Phoenix Truck Brake Failure Accident Attorney
Legal help when truck brakes fail in Phoenix
Truck brake failure accidents can change lives forever. The impact of these accidents is devastating – physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial struggles. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a large truck brake’s failure, you need someone who understands. That’s where we come in. Our seasoned truck brake failure accident attorneys provide aggressive representation for victims of truck crashes in the Phoenix area.
How can we help?
- What happens in a brake failure accident?
- Common causes of truck brake failures
- Why brake failure accidents are so dangerous
- Who’s responsible for a brake failure accident?
- What can you be compensated for?
- Why choose us?
- What to do after a truck brake failure accident
- Time is critical: act quickly to protect your rights
- Do you have a Phoenix truck brake failure accident lawyer near me?
What happens in a brake failure accident?
Brake failure accidents are, unfortunately, all too common. Trucks are massive – often weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. And when the brakes fail, there’s little that can stop them. That means crashes are more likely to cause major damage and serious injury. Trucks need to stop on time. When they don’t, accidents happen.
A truck barreling down a highway, unable to stop because of brake failure? It’s terrifying. And in the middle of all this chaos, you might wonder – what went wrong? Why didn’t the truck stop? Could someone have done something to prevent this?
Common causes of truck brake failures
There’s a lot that can go wrong when it comes to truck brakes. Many of these accidents are preventable. When something goes wrong, it’s usually because of:
- Lack of maintenance: If a truck isn’t regularly checked and maintained, the brakes will wear out. Worn brake pads, low fluid levels, or rusted brake lines can all cause problems.
- Overloaded trucks: A truck carrying too much weight can put too much strain on the brakes. When a truck is overloaded like this, the braking system can fail under pressure.
- Brake defects: Sometimes, it’s not about maintenance or weight – it’s about faulty parts. If the brake system itself is defective, it might fail suddenly.
- Driver negligence: Truck drivers have to check their vehicles before every trip. If they fail to do that or ignore issues, they can be responsible for the accident.
- Improper training: Drivers need proper training, not just for operating the vehicle but also for dealing with emergencies like brake failure. If they’re not trained well enough, a failure can easily become catastrophic.
Why brake failure accidents are so dangerous
You might think that a truck with failing brakes would be easy to spot. After all, the driver should be able to tell if something is wrong, right? But that’s not how it works. Trucking accidents happen fast. When a truck is fully loaded, it takes a lot longer to stop. Even if the driver sees the problem, it may be too late to do anything about it.
Imagine the weight of a truck pushing forward at full speed, unable to stop. It’s hard to stop something that heavy. The consequences of a truck brake failure can range from smashed vehicles to catastrophic injuries or worse.
Phoenix’s roads aren’t making it any easier, either. They’re packed, often with a mix of large trucks and smaller vehicles all trying to squeeze into the same lanes. And that’s when brake failure accidents become even more dangerous.
Who’s responsible for a brake failure accident?
When a truck’s brakes fail and cause an accident, figuring out who is at fault is not always straightforward. The problem can stem from different areas. Here are some possibilities:
- The truck driver: If the driver didn’t check the brakes or report issues before the trip, they could be liable. This can also include cases where the driver was distracted or driving aggressively, which contributed to the accident.
- The trucking company: Trucking companies are legally required to make sure their trucks are maintained. If they didn’t do the right inspections or pushed their drivers too hard, they could be responsible for the accident.
- Vehicle manufacturers: If the failure was due to a defective part of poor design, the manufacturer of the brakes, or the truck itself, might be at fault.
- Third-party maintenance companies: Mechanics who fail to perform proper maintenance or repair a truck’s braking system could also be held liable.
Arizona law allows for comparative negligence (A.R.S. § 12-2505), meaning that if you’re partly at fault, you can still recover damages – though your compensation may be reduced based on how much you were at fault. A brake failure accident attorney can help sort out the details and fight to get the compensation you need.
What can you be compensated for?
When you’re hurt in a truck brake failure accident, compensation is critical. You might be entitled to the following damages:
- Medical expenses: You should be compensated for any treatment, from emergency care to ongoing rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: If you can’t work because of your injuries, the income you’re missing out on matters. We help make sure you’re compensated for that.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety and more are real losses that need to be recognized.
- Property damage: If your car was damaged, you shouldn’t be stuck paying to fix it.
- Wrongful death: In cases of fatal accidents, the surviving family members can seek compensation for funeral expenses and the financial loss of a loved one.
But here’s the truth: insurance companies don’t make it easy. They often try to minimize your payout, downplay your injuries, and make you feel like you’re asking for too much. You don’t have to face that alone. With the help of a brake failure accident attorney, we can help make sure you’re treated fairly.
Why choose us?
When it comes to truck brake failure cases, we know the law. We know Arizona’s trucking regulations, and we know how to dig deep into the details. Whether it’s a trucking company cutting corners on maintenance or a manufacturer releasing defective products, we’re ready to take on these cases. Here’s why we’re the right choice:
- Proven experience: We’ve dealt with many truck accident cases, including brake failure accidents. Our legal team is well-versed in the complex regulations and details that impact these cases.
- We fight for you: Insurance companies will try to lowball you. We don’t let that happen. We’re relentless in our pursuit of fair compensation for our clients.
- No upfront fees: We work on a contingency basis, so we only get paid if you win. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs.
- You matter to us: We’re not just a law firm. We’re your advocates. We care about your case, and we are ready to work tirelessly to get you the justice you deserve.
What to do after a truck brake failure accident
What you do after the accident matters. Here are a few steps to take if you’ve been involved in a truck brake failure accident:
- Get medical attention: Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries don’t show up right away.
- Call the police: A police report is crucial for your case. It helps document the incident and provides an official record.
- Take photos: Document the scene of the accident. Take pictures of your car, the truck, the surrounding area, and any visible damage or injuries.
- Contact a lawyer: The sooner, the better. We can help gather evidence, protect your rights, and fight for fair compensation.
Time is critical: act quickly to protect your rights
After a brake failure accident, time is not on your side. Evidence can disappear. Witnesses can forget what they saw. And the longer you wait, the harder it will be to build your case. So, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting the compensation you need.
Do you have a Phoenix truck brake failure accident lawyer near me?
Plattner Verderame Arizona Injury Lawyers has an office at 316 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85012. We can often make alternative arrangements to meet prospective clients, including over the phone or through a video conference call.
Our team is here to support you and your family at this difficult time.
Contact a Phoenix truck brake failure accident attorney today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck brake failure accident, we’re here to help. Don’t try to handle this on your own. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us take the weight off your shoulders and fight for the compensation you deserve.