Commercial truck accidents can cause devastating injuries because these vehicles are substantially larger and heavier than passenger cars. Truck claims may also involve multiple responsible parties, federal safety regulations, and several insurance policies. Because these collisions are complex motor vehicle cases, our Tucson car accident lawyers can investigate the driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, and other potentially liable parties.
The Mercaldo Law Firm has handled complex commercial vehicle cases for more than 40 years. Call (520) 624-1400 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Tucson truck accident lawyer.
Why You Should Choose The Mercaldo Law Firm For Your Tucson Truck Accident Claim
In 1981, Ron Mercaldo made Arizona history when he obtained the first 10 million dollar-plus verdict in a wrongful death case caused by a negligent truck driver. Together with the attorney who referred the case to him, and through careful analysis of the Federal Regulations contained in the Federal Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Mr. Mercaldo was able to demonstrate to the jury that the trucking company and its driver were operating in violation of rules that were specifically enacted to provide for the safe operation of trucks on the nation’s highways.
The jury returned a verdict of $10.6 million for the surviving widow and two children of a 32-year-old man who was killed as a result of the truck driver’s and his company’s negligence. That negligence included driving more hours than allowed under the federal regulations, altering logbooks and other documents that enabled the driver and the company to drive more miles over longer periods of time than are allowed, in an effort to increase profits.
Since that landmark 1981 case, attorneys for The Mercaldo Law Firm have successfully handled 74 commercial vehicle accident cases, including those involving:
- Commercial trucks
- Tour buses
- 18-wheelers
- Big rigs
- Tow trucks
We conduct an in-depth investigation of accidents that identify responsible parties. Our lawyers hold negligent motorists and their insurance companies accountable. Throughout the legal process, you will receive availability to our expertise, so that all of your questions and concerns may be addressed promptly.
Our quality legal services are delivered on a contingency fee basis; you owe no attorney fee unless your case is won, and compensation is collected that covers every accident-related expense.
What Causes Truck Accidents In Tucson?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 5,218 truck accidents in the U.S. in a single recent year. Because trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, motorists in average 4,000-pound vehicles are vulnerable to serious injuries. To prevent accidents and injuries, all involved in the commercial trucking industry must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations. Despite these safety regulations, the following violations and negligent actions are common causes of truck accidents in Tucson and elsewhere:
- Making unsafe lane changes without double-checking the extended blindspots on commercial trucks with trailers
- Speeding or driving too fast for the weather and road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield the right of way in intersections
- Improperly merging
- Speeding around curves
- Unbalanced or improperly secured loads
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Defective tires and parts
- Impaired driving
In some cases, parties unrelated to the trucking industry may be responsible for or contribute to a truck accident. For instance, a negligent road maintenance agency that failed to address a dangerous pothole or other road condition, or a road planning agency that designed a dangerous intersection. An assertive Tucson truck accident attorney investigates the accident, identifies the liable party or parties, and pursues all available avenues for compensation under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law.
Proving Liability in a Tucson Truck Accident Claim
After a commercial truck accident, the trucking company’s powerful insurance company and attorneys investigate the accident to determine fault. Their goal is to protect their profits at the injury victim’s expense, often by assigning an injured driver an undue percentage of fault for the accident, so they can reduce the payout on a claim by that percentage under the state’s fault-based insurance law. An assertive attorney on your side compiles evidence of the at-fault party’s or parties’ liability by demonstrating the following legal points of liability:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of care to the injury victim and others on the road
- They breached this duty of care through negligence
- The breach of duty caused the accident and injuries
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
Damages in truck accident claims are both economic consequences of injuries and the intangible physical and emotional impacts of the injury on the victim.
What Compensation Can I Recover In a Tucson Truck Accident Claim?
Over 70% of truck accident injuries occur to motorists in other cars rather than to the truck driver in the much larger, heavier vehicle. Injuries from truck accidents are often severe or catastrophic, causing significant economic losses as well as physical pain and disability. While nothing can erase painful injuries, a successful claim recovers compensation for damages such as the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Out-of-pocket injury costs
- Lost wages
- Future income loss or diminished future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Catastrophic injury damages if you’ve suffered permanent harm such as the loss of a limb, the loss of one of the senses, organ loss, disfigurement, or permanent disability
If a truck accident resulted in the loss of a loved one, our Tucson wrongful death lawyers can explain your family’s legal options and help you pursue accountability.
Contact Our Tucson Truck Accident Lawyers
Your initial consultation is free of charge! We will promptly return messages left after hours on the following business day. Evening appointments are available upon request. Call (520) 624-1400 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Tucson truck accident lawyer.