A collision with a commercial truck instantly changes your life, and you need someone to hold the responsible parties accountable. A Glendale truck accident lawyer can build a strong case on your behalf. Law Bear provides a free case evaluation to help you find qualified legal representation.
Securing experienced legal help sends a clear message that you won't be pushed around. Take the first step and call Law Bear at (309) 365-6510 to discuss your case. The Bear's Got Your Back.
Holding Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable
Trucking corporations are responsible for their drivers' actions and their fleet's condition. Their main objective after a crash is to limit their financial exposure. They deploy investigators and legal teams immediately to control the narrative and minimize your claim.
These companies and their insurers don't have your best interests at heart. They may record your conversations, seeking statements they can use against you later. An insurer may offer a low settlement that doesn't cover the full extent of your future medical needs and lost income.
The Critical Evidence in a Glendale Truck Crash Claim
A successful truck accident claim depends on strong, detailed evidence. Trucking companies maintain extensive records, and an experienced Glendale truck accident lawyer knows exactly how to obtain them before they're lost or destroyed.
The Truck's Black Box Data
Commercial trucks contain an event data recorder (EDR), often called a black box. This device captures critical information in the seconds before, during, and after a collision. The EDR records the truck's speed, braking activity, steering angles, and other operational data.
An attorney sends a spoliation letter to the trucking company immediately. This legal notice demands the preservation of the EDR and other evidence. Without this swift action, a company may legally erase the data after a short period.
Driver Logs and Records
Federal law mandates that truck drivers maintain detailed logs of their driving time and rest periods. These rules exist to prevent drowsy driving, a common cause of serious accidents. A thorough investigation of these logs often reveals violations of these Hours-of-Service regulations.
Some trucking companies pressure their drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, which encourages them to break the rules. Attorneys look for discrepancies, falsified entries, or patterns of behavior that indicate chronic fatigue.
Company Maintenance History
Trucking companies must keep their vehicles in safe, working order. This involves regular inspections, timely repairs, and documented maintenance. Poorly maintained trucks are a danger on roads like Glendale Avenue and Bell Road.
An investigation into the truck's repair history often uncovers systemic problems. This includes worn-out brakes, bald tires, or malfunctioning lights. A failure to perform required maintenance is a clear form of company negligence that contributes to serious crashes.
Witness Statements and Police Reports
The official police report contains the investigating officer's initial findings, diagrams of the accident scene, and citations issued. While helpful, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Independent witness statements are also very valuable.
Bystanders who saw the crash provide unbiased perspectives on what happened. An attorney's investigative team locates and interviews these witnesses. Their accounts help build a complete and accurate picture of the events that led to your injuries.
Your legal team may request the following types of key evidence to preserve your claim:
- Vehicle Data: Your Glendale truck accident lawyer can obtain the black box data from the truck and your vehicle to analyze speed, braking, and other factors.
- Driver Records: Your lawyer requests the driver's logbooks, employment file, driving history, and drug and alcohol test results.
- Company Information: Your legal team investigates the trucking company's safety record, hiring practices, and vehicle maintenance history.
- Scene Evidence: Your representatives gather the police report, photos of the crash site, and statements from any available witnesses.
- Your Personal Records: Your attorney helps you compile your medical bills, records of treatment, and proof of your lost wages to document damages.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Wrecks in Glendale
Many crashes appear simple at first but involve complex factors rooted in driver error or corporate negligence. A thorough investigation reveals the true reasons behind the collision.
Driver Fatigue
When fatigued, a driver's reaction time slows down and their judgment is impaired. This can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. An attorney analyzes driver logs and other records to find evidence of Hours-of-Service violations that prove fatigue was a contributing factor.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers have many potential distractions inside their cabs. They may be operating a GPS, communicating with their dispatcher, or using a mobile phone. Taking their eyes off the road for even a few seconds can have devastating results when operating an 80,000-pound vehicle.
Improper Loading
The way cargo is loaded and secured in a trailer has a direct impact on the truck's stability and handling. Cargo that is unevenly distributed, overloaded, or not properly tied down can shift during transit. This shift can cause the driver to lose control, leading to a jackknife or rollover accident.
In many cases, a third-party cargo company is responsible for loading the truck. A Glendale commercial truck injury lawyer can investigate all parties involved, including the driver, the trucking company, and the loading company, to determine who is at fault.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
A commercial truck has thousands of moving parts that must be kept in excellent condition. Worn tires, faulty brakes, and broken lights can cause a catastrophic accident. Trucking companies are legally required to inspect and maintain their vehicles, but some cut corners to save money.
A detailed inspection of the truck's maintenance records often shows a pattern of neglect. Your Glendale truck accident lawyer may hire an expert mechanic to examine the vehicle itself for evidence of equipment failure. When poor maintenance causes a crash, the trucking company is responsible.
Other Common Causes
Many factors can lead to a serious crash on roads like Loop 101. An investigation helps determine if one of the following forms of negligence caused your injuries:
- Reckless Driving: This includes speeding, aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and ignoring traffic signals on busy roads.
- Driving Under the Influence: A driver operating a commercial vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a severe danger.
- Inadequate Training: Trucking companies that fail to properly train their drivers on safety procedures may be liable.
- Violation of Traffic Laws: Any failure to follow the rules of the road, such as an illegal turn or ignoring right-of-way, constitutes negligence.
Why You Need To Act Quickly After a Glendale Truck Crash
The moments following a truck accident are chaotic. After seeking medical attention, your next priority is to protect your legal rights. Critical evidence disappears quickly, and legal deadlines limit your time to file a claim.
The trucking company's insurance provider begins its investigation immediately after the wreck. Their goal is to gather information that limits their own liability. Taking swift action helps you build a strong case before important proof is lost.
Time is also a factor when it comes to evidence. The truck's black box data may be erased, and witness memories fade over time. Acting quickly ensures your legal team can send a preservation letter to the trucking company and start its own investigation while the evidence is still fresh.
The Deadline To File
In Arizona, a statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. For most truck accident cases, you have two years to file. Failing to act within this timeframe may permanently bar you from seeking compensation for your injuries.
There are some exceptions to this deadline, particularly if a government truck hit you. To proceed with a claim against a government entity, you must first file a Notice of Claim within 180 days of the accident. Contact a Glendale truck accident lawyer immediately to protect your case.
Available Compensation After a Glendale Commercial Truck Crash
A truck accident can cause severe physical, emotional, and financial damage. The purpose of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for these losses from the at-fault parties. Calculating the full value of a claim requires a careful analysis of all current and future damages.
Your economic losses are the measurable costs of the accident, while non-economic damages address the intangible harms you have suffered. While non-economic losses don't have a specific price tag, they're still a key component of your claim's value.
Common damages include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all costs related to your treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, and ongoing therapy.
- Lost Income: You may seek compensation for the wages you lost while recovering and for any decrease in your ability to earn in the future.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Your claim may account for the physical pain and emotional anguish you experienced because of the crash and your injuries.
- Loss of Consortium: If your injuries impact your relationship with your spouse, a claim for loss of consortium may be pursued.
Glendale's Roads and Accident Hotspots
Glendale is a major hub of activity in the West Valley, with a mix of residential streets, busy highways, and commercial zones. This traffic density creates many potential locations for dangerous truck accidents.
Loop 101 is a primary route for commercial trucks moving through the area. High speeds combined with heavy traffic create a recipe for devastating collisions, especially during peak commute times.
Interchanges with other major roads, like Northern Avenue or US 60, are particularly high-risk zones.
Surface streets like Bell Road and Camelback Road are lined with shopping centers and businesses, meaning large delivery trucks are constantly mixing with passenger vehicles. These trucks make frequent stops and wide turns, creating hazards for motorists and pedestrians.
Even historic areas like Downtown Glendale aren't immune. Navigating these streets in an 18-wheeler requires immense skill, and any mistake can be costly.
FAQ for Glendale Truck Accident Lawyer
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different From Car Crash Claims?
Truck accident cases are far more complex than typical car accident claims. They often involve federal and state regulations specific to the trucking industry, multiple liable parties such as the driver and the trucking company, and more substantial damages due to the size and weight of the trucks.
The evidence, including black box data and driver logs, is also unique and requires swift legal action to preserve.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Liability in a truck accident case may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company for negligent hiring or poor maintenance, the cargo loader for improper securing of materials, the vehicle manufacturer for defective parts, or even a third-party maintenance facility.
A thorough investigation identifies all parties who contributed to the crash.
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Trucking Company's Insurer?
Don't give a recorded statement to the other party's insurance company without guidance from an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to get you to say something that undermines your claim.
Anything you say can be used against you to deny or reduce the value of your claim.
Why Do I Need a Glendale Truck Accident Lawyer for My Case?
You need an attorney because they have experience handling complex commercial truck accident cases. Lawyers understand the federal trucking laws and have the resources to take on large corporations.
A lawyer acts as your advocate, from the investigation to handling insurer communications to negotiating a settlement. Your lawyer can take your case to court if an insurance company refuses to play fair.
What if the Truck Driver Was an Independent Contractor?
Trucking companies sometimes classify their drivers as independent contractors to avoid liability. However, this defense often fails to hold up under scrutiny.
If the company exercises significant control over the driver's work, such as setting schedules and routes, it may still be held responsible for the driver's negligence.
Forge Your Path to Recovery
A serious truck accident leaves you picking up the pieces, but you don't have to rebuild alone. Law Bear can connect you with a skilled local attorney to help you reshape your future. Let a lawyer take control of your case and fight for compensation.
Call Law Bear now at (309) 365-6510 for a free and confidential case evaluation.