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
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542. Personal injury claims must be filed within this timeframe or the court will bar the lawsuit.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the incident.
Claims Against Government Entities: Claims against Arizona state or local government must be filed within one year of the injury under A.R.S. Section 12-821. Additionally, a written notice of claim must be served within 180 days of the injury date.
Fault System: Arizona is a traditional fault-based state. The at-fault party and their insurance company are responsible for paying damages to injured victims.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-2505. A plaintiff can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault for the accident. The plaintiff’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if damages are $100,000 and the plaintiff is 30% at fault, they recover $70,000. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence system is more favorable to plaintiffs than modified comparative negligence states.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Arizona requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15).
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in Arizona must comply with federal insurance requirements. Interstate carriers must maintain minimum coverage of $750,000 for most freight. Higher limits apply to trucks hauling hazardous materials ($1 million to $5 million depending on cargo type).
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Arizona law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage in writing. If the offer is not made, UM/UIM coverage is included by operation of law in amounts equal to the insured’s bodily injury liability limits.
Damage Caps: The Arizona Constitution prohibits caps on personal injury damages. Arizona has no limits on compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in personal injury cases.
Punitive Damages: Available in egregious cases where the defendant acted with an “evil mind,” meaning the defendant intended to cause harm, was motivated by spite, or acted outrageously creating a substantial risk of harm to others. Public entities and employees are immune from punitive damages.
Vicarious Liability: Trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for the negligent acts of employee drivers under respondeat superior. Independent contractor status may limit trucking company liability, but companies can still be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations apply in Arizona courts. Violations of FMCSR, including hours of service rules and maintenance requirements, can establish negligence.
Dram Shop Liability: Under A.R.S. Section 4-311, liquor licensees may be liable if they serve obviously intoxicated persons or minors who then cause accidents. Social hosts are not liable under Arizona law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit in 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 runs from the date of death. If your claim involves a government vehicle or entity, you must serve a written notice of claim within 180 days and file suit within one year. These deadlines are strictly enforced, and failing to file on time typically results in losing your right to seek compensation.
Q: How does Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law affect my truck accident case?
A: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. Section 12-2505, which is favorable to accident victims. You can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% at fault and your damages total $200,000, you would receive $120,000. Even if you were 90% at fault, you could still recover 10% of your damages. Insurance companies often try to assign more fault to victims to reduce payouts, so having an experienced attorney is important.
Q: Are there caps on damages in Arizona truck accident cases?
A: No. The Arizona Constitution prohibits caps on personal injury damages. You can recover the full value of your economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) without statutory limits. Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving particularly egregious conduct, though these require clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with an “evil mind.”
Q: What evidence is critical in an Arizona truck accident case?
A: Critical evidence includes the truck’s black box (Event Data Recorder), which records speed, braking, and other data about the truck’s operation. Driver logs, electronic logging device records, the driver’s qualification file, drug and alcohol testing records, and the trucking company’s maintenance records are also important. Physical evidence from the scene, witness statements, police reports, and medical records support claims. Because trucking companies may destroy or alter evidence, hiring an attorney quickly to issue preservation demands is essential.
Q: Who can be held liable in an Arizona truck accident?
A: Multiple parties may be liable in Arizona truck accident cases. The truck driver can be liable for negligent driving (fatigue, distraction, speeding, impairment). The trucking company may be vicariously liable for employee driver negligence or directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance practices. Cargo loading companies may be liable for improperly secured loads. Truck or parts manufacturers may be liable for defective equipment. Maintenance providers may be liable for negligent repairs. Arizona’s comparative fault system allows recovery against multiple defendants based on their percentage of responsibility.