Arizona commercial trucking accidents occur at an alarming rate. As a result, many people are left with the aftermath of such an incident that includes wondering how to proceed in terms of protecting and enforcing their legal rights. One of the more complicated aspects of pursuing a legal claim after an Arizona commercial trucking accident is determining fault. If you or someone you love has been harmed in an accident similar to this you need to seek the help of experienced Phoenix trucking accident lawyers as soon as possible. In the meantime, below is a brief overview of this issue.
Arizona Commercial Trucking Accident Lawsuits
Every year in Arizona, more than 6,000 trucking accidents occur. These Arizona trucking accidents include more than 1,500 collisions that lead to at least one injury and to more than 100 crashes that lead to at least one fatality. These are troubling numbers, and they are as high as they are because large commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and can move with as much speed as smaller vehicles. Therefore, basic physics tells us that when these vehicles collide with cars, trucks and SUV’s, there will be a disastrous aftermath.
Determining Fault in AZ Trucking Accidents
When an Arizona commercial trucking accident occurs, one of the first issues that arises is determining fault. While some of this analysis is similar to almost any Arizona car accident, there are additional steps that must be taken in order for the proper determination to be made. Specifically, truckers and the trucking industry are both heavily regulated by the government. Therefore, proper analysis of fault would include obtaining information regarding how many hours the driver had logged behind the wheel, the type of load a truck was carrying, the weight of that load, the contents of that load and how that cargo was originally loaded in the trailer. If any of these issues do not meet with government guidelines, it could lead to a finding of negligence.
Therefore, finding fault in an Arizona commercial trucking accident requires knowledge of both state and federal law, an understanding of trucking regulations and the experience to be able to hold those responsible for harm accountable. If you or someone you love has suffered as a result of this sort of situation, contact the personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.