Whenever commercial truck accidents occur, serious injuries and property damage can result. Trucks are necessary to our economy, as we rely on them to haul supplies to and from locations all across the country. However, as with operating any vehicle, truck drivers can make mistakes and cause an accident. Keep reading to learn about recent truck accident statistics in Arizona.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

There are several factors that can cause a truck accident. Many are the responsibility of a commercial truck driver. For instance, truck drivers can often make the mistake of driving while tired, causing slower reflexes. If the driver is impaired or distracted in any way, there is a much greater chance of an accident occurring.

Speeding is another common cause of accidents, especially as trucks require a longer stopping distance than smaller vehicles. Road conditions can also contribute to accidents. If the driver fails to do their routine inspection check, that can also cause an accident if the truck is in need of repairs.

In some cases, it is not the driver of the truck but the owner-operator of the vehicle that causes the accident. Most trucking companies take responsibility for any mistakes or accidents caused by their drivers. However, trucking companies can be negligent as well, such as by:

  • Failing to perform safety inspections
  • Failing to maintain the vehicles
  • Allowing or encouraging unsafe driving
  • Providing inadequate training
  • Not following through with complaints made by drivers

Other parties can be responsible for a truck accident, such as a tailgating car driver who fails to give the truck enough stopping distance. All incidents must be investigated to discover the responsible party. If you are involved in a truck accident in Arizona, it is suggested that you consult with a Phoenix truck accident lawyer.

Different Types of Truck Accidents

Much like with passenger cars, there are various types of commercial truck incidents. Below are a few of the most common incidents:

  • Rear-End Collisions: This type of accident happens when the front of the truck hits the rear end of another vehicle. They may also occur when another vehicle hits the rear end of the truck. The cause of this collision is typically the result of one vehicle too closely following another.
  • Underride Accidents: Underride accidents involve a smaller vehicle ending up under the trailer of a truck. This type of collision is often deadly, as it involves the vehicle beneath the truck being crushed or torn apart.
  • Override Accidents: Instead of a car sliding underneath the truck, this collision involves the truck driving over another vehicle, most often crushing the car completely.
  • T-Bone Accidents: T-bone truck accidents happen when the front of the truck hits another car or truck, which forms the shape of the letter T. The most common place for T-Bone accidents to occur is at intersections when a vehicle fails to stop at a stop light or yield.
  • Unsecured Cargo Accidents: To keep all vehicles safe, any cargo must be properly secured in the truck. If it is not fully secured, it can spill onto the road or fly onto other vehicles. The sudden weight imbalance can also cause the truck to roll. Both instances can cause serious accidents.

What Injuries Can Result From Truck Accidents?

If a person is hit by a commercial truck, they can experience life-threatening injuries. Below are a few injuries that can result from a truck accident:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Broken ribs
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals

If you have experienced severe injuries as a result of a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. For assistance with your case, you may wish to hire a personal injury lawyer.

Accident Trends in Arizona

For the year 2022, 119,991 accidents were reported, which was one of the highest rates since 2007. Unfortunately, crashes that resulted in fatalities have been increasing every year since 2010. According to recent statistics relating to fatal truck accidents by state, Arizona had over a hundred fatal truck accidents. While it is not the highest rate out of the fifty states, it is one of the higher-ranked states.

FAQs

Q: How Many Crashes Occur in Arizona?

A: The total number of accidents that were recorded in Arizona as of 2022 is 119,991. About 3.55 people were killed in accidents daily, with 144 injured per day. Of all the accidents recorded, about 4.57% of these crashes were caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.

Q: When Do Most Accidents Happen in Arizona?

A: Most accidents happen in Arizona during the daylight hours, with the majority of incidents occurring between 5:00-6:00 pm. Surprisingly, these accidents happened under clear weather conditions. During the week, Sunday was the day that had the least accidents, with less than 10,000 crashes, while Friday had the highest number of crashes for the week.

Q: Where Do Most Accidents Happen in Arizona?

A: Most of Arizona’s vehicle accidents happen in Maricopa County, Arizona, according to the Arizona Transportation Department report. In total, the area had about 86,000 crashes, with 613 fatal crashes. About 25,000 of these crashes resulted in injuries, and approximately 61,000 resulted in property damages. The number of people who were injured or killed in accidents was the highest within Maricopa County.

Q: What Is the Number One Cause of Truck Accidents?

A: The number one cause of truck accidents is driver error. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver error is 10 times more likely to cause a crash than anything else. Over half of the accidents that occur are due to a truck driver falling asleep behind the wheel, being distracted, driving too fast for current road conditions, or making a poor decision.

Consult a Phoenix Truck Accident Injury Lawyer

As commercial trucks are part of major highway driving, along with other passenger vehicles, it is expected that serious injuries and property damage can result. While trucks are necessary to keep stores fully stocked, truck drivers can make mistakes and cause accidents. If you live in Phoenix and are involved in a truck accident, contact Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C.