Liability for Truck Crashes

Who is at fault‒or liable‒in a truck accident case? After you file your case, insurance companies will review the facts of the accident and may speak to accident experts. Usually, there is more than one liable party in truck accident cases, ranging from the truck driver to the company that makes the parts for the truck.

However, liability depends on the truck accident liability laws in your area. If you’re in Phoenix, Arizona, you need to consult an experienced Phoenix truck crash lawyer to help you understand your truck accident liability laws.

Truck crash lawyers can help you get the money you need to live life again after an accident. This can include money to cover medical bills from the accident, lost wages, and more.

In this article, we’ll discuss how liability is determined for truck accidents.

How to Determine Liability for Truck Crashes in Phoenix

Keep in mind that your insurance company‒and sometimes, local courts‒will determine who is at fault for a truck accident. Even if it’s clear the accident wasn’t your fault, insurers and judges need to determine who is. In truck accident cases, there are many options, such as companies who make truck parts that don’t work and cause accidents, to trucking companies failing to train drivers well.

Learn More About the Accident

Truck accidents are usually very serious, causing injuries and sometimes even death. This is why insurance companies and experts sometimes need to investigate the scene of the accident.

People who are learning about the accident can look for skid marks, debris, crash angles, and directions of the vehicles involved to help them find out who is responsible. They might also look at the damage on the truck and your car.

Ask the Driver

There are many reasons why the truck driver could be liable for the accident. For example, they could be speeding, tired, reckless, or distracted.

So, your truck accident lawyer should take a look at the driver. This can include reviewing their driving record, training records, work logs, and medical tests. 

Look at the Trucking Company

The truck crash liability law can hold the trucking company liable for a truck accident if the truck driver was on the clock. This is because the company has a duty to make sure all of their drivers are trained and have a driver’s license.

The company also needs to make sure drivers aren’t over-tired when working and have certain rules they need to follow. If they break these rules, they can be found at fault. Also, it’s their job to make sure the truck and all of its parts work well. If they don’t check this, they can be found at fault.

Consider Third-Parties

The companies that make the trucks or help keep the trucks working can be found at fault, depending on what caused the accident. For example, if the company that makes parts for the truck accidentally put in a broken part, they can be found at fault.

Similarly, the companies that service the trucks could be liable if they didn’t replace worn-out tires or other faulty parts. Even the companies loading the truck could be held responsible for the accident if the truck was overloaded during the accident.

Closing Thoughts

Need help getting the money you deserve after a truck accident? Need an experienced lawyer in Phoenix who can give you a comprehensive truck accident settlement guide? Gage Mathers is here for you–contact us today for a free consultation!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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