Even though there are strict federal guidelines around their sleep behavior, truck drivers have been known to push it to meet deadlines. One minute their eyes are drooping, the next minute they’re veering into your lane. Checking directions – Truck drivers have sophisticated systems that help them get from point A to point B but many of them are driving unfamiliar roads. The distraction of looking for a hard to see destination can result in a truck driver failing to see that you’ve stopped your car just ahead of them. Impaired driving – All it takes is misreading the label of a cold or allergy medication for a truck driver to end up being impaired on the road. The “quick glance” – It’s a quick glance away from the road to papers inside the cab. In that moment you merge into the lane in front of them and they don’t see your car. Unraveling Your Semi-Truck Accident Because semi-truck accidents involving a distracted driver are complicated by their very nature, it becomes even more challenging to deal with them when the root cause is a distracted driver. It requires a lot of investigative work to uncover what caused the semi-truck accident, a process that is complicated by the layers of legal representation shielding the trucking company and their insurance companies. Fortunately there’s a secret weapon to help you breakthrough the barriers and straight to the facts, the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. We have a lot of experience successfully pursuing semi-truck accident cases. Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and negotiating settlements with trucking and insurance companies takes more than just knowing what to do. It takes patience, persistence, and an unstoppable commitment to protecting our client’s rights! When we work with you, we dedicate our team reviewing your case and getting you the compensation you deserve in your semi-truck accident case. If you or a loved one were involved in a semi-truck accident, we want to help. Call Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer at 602-535-5899 for a free case review.

Contact Us Today What you can do if you’re involved in one Semi-truck accidents happen all the time. A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that 73% of large truck accidents involve another vehicle. The vehicles involved are just part of the story. Fully loaded, a large truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds compared to a passenger car that may weigh only 3,000 pounds. When they collide, the results can be devastating but weight isn’t the only factor. Driver errors, truck problems, and environmental or weather issues contribute to why semi-truck accidents happen. How you deal with the accident can be the difference in the amount of compensation you receive and being left in the dust by big corporations and their insurance companies. Long before your truck accident there may have been a problem with the truck itself. Whether it’s a manufacturing defect or lack of maintenance, the driver may have done all they could to prevent an accident and an accident still happened. That doesn’t mean the driver or trucking company aren’t liable. It means you need the experienced semi-truck accident attorney at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer to sort the details on your behalf. Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents Truck Problems – When it comes to large truck accidents, the two common truck-related issues are maintenance and cargo. Brakes that are not maintained cause trucks to skid into other vehicles causing accidents. If the truck isn’t loaded properly – overload or not securing the load – the cargo will shift, causing the truck to become out of control. Driver Errors – Have you ever been a stressed out driver? Whether it’s because you’re unfamiliar with the road, are trying to get to a destination on-time, or are going too fast for weather conditions, accidents happen. It’s the same for truck drivers. They are under tremendous pressure and may have lapses in judgment, be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or become distracted causing an accident. Lack of Sleep – The FMCSA, a division of the Department of Transportation, regulates hours of service for day-to-day and semi-truck drivers. They are required to rest a certain number of hours while on a long distance interstate trip and log these hours. As a result of this regulation, there are less semi-truck accidents but not every driver is resting or properly logging their time. Road Conditions – Construction, signage, and weather contribute to road conditions and the resulting semi-truck accidents. By the time a driver sees their exit or begins to stop, it could be too late for other drivers. Accidents happen for any number of reasons. This is why you need immediate expert legal representation for you or your loved one who has been involved in a semi-truck accident. Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer works on your behalf to sort the evidence of how your accident happened and get you the proper compensation. Contact us or call today at 602-535-5899 for a free review of your case.

Contact Us Today Many of us have been in the situation where we’ve been behind the wheel after a long day and start to feel driver fatigue setting in. While this situation can be dangerous no matter what vehicle you’re driving, most of us are not driving a semi-truck when it happens. Semi-trucks can weigh well in excess of 50,000 pounds, and when an operator is inattentive, or even worse, falls asleep and they are involved in an accident, the damage is often catastrophic. That’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation, regulates Hours of Services for long distance and day-to-day semi-truck drivers. What is Hours of Service? Hours of Service applies to vehicles used for interstate travel that are a certain weight and/or passenger capacity. Drivers are required to rest a certain number of hours while on a long distance interstate trip and are required to log these hours. Failure to do so is a violation of federal regulations. What happens when we have a lack of sleep? The regulations are designed to protect everyone on the road. Lack of sleep severely impacts the ability to make decisions and safely operate a motor vehicle. Whether you’re driving a car or a semi-truck, it’s important for everyone’s safety that you’re getting enough sleep. Being awake for 18 hours causes impairment similar to that of someone with a blood alcohol level of .05. While not past the legal limit, we’d argue you should still not be behind the wheel. Staying awake for 24 hours causes impairment similar to that of someone with a blood alcohol level of .08, the legal limit. Semi-truck drivers typically try to make their drop-off destination in the fastest number of hours, occasionally going without the proper amount of sleep. Their activities are recorded (or should be). The challenge sometimes is getting to these records and logs after a semi-truck accident before they are lost or destroyed. Securing this crucial data as quickly as possible is but one reason why it is important to call Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer if you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck accident. Does Hours of Service really make a difference? Yes, since Hours of Service was implemented in 2013, the FMCSA reports fewer fatal crashes , fewer drivers working maximum schedules which decreases the risk for driver fatigue, and no increase in crashes 5am – 9am, the morning rush hour. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a semi-truck accident, you need Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, a firm that is familiar with the critical details of both federal and state laws concerning semi-truck accidents. Contact us or call today at 602-535-5899 for a free review of your case.