PHOENIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Experienced Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Accidents involving commercial vehicles and trucks can be catastrophic for bicyclists, pedestrians, and occupants of smaller personal vehicles because of the immense kinetic energy at impact.
When a commercial vehicle crashes, the damage often extends far beyond the scene. These aren’t simple fender-benders.
Whether it’s a delivery van, shuttle bus, or service truck, commercial vehicle accidents involve heavier machines, tighter deadlines, and layers of corporate responsibility including multiple parties that may share legal or financial liability.
At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, we dig deeper. Our Phoenix truck accident attorneys understand the specific risks that come with commercial vehicles operating in and around Phoenix. We’re here to hold companies accountable, uncover the full picture, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Why Clients Trust Miller Kory Rowe
At Miller Kory Rowe, we have extensive experience handling complex commercial vehicle accident claims and have the necessary resources to take on powerful trucking companies and their insurance providers. Our attorneys are not afraid of a fight; we prepare every case as though it will go to trial, and we are always prepared to represent our clients’ best interests in the courtroom. As your legal team, we will do whatever it takes to protect you and your recovery.
What sets us apart:
- Arizona-based attorneys, with legal services available in both English and Spanish
- Extensive knowledge of FMCSA regulations, carrier liability, and black box evidence
- We handle high-stakes truck accident litigation with a proven record of success in Arizona courts
- We don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for your injuries and losses
Jeff Miller Board-certified in personal injury and wrongful death law, Jeff brings over 20 years of courtroom experience to serious truck accident cases. He holds drivers, carriers, and manufacturers accountable, combining legal precision with his role as Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix to advocate for those facing catastrophic injury.
Gabe Kory Founding partner Gabe Kory draws on his background in corporate defense to dismantle the legal strategies trucking companies often rely on. He builds strong, evidence-based claims by analyzing logbook violations, black box data, and maintenance failures to fight for the full value of your case.
Teri Rowe Named one of Arizona’s Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers, Teri applies her engineering background to interpret crash reconstruction, braking systems, and federal safety violations. Her ability to turn complex technical data into compelling courtroom narratives helps juries understand how trucking negligence causes life-altering harm.
What Is Considered a Commercial Vehicle in Phoenix?
In Phoenix, a commercial vehicle isn’t just a big rig or cross-country freight hauler. It refers to any vehicle operated for business purposes, whether it’s delivering packages, transporting passengers, or hauling equipment across town.
Under Arizona law, the term “commercial motor vehicle” includes a wide range of vehicles used in commerce, not just those requiring a CDL (commercial driver’s license).
You might encounter commercial vehicles such as:
- Delivery vans (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)
- Landscaping trucks or utility vans
- Buses or airport shuttles
- Cement mixers and dump trucks
- Food service vehicles or catering trucks
- Rideshare service vans used for corporate transport
- Large pickups pulling trailers for construction or equipment
What sets these vehicles apart is not just their size. It’s the legal responsibilities that come with operating them. In Phoenix, commercial drivers and their employers must follow both Arizona state traffic laws and, in many cases, federal safety regulations from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
When these vehicles are involved in a crash, the consequences are often more severe. The legal responsibilities are too.
Common Causes Of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
The following are the primary reasons for the cause of commercial vehicle accidents to which you may unfortunately fall prey. Should this happen and any of the following factors are involved, you have a strong case for claiming compensation.
A trained and experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help you identify the cause of your accident and build a case for compensation.
Driver Error
Human error is largely responsible for a majority of commercial vehicle collisions with cars, bicycles, or people. Oftentimes, negligence or carelessness on the driver’s part is responsible due to a common error, being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or simple exhaustion, for example.
Federal law clearly stipulates that commercial vehicle drivers can operate their vehicles for a certain number of hours on a daily basis. This isn’t strictly complied with, and duty logs are often falsified. This generally leads to overwork and hence, fatigue which leads to faulty driving and increases the chances of an accident occurring.
Inadequately Trained Or Inexperienced Driver
Commercial vehicles are often oversized, and their drivers need special driving permits to operate them. This makes them more challenging vehicles to handle as they need more space to park or make a turn. Many collisions happen when the driver isn’t qualified or skilled enough to handle a vehicle of this magnitude.
Cargo Overload
Every commercial vehicle has a fixed maximum load bearing capacity. The vehicle operator is required by law to maintain detailed records of the cargo being carried and its weight. The rule of thumb is that the vehicle may carry the maximum load that its tires permit.
Overloading, therefore, adversely affects the vehicle’s performance, speed, and steering. Often it is seen that the tires of an overloaded vehicle have blown out when driven at high speed and caused it to roll or jack knife -resulting in a fatal crash.
Equipment Failure
When commercial vehicles fall into disrepair, accidents happen. Equipment malfunction is often the cause of collisions or accidents when the vehicle’s safety equipment is improperly maintained.
All commercial vehicle operators are directed by law to maintain up to date records of their maintenance schedules, which may be tampered with or not maintained at all. Should equipment failure be the cause of the accident, then the question of compensation is in play, provided the accident victim’s lawyer is able to prove it.
What Compensation Covers in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case
Commercial vehicle accidents often leave victims facing more than just physical injuries. The financial, emotional, and long-term impact can be life-changing. Arizona law gives injured people, and in fatal cases their families, the right to pursue compensation that reflects the full scope of their losses, not just what insurers offer.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation in a commercial vehicle accident case may include:
Medical Expenses
Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatment related to the crash
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Wages lost during recovery and any ongoing reduction in your ability to work or earn a living
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma
Loss of Quality of Life
For long-term limitations on daily activities, independence, or enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one was killed, compensation may include funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Reimbursement for medical equipment, home care, transportation, or home modifications
No two commercial vehicle cases are alike. At Miller Kory Rowe, we tailor each claim to reflect the full impact the crash has had on your life. Our team works with medical experts, financial analysts, and life-care planners to calculate your total damages and fight for nothing less than full and fair compensation.
FAQs About Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases in Arizona
Q: How are commercial vehicle accidents different from regular car accidents?
Q: Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?
Q: Is there a deadline to file a commercial vehicle accident lawsuit in Arizona?
Q: What should I do if an insurance company contacts me after the crash?
Q: How much does it cost to hire a commercial vehicle accident attorney?
Helpful Resources for Arizona Residents
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) – Crash Reports
Request official accident reports and review traffic safety information.
Arizona Corporation Commission – Motor Carrier Safety
Check registration and compliance records for trucking companies operating in Arizona.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – Company Snapshot Tool
Look up safety records, inspections, and violations for commercial trucking carriers.
Arizona Judicial Branch – Civil Court Information
Find case information, court locations, and self-help resources for civil litigation.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Commercial vehicle accident claims require serious legal strategy and detailed investigation. You need a legal team with the experience, resources, and commitment to take on large companies, insurers, and multiple responsible parties.
Let Miller Kory Rowe help you understand your rights, build a strong case, and pursue the full compensation Arizona law allows.
Contact our Phoenix truck accident attorneys for a free consultation today.
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Take the first step toward justice by completing a quick claim review today.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH AN AN EXPERIENCED ARIZONA NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEY
The Miller Kory Rowe LLP team has spent decades fighting for the rights of nursing home residents. If you suspect or know a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please call 928-563-6405 or contact us online. Our attorneys offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. With offices in Phoenix and Tucson, our firm is uniquely positioned to serve clients throughout Arizona. Contact our firm today!
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why choose us?
Decades of Experience
At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience helping individuals injured by the negligence of others. We are dedicated to getting our clients the settlements they deserve to help them restore their livelihood and peace of mind.
DEDICATED TRIAL ATTORNEYS
With every case we pursue, our trial attorneys have three foundational beliefs: Dedicated. Aggressive. Principled.
EXTENSIVE RESOURCES
When you work with our law firm we put all of our extensive resources into finding evidence, interviewing witnesses, and navigating through the complexities and challenges that each claim presents.
