PARTIES INVOLVED IN A TRUCKING ACCIDENT IN PHOENIX
PARTIES INVOLVED IN A TRUCKING ACCIDENT IN PHOENIX
At Miller Kory Rowe, our Phoenix truck accident attorneys combine deep industry insight and legal expertise to investigate every detail of your accident, identify all potentially negligent parties and fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
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Understanding The Parties Who Could Be Involved In A Trucking Accident
Who’s to blame when a multi-ton freight hauler turns a routine commute into a life-altering tragedy?
Many immediately blame the driver, assuming the crash was purely due to human error. What they don’t realize is that factors such as faulty parts, improper loading, insufficient maintenance or unsafe scheduling can be just as critical. In a complex case, pinning the crash on the driver alone risks missing key evidence and letting other negligent parties escape accountability.
A trucking accident isn’t like a typical passenger-vehicle collision. It often inflicts catastrophic damage and draws in multiple parties, each of whom may share responsibility for what went wrong.
Parties Involved in Trucking Accident
In the aftermath of a wreck, victims and their families face not only physical and emotional scars but also a maze of potential defendants, every link in the chain of command from the engineer who designed the braking system to the broker who arranged the load.
Here are the key parties who may share liability:
Truck Driver
The driver carries the most visible responsibility on the road. Every commercial driver must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License, earned only after passing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-mandated medical exams, written tests and behind-the-wheel evaluations. Even with proper licensure, drivers can be negligent if they exceed hours-of-service limits, drive under the influence, use a mobile device behind the wheel or operate recklessly. Proving driver fault often relies on electronic logs, onboard cameras and eyewitness accounts.
Vehicle Manufacturer and Parts Suppliers
The company that designed and built the truck and every supplier of critical components, engines, brakes, steering systems and tires must meet strict safety standards. A defect in design, a flaw in production or a failure to warn about known hazards can all lead to product-liability claims when a part contributes to a crash.
Loader or Shipper of Cargo
Whoever loads the freight must respect legal weight limits, balance the load and secure the cargo with appropriate tie-downs. Overloaded or shifting cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes or spilled materials. If improper loading or faulty equipment plays a role, shippers, freight brokers and loading agents may face negligent-entrustment claims.
Truck Owner
The owner of the rig has a non-delegable duty to keep the vehicle in safe working order. Skipping routine inspections, delaying repairs or ignoring worn components can turn a dependable truck into a dangerous machine. Maintenance records and service logs often reveal whether an owner met this fundamental obligation.
Leasing Company
When a carrier leases its fleet from a separate owner, both entities share liability. Leasing agreements typically require owners to perform inspections and repairs. If those terms go unenforced or substandard parts replace original equipment, the leasing company may also face claims under vicarious liability and contract-based negligence.
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 Action Now With Miller Kory Rowe
Trucking accidents involve many potential defendants, from manufacturers and shippers to carriers and drivers, making claims complex.
At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, we dig into every detail, partner with top experts and hold all responsible parties accountable. If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash in Arizona, contact our Phoenix attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Phoenix truck accident attorneys for a free consultation today.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Trucking collisions rarely stem from a single misstep. Investigations typically uncover multiple contributing factors, including:
- Driver Impairment
Alcohol and drug use behind the wheel remains a serious hazard. Federal rules require pre-employment and random testing for all commercial drivers. Refusing a test or registering a blood-alcohol concentration above 0.04 establishes clear liability if impairment causes a crash. - Driver Fatigue
Exhausted drivers pose a heightened risk. Fatigue factors into roughly 12 percent of all large-truck crashes and 10 percent of near-crashes. Hours-of-service regulations limit drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive off-duty hours. Skipped rest breaks, often driven by tight schedules, can turn a routine haul into a deadly run. - Equipment Failure and Defective Parts
Brake malfunctions, tire blowouts and steering failures account for a significant share of wrecks. Mechanical issues contribute to about 12 percent of large-truck crashes. Liability may extend to part manufacturers when design or production flaws cause a breakdown, and to maintenance shops or owner-operators if inspections or repairs were neglected. - Improper Loading
Overweight or unevenly distributed cargo can trigger jackknifes, rollovers and spilled loads. Shippers, brokers and loading crews share a duty to calculate weight limits, balance freight and secure it with proper chains or straps. Failure to meet these standards can make them liable under negligent-entrustment theories. - Maintenance Lapses
Routine inspections of brakes, suspension, lights and fluid levels are essential. Skipped or inadequate maintenance transforms a dependable rig into a rolling danger. Service logs and repair invoices often reveal whether owners and leasing companies upheld their duty to keep trucks roadworthy.
By pinpointing these common causes, your legal team can trace each thread of negligence, ensuring no responsible party escapes accountability.
How Liability Is Established in Truck Accidents
Establishing liability in a trucking accident case hinges on four core elements: duty, breach, causation and damages.
Duty
Every party in the trucking process, from manufacturers and maintenance shops to shippers and drivers, owes a duty to act with reasonable care. Truck drivers must obey hours-of-service rules and drive safely. Carriers must hire qualified operators and maintain their fleet. Parts suppliers must design and build safe components.
Breach
A breach occurs when a party fails to meet its duty. Examples include a driver skipping rest breaks, a carrier ignoring maintenance schedules, a loader overstuffing a trailer or a brake-line manufacturer using substandard materials. Federal regulations and industry standards provide clear benchmarks for proper conduct.
Causation
Linking the breach to the crash requires evidence. Telematics data can show speeding or hard braking. Maintenance logs can reveal overdue repairs. Load manifests can prove improper cargo distribution. When these facts align, you establish that the breach likely caused the wreck.
Damages
Finally, you must document the harm: medical bills, lost income, property repairs and pain and suffering. Precise records and expert testimony on prognosis and future costs turn those harms into quantifiable damages.
In some cases, legal doctrines such as respondeat superior (holding carriers responsible for drivers) or negligent entrustment (holding loaders or owners responsible for unsafe cargo) broaden the scope of liability. By mapping each party’s duty and breach, you build a case that covers every source of negligence.
What to Expect When Working With Us
We understand that pursuing a claim can feel daunting. Our team will guide you through each step of the process.
1. Initial Consultation
We listen closely to your concerns, explain your rights, and make sure the resident’s immediate safety is addressed from the start. This consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to proceed.
2. Investigation Phase
If we take your case, we’ll gather all necessary medical records and consult with expert witnesses to build a strong foundation for your claim.
3. Claim Development
We’ll calculate the full extent of your damages and prepare comprehensive settlement demands or legal filings.
4. Negotiation or Litigation
We’ll pursue fair compensation through negotiation when possible, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Real Client Testimonials
Our dedication to achieving successful outcomes for our clients is reflected in the authentic stories they share in our testimonials.
Many of these families came to us after discovering neglect in a nursing home or care facility.
“Teri Rowe and the team at MKR are highly recommended. My family and I went to Teri under the worst of circumstances and she was always kind, comforting, and helpful. Our case was complicated, sad, confusing and frustrating. She managed everything wonderfully. Our family lawyer referred us to Teri because Teri has a reputation for being the best. She definitely lives up to her reputation.”
— Michael Stenoien
“My sisters and I couldn’t have made a better choice by choosing Miller Kory Rowe to represent us. From day one to the end, their empathy, their professionalism and their confidence in our case never wavered. We were given the faith and they kept it. Their approach was completely professional but their concern for our case was equally personal. They took into account every little detail. They valued for us, our family values and ensured justice was done. We now have complete closure that this lawsuit is behind us, we can move forward knowing that we got some measure of justice for the harm done to our mother. Thank you so much Liz, Gabe and Stephanie.”
— Sherrie Dudek
“From our initial consultation to our final settlement. Miller, Kory and Rowe was with us every step of the way. Gabe and team kept us abreast of any updates on the case in a timely fashion and were always, often within minutes of an email, to walk us through what was happening in our case or clarify any questions we may have.
MKR’s compassion and thoughtfulness was genuine and was able to ease our minds in what was a difficult time with the passing of our mom. Gabe’s experience with these cases was very evident in our interactions and we had the utmost confidence in his representation. I would highly recommend MKR if you are ever in need of an attorney.”
— Joseph Shown
At Miller Kory Rowe, we are not afraid to take cases to trial. We are Arizona litigators with deep experience handling serious injury and wrongful death claims for families across the state.
Every case is prepared with the courtroom in mind. That level of preparation strengthens our strategy, builds trust with our clients, and puts pressure on the defense. We work with respected experts, craft compelling exhibits, and uncover the details that help juries understand the truth.
Whether your case involves medical negligence, elder abuse, or another form of life-changing harm, our focus stays the same: clear answers and meaningful results.
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