If you’ve been in a car accident in Phoenix, Arizona, you have a lot to deal with, including fixing your car. Unfortunately, your car won’t be worth as much after the accident, but you may be entitled to compensation to offset your vehicle’s diminished value.
Steps to Take Immediately After the Accident
Immediately after a crash, car accident victims should take the following steps to strengthen their claim and protect their rights:
- Gather any evidence related to the accident from the accident scene, especially photos of damage to your car
- Get proper medical treatment and follow up with any rehab your doctor orders
- Don’t post about the accident on social media
- Keep any documents such as police reports or auto repair bills
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Arizona is an at-fault state for collisions, so you will file your car accident claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Of course, no auto insurance company is eager to make payouts, so having an excellent car accident lawyer is essential. Your lawyer can advocate for your rights when dealing with the insurance company. For example, if you’re filing an Allstate diminished value claim, your attorney can provide Allstate with everything it needs to honor the true value of your claim.
Choosing the Right Repair Shop
Don’t just choose the least expensive repair shop you can find. No matter what, your car will lose value after a motor vehicle accident, and using a bargain basement repair shop can reduce the value of your vehicle even more. Using aftermarket parts and making poor-quality cosmetic changes, such as to the paint job, will do nothing to increase the value of your vehicle. Always use a recognized, professional auto repair shop to avoid repair-related diminished value.
Understanding Diminished Value Claims
In car accident claims, there are three types of diminished value:
- Immediate diminished value is the difference between the car value before the accident and immediately after the accident.
- Repair-related diminished value is the difference in the car’s value due to imperfections in the repair.
- Inherent diminished value is the difference to the car’s value after an accident, even if all the repairs were of the highest possible quality.
Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations on a diminished value claim, and you cannot make such a claim if the accident was your fault. If you’re wondering how to file a diminished value claim in Arizona, here are the steps you need to take:
- Determine the value of your vehicle before the accident based on its make, model, and condition.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to help you pursue your car accident case.
- Hire an appraiser to determine the car’s value and assess the inherent diminished value as well as any repair-related diminished value.
- File your diminished value claim with your attorney’s help.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to intend to sell your vehicle to file a diminished value claim in Arizona. In Oliver v. Henry, an Arizona appeals court found that Oliver was entitled to the diminished value on his damaged vehicle even though he didn’t intend to sell it.
Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorney for Help
If your car has been damaged in an accident, you need the help of a Phoenix, AZ, car accident law firm like Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. Our experienced auto accident attorney will help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our Phoenix car accident lawyer.
Age-related changes can affect vision, physical ability, memory, and cognitive function, which can adversely affect an older motorist’s driving ability. What should you do when encountering elderly drivers on the road? Unless an older driver’s behavior gives you cause for concern, you should act with the same care around older drivers as you would with other motorists. Regardless of a driver’s age, if you’re involved in an accident someone else caused, you must understand how to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Elderly Drivers in Phoenix, AZ
Many drivers may wonder, “How many car accidents are caused by elderly drivers?” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has compiled stats on elderly drivers in the U.S. The NHTSA reports that 6,549 people age 65 and older died in traffic accidents in the U.S. in one recent year. This group accounted for 17 percent of all traffic fatalities. Adults 65 and older are also 17 percent of the U.S. population. As for the elderly drivers accident rate, older drivers accounted for 20 percent of all female driver fatalities and 16 percent of all male driver fatalities. Older drivers accounted for 13 percent of drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents. Motorists may also wonder whether elderly drivers are more dangerous than teenage drivers. According to the National Safety Council, 5,088 drivers aged 15 to 20 got into fatal accidents in the U.S. in one recent year, compared to 4,768 drivers aged 65 to 74 and 3,263 drivers 75 and older.
Steps to Take Immediately After an Accident
After an accident with an older driver, steps you can take to protect your rights and interests include:
- Seek immediate medical attention to identify your injuries and begin prompt treatment
- Keep copies of your medical records
- Request a copy of the police crash report
- Notify your car insurance provider about the accident
- Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts for your recovery expenses
- Gather pay stubs or income statements if you miss work
- Contact a car accident attorney to discuss your legal options for recovering compensation
Legal Considerations and Rights
If you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by an older driver, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for expenses or losses you incur, including:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Costs of long-term disability care or replacement services
- Lost income
- Lost future earning ability and employment benefits
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life caused by disabilities, disfigurement, or scarring
- Costs of vehicle repairs or reimbursement for your totaled vehicle
Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorney for Help
In the aftermath of a car accident involving an older driver, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for injuries and losses you sustained in the crash. Reach out to the team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Phoenix car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Navigating Car Accidents with Youth Drivers
Teen driver car accidents are among the most common type of traffic collisions. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenage car accidents may be particularly common due to driver inexperience.
Have you recently been hit by a teen driver in Phoenix? If so, you may have questions about how the age of the motorist who caused the crash will influence any future legal proceedings.
Understanding the Unique Challenges
When someone causes a wreck in Arizona, they are typically liable for injuries resulting from the crash. Victims can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and many other related losses by filing a claim with the at-fault motorist’s insurance. They may also file lawsuits if the motorist doesn’t have insurance or their insurer won’t offer a fair settlement.
However, the situation gets more complicated if the person who hit you was under 18 and therefore unable to purchase insurance themselves.
Legal Considerations for Youth Driver Accidents
The Arizona Supreme Court recently addressed a case regarding whether a minor’s parents can be vicariously liable for crashes and injuries their teen driver causes. The court reaffirmed Arizona’s “family purpose doctrine” by deciding that the parents are liable even in cases when young drivers cause crashes while violating driving restrictions that their parents imposed on them.
This particular case involved a teen driver causing a wreck while violating limitations his parents had tried to place on his driving privileges. Even though the parent had attempted to prevent the teen from driving prior to the accident, per the Arizona Supreme Court, they are still liable.
Steps to Take After a Car Crash with a Young Driver
You can protect yourself and your rights after a teen driving accident by:
- Checking yourself for injuries
- Moving to a spot away from traffic
- Checking to see if the other drivers or passengers involved in the wreck need assistance
- Calling 911 to report the crash
- Calmly exchanging contact and insurance information with the other drivers
- Remembering not to say you’re sorry or giving any other indication the wreck is your fault
- Cooperating with police while they investigate the crash
- Getting the names and contact information of witnesses
- Taking pictures of the wreck from multiple angles
- Taking pictures of your injuries
- Seeing a doctor on the day of the crash
- Contacting insurance companies
Remember, you don’t have to handle your insurance claim or eventual legal case yourself. A teen car accidents lawyer can offer the representation you may need in these unique circumstances.
Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorney for More Information
Navigating your legal options after a teen car accident is much easier when you have the guidance of a seasoned legal professional. The team at Silkman Law Firm is standing by to investigate the accident and advise you on your options for compensation, which could include a claim against the teen’s parents. Next, we can pursue that compensation on your behalf, so that you have the time and space to focus on your health. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Phoenix car accident attorney, and let’s get started.
Latest Car Safety Tech to Prevent Accidents
Modern vehicles at all price points contain various car safety features designed to reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Although car accident technology can help drivers safely operate their vehicles, motorists must stay vigilant and focus on the road. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common examples of recent developments in car safety technology.
Automatic Emergency Braking
An automatic emergency braking (AEB) system applies a vehicle’s brakes when the car’s sensors detect an imminent collision with something in front of the vehicle. AEB systems typically come with forward collision warning systems, which provide audible, visual, and tactile warnings to drivers to alert them of a rapidly approaching object in front of the car. AEB systems come in two types: dynamic brake support (DBS) and crash imminent braking (CIB). DBS systems activate when a driver applies the brakes when the car warns of an imminent accident, helping supplement the brake force to bring the vehicle to a stop before a crash. CIB systems automatically apply the car’s brakes when a driver does not react to a collision warning to slow or stop the vehicle to avoid a collision or reduce the severity of a crash.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems control a car’s throttle to adjust the speed to maintain a consistent distance from a vehicle ahead. ACC systems can slow down a car when the vehicle ahead brakes or speed up when it accelerates (up to the maximum speed set by the driver). Adaptive cruise control relieves drivers from the need to operate the accelerator and brake pedals, avoiding physical stress on a driver’s foot and ankle during a long drive and allowing drivers to focus on maintaining their lane and watching out for hazards.
Lane Keeping Assist
Lane keeping assistance (LKA) systems provide automatic, gentle steering inputs to prevent a car from drifting out of its lane. Cameras and sensors on the front and sides of a vehicle monitor road lines, with the LKA system intervening as the car’s tires approach a road line. LKA systems typically come with lane departure warnings, which alert drivers when their car drifts out of the lane. These systems intervene when the driver fails to heed the lane departure warnings.
Blind Spot Detection
Blind spot monitoring systems use sensors to detect vehicles in a driver’s blind spots. Many blind spot monitoring systems will activate a light on the driver’s side mirror to alert them to a vehicle or object in their blind spot. Some systems give audible warnings when a driver activates their turn signal to provide an additional alert regarding the presence of a vehicle or object in the car’s blind spot.
Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorney for Help
After you’ve suffered injuries in a car crash in Phoenix, get the legal help you need to pursue financial recovery for your losses. Contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a Phoenix car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options for obtaining the compensation and justice you deserve. We have several years of experience handling car accident claims, and we can help you explore your options for seeking compensation after a crash.
The Role of Negligence in Personal Injury Cases
Negligence is a critical concept in Arizona personal injury cases, but many people do not understand what it means. At the Silkman Law Firm, we believe it’s essential for our clients to understand the basic legal principles involved in their cases, including personal injury negligence. Today, we explain negligence personal injury claims so you can better understand your rights and what’s involved in your case.
What Is Negligence in Personal Injury Law?
In personal injury law, negligence occurs when someone fails to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others. Think of it as a situation where a person doesn’t do something that a careful person would do, or they do something that a careful person wouldn’t, leading to someone else getting hurt. For instance, a store owner has a responsibility to provide a safe premises for their customers. If a store owner leaves a spill on the floor without cleaning it up or warning customers, and someone slips and falls, that could be an example of the store owner’s negligence. In most personal injury cases, proving negligence is critical. To prove negligence, the injured person must show that someone had a duty to act safely, didn’t follow through on that duty, and caused an injury because of it. This concept is fundamental because it helps determine who caused the injuries and should pay for the injured person’s losses.
Comparative Negligence in Arizona
Negligence laws vary across the United States, particularly when it comes to the idea of comparative negligence. Basically, the comparative negligence doctrine refers to situations where more than one party contributed to an accident and helps determine how much compensation (if any) the liable party or parties will pay. Comparative negligence laws are especially important in cases where the evidence shows the injured party contributed to their injuries. Some states allow the injured party to recover compensation in these cases, but their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. Other states bar plaintiffs from recovering anything if they contributed to their injuries at all. Finally, some states use a hybrid where plaintiffs can recover compensation if their degree of fault is below a certain threshold. Arizona law uses a model called “pure comparative negligence,” which allows plaintiffs to recover compensation even if they contributed to their injuries, no matter their degree of fault.
Impact of Negligence on Your Injury Claim
Negligence is vital to your personal injury claim in two key ways. First, you have to show that someone else caused your injuries, or you can’t recover any compensation. Second, your own negligence can reduce the value of your claim if the other party can show that you contributed to your injuries. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Arizona can find evidence to show how someone else caused your injuries while minimizing your degree of negligence, helping you to recover maximum compensation.
Contact Our Phoenix Injury Lawyer to Learn More
Attorney Alex Silkman and the rest of the team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer understand Arizona’s negligence laws inside and out, and we’re fully prepared to protect your legal rights. We have experience with a broad range of cases, and our results demonstrate our skill and resolve. If you need a personal injury lawyer for hospital negligence, car accidents, truck crashes, defective product injuries, or any other type of claim, we’re ready to help. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
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.
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.
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.
Many of the injuries that result from a car accident are immediately apparent, such as lacerations or broken bones. Other physical injuries are less obvious but detectable through X-rays or MRIs. However, people often overlook the psychological effects of personal injury accidents, which are invisible but just as harmful. If you were in an accident and now suffer from depression, anxiety, or another psychological disorder, you could be entitled to compensation. Feel free to contact us to learn more about the invisible aftermath of car accidents, how to identify psychological symptoms, and how a lawyer could help.
Invisible Aftermath of an Accident
The underlying physical injuries of a motor vehicle crash or another accident are not always apparent, but they frequently cause severe problems for the injured party. Some common psychological injuries after accidents include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a common reaction for accident victims following a traumatic event like a car crash. You might experience flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, or uncontrollable thoughts about the accident.
- Depression: After an accident, it’s not uncommon to feel a deep sense of sadness or hopelessness. These feelings might manifest as a lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in appetite, or a persistent feeling of emptiness.
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Anxiety after a serious car accident can be overwhelming. You might experience intense, persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. In some cases, this can lead to panic attacks, where you feel sudden periods of intense fear that may include palpitations, sweating, or a feeling of impending doom.
- Phobias: Developing a specific phobia, such as a fear of driving or being in a car, is a typical response after an accident. This phobia can limit your ability to return to your routine, cause emotional suffering, and can be debilitating in your daily life.
- Sleep Disturbances: Trouble sleeping, including difficulties falling or staying asleep, is common after an accident. These issues can lead to a cycle of fatigue and stress, impacting your overall health and well-being.
Identifying Psychological Symptoms
One of the significant challenges in recovering compensation for psychological trauma after an accident is proving it exists. A knowledgeable attorney can gather evidence to demonstrate how an accident has affected you psychologically and emotionally and use that to strengthen your personal injury case. This evidence might include:
- Medical bills and records
- A personal diary or journal
- Notes from mental health professionals
- Testimony from expert witnesses
- Accounts from friends, family, or coworkers
Can You Be Compensated for Psychological Trauma?
You can seek compensation for psychological trauma or other mental effects of an accident. However, proving emotional distress can be challenging, as mental health issues do not have obvious physical signs. An experienced attorney can help you pursue compensation for psychological trauma after a car or motorcycle accident by filing a personal injury claim. This can aid in your mental health recovery as you move forward from a traumatic event.
Contact Our Phoenix Accident Attorney for More Information
Did you experience psychological shock after a car accident? If so, the legal team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer can help. We understand that proving this trauma can be challenging, and we will fight to help you pursue the psychological trauma after car accident compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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.
