Details Specific to our Phoenix Location

• District of Arizona | United States District Court
• Maricopa County Superior Court
• Phoenix Municipal Court
• Arizona Judicial Branch

Our Phoenix office: 650 N. 3RD Ave, Phx, AZ 85003

Why Arizona Truck Accidents Are More Complex and Deadly

Road accidents rank among Arizona’s deadliest dangers, and collisions involving commercial trucks present unique legal challenges due to their complexity, severity, and often catastrophic outcomes. 

When negligent conduct by a truck driver, commercial carrier, or equipment manufacturer results in serious injury, Arizona law gives victims the right to pursue accountability and fair compensation.

Truck accident cases often involve more than just a careless driver; they expose failures in training, maintenance, oversight, and corporate responsibility. Victims are left dealing with life-changing injuries while powerful trucking companies and insurers work to minimize their liability. 

Causes of Large Truck Accidents in Arizona and Recent Statistics

Even with professional training and licensing, truck drivers are not immune to distraction, fatigue, or poor decision-making behind the wheel. Like any motorist, they can make critical errors such as speeding, following too closely, or failing to react to road conditions that result in devastating crashes.

But truck accidents often involve more than momentary lapses. The commercial trucking industry is governed by strict federal and state regulations. When those rules are ignored, the risk of serious injury increases dramatically. Many of the worst truck accidents can be traced back to preventable failures by drivers, carriers, or companies that put profit ahead of safety.

According to the latest data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (AZDOT), there were 121,107 total vehicle crashes statewide in 2024. Out of these incidents, trucks and buses accounted for 14,069 crashes, representing approximately 5.96% of all crashes in Arizona. These truck and bus accidents led to significant consequences, including 125 fatalities and injuries to 6,501 individuals, while 10,301 crashes resulted in property damage only (PDO). 

These numbers underscore the serious risks posed by commercial vehicles on Arizona roads, highlighting the ongoing importance of strict safety enforcement and accountability for trucking companies and drivers.

Some Of The Primary Causes Of Semi-Truck, 18-Wheeler, And Other Large Truck Accidents Include:

Truck Driver Negligence

Truck drivers operate massive vehicles that require skill, focus, and strict compliance with safety laws. When they violate that duty by speeding, driving distracted, ignoring signals, or operating while impaired, they put everyone else at risk. These are not harmless mistakes. They are acts of negligence with life-altering consequences. We hold drivers accountable for every reckless decision that leads to injury or death.

Hours-of-Service Violations

Federal rules limit how long a commercial driver can stay behind the wheel without rest. But those rules are routinely ignored or falsified, often under pressure from trucking companies pushing unrealistic deadlines. Fatigued driving is no different than impaired driving. When it causes harm, both the driver and the employer may be held liable.

Improperly Loaded and Overloaded Cargo/Freight

A fully loaded truck that is overweight, unbalanced, or improperly secured becomes a rolling hazard. Shifting cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes, or debris spilling into traffic. Whether the fault lies with the driver, shipping company, or third-party loader, improper cargo handling is a clear act of negligence, and we trace it to the source.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles and require regular maintenance to remain safe. When brakes, tires, lights, or steering systems fail because someone skipped an inspection or ignored a known issue, the results can be fatal. We investigate who was responsible for upkeep, whether it is the driver, carrier, or maintenance contractor, and hold them accountable.

Trucking Company Negligence

Many crashes originate from company-level failures such as hiring unqualified drivers, skipping background checks, ignoring safety violations, or encouraging falsified logbooks. Some carriers prioritize profits over safety. At Miller Kory Rowe, we review hiring practices, dispatch records, and company policies to expose and challenge negligence that puts the public at risk.

Defective Trucks

Some truck accidents are the result of defective parts or poor design. Faulty brakes, steering systems, tires, or missing safety features can cause catastrophic failures on the road. When manufacturers, suppliers, or maintenance companies allow unsafe equipment to operate, we pursue product liability claims that hold them accountable beyond the driver or carrier.