Immediate Steps To Take at the Scene of the Truck Accident
Always put your health and safety, and that of others, first. Once everyone is safe, begin protecting your right to compensation. It is never too early to start building your claim.
Take immediate steps after a truck accident in Arizona, including:
- Prioritize safety and call emergency services: Call 911 right away and check for injuries. Do not move anyone who is seriously hurt unless it is absolutely necessary. Move yourself and others to a safe place off the road.
- Document the scene thoroughly: Take pictures and videos of vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and any injuries. Collect witness contact information and share your own information with the parties involved in the crash.
- Avoid admitting fault or making statements: Avoid apologizing or admitting blame at the scene. When exchanging information, stick to names, contact, and insurance details—avoid discussing how the crash happened or speculating about fault.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention Even if You Feel Fine
See a doctor to rule out a serious health problem, even if you aren’t in pain. If it turns out you are injured, you need the documentation of your visit and treatment for a truck accident claim.
Recognize Hidden or Delayed Injuries
After an accident, adrenaline can mask your pain. You may not feel symptoms such as headaches, stiffness, and sudden sharp pains that would indicate whiplash, a concussion, or internal bleeding.
Visit an Emergency Room or Urgent Care Right Away
If first responders recommend going to the emergency room, follow their advice. Even if you feel fine, consider the ER or an urgent care visit right away to protect your health and create a medical record of your injuries. Delaying treatment can give insurers an argument that you failed to mitigate your injuries or made them worse.”
Keep Detailed Medical Records
Make copies of and keep organized all medical reports, bills, and treatment plans. Don’t skip doctor visits or ignore recommendations to specialists. You must prove that you have injuries from your crash and that those injuries led to your damages.
Notify Your Insurance Company, but Be Cautious
Avoid mistakes such as admitting fault when talking to your insurer. Even if the other party was at fault, you may have to rely on your coverage for some of your damages. If you admit fault or minimize your injuries, an insurer may deny or reduce your claim payout.
Report the Accident Promptly
Notify your insurer about your crash as soon as possible to avoid claims denials. Check your policy to see if there is a date by which you must report it. When settling insurance claims, it’s always best to avoid oversharing and not agree to a recorded statement.
Avoid Detailed Statements or Admissions
Engaging in speculation or blame about your accident can hurt your case. The insurance company will conduct its own investigation and may use statements you made to assign you liability.
Consult a Lawyer Before Extensive Communication
Consult a lawyer before speaking with insurance companies, whether in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. An experienced attorney can be invaluable when you’re deciding whether to accept a settlement, as they can determine if it fairly reflects your damages.
Avoid Speaking With the Trucking Company's Insurer Alone
There are several risks involved in talking to a trucking company or its insurer alone. One of an attorney’s jobs is to protect your rights, and you need that when dealing with large corporations and insurance companies that don’t want to pay.
Understand the Insurer's Role
Insurance companies look out for their clients and themselves, not for you. The at-fault driver’s insurer is not working to protect your interests. An attorney can help you recognize insurance adjuster tactics aimed at reducing or denying claims.
Risks of Providing Statements Without Legal Advice
Adjusters pay close attention to everything you say and may use your words to suggest you admitted fault or that your injuries are not serious. Always talk to an attorney before talking to an insurer so they can advise you before answering certain questions, or even speak on your behalf.
Refer All Communication Through Your Attorney
To protect your claim, make a trusted truck accident lawyer one of your first calls after a crash in Arizona. Acting quickly allows your attorney to handle communications with insurers, challenge allegations of fault, and fight for fair compensation.
Gather and Preserve Evidence
Collect and make copies of all the evidence related to your accident and injuries. Organize your medical records, repair estimates, communications from insurers, and other documents, and keep them in an easily accessible place.
Order a copy of the police crash report, as it can provide valuable information for an insurance claim or lawsuit. Where you order your report depends on which agency responded to your crash, including:
- Arizona Department of Public Safety, if state troopers responded
- Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
- Phoenix Police Department
- Tucson Police Department
- Glendale Police Department
- Chandler Police Department
Many Arizona police departments make their crash reports available through Crashdocs or BuyCrash. You can check those sites to see if reports from the city where your crash occurred are available.
A skilled attorney can assist you in securing evidence that is challenging to access, such as driver logs, maintenance histories, and records from Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), which are also called black boxes.
Understand Who May Be Liable
Determining liability in truck accidents can be complex and requires a thorough investigation. Without the assistance of a skilled attorney, you risk denied claims or a settlement that doesn’t cover your damages.
Potential Responsible Parties Beyond the Driver
Many people and companies are involved in moving goods in semi-trucks across Arizona. Each of them may be liable for your truck accident if their actions contributed to the crash.
In addition to the driver, potentially liable parties include:
- Trucking companies
- Employers, such as delivery companies
- Cargo loaders
- Manufacturers, if defective parts contributed to your crash
Why Accepting Early Settlement Can Be Risky
Accepting an insurance settlement without completely understanding liability may lead to undervaluing your claim. For example, if a truck driver violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours of service regulations, that is valuable evidence in establishing liability.
A quick offer could mean the insurance company knows its client is liable, foresees a large payout, and wants the case to end. Wait for the evidence to come in before settling for less than your case is worth.
Role of Legal Investigation in Proving Liability
A skilled truck accident attorney can uncover hidden defendants or factors that contributed to your crash. For example, if a big rig suddenly swerved in front of you, a thorough investigation may reveal that the cargo shifted, making the driver lose control.
Further investigation may uncover that the company that loaded the truck failed to follow FMCSA cargo securement regulations. Violations are evidence of liability.
Contact an Arizona Truck Accident Lawyer ASAP
Reach out to a trusted Arizona truck accident lawyer quickly so they have time to build a strong claim before the evidence disappears and witnesses no longer remember events clearly. Building a solid argument for damages takes time, and under Arizona law, your time is limited.
The Arizona personal injury statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of your crash to file a lawsuit. If you fail to meet this deadline, a judge will dismiss your claim. There are limited exceptions, but don’t count on one without consulting an attorney.
You may also have crucial insurance deadlines to meet. Don’t risk losing compensation because you hesitated to get legal assistance.
Advantages of Experience and Local Knowledge
Our founding partner, Derick Runion, has Arizona roots and an insurance industry background. He knows how insurers operate, and his experience gives him an advantage in negotiations. We know trucking laws, the factors that commonly contribute to truck accidents in Arizona, and how to treat our clients with the respect and compassion they deserve.
Client-centered communication and service are a big part of who we are. That’s why we offer bilingual assistance and free consultations. Everyone deserves committed, top-tier legal representation when someone else hurts them.
Hear From Our Past Clients
We are honored by client testimonials praising our dedication and ability to assist accident victims in moving forward.
Runion Personal Injury Lawyers truly came through for me after my truck accident. Between my injuries, my wrecked car, and a shady trucking insurance company, I didn’t know what to do. Their team handled everything from start to finish, knew A LOT about Truck law in Phoenix, AZ and fought to get me the compensation I deserved!! I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and supportive group! ❤️🙏🏼
Jessica J.
I was rear-ended by this truck on the highway which left me completely swamped with medical and insurance bills. I didn’t even have enough money to have my car fixed. But Runion Personal Injury Lawyers are like the best car accident lawyers I could ever ask for. They fought against the insurance company and got me a fast settlement. I was able to pay off of all my bills and even fix my car. They are literally the best lawyer in Arizona.
Taelor G.
How Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Helps You Get Better, Get Compensated, and Get Justice
Our personal injury lawyers understand what you are going through. We want you to focus on healing, not on fighting insurance companies that profit from denying or minimizing claims. Our client-focused attorneys know Arizona law, understand the complex trucking regulations that may apply to your case, and never stop fighting for people who should not have to bear the burden of someone else’s actions.
Client Advocacy and Personalized Support
Our team assists people in English and Spanish and will take your calls, answer your questions, and support you throughout your case. Insurance claims and the truck accident legal process in Arizona can be frustrating and complicated; that’s why we handle everything for you.
We’ve been assisting people in Arizona hurt by others since 2011 and are committed to breaking down barriers to securing top-rated legal representation. We offer free consultations, charge no upfront fees, and have a Net Recovery Guarantee. You’ll never pay us more than you recover in your claim.
Proven Track Record and Negotiation Skills
People taking on big trucking companies and their insurers need someone to stand up and fight for them. Our firm has a 99 percent success rate, and our case results include more than $50 million recovered for our deserving clients.
Some of our notable recoveries in truck accident claims include:
$2,135,000
- Truck Accident
Our client suffered a life-changing injury when a stand-up loader fell on him due to inadequate truck securing by the driver. Despite the insurance company’s refusal to offer a settlement before litigation, we were able to successfully prove disputed liability and secure a result of $2.135 million for our client.
$937,500
- Truck Accident
Runion Personal Injury Lawyers obtained a settlement in the amount of $937,500.00 for a young man who was struck from behind by a tow truck while traveling in an Uber. The tow truck was carrying another vehicle at the time of the collision adding significant weight to the tow truck.
The average truck accident settlement depends on factors such as the extent of your injuries, who is liable, and your attorney’s ability to analyze and present strong evidence. We need details to estimate your case’s value, but rest assured, we will fight for every dollar to secure your financial future.
Commitment to Transparent and Honest Communication
We value good communication because we value our clients and never treat them like case numbers. We will tell you if we don’t think you have a claim, and if you do, our team will keep you informed at every step. We get it—you’re not sure if hiring an attorney is worth it. We’ll explain your insurance and legal options clearly, with no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Truck Accidents
Our knowledgeable truck accident attorneys are always ready to answer questions from people who understandably need assistance after the shock of a truck accident.
How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Claim in Arizona?
You usually have two years from the date of your accident to file a truck accident lawsuit. You may have a shorter deadline to make an insurance claim, so check your policy. An experienced truck accident attorney can review policies and your case to help you file everything on time.
Can I Be Partially at Fault and Still Recover Compensation?
Yes, but if your own negligence contributed to the accident, you receive less compensation. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law dictates that your percentage of liability reduces your damages proportionately. For example, if you have $1 million in damages but are 20 percent at fault, you can recover $800,000.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
Damages you can seek in a truck accident claim include:
- Medical bills and future medical costs
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Can I Sue the Trucking Company Directly?
Yes. You can sue a trucking company or another employer of a truck driver because they are responsible for the damages their employees cause while working. Companies may also be negligent in their own actions, for example, by not verifying driver qualifications and disqualifications, or by failing to inspect, repair, and maintain the truck that hit you.
How Is a Truck Accident Case Different From a Car Accident Case?
There are often much higher stakes in truck accidents than in car accidents. Heavy trucks can cause significant property damage and serious injuries, and under federal motor carrier insurance minimums, companies carry substantial policies on their vehicles. It can be challenging to sort out who is liable for a truck collision, and insurance companies fight large payouts.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Most truck accident cases settle before formal litigation starts. Others settle after a lawsuit begins, but before or during a trial. In rare cases, the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement because they doubt your evidence or their client’s liability. We build cases based on solid evidence to prevent that from happening.
