1. Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions with trucks, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, head-on truck collisions, cargo accidents, driver fatigue accidents, drunk driving truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, equipment failure accidents, tire failure accidents, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation compliance analysis, hours of service violation investigation, driver log examination, black box data retrieval, maintenance record investigation, evidence collection and preservation, accident reconstruction expert coordination, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims
Background: Firm founded in 1961 with over 60 years serving the East Valley community. Attorneys include Richard M. Gulbrandsen, Richard M. Gulbrandsen Jr., William J. Gulbrandsen, Chris S. Patience, Steve H. Patience, Austin W. Patience, John E. Skousen, Michael J. Skousen, and Ryan M. Skousen. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Arizona, including over $10 million for a family in a trucking accident case. Proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Licensed in Arizona with services available in English and Spanish.
Location: 414 East Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204
Contact: (480) 833-8800 | https://www.sgplaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (No Recovery, No Fee)
2. Rasmussen Injury Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents
Case Types Handled: Trucking accidents at high-risk intersections (US-60 and Higley Road, Dobson Road and University Drive, Loop 202 corridors), driver negligence accidents, improper maintenance accidents, overloaded cargo accidents, unbalanced cargo accidents, safety regulation violation accidents
Legal Services: Federal and state trucking regulation compliance investigation, driver log and black box data collection, GPS records analysis, maintenance documentation review, accident reconstruction expert collaboration, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, evidence gathering and preservation, medical referral coordination
Background: The firm handles complex truck accident cases throughout Arizona with a focus on Mesa and the East Valley. Attorneys have multiple years of experience handling trucking accident litigation. The firm offers in-person, phone, and video conference appointments, as well as house calls. Licensed in Arizona. The firm emphasizes thorough investigation to identify all liable parties including drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, and cargo loaders.
Location: 2222 S Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202 (serving Mesa area)
Contact: (480) 637-5757 | Toll Free: (866) 637-5757 | https://rilfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless compensation is obtained)
3. Feller & Wendt, LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, big rig accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, lane blocking accidents, head-on collisions, underride accidents, cargo accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions, driver error accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, defective equipment accidents, improper cargo loading accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence investigation, defective equipment analysis, improper cargo loading investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence gathering, damage assessment, medical expense documentation, lost wage claims
Background: Feller & Wendt, LLC is a veteran-owned personal injury law firm serving Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. The firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for truck accident injuries. Attorneys include Adam Wendt. Licensed in Arizona. The firm maintains offices in Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona. Recognized for client communication and case results.
Location: 2222 S Dobson Road #500, Mesa, AZ 85202
Contact: (480) 702-2277 | https://www.fellerwendt.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Smith Alston Darner & Lee, Attorneys at Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, big rig collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, commercial truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Big rig accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer crashes, commercial truck accidents, driver negligence accidents, trucking company liability claims, cargo loader negligence accidents, defective equipment accidents, maintenance failure accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company liability investigation, driver negligence claims, cargo loader liability claims, defective equipment analysis, maintenance provider liability investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims
Background: The firm brings over 60 years of combined legal experience in personal injury and accident cases throughout Arizona. Attorneys handle truck accident cases with a focus on determining liability among multiple potentially responsible parties. Licensed in Arizona. The firm emphasizes treating clients like family and has built strong community connections.
Location: 6816 E Brown Rd #101, Mesa, AZ 85207
Contact: (602) 892-5000 | https://smithalstonlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Bleaman Law Firm, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, driver error accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, improper maintenance accidents, defective truck parts accidents (brakes, tires), cargo loader negligence accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation compliance investigation, driver hours of service analysis, black box data retrieval, accident reconstruction report analysis, eyewitness statement collection, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, punitive damage claims in cases of egregious behavior
Background: Bleaman Law Firm, P.C. handles truck accident cases throughout Arizona, including Mesa and surrounding areas. The firm works with accident reconstruction experts and investigates federal trucking regulations to establish fault. Attorneys analyze driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to build cases. Licensed in Arizona. The firm recognizes that Arizona does not impose caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases.
Location: Serving Mesa, Arizona (Tucson-based firm with Arizona statewide practice)
Contact: (520) 887-8100 | https://www.bleamanlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 12-542 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accident cases. Victims must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident or risk losing their right to seek compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: If a truck accident results in death, the wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years. However, the two-year period begins from the date of the victim’s death, not necessarily the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Arizona provides two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for property damage.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State: Arizona is a fault-based (tort) state for auto insurance. The person who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. Victims may file claims against the at-fault party’s insurance or file a lawsuit directly against the responsible parties.
Comparative Negligence Rule: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system. Victims can recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident. However, the recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the victim. For example, if you are found 25% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $75,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Arizona requires all drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of 25/50/15, meaning $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory in Arizona but is recommended.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must comply with federal minimum insurance requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For non-hazardous freight, the federal minimum is $750,000. For hazardous materials transport, minimums range from $1 million to $5 million depending on the cargo type.
Government Claims: Claims against government entities in Arizona have special requirements. A notice of claim must be filed within 180 days of the accident, and the lawsuit must be filed within one year. These shorter deadlines apply to accidents involving government-owned vehicles or occurring on government property.
Damage Caps: Arizona’s constitution prohibits caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. There are no limits on economic or non-economic damages recoverable in truck accident cases. However, punitive damages may be subject to stricter standards of proof, including demonstrating intent or egregious conduct.
Vicarious Liability for Trucking Companies: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies in Arizona can be held vicariously liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers when those acts occur within the scope of employment. Arizona courts also recognize claims for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention against trucking companies.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations established by the FMCSA apply in Arizona courts. These regulations govern hours of service limits (maximum 11 consecutive hours driving after 10 hours off duty), driver qualification requirements, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance standards, and cargo securement rules. Violations can serve as evidence of negligence.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Requirements: Commercial truck drivers must use ELDs to record their hours of service in compliance with federal law. ELD data is critical evidence in truck accident cases demonstrating hours of service violations or driver fatigue.
Dram Shop Liability: Arizona recognizes dram shop liability under ARS Section 4-311, allowing victims to pursue claims against establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or minor who subsequently caused an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Mesa, Arizona?
A: Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death. If the accident involves a government entity (such as a city vehicle or state agency), you must file a notice of claim within 180 days and the lawsuit within one year. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to seek compensation, so it is important to consult with an attorney promptly after an accident.
Q: How does Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident case?
A: Arizona’s pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $200,000 but finds you 20% at fault, you would receive $160,000. This system allows recovery even if you are 99% at fault (you would receive 1% of damages). Trucking companies and their insurers often attempt to shift blame to accident victims, so having strong legal representation to minimize your assigned fault percentage is important for maximizing your recovery.
Q: Who can be held liable in a Mesa truck accident case?
A: Multiple parties may share liability in a truck accident case. Potentially responsible parties include the truck driver (for negligence such as distracted driving, speeding, or hours of service violations), the trucking company (under respondeat superior for driver actions within employment scope, and directly for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance), cargo loaders (for improperly loaded or unsecured cargo), truck or parts manufacturers (for defective equipment such as brakes, tires, or steering components), and maintenance providers (for negligent repairs or inspections). An experienced attorney can investigate to identify all liable parties and their insurance coverage to maximize your potential recovery.
Q: What types of damages can I recover in an Arizona truck accident case?
A: Arizona’s constitution prohibits caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. You may recover compensation for medical expenses (past and future, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medications), lost wages and loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage. In cases involving egregious conduct by the trucking company or driver, punitive damages may also be available, though these require a higher standard of proof.
Q: What evidence is important to preserve after a truck accident in Mesa?
A: Critical evidence in truck accident cases includes the truck’s electronic control module (black box) data showing speed, braking, and engine performance; electronic logging device (ELD) records documenting the driver’s hours of service; the driver’s qualification file including training, medical, and employment records; drug and alcohol testing results; the truck’s maintenance and inspection records; dispatch and communication logs; GPS tracking data; dashboard camera footage; the police accident report; witness statements; and photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, and injuries. Federal regulations require trucking companies to retain certain records, but evidence can be lost or destroyed. Sending a spoliation letter to preserve evidence should be done promptly after the accident.