Because of their massive height, width, length, and overall mass, tractor-trailers have much bigger blind spots and are generally harder to stop and steer compared to any commuter car on the road. This means it is especially important for truck drivers to be careful and considerate when going through intersections, merging onto highways, or changing lanes alongside other traffic since they otherwise can — and all too often do — cause collisions with catastrophic consequences.
If you have been hurt in a side-impact truck accident in Phoenix, AZ recently, you have limited time to get a firm handle on and then proactively start enforcing your right to civil recovery for your injuries. Fortunately, you also have help available from a skilled truck accident attorney who is willing to fight on your behalf all the way into a civil courtroom to get you paid what you deserve for the harm you should never have sustained. Learn more by reaching out to the team at Phillips Law Group today.
Establishing Fault for a Side-Impact Truck Wreck
Side-impact truck accidents in Phoenix and throughout the state of Arizona can take various forms and occur under multiple circumstances, from truck drivers T-boning someone in an intersection after running a red light to sideswiping someone on a highway because they did not check their blind spots properly. What virtually all these wrecks have in common, though, is “negligence” by someone involved — in other words, a specific irresponsible and/or illegal act that directly caused a collision that otherwise would likely not have happened at all.
Proving a truck driver liable for a side-impact wreck based on their negligence allows a person injured in that wreck to demand compensation from them for their ensuing injuries and losses. On the other hand, any negligence by an injured person pursuing such a claim could be considered “comparative fault,” which could lead to their final damage award being reduced or even to them getting paid nothing at all. Assistance from seasoned legal counsel is key to achieving a favorable case result in both regards.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
A successful lawsuit or settlement demand over a side-impact truck crash in Phoenix can seek restitution for both economic and non-economic repercussions of the wreck, including but not strictly limited to:
- Medical expenses not already covered by insurance, including expected costs of long-term rehabilitative and maintenance care
- Car repair/replacement costs not already covered by insurance, plus other forms of personal property damage
- Lost work wages/salary, benefits, and/or long-term working and earning capacity
- Lost overall enjoyment/quality of life
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Mental and psychological suffering
Even if a truck driver’s negligence leads to someone sustaining a permanent and debilitating injury, though, they still generally have two years at most after initially sustaining harm to formally file suit. Otherwise, the “statute of limitations” for personal injury claims in Arizona would likely bar them from ever seeking civil compensation for that particular incident.
Discuss a Possible Side-Impact Truck Accident Case with a Phoenix, AZ Attorney
Getting T-boned, sideswiped, or hit in any other way by a reckless or careless tractor-trailer driver can be life-altering and even life-threatening, especially if it happens at highway speeds. As someone injured through the negligence of another person, though, you likely have grounds to file a civil suit against everyone who holds legal liability for your accident, potentially including the company that the trucker who hit you worked for.
From start to finish of your legal proceedings, support from a seasoned truck accident lawyer can be essential to recovering fairly and comprehensively after a side-impact truck accident in Phoenix, AZ. Call today to learn more about your legal options from a member of our knowledgeable and compassionate team at Phillips Law Group. With over 30 years under our belt of serving the local community, we are confident we can offer you the guidance you need during a stressful time. Please get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
Available 24/7