Short answer: An 18-wheeler or semi-truck case is built on evidence that ordinary car accidents do not have — driver logs, electronic control module data, inspection records, and a motor carrier bound by federal safety regulations. That evidence can be overwritten within weeks, so the most important step after medical care is getting a preservation demand to the trucking company quickly.
18-Wheeler Accidents Lawyer in Phoenix
Were you or a loved one injured following a crash with an 18-wheeler in Phoenix, Arizona? Was a family member killed because of the negligence of a 18-wheeler driver or the unsafe practices of a trucking company? If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may benefit from the legal guidance of an experienced Phoenix 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
Hirsch & Lyon Accident Law P.L.L.C. represents victims of 18-wheeler accidents involving the negligent actions of either the 18-wheeler driver or the trucking company. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Arizona 18-Wheelers Accident Statistics
Accidents involving the trucks known as semis, tractor-trailers, big rigs and 18-wheelers are a serious public safety issue on America’s roads. In 2015, large trucks were involved in:
- 342,000 accidents resulting in property damage;
- 87,000 accidents resulting in injuries; and
- 4,050 accidents resulting in fatalities.
When large trucks have accidents with passenger cars, the car occupants suffer the vast majority of the injuries and fatalities. The reasons are obvious — 18-wheelers typically weigh 20-30 times more than cars and their height and ground clearance make them even more dangerous when they collide with cars.
Why Do 18-Wheeler Accidents Happen?
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) estimates that 18-wheelers cause 5,400 fatalities and 140,000 injuries each year. In 2007, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s analyzed its years of accident data sets to produce the Large Truck Crash Causation Study. The FMCSA concluded that these are the most common causes of 18-Wheeler accidents:
Top 10 Factors Leading to 18-Wheeler – Driver-Caused Accidents
- Prescription Drug Use
- Traveling Too Fast for Conditions
- Unfamiliar with Roadway
- Over-the-Counter Drug Use
- Inadequate Surveillance
- Fatigue
- Illegal Maneuver
- Inattention
- Exterior Distraction
- Inadequate Evasive Action
Top 10 Factors Leading to 18–Wheeler Accidents Caused by Vehicle Defects
- Brake Deficiency
- Tire Deficiency
- Jackknife Event
- Overweight
- Cargo Shift
- Light Failure
- Brake Failure
- Cargo Securement
- Vehicle View Obstruction (Including Obstruction Related to Load, Vehicle Design, or Other Factors)
- Engine, Fuel System or Exhaust Deficiency
Trucking Company Practices
Many accidents involving large trucks arise directly from illegal practices that routinely occur in the trucking industry. Hirsch & Lyon has the experience to uncover trucking company misconduct:
- Federal and state law requires 18-wheeler drivers to keep accurate records of hours worked, miles traveled and rest time. We will examine the logbooks, looking for evidence that the 18-wheeler driver did not get the required amount of rest.
- We will figure out whether a carrier has skimped on 18-wheeler maintenance, leading to brake failure or a tire blowout, or overloaded a 18-wheeler and thereby causing a serious accident. Carriers who do not adhere to prudent industry standards should be held responsible for damages and injury.
Other Factors That Can Cause an 18-Wheeler Accident
18-Wheelers accidents can arise from circumstances external to the drivers, vehicles and trucking companies involved. For example, if a roadway design defect or negligent highway construction or maintenance causes, both the 18-wheeler driver and the injured motorist may have a claim against the governmental entity responsible. A Phoenix 18-wheeler accident lawyer at our firm can assist you with such cases, and we will not rest until those responsible for your injuries are held accountable.
Why Do You Need an Experienced Phoenix 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer?
Hirsch & Lyon have litigated hundreds of 18-Wheelers accident cases and will take all of the necessary steps to ensure you are legally and financially protected. During our initial investigation of the accident, we will deploy the resources needed to aggressively prosecute your claim, including engaging an accident reconstruction specialist and our experienced private investigator.
Hirsch & Lyon also has years of experience battling the uncooperative insurance companies that represent trucking companies. We are committed to protecting your rights as an accidents victim throughout every stage of your case. Trust us to recover the maximum compensation you rightfully deserve.
We Represent Both Drivers and Passengers Who Are Involved in Motor Vehicle Accidents With Big Rigs.
If you’ve been involved in an 18-wheeler accident, you should engage a lawyer before your insurance company resolves your claim. Our legal team can assist both automobile drivers and passengers who have been involved in a 18–Wheeler accident. We won’t rest until you get the compensation you deserve. From wrongful death claims to compensation for lost wages, you can count on us to offer unparalleled results throughout every 18–Wheeler accident case. Call 602-535-1900 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Hirsch & Lyon Accident Law today.
Why 18-wheeler cases are handled differently
A loaded tractor-trailer can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds — roughly twenty times a passenger car. That weight difference shows up in the injuries, and the law responds to it: interstate motor carriers operate under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which govern how long a driver may be behind the wheel (49 CFR Part 395), how the truck must be inspected and maintained (Part 396), drug and alcohol testing (Part 382), and commercial licensing (Part 383). A violation of these rules is often the backbone of the liability case.
Interstate carriers are also required to carry substantially higher liability coverage than private drivers — federal minimum financial responsibility for general freight starts at $750,000 (49 CFR Part 387), and many carriers layer additional coverage above that. More available coverage changes how hard the insurer fights, which is why trucking insurers put investigators on serious crashes within hours.
The evidence that decides semi-truck cases
Modern tractors record their own operation. The engine's electronic control module logs speed and braking; the electronic logging device records hours of service; dispatch systems record schedules and communications. Add the driver qualification file, post-crash drug-test results, and maintenance records, and you have a documentary record of exactly what happened — if it is preserved. Our first step in an 18-wheeler injury case is a written preservation demand so none of it disappears in the ordinary course of business.
Which parties may owe you compensation?
Depending on the facts: the driver, the motor carrier, the trailer owner, the shipper or cargo loader, and the maintenance contractor. Arizona's several-liability system (A.R.S. § 12-2506) makes each defendant responsible for its own share of fault — which is why identifying every liable party early matters so much to the final recovery.
How much does an 18-wheeler accident lawyer cost?
Hirsch & Lyon works on a discounted contingency fee: 25% on cases resolved without litigation, 30% if litigation is required, plus costs. You pay nothing up front and no fee unless you recover. Most firms charge 33% to 40% for the same work — on a serious truck case that difference is real money.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a semi-truck accident?
In almost every serious case, yes. Trucking insurers deploy rapid-response teams to the scene while injured people are still in the emergency room. The gap between an unrepresented claim and a properly investigated one — with the electronic data preserved and every defendant identified — is usually far larger than the fee.
Talk to a board-certified specialist about your case — free, 24/7: (602) 535-1900 or request a free case review online. No fee unless you recover.
