A Firm Offering Experienced, Tenacious Representation In Truck Accident Lawsuits
Any type of motor vehicle accident can be serious or even fatal, but the odds of a catastrophic outcome are much higher when large trucks are involved. These cases can be highly complex and typically have high stakes, which is why victims need the help of a skilled and experienced lawyer like those at Curiel & Runion, PLC. We have more than 40 years of combined personal injury experience, including experience representing truck accident victims.
If you were injured in an accident with a truck that was a result of the driver’s negligent conduct, or the truck’s mechanical failure or other viable reason indicating negligence, it is important to obtain legal representation to preserve your rights to compensation. If you were injured we can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost past and future income, loss of consortium, property damage and more.
Truck Crashes Often Involve Life-Altering Or Life-Ending Injuries
Because of the size and weight difference between trucks and regular passenger vehicles, these accidents are often highly injurious for occupants of smaller vehicles. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck, back and spinal injuries
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Broken bones, cuts and bruises
- Lost limbs
- Damage to internal organs
- Burns, cuts and skin abrasions
Of course, truck accidents are also likely to be fatal. If you’ve lost someone you love to the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, we can help you pursue justice in a wrongful death action.
Other Large Trucks Are Also Dangerous
While semi or tractor-trailer crashes are what we think of when speaking about truck accidents, many of the same principles and risks apply to other large vehicles as well, including:
- Wreckers or tow trucks
- Logging trucks
- Delivery trucks and vans
- School buses, city buses and coach buses
- Concrete mixer trucks
- Fire trucks
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
If you were involved in a crash with these or any similar vehicles, we invite you to tell us your story and learn how we can help during a free initial consultation.
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
Below, we’ve provided answers to some common questions we get asked about truck accidents and their legal aftermath.
What are some common causes of truck accidents?
These crashes often come down to truck driver or trucking company negligence. Common examples include:
- Fatigued or drowsy driving due to excessive time behind the wheel (perhaps in violation of hours-of-service regulations)
- Trucks with cargo loads that are too heavy, improperly secured or unbalanced
- Failure to maintain and repair critical truck components like worn-out brakes and balding tires
- Trucking company delivery deadlines and policies that compel drivers to speed and make other unsafe decisions
- Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs
It is very important to uncover the causes of the crash and to determine who was at fault. The scenarios listed above are a good place to start most truck crash investigations.
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents is two years in Arizona and three years in New Mexico. That being said, you will want to act much more quickly than that to ensure that evidence is preserved and that you maintain the strongest possible case for compensation. We recommend contacting us as soon as you are medically stable and ready to discuss what happened. We conduct a thorough investigation on your behalf as soon as we are hired.
Why do I need a lawyer if the trucking company is insured?
After any type of motor vehicle accident, it is unwise to count on the fair-mindedness of insurance adjusters. Insurance companies are only interested in protecting their own bottom line. Therefore, they will make a settlement offer quickly, and it will almost certainly be far less than you need and far less than your case is worth. Because trucking companies are backed by high-dollar commercial insurance policies, insurers are especially aggressive in defending truck accident claims and trying to minimize liability. The average person cannot effectively take on these companies by themselves, which is why it is critical to hire an experienced attorney who is not afraid of or fooled by insurance company tactics.
How much money are truck accident cases worth?
Each case is unique, and the monetary value of any claim depends on the details of the accident – particularly how much harm victims suffered. It is somewhat common for truck accident litigation to result in settlements or jury awards of more than $1 million, but that money is not like winning the lottery. Instead, it is needed to cover the astronomical costs associated with truck accidents, including a lifetime of injuries and disabilities.
Reach Out Today And Get Started For Free
At Curiel & Runion, we offer personalized, hands-on and compassionate legal services to clients in and around Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additionally, there are no fees involved unless your case is favorably settled or won in court. To take advantage of a free initial consultation, give us a call at 602-838-6378 or reach out online.