Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Large commercial vehicles traveling across the country often find themselves on Arizona roads and highways. Additionally, there are many carriers that travel intrastate, transporting cargo throughout the state. The dangers that large trucks present to drivers of much smaller cars are unique. Given the large number of trucks on the roadways, truck accidents are a major cause for concern in Phoenix.

There are several reasons that a truck accident may occur. After an accident has happened, there is often substantial property damage in addition to serious injuries occurred by almost everyone involved in the crash.

Truck drivers and the drivers of smaller cars need to be aware of the special circumstances presented by trucks on the road. Particularly on major highways where vehicles are traveling at high speeds, a seemingly insignificant error can result in catastrophic injuries and damages.

The drivers of passenger vehicles can be just as responsible for causing a truck accident as the truck driver. If you are involved in an Arizona truck accident, it is critical that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. In Arizona, there is a strict statute of limitation for filing an injury claim, and failing to do so within a reasonable amount of time can significantly affect your ability to recover fair compensation for your losses.

To begin exploring your legal options, contact our truck accident attorneys today by completing the Free Case Review form to the right.

Causes of Truck Accidents Truck Driver Liability

Truck accidents are often caused by the negligent actions of truckers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a report in 2007 which showed the top causes of commercial vehicle wrecks. The report was titled The Large Causation Study and was the first of its kind to examine all accident causes that resulted in large truck crashes.

The Large Causation Study found the following to be the top causes of large truck accidents:

• Drug use, including illicit, prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Speeding
• Drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads they are traveling on
• Failure to check blind spots or No-Zones
• Failure to use signals when turning or changing lanes, or some other illegal driving maneuvers
• Distracted drivers
• Truckers who underestimated the level of evasive action necessary to avoid a crash
• Aggressive and reckless driving

It is not uncommon for a truck accident to be caused by incorrectly secured cargo, overloaded trucks, over-sized vehicles, equipment failure and defects, and truck driver fatigue, as well.

If you were involved in a truck accident that was caused through the actions of a truck driver, we urge you to contact us today to see how our attorneys may be able to help you pursue compensation for your losses. Simply complete the Free Case Review form on this page to get started.

Causes of Truck Accidents Passenger Vehicle Driver Liability

A serious truck accident can also be caused by the driver of a passenger vehicle. Arizona motorists are often unaware of the limitations that commercial trucks have in regards to visibility, braking and acceleration. Their lack of knowledge is often a major contributing factor to an accident. Motorists can cause a Phoenix truck accident through the following actions:

• Being blown out of position when passing a large truck due to wind gusts and cross-winds
• Maneuvering a car to the right of a truck while it is attempting to make a right turn
• Making a left turn at an intersection in front of an approaching truck without enough acceleration
• Pulling into traffic in front of a large truck with insufficient speed
• Driving between two large trucks for an extended period of time
• Driving in a trucks blind spots
• Changing lanes without enough room
• Failing to move a disabled vehicle onto a highways shoulder

After being involved in an Arizona truck accident, it is important to consult with a lawyer who is well-versed in commercial vehicle litigation, regardless of whether the wreck was caused through truck driver or passenger vehicle motorist negligence. Contact our truck accident attorneys today by completing the Free Case Review form to the right to see how we may be able to help you with your claim.

Contact a Knowledgeable Attorney Today

At Phillips Law Group, our truck accident lawyers understand the complexities involved in commercial vehicle accident claims. These cases are often complex as a number of different people and entities may be responsible for the accident. Our staff has the skills and resources necessary to recreate the scene of the accident, which is important in determining fault. An injury victim must be able to prove that they were not responsible for the accident in order to recover fair compensation for their losses.

To make sure that all our clients are able to afford proper representation, our personal injury law firm operates on a contingency fee basis .This means that if you choose to hire our lawyers, there is never any cost to you until we are able to successfully obtain a favorable outcome for your claim, whether through a jury verdict or settlement. If we fail to do this, you do not owe us any fees.

For more information on the legal rights which may be available to Phoenix truck accident victims and their families or to schedule a confidential, no-obligation case evaluation with a member of our legal team, complete the Free Case Review to the right of this page.