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Fewer sights on Mesa roads and interstates are as frightening as an out-of-control commercial truck. Whether as the result of driver distraction, a violation of local traffic laws, or mechanical failure, these massive vehicles are capable of causing devastating harm. Even a crash at relatively low speeds can throw a person’s life into chaos. At the very least, an individual may need emergency treatment and to make arrangements to repair their car. More serious incidents can result in life-altering injuries that never fully heal and can affect a person’s psyche for years to come.
A Mesa truck accident lawyer could help you build a case against a negligent truck driver and their employer. A diligent injury attorney could gather vital evidence, accurately measure your losses, and protect your rights every step of the way.
Laws that Govern Safe Truck Operation
No matter how severe a victim’s injuries may be following a tractor-trailer collision, the burden still falls on them to prove that a truck driver was responsible for the incident. The most common way to accomplish this is to prove that a defendant driver was negligent.
Operators of semi-trucks have an obligation to follow the same rules of the road as all other travelers. These include rules concerning speed limits, proper lane changes, and yielding when required to any other type of vehicle. Failures to follow these laws that lead to a wreck can serve as potent evidence in a claim for damages.
In addition to the typical rules of the road, federal regulations control many aspects of the trucking industry. Specifically, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that truck drivers cannot be on the road for more than 11 consecutive hours on any specific day or for more than 60 hours over seven consecutive days. Truckers and their employers that violate these laws are liable for any resulting injuries a person suffers in a crash. A Mesa truck accident attorney could help explain the relevant traffic laws as they apply to safe trucking.
Collecting Appropriate Payments Following a Semi-Truck Crash
It is no secret that an 18-wheeler accident can result in catastrophic injuries. These injuries will affect not just a person’s physical health but every aspect of their lives. Naturally, the core of the claim must include a physical injury. Typical examples of injuries following wrecks involving heavy commercial vehicles in Mesa include:
- Broken bones
- Separated joints
- Spinal cord damage
- Serious concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
A negligent trucker and their employer are always liable to provide payment for all necessary medical care associated with these injuries. However, a plaintiff who demands only the payment of medical bills may leave significant compensation on the table. The goal of a truck accident claim is to make the injured party as close to whole again as possible. This means that a plaintiff must also evaluate the emotional and financial impacts of the collision.
For example, if a plaintiff now suffers from flashbacks or PTSD connected to the incident, the defendant is liable to provide payments for these emotional traumas. Also, if an injury is sufficiently serious to keep a plaintiff out of work, a defendant is responsible for providing wage reimbursement for all lost income.
Always remember that no matter how serious an accident may be, there is always a limited time to pursue financial recovery. A.R.S.§ 12-542 gives plaintiffs only two years after the date of the collision to demand payment. A semi-truck crash lawyer could help file comprehensive claims within the applicable time limits in Mesa.
Reach Out to a Mesa Truck Accident Attorney for Help
Any person who suffers injuries because of the negligence of a truck driver deserves compensation to pay for their recovery. This includes payments to cover the costs of medical treatment, emotional trauma, and financial losses. However, to collect these payments, a plaintiff must show that a trucker’s poor choices directly caused the crash leading to their injuries. Evidence used to prove negligence could implicate a driver, an employer, and an insurance company as all being liable for your losses.
Working with a Mesa truck accident lawyer could drastically improve your chances of successful claim. Call today to schedule a consultation with a dedicated attorney.
