Getting T-boned or sideswiped by another car can lead to serious injuries, no matter where or at what speed the collision occurs. However, when this sort of incident involves a tractor-trailer weighing tens of thousands of pounds, there is a higher risk of catastrophic and life-threatening harm for every person involved. Side-impact truck accidents in Mesa can be grounds for personal injury lawsuits if they stem directly from the negligence of one or more parties involved.
Getting a favorable result from this sort of civil claim can be more complicated in practice than you might expect, which is why it is important to get help from dependable truck accident lawyers like the ones at Phillips Law Group.
Determining Liability After an Accident
Even though commercial truck drivers are far less likely to be injured in traffic collisions compared to commuter car occupants, Arizona courts will not automatically assume that a truck driver is legally at fault for a side-impact 18-wheeler crash in Mesa. Instead, it will fall to each injured individual to prove that they were hurt because of a specific reckless or careless act by the truck driver or anyone else they name as a defendant in their lawsuit.
In many situations, injured plaintiffs must be ready to show they were not also at fault for causing or unnecessarily worsening their own accident-related injuries—for instance, by speeding into an intersection and getting T-boned by a trucker who just ran a red light. In a situation like this, Arizona Revised Statutes §12-2505 would allow a court overseeing their claim to assign them a percentage of comparative fault for their own losses and reduce the total compensation available to them in proportion to that percentage.
Recovering for Specific Accident-Related Damages
Assuming no issues with comparative negligence, there are no other limits or caps placed by Arizona state law on damages an injured person can demand for a Mesa T-bone truck crash that was someone else’s fault. While every case is unique, damages that typically factor into lawsuits and settlement demands based on this type of crash include:
- Medical expenses, including expected costs of future rehabilitation and maintenance
- Lost work income and long-term earning ability
- Car repair and replacement costs, and other expenses associated with personal property damage
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Psychological anguish and trauma
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
Courts technically also have the authority to impose punitive damages against a defendant in addition to the compensatory damages listed above and award that money as extra compensation to the injured person. However, this is a rare outcome that only happens in cases involving egregious negligence or malicious intent to cause the plaintiff harm.
Get Help From a Mesa Attorney With a Side-Impact Truck Accident Lawsuit
Even the most well-designed and well-maintained modern vehicles cannot completely resist the forces a side-impact crash can generate, especially not when a massive semi-truck is involved. Fortunately, you have the right to seek civil restitution and the help of a seasoned legal professional after a side-impact truck accident in Mesa.
A conversation with a skilled lawyer from Phillips Law Group will give you answers to important questions and confidence about the steps you should take towards civil recovery. Reach out to a member of our team today to discuss how we can help. We have been proudly serving the local community for over thirty years and look forward to helping you seek the justice you deserve. Your consultation is free and you are under no obligation to work with us. Do not hesitate – reach out today!
Available 24/7