Who Is At Fault for a Truck Accident in Phoenix?

When you are involved in a truck accident, it can be very difficult to know who is at fault. A thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident—including the behavior of all involved drivers—may need to be conducted by truck accident lawyers in Phoenix to determine who is liable for damages.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), there were more than 12,900 crashes involving commercial trucks and buses in our state in 2023. Most of these resulted in property damage alone, but 24 resulted in serious injury and 152 were fatal. This is not an uncommon balance between fatal and serious injuries sustained in truck accidents. Due to their size and weight, accidents involving semi-trucks often result in fatalities. When you are injured or a loved one is killed in a truck accident in Phoenix, having an experienced and dedicated attorney on your side improves your ability to seek compensation through swift and calculated legal action.

Burg Simpson’s Truck Accident Lawyers in Phoenix Are Here to Help

Call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers in Phoenix. We fight for individuals and families dealing with the consequences of serious or fatal injury following 18-wheeler accidents throughout Arizona.

Potentially Liable Parties Following a Truck Accident in Phoenix

Truck accidents are typically more complex than those involving passenger vehicles alone. Part of this is due to the significant number of individuals or companies that may have contributed to the accident. Potentially liable parties in a Phoenix truck accident include:

The Truck Driver

In many cases, the truck driver will hold the lion’s share of responsibility for a truck accident. This could be due to speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, operating under the influence, inexperience, or any number of other driver errors/issues. The operation of semi-trucks is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Violation of any of these regulations that result in an accident may fall squarely on the shoulders of the trucker.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies are often held accountable for the actions of their employees. If a trucking company fails to properly train a driver, enforces unrealistic schedules that promote unsafe driving behaviors, or neglects vehicle maintenance, they may also be held liable for injuries sustained in a truck accident.

Cargo Loaders

In some cases, the company responsible for loading a trailer may bear responsibility for injuries after a truck accident in Phoenix. If the truck’s cargo was improperly loaded or secured, sudden shifts can result in a loss of vehicle control. Loose cargo can also spill out onto the road, creating even more hazards for other drivers.

Vehicle Manufacturers

Defective parts, poor design, and mechanical failures can contribute to truck crashes. If a faulty brake system, tire blowout, or another mechanical failure contributes to the crash, the vehicle’s manufacturer may be liable.

Other parties that may share or hold responsibility for your injuries include parts manufacturers, state and federal government entities, or even the drivers of other passenger vehicles may play a role in truck accidents. So too might inclement weather and other factors beyond anyone’s control.

To seek fair compensation for your injuries, it is important that all liable parties be identified. During your FREE case review with one of our experienced attorneys, we can discuss the investigative process, how liability is determined, and what your rights and options may be based on our findings.

What If I Played a Role in a Truck Accident in Phoenix?

Arizona operates under a comparative negligence system. This means that you can still seek compensation if you are partially responsible for an accident, but your damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For example, if an investigation into your truck accident finds that your actions contributed to 20% of the accident, your total awarded damages would be reduced by 20%.

Arizona law allows you to recover compensation even if you are partly to blame for a truck accident. It does not, however, allow you to seek compensation if the accident is entirely your fault. But be careful here: it is highly unlikely that you are qualified to determine who was liable for your accident, even if you think you have all of the information.

Establishing which factors play the largest role in an accident is essential for determining liability. Multiple actions, inactions, and issues can contribute to truck accidents. Without an investigation into yours, it may prove impossible to know its causes. When you are in a truck accident in Phoenix, avoid suggesting you are to blame until all of the facts have been uncovered.

How Is Liability Determined in a Phoenix Truck Accident?

Determining who is liable for a truck accident requires an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the moment of collision. This may require a review of police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, dash camera footage, and data from the truck’s electronic logging device. Accident reconstruction experts may also be called in to analyze the scene and provide insight into how the crash occurred.

Driver logs, maintenance records, and data regarding the loading, maintenance, and operation of the truck may need to be reviewed to identify some of the responsible parties. So too might records from weigh stations, data from surveillance cameras, and testimony from the trucker themself play a role in establishing fault.

Truck accident cases often involve large trucking companies and powerful insurance corporations that have teams of lawyers ready to minimize their liability. Without experienced representation on your side, you could find yourself facing overwhelming challenges in securing fair compensation. Your truck accident lawyer in Phoenix will be able to conduct an investigation while also protecting you against the tactics lawyers and insurance companies for the defense may use to try and force you to accept less than you are due.

Burg Simpson Is on YOUR Side

At Burg Simpson, we know that no two truck accident cases are identical. Our truck accident attorneys in Phoenix work closely with each client to understand the full impact injuries will have on employment, health, and general happiness. This enables us to build personalized cases for each claim, helping to ensure compensation is in line with damages.

Our nationally recognized trial attorneys have secured over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for victims of serious injury and families dealing with wrongful death. With a reputation built on hard work, professionalism, and an uncompromising commitment to our clients, Burg Simpson has helped people in Phoenix and across Arizona reclaim their lives after serious accidents. Our legal team understands Arizona trucking laws inside and out. We are prepared to take your case as far as necessary to help you secure every penny you are due.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Phoenix for FREE

When you are injured by a commercial vehicle, you need a truck accident lawyer in Phoenix with the experience and dedication to protect your best interests. Contact Burg Simpson online or call us today to schedule a FREE consultation and learn how we can help. We welcome clients from Glendale, Peoria, Mesa, Chandler, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, and throughout Arizona.