Investigation comes first. The records that answer how a truck crash happened mostly exist on the trucking side: the driver's electronic logs (which carriers are required to keep for six months), onboard computer data, dashcam video, dispatch and maintenance records. A written preservation request, sent early, asks the carrier to hold all of it. Nearby camera footage is often overwritten within weeks, so this stage moves fastest.
The claim and negotiation stage. Once treatment and records support a full picture of the injuries, a demand is presented to the insurers involved — and in a truck claim there may be several, since the driver, the carrier, the trailer's owner, and other companies can each have their own policy. Many claims resolve here.
If a lawsuit is filed. Arizona generally allows two years from the crash to file most injury claims, and only 180 days to serve a notice of claim when a government vehicle or roadway condition is involved. After filing, both sides exchange evidence in discovery — documents, depositions, expert review. Courts often direct cases to mediation, and many resolve there. Trial is the last step, reached by a small share of cases.
How long it takes depends on the injuries, the number of companies involved, and whether a lawsuit becomes necessary — months for some claims, well over a year for others. A claim generally shouldn't resolve before the full extent of the injuries is known.
Questions about a truck accident claim? A free consultation is available any hour, in English or Spanish: (602) 217-0000.