Phoenix Big Rig Accident Attorneys

Tractor-trailers, better known as big rigs, are often the target of claims following an accident. In some instances, the accident may indeed have been caused by the driver of the truck, or be due to mechanical failure. However, in recent years the drivers and the trucking companies have begun to vigorously defend their driving skills, using the expertise of Phoenix big rig accident attorneys in accident claims to rid the industry of the reputation of being bad neighbors on the road.

When an accident occurs between a big rig, which can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds is involved with a 2,000-pound car, the truck is going to get the better end of the bargain. In many of these car-truck collisions, drivers of the automobile have played a major role in the crash; yet they and their attorneys are often quick to find fault with the truck driver and the trucking company itself. Most car operators do not realize that the big rigs have considerable blind spots, (the numerous places on the road in front of them and to either side in which other vehicles on the road are not visible to the truck driver.) Many drivers are not aware of the safety precautions to take when driving in close proximity to a big rig.

They may also not realize how much more time it takes to stop a 40-ton truck traveling at 65-miles per hour than at does a one-ton car. When a car moves into the path of a truck on the freeway and then slows suddenly, the truck driver attempting to stop in a hurry can end up having the trailer swing to one side (known as a jackknife because the truck essentially folds to 90 degrees). The trailer essentially become a weapon against other vehicles on the road. Your Phoenix big rig accident attorneys can dig into accident reports and if the accident was caused by another driver, this will free the truck driver and the company from liability in the accident.

Other cars and trucks can slam into the trailer as it skids to one side, or it can roll over spilling its possibly toxic cargo, all because a car cut in front of them (and that car may not have been involved in the accident itself.) Truck accidents can also be caused by mechanical failure due to a company's lax maintenance schedules, and Phoenix big rig accident attorneys can help drivers defend their driving record if the truck they are driving has faulty brakes for instance and the trucking company has put off repairs, Negligent maintenance is one of the common causes of big rig accidents, which can help the driver escape some of the responsibility of the accident, assuming that the maintenance is the trucking company's responsibility and not the responsibility of the driver himself.

In addition to mechanical error, big rig accidents are commonly blamed on speed or driver fatigue. While in many collisions with cars these elements may have played a role, in numerous cases the vehicle drive will share some of the blame for the accident. Improper passing by a car, such as riding beside the truck in a blind spot for an extended time essentially makes them invisible to the truck driver. Phoenix big rig accident attorneys work with drivers and companies to insure all drivers receive proper training, but there is nothing training can do to add 360-degree visibility to the driver's field of view. Even with appropriate driving, accidents may still happen because of other vehicles on the road.

If you are a truck driver who has been involved in an accident, contact the experienced attorneys in our Phoenix office today to find out how we can help you.