Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona: Help After a Collision With a Commercial Truck
If you were hurt in a crash with a semi or commercial truck, a truck accident lawyer in Phoenix can move quickly to protect the records a trucking company is allowed to discard. Valley Accident Law serves Phoenix clients from our Scottsdale office, and Charles Paglialunga has 32 years of Arizona accident experience. Most Arizona injury claims must be filed within two years, and some evidence has a much shorter life.
- Filing deadline
- 2 years from the crash, for most claims
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
- Driver logs kept
- 6 months
- 49 CFR 395.8(k)
- Maximum driving time
- 11 hours after 10 off duty, property carriers
- 49 CFR 395.3
- Fault rule
- Pure comparative fault, no percentage bar
- A.R.S. 12-2505
Truck Accident Lawyer in Phoenix: Why the First Weeks Matter
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh many times what a passenger car does, and when one of those collides with a car on I-10 or I-17 the injuries are often severe. The trucking company and its insurer usually start investigating within hours. A truck accident attorney in Phoenix should be doing the same on your side, because the most useful evidence is held by the other side and can be lost on a schedule.
Valley Accident Law represents people hurt in the Phoenix metro. We are in Scottsdale at 5635 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, and we serve Phoenix clients, starting by phone if you are still recovering. Charles Paglialunga is a Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum member. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights in plain language. Request your free case review.
Some people search for a Phoenix 18 wheeler accident law group. What matters more than the name is who will actually take your case, how the work gets done, and how you will be kept informed. We will answer those plainly.
Arizona
Freight Corridors Where Truck Crashes Happen in Phoenix
Phoenix sits on one of the busiest freight routes in the Southwest. The roads below carry trucks all day, and the size and speed difference between a truck and a car is where the worst injuries come from.
I-10
A major route for freight traveling between California and Texas, with heavy truck traffic through the Broadway Curve area and downtown.
I-17
Trucks traveling between the Valley and northern Arizona share tight curves and merges with commuters near downtown.
Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway)
Used by trucks heading to and from warehouses and distribution centers on the south and southwest sides.
Southwest Phoenix distribution areas
Delivery trucks entering and leaving warehouse driveways cross busy arterial streets.
Arizona DPS
DPS generally handles freeway crashes, so a freeway truck crash report usually comes from the state.
Who May Be Responsible in a Phoenix Truck Crash
Truck cases often involve more than one defendant. Arizona generally makes each defendant pay only its own share of fault (A.R.S. 12-2506), with exceptions, so identifying every responsible party early matters.
- The truck driver
Fatigue, distraction, speed, and following too closely are common issues. Hours-of-service records can show whether the driver was past the legal limit.
- The trucking company
Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising drivers. Pressure to meet delivery times can lead to unsafe choices.
- A maintenance contractor
Brake, tire, and steering failures can trace back to missed inspections or poor repairs.
- A shipper or loader
Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift, spill, or cause a rollover.
- A broker or other business
A business that arranged the load may share responsibility depending on the facts. Our page on a Scottsdale truck accident lawyer explains more about how these claims are built.
Trucking Records and How Long They Are Kept
Federal rules require trucking companies to keep certain records, but only for a limited time. A written preservation request sent early can make the difference between having a log and not having one. See our page on FMCSA violations in trucking cases for more.
| Record | How long it is generally kept | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Driver logs and hours-of-service records | 6 months | 49 CFR 395.8(k) |
| Maintenance and inspection records | 1 year plus 6 months | 49 CFR 396.3(c) |
| Driver qualification file | 3 years after employment ends | 49 CFR 391.51 |
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as cited
Evidence That Helps in a Phoenix Truck Accident Claim
Some of this you can do, and some we do for you. None of it is medical advice.
- Photos of the truck, its markings, its plate, and the lanes, if safely possible and before any vehicle is moved
- The truck driver's name, the carrier name, and the number on the side of the cab or trailer
- Witness names and phone numbers
- The report number from the Phoenix Police Department or Arizona DPS
- A written preservation request to the carrier covering logs, the electronic control module, dashcam video, and maintenance records
- Medical records from the first emergency visit onward
Fault, Deadlines, and Where a Truck Case May Be Heard
Arizona is a pure comparative fault state (A.R.S. 12-2505). Insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault, and trucking insurers are usually prepared to do exactly that.
Most injury claims must be filed within two years (A.R.S. 12-542). If a government vehicle or a public road defect is involved, a notice of claim is due within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01). Truck cases are often filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in downtown Phoenix, and because trucking companies are frequently based out of state, a case can sometimes end up in federal court in Phoenix instead. These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.
Arizona
Where Truck Crash Injuries Are Treated in Phoenix
Truck crash injuries are often severe, and the medical record is the foundation of a claim. These Level I trauma centers in Phoenix are where many seriously injured people are taken. Our guide to Phoenix area trauma centers explains how those records fit into a claim.
Valleywise Health Medical Center
A Level I trauma center in central Phoenix.
Banner University Medical Center Phoenix
A Level I trauma center and teaching hospital.
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
A Level I trauma center and home to the Barrow Neurological Institute.
HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center
Serves north Phoenix.
Working With Valley Accident Law on a Truck Accident Claim
If you are searching for a truck accident attorney in Phoenix, you are probably dealing with a serious injury, an insurer that sounds friendly, and a stack of paperwork. We will tell you what we see in your facts, including the weak points. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights and what your case may be worth.
Whether you were hit by a delivery truck or a tractor-trailer, see our guide to an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Scottsdale and Phoenix, or return to our Phoenix personal injury lawyer page. For the statewide guide, see our page for an Arizona trucking accident lawyer. Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review.
Related pages
Types of truck accident claims
Questions
Questions about Phoenix truck accident cases
How soon should I call after a truck crash?
As soon as you can. Driver logs are generally kept for only 6 months, and other records, such as dashcam video, may be overwritten faster. You generally have two years to file a truck injury lawsuit, but if fatigue played a part, the log data that shows it can be erased for good unless a written preservation letter reaches the carrier first. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights.
How do I choose among truck accident lawyers in Phoenix, AZ?
Ask who will work on your case, how fees are explained, and how the firm preserves evidence from the trucking company. A good truck accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ should answer plainly, including about the weak points.
Who can I sue after a truck accident in Phoenix?
It depends on the facts. It may include the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance contractor, a shipper, or others. Arizona generally makes each defendant pay its own share, with exceptions.
What is a preservation letter?
It is a written request that the trucking company keep records such as logs, electronic data, and maintenance files. It helps prevent routine deletion.
Who writes the report for a truck crash on a Phoenix freeway?
Arizona DPS generally handles freeway crashes, and the Phoenix Police Department generally handles crashes on city streets.
What if I was partly at fault?
Arizona is a pure comparative fault state. You can still recover, reduced by your fault percentage.
How much does it cost to hire you?
You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. We will explain how costs are handled during your free case review.
Free case review
Let Us Answer Your Questions About Your Truck Accident
Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights.
Call any time. Office visits Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
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