Best Truck Accident Lawyers Mesa, AZ Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

Below are state and federal requirements for truck drivers that, if not followed, could fuel claims against drivers and their employers in the event of an accident.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements

To obtain a CDL, drivers must meet all of the following requirements:

• be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines and at least 18 to drive within the state
• provide proof they are authorized to be in the United States, proof of Arizona residence and Social Security documentation
• pass a knowledge test and a practical driving skills test
• submit for a background check and medical exams

Limits on Driving Time

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits how long commercial truck drivers can be on the road to help prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue. Under federal law, commercial truck drivers must do all of the following:

• drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours of not driving
• work either a seven- or eight-day work week
• log no more than 60 hours in a seven-day week or more than 70 hours in an eight-day week
• take at least 34 hours off before starting another week of work
• drive no more than 11 hours in a 14-hour period

Speed Limit

Under Arizona law, drivers of large vehicles and vehicles with trailers may not exceed 65 miles per hour. This includes trucks and tractor-trailers.

Cargo Weight Limit

Arizona law, while it has some exceptions, restricts the weight commercial trucks can transport based on their size, as follows:

• 20,000 pounds on any one axle
• 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle
• 80,000 pounds on a vehicle combination of five or more axles

Identifying Fault for Truck Accidents in Arizona

Arizona is one of 38 states that assign fault to one or more parties involved in a motor vehicle accident. Arizona is also a state that allows parties injured in an accident to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for the accident, which is known as the doctrine of comparative negligence. In such cases, an injured party’s compensation is reduced by the amount they are deemed to be at fault for the accident.

Various parties could be held liable for injuries and damages sustained in a truck accident, including the truck driver, their employer, the truck’s owner, the company that loaded the cargo, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts and other drivers involved. To determine who’s at fault in a truck accident, various types of evidence should be evaluated, including:

• statements from the drivers and passengers involved and individuals who witnessed the accident
• the police report from the scene of the collision
• photos and videos of the accident
• damage sustained to the vehicles
• evidence from the accident scene, such as skid marks and debris on the roadway