There have been 131,000 truck crashes as of December 26, 2025, according to Consumer Shield. Early estimates say that the total for the year will probably stay in line with recent trends.
There are several reasons that truck accidents happen, and you cannot disregard the prevalent distracted driving in this regard. The most common forms of distracted driving are eating, conversing with passengers, smoking, pressing car entertainment controls, and texting/calling. But is texting and driving considered a felony?
According to regulations in Arizona, those can be fined if the incident was the first offense, but if the crime caused serious injuries or death, they may be offered a class 1 misdemeanor. You can expect your driving license to be suspended when you are convicted of the misdemeanor.
Here are the steps you can take to prepare for such a situation.
Understanding Your Rights
Big trucks can cause more damage and involve more than one vehicle, according to truck accident attorney Liam Perry. That is why they are more complicated than accidents involving smaller cars. For this reason, you need a clear understanding of your rights if you find yourself in this situation.
You are entitled to receive compensation after the accident. This includes medical bills, damage to your property, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
It is unfortunate that businesses have a way of quickly throwing about settlements that are devoid of any real justice. To get better compensation, you should consult a lawyer about your rights. They can help you pursue justice and fight against the insurance company, trucking company, and any other parties who caused your accident. Become enlightened about the truck accident processes.
An experienced attorney can assist you more effectively with obtaining your documentation, negotiating with the other side, and trying to get your injury claim favorably resolved. This knowledge also grants you the right to choose knowingly how to proceed in light of your own best interests as the legal process unfolds.
Importance of Timely Action
The statute of limitations determines the time frame for initiating your legal action. If your case is not filed within these time limits, you may waive any redress from losses and injuries.
This is important to follow so that the evidence and witness accounts you can collect are preserved. By acting immediately, you can safeguard your rights to possible legal consequences of a case. They will promptly begin investigating the causes of the accident and gather the necessary evidence from third parties like eyewitnesses, photographs of the scene, and possible surveillance tapes to see how the accident happened and who is really at fault.
The sooner you get a lawyer, the larger your possible advantage will be in dealing with the complexities and processes critical to logistics for an accident.
Documentation and Evidence Needed
In building a solid truck accident claim, accumulating important documents and evidence is mandatory. After the accident has occurred, please jot down any mention of contacts with all people involved, including witnesses at the scene.
Take photographs of the collision site, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. Get copies of the police reports from witnesses and from the people in the accident, in addition to the medical records of injured people, considering the accident. Keep a log of all your medical bills, repair invoices, and any other financial expenditure that you suffered from the accident.
Take pictures of any property damage or injuries. Document all communication with insurance companies or the legal advisers of the opposition. The greater your evidence and documentation, the better your truck accident attorney can represent you and ensure the most aggressive pursuit of appropriate compensation.
Fee Structures and Payment Plans
Discussing payment plans and different arrangements with your truck accident attorney can get you to know how to finance your case. There exist attorneys who work for hourly rates, flat fees, and contingency fees and not solely for all types. These hourly rates refer to compensating attorneys for their time on your case, whereas flat fees imply a fixed amount for the total legal service. Contingency fees commonly are found in cases of personal injury and truck accident, wherein the attorney is paid only if the attorney succeeds in obtaining a settlement or a judgment, taking an agreed percentage of the sum.
While discussing payment plans, also discuss other costs such as court fees, expert witness fees, or investigatory expenses. This knowledge of costs on the front end helps determine your financial planning. Payment plans should also be tables of discussion, especially if you feel you cannot afford to cover attorney fees. Some attorneys offer adjustable payment arrangements to lighten the financial burden.
Clear communication about fees and payment plans is essential to avoid misunderstandings later on. Be sure to get all agreements in writing to protect both yourself and your attorney throughout the legal process.
Potential Settlement vs. Trial
Deciding to settle or go to trial is one of the most important decisions a person involved in a truck accident must make. As several persons have categorically said, an offer of settlement achieves a more definite result compared to further negotiations. This means that accepting a settlement ends the ongoing uncertainty of presenting evidence or, in the case of greedy insurance adjusters, provides an immediate challenge to their offer.
The choice to go to trial may raise the amount of compensation accorded. You need to understand the disadvantages you may face in chasing a higher payment. There could be time delays and additional costs at a trial. Worse still, it’s uncertain how the jury will decide with the proceedings.
That makes consulting a truck accident attorney important to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case. They will provide valuable suggestions about possible trial outcomes and settlements. A good idea would be to get an idea of what all the benefits and responsibilities are going to be like with any course of action, so you can make a decision that not only settles the case but also falls more in line with your goals and aspirations for your recovery from truck accident injuries.
Conclusion
With the complexities of truck accidents and the severity of the injuries you may have after getting involved in one, it’s important to know and understand your rights. The role of accident attorneys is an invaluable asset that could help you with all the processes to do.
Immediate action is necessary to secure the needed evidence and witness testimonies. Your attorney will also help collect and organize these documents.
Make sure to have a clear plan about the finances, like payment and fee structures, with your lawyer. This is important so you won’t run into surprises later. Follow the steps needed and stay informed of the progress of your case. This is how you can have a good chance of winning your truck accident case.
