When large vehicles like trucks are involved in road accidents, the damage is also grave. As per the estimates, more than 5,000 truck accidents were reported in the U.S. in 2019.
If you are fortunate, the injuries could be non-fatal. In any case, it is crucial to contact a truck accident lawyer in Prescott to protect yourself and recover from the crash.
Truck Accidents can be Catastrophic
A truck can weigh over 20 times your car, and a collision means life-changing consequences. Big rigs with 18 wheels and 80,000 can cause graver damages. Injuries, lost wages, physical disability, emotional toll, property damage, and loss of goodwill can result from it.
Prescott truck accident cases commonly seek compensation for the following.
Property Damage
Based on the truck, your vehicle or any other property could be damaged significantly. Sometimes, your car doesn’t even have to be in a direct crash to sustain damages. For instance, a pickup truck in Prescott crashed into a car, flipped through the air, and remarkably landed on a third vehicle.
Medical Bills
After the accident, you will need proper medical treatment, which can be quite expensive. Moreover, commuting to and from home, hospital room costs, tests, and prescription medications add up. Some victims may need rehabilitation, physical therapy, and mobility-aid equipment.
Lost Wages
You have to take a leave of absence when you are recovering from injuries. This means you lose your salary or income for the duration. A temporary or permanent disfigurement can also impact your future earning potential.
Emotional Trauma
Unlike physical effects, emotional trauma remains hidden, lasts longer, and impedes your recovery. According to the studies, auto accident victims in Prescott and the rest of the U.S. can develop psychological injuries months later. You can claim damages for fear, stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and emotional distress.
Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?
In Prescott, AZ, you can file a truck collision lawsuit against:
- Driver
- Owner
- Trucking company
- Truck maintenance company
- Manufacturer of tires, brakes, etc.
- Cargo-loading companies
- Road maintenance department
You have to file your claim in Prescott within two years of the incident. The statute of limitations of Arizona dictates that you would lose your right to file a lawsuit after two years. However, there are exceptions, such as:
- If you file a case against a government entity, it is only 180 days.
- For a minor victim, it is two years from their 18th birthday.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Prescott truck accidents are primarily the result of:
Driver Error: Negligence, drunk driving, distraction, poor judgment.
Performance Issues: Brake problems, engine failure, tire blowouts, shifting cargo.
Trucking Company: Cutting corners, improper maintenance, employing bad drivers, inadequate training, exhaustive shifts.
Manufacturing Defects: Device malfunction, poor design, wrong materials.
Cargo Companies: Overloading, inaccurate cargo selection, wrong truck choice.
How Does Your Lawyer Help?
No two truck accidents are the same. Whether you are a victim, driver, or owner of the fleet, facing an impending lawsuit is challenging. Dealing with insurance companies and proving negligence of the other party can be highly stressful.
It is the lawyer’s duty to interview the witnesses on the scene to determine the truth.
They can convince the judge and jury of these four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault driver could have prevented your injuries but didn’t.
- Breached Duty of Care: The negligent driver didn’t act reasonably.
- Causation: Your injuries resulted directly from the other party’s breach of duty of care.
- Verifiable Damages: You can produce ample evidence supporting your claim.
Even excellent drivers can be the victims of another party’s fault. Or, it could be due to an unknown reason, like the Prescott truck crash that happened in July 2021. For this reason, hiring a truck accident lawyer in Prescott can give you peace of mind. They will help you get through this by providing enough guidance and support.