Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Tucson, Arizona
The firms in this guide
- Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm Call Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm: (520) 882-8080
- Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian (AZ Injury Law) Call Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian (AZ Injury Law): (520) 790-5600
- Ruhmann Law Firm Call Ruhmann Law Firm: (520) 502-3500
- Bleaman Law Firm, P.C. Call Bleaman Law Firm, P.C.: (520) 355-2050
- Zanes Law Call Zanes Law: (866) 499-8989
1. Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury litigation, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving truck accidents, overweight truck accidents, blind spot accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Louis Hollingsworth and Michael Kelly are experienced litigators who are actively involved in every case. Named a Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report since 2012. Attorneys are Certified Specialists in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the State Bar of Arizona. Nearly 50 years of experience litigating complex motor vehicle accident cases. Attorneys have won jury verdicts and negotiated settlements in excess of several million dollars. Louis Hollingsworth is a hometown attorney born and raised in Tucson.
Location: 3501 North Campbell, Suite 104, Tucson, Arizona 85719
Contact: (520) 882-8080 | https://www.hollingsworthlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian (AZ Injury Law)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Distracted driving truck accidents (including cell phone use), driver fatigue accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, blind spot accidents, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, evidence preservation (black box data, driver logs), insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm has been handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases for more than 40 years with over $150 million recovered in damages. Attorneys are board-certified and have received recognition by Arizona Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, The Best Lawyers in Tucson, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Notable settlement of $3.5 million for an 18-year-old client who suffered brain injuries after being broadsided by a retail delivery truck. 98% of cases end in successful settlement.
Location: 3567 E. Sunrise Drive, Suite 115, Tucson, AZ 85718
Contact: (520) 790-5600 | https://www.azinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Ruhmann Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, improperly maintained truck accidents, cargo securement failures, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions with commercial trucks, head-on truck collisions
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, third party negligence claims (cargo and maintenance crews), insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Personal injury attorneys in Tucson handling truck accident cases throughout Arizona. The firm investigates each detail of every case to understand how and why the accident happened and identify all responsible parties. Attorneys pursue truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo crews, maintenance crews, and other potentially liable third parties. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Location: 177 N. Church Ave., Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact: (520) 502-3500 | https://www.ruhmannlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Bleaman Law Firm, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding truck accidents, improper maintenance accidents, overloaded truck accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, blind spot accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, third party liability investigation, black box data analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Personal injury attorneys handling truck accident claims and other vehicle accident cases in the Tucson area. The firm is committed to client recovery and aims to secure as much compensation as possible as swiftly as possible. Attorneys handle cases involving multiple defendants and assist with gathering evidence including vehicle computer data, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and driver cell phone records. Experience confronting large companies on behalf of clients.
Location: 5210 E. Williams Circle, Suite 830, Tucson, AZ 85711
Contact: (520) 355-2050 | https://www.bleamanlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Zanes Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, speeding truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, improper maintenance accidents, cargo securement failures, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, black box (Event Data Recorder) data retrieval, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Personal injury law firm handling truck accident cases throughout Arizona. Attorneys work to preserve critical evidence including truck black box data (Event Data Recorder) which records vital information about the truck’s performance and driver actions. The firm consults with financial and medical experts to calculate future medical costs and other damages. Experienced in handling cases involving independent contractor drivers and determining trucking company liability.
Location: 3438 N. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716
Contact: (866) 499-8989 | https://zaneslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Federal Trucking Rules and Arizona Deadlines for Tucson Truck Crashes
A Tucson truck crash claim starts with whether the truck falls under the federal motor carrier rules, then turns to the carrier’s insurance and the driver’s hours, and finally to Arizona’s deadlines and fault rule.
Which Trucks the Federal Rules Cover
49 CFR § 390.5 defines a commercial motor vehicle as a self-propelled or towed vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to carry passengers or property when it has a weight rating or weight of 10,001 pounds or more, is designed or used for more than 8 passengers for compensation or more than 15 without compensation, or carries hazardous material in a quantity requiring placards.
Coverage and Proof of Coverage
49 CFR § 387.9 sets a $750,000 minimum for for-hire carriers of nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce with vehicles rated at 10,001 pounds or more, and higher minimums for listed oil and hazardous cargo. Under § 387.7, no carrier may operate without that coverage, and the MCS-90 endorsement, MCS-82 surety bond or self-insurance authorization that proves it is public information.
Hours Behind the Wheel
49 CFR § 395.3(a), subject to § 395.1, limits a property-carrying driver to 11 hours of driving within the 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off, with a 30-minute interruption required after 8 hours of driving unless a short-haul exception applies. Carriers must have drivers record that time with an electronic logging device, apart from the manual-log cases listed in § 395.8(a), and keep the records at least six months under § 395.8(k).
Arizona Deadlines and Fault
A.R.S. § 12-542 requires a personal injury action within two years after accrual, except as provided in § 12-551. Under § 12-2505(A), the injured person’s fault reduces the full damages proportionately without barring recovery, except for a claimant who intentionally, wilfully or wantonly caused or contributed to the injury.
Tucson Truck Accident Questions
When does a claim against a public entity accrue?
A.R.S. § 12-821.01(B) provides that a cause of action accrues when the injured person realizes the damage and knows or reasonably should know its cause. From then, the claim must be filed within 180 days, and § 12-821 requires suit within one year.
Is the truck driver tested after the crash?
Yes, after listed crashes. 49 CFR § 382.303 requires alcohol and drug testing of each surviving driver as soon as practicable after a fatal crash, and after an injury or tow-away crash when the driver receives a citation for a moving violation arising from it within 8 hours (alcohol) or 32 hours (drugs). Alcohol testing efforts stop at 8 hours and drug testing efforts at 32 hours, and the carrier must record the reasons for any missed test.
Can a defendant blame someone who is not being sued?
Yes, in two situations. Under A.R.S. § 12-2506(B), a nonparty’s fault may be considered if the plaintiff settled with that person or the defendant gives notice before trial; the percentage is used only to measure the named parties’ fault and creates no liability for the nonparty.