Unlike some other states, Arizona does not require residents to obtain a special driver’s license endorsement to lawfully drive recreational vehicles (RVs) of any size on public roads. Unfortunately, that increases the possibility that any Class A motorhome—an RV built on a single chassis from 26 feet to over 40 feet in length—that you see on the highway is being operated by someone without specialized training.
Whether due to lack of skill, inadequate experience, or negligence behind the wheel, Class A motorhome accidents in Phoenix, AZ, caused by the misconduct of the motorhome’s driver can often serve as grounds for civil litigation. If you have sustained a severe injury in a recent motorhome incident, the support of a knowledgeable truck accident attorney from Phillips Law Group can make a huge difference in how effectively you can demand the civil restitution you deserve.
Common Causes of Class A Motorhome Collisions
Traffic accidents involving Class A motorhomes and other large RVs in Phoenix, AZ, often stem from a mixture of human errors and mechanical problems. However, human error tends to cause a greater impact than mechanical issues, especially if an RV driver engages in overtly illegal behavior, such as speeding, or lacks experience handling a large, heavy vehicle.
Other common causes of accidents that could qualify as legally actionable negligence—or, in some cases, impose strict liability on an RV manufacturing company—include:
- Unexpected breakdowns, especially brake failures and tire blowouts
- Failure to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes
- Extreme fatigue that compromises a driver’s awareness of their surroundings
- Design and/or manufacturing defects in a particular model of RV
- Imbalanced loads behind the driver of an RV
A knowledgeable legal professional can help identify who should be held accountable for a wreck and take appropriate legal action against them through settlement negotiations or, if necessary, a lawsuit in civil court.
How Comparative Fault Can Affect Recovery Efforts
Legal counsel can also help by showing that someone injured in a Phoenix, AZ, Class A motorhome crash was not partially at fault for causing that accident through their misconduct. For example, people driving near oversized vehicles such as RVs are expected to know that those vehicles have large blind spots, so even if an RV driver causes a crash by not checking their blind spots properly, partial fault for that crash might lie with someone who remained in the RV’s blind spot for longer than a driver reasonably should.
In a scenario such as this, a court can assign a percentage of comparative fault to the injured person filing suit to account for their role in causing their own injuries. Then, in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-2505, the court could reduce the value of the plaintiff’s final damage award by that same percentage, dramatically limiting the amount they can recover for their crash-related losses.
Discuss Your Legal Options With a Phoenix, AZ, Attorney After a Class A Motorhome Accident
RVs can be a great way to see the United States from the comfort of a second—or sometimes first—home, but they can also be harder to operate safely than standard passenger cars. Additionally, collisions between RVs and smaller cars tend to cause serious injuries to people inside the smaller vehicle due to the significant imbalance in weight and mass involved.
There are many factors that can lead to disastrous highway crashes. Thankfully, you can seek professional help to take legal action over Class A motorhome accidents in Phoenix, AZ. Call Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation and get started on your civil claim.
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