Scottsdale Truck Accident Lawyer

Large, commercial trucks are a familiar sight on many Arizona roadways. These vehicles are essential to our state and federal economies, moving freight from one area to another, and ensuring that people across the country have access to the goods and services they need. However, due to the sheer weight and size of these vehicles, the accidents they are involved in can be deadly. Thankfully, a Scottsdale truck accident lawyer is here to help you recover.

Scottsdale, with its close proximity to major areas such as Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, sees thousands of large commercial trucks pass through its limits every single day. Typically, these vehicles pass by us on State Route 101 or Hayden Road without issue, but when certain factors are present, the results can be devastating if not deadly. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury or been killed in a commercial trucking accident, Bleaman Law Firm, PC can help.

You Can Trust the Team at Bleaman Law Firm, PC

Since our firm’s inception in 2003, the team at Bleaman Law Firm, PC has been working hard to defend our clients’ rights to compensation and justice. Our lead attorney, Marc Bleaman, prides himself on offering honest, caring, and straightforward legal counsel and representation. While he does not make any false promises, he provides the highest professional service available and is committed to excellence and passion in supporting clients.

While a large portion of truck accidents are resolved through insurance settlements, sometimes it is necessary to take these claims to court. Attorney Bleaman and his team can review your case and determine which scenario fits your needs and achieves the maximum compensation you deserve. Your case will likely be handled through the Maricopa County Superior Court, where we have years of experience.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Scottsdale

In a single year, nearly 75% of all American freight is transported using commercial trucks. Because of this, our roads are filled with these vehicles, whose size and weight alone can pose a serious threat to other drivers. When certain factors are present or the driver engages in certain behaviors, this only increases the risk for accidents. In Scottsdale, the most common causes of trucking accidents include:

• Speeding. Because a truck is so heavy, especially when loaded with cargo, when a driver operates their vehicle at high speeds, it can make them less able to stop and can also make it easier for them to lose control of their vehicle, jackknifing, hydroplaning, or rolling over, especially when the weather is poor. Shifting cargo and other instability issues can also make speeding more dangerous.
• Fatigue. Drowsy driving accounts for around 30-40% of all trucking accidents across the U.S. While drivers are usually limited to the number of hours they can spend behind the wheel, they are also held to tight delivery schedules, making them more tempted to drive even when exhausted. Some drivers may even feel pressured to falsify their driving records, which can lead to negligence and deadly accidents.
• Drug and alcohol impairment. When a driver operates their truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including even certain types of prescription drugs, this can reduce their ability to respond to certain conditions on the roadway. Driving drunk or drugged is also against the law and can be considered an act of negligence when pursuing a claim for compensation.
• Distracted driving. In a single year, 3,275 people were killed as a result of distracted driving in the United States. Any action or behavior that takes your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road can be considered distracted driving. This can include drinking or eating while driving, grooming while driving, texting while driving, interacting with the GPS, or adjusting the temperature or radio controls.
• Improperly loaded cargo. When cargo is not loaded or secured properly, it can significantly increase the truck’s potential to cause an accident. In these cases, you may be able to hold the trucking company and the loading company liable for any damages you or your vehicle receives in an accident.

At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we are here to review the details of your case and help determine the cause. Understanding the cause of your trucking accident will ultimately lead to determining liability, which will be a major aspect of your overall claim and ability to secure compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

In a trucking accident, determining liability is essential. Oftentimes, liability for a commercial trucking collision can rest with several parties, and identifying these parties will be crucial to the filing and success of a proper claim. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we can review your case and determine liability, holding the following parties accountable for the damages you’ve suffered:

• The trucking company. In many truck accident cases, you will likely be able to hold the trucking company liable for some part of the claim. There are several reasons why you might hold the company liable, including instances in which they have hired an unqualified or untrained driver, failed to arrange the necessary maintenance for the truck, or pressured the driver to work overtime.
• The truck driver. You may also be able to hold the truck driver liable if they are self-employed or are acting as an independent contractor who is responsible for their own actions, or if they are off duty and using the truck outside the scope of their employment, as they will be responsible for covering all damages in relation to their negligent actions while driving.
• Other parties. There are also several other parties who may be held liable for a trucking accident. These parties include another driver on the roadway or a jaywalking pedestrian, a government entity responsible for road safety and maintenance, a cargo company that has not properly loaded the truck, manufacturers of a defective truck part, or the truck’s maintenance crew.

At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we have the experience and resources necessary to review all the details of your accident and determine which party, or parties, should be held liable for the damages you’ve suffered.

How to Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Claim?

In a Scottsdale truck accident claim, proving negligence on the part of the liable party is key to proving and supporting your right to compensation. To do this, here at Bleaman Law Firm, PC, our attorneys must be able to establish the four following elements of negligence and their presence in your case:

• Duty of care. Your attorney must be able to prove that the liable party owed you a legal duty of care. For example, all drivers operating a vehicle on the roadway owe other drivers the duty of care to operate their vehicles safely.
• Breached duty. You must then be able to demonstrate that the at-fault party breached this duty of care. For example, this could include a case where a truck driver fails to yield to another driver and hits the side of that driver’s vehicle with the front of their truck.
• Causation. Your attorney must then be able to show that this breach of duty causes the injury in a direct manner. For example, in the side impact example detailed above, your attorney can prove that your spinal cord damage was the direct result of the driver failing to yield to your right-of-way.
• Damages. Finally, it must be shown that the injuries you have sustained have directly led you to suffer damages. For example, if you have suffered spinal cord damage, you are entitled to seek compensation for any and all related medical expenses.

There are several forms of evidence that can help prove negligence in a truck accident claim, including any camera footage of the roadway, the black box data from the truck itself, photographs of the accident scene or of your injuries, medical reports, the truck’s maintenance reports, and all related medical reports.

Unique Aspects of a Scottsdale Trucking Accident

Scottsdale, located near several major roadways, including US-60 and State Route 101, experiences heavy truck traffic every day. This increases the likelihood of accidents, but these cases can present unique challenges in Arizona. These challenges include:

• Aggressive insurance companies. Large trucking companies and their insurance providers often do whatever they can to try to minimize the payouts they owe you in a negligence claim. Without the proper legal representation, it is much more difficult for victims to achieve the compensation and justice they deserve for the damages they have been forced to suffer because of another party’s fault.
• Desert roadways. Thanks to Arizona’s climate, extreme heat increases the risk of road degradation and tire blowouts. Both situations can create dangerous roadway conditions for the truck driver and other drivers.
• Comparative fault laws. In Arizona, the pure comparative negligence rule is followed, meaning that you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, because of this, your compensation will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault you shared in the accident.

When you are struck by a commercial trucking vehicle in Scottsdale, it is crucial that you hire an attorney who understands the challenges and legalities of these cases. Don’t just hire a lawyer, hire Bleaman Law Firm, PC. We get you, and we get your case.

FAQs

What Damages Can I Recover in a Truck Accident?

In a single year, the average liability claim for car and truck accidents is over $26,000. Depending on the severity and nature of the accident and the injuries or property damage you’ve suffered, this number can fluctuate. In a truck accident, the most common damages you can recover are those for medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages.

What Injuries Are Common in Trucking Accidents?

In a trucking accident in Scottsdale, Arizona, there are multiple different kinds of injuries an individual might suffer, depending on the circumstances and severity of the accident itself. The most common injuries include broken bones and fractures, traumatic brain injuries and concussions, spinal cord damage, often resulting in some form of paralysis, internal organ damage or internal bleeding, and even death.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney?

In a truck accident claim, there are many different reasons why you should hire an attorney. First, your attorney is there to handle all communications with your insurance company, the liable party, their legal team, and their insurance company. They are also there to uncover any evidence that can support your claim, help determine cause and liability, and ultimately negotiate or litigate your right to compensation.

What Should You Do Following a Truck Accident in Arizona?

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Arizona, there are several steps you will want to take if you are physically able to do so. First, move to a place of safety, then call emergency medical services and the police. If you can, it is important to gather photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene, as well as contact information for the liable party and any witnesses.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Hiring a truck accident lawyer can vary in cost depending on several factors. It is important to consider the lawyer’s location and fee structure. Some lawyers may charge a flat fee for their services, some may charge a contingency fee, and some may charge an hourly fee. Additionally, the total cost will depend on the severity of the injuries and damages in the accident.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Scottsdale or any of the surrounding areas, you need to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The clock is ticking on these cases from the moment your injuries are discovered, and the sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner you can put this incident behind you and move on with the rest of your life. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we are here for you. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation.

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