Arizona I-40 Truck Accident Statistics

In a traffic accident, large commercial trucks pose a significant threat to automobiles and their passengers. Long driving hours, heavy cargo, and the size of commercial trucks greatly increase the risk of their involvement in a serious or deadly collision. I-40 is one of the busiest and most dangerous corridors for freight between Arizona and California. If you’ve been involved in a collision along this route, a Flagstaff truck accident lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve. It can be helpful to understand the Arizona I-40 truck accident statistics.

Trucking in Arizona

Trucks are an essential part of US business. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says about 11 million single-unit trucks and 4 million tractor-trailers drive the roads in the United States, accounting for around 4% of total vehicle registrations and around 10% of the total miles driven.

Because of its geographic location on the southwestern US border, Arizona is in an important position to facilitate imports and exports between Mexico and the rest of the US, particularly to California. In addition, I-40 is one of the most active truck routes in the country and runs east-west through Arizona.

Arizona Truck Accident Statistics

The most recent data by the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that there are 597,865 commercial vehicles registered in Arizona, about 11% of total vehicle registrations in the state. There were 12,367 accidents involving large trucks. That’s about 34 accidents a day. Of those, 145 accidents involved deaths, and 2,956 involved injuries.

Adding to this, Arizona is the 8th most dangerous state for drivers overall, with 1,315 motor vehicle fatalities in 2023, which is up from the previous year. What’s more, Arizona had the third highest death rate per total miles traveled, only behind Mississippi and South Carolina.

What Makes I-40 in Arizona Dangerous

Many Arizona drivers know I-40 can be dangerous. There is heavy traffic, especially in the summer, and many of the vehicles are large commercial trucks hauling freight. In addition, the high elevation of the highway means that snow and ice can cause the pavement to deteriorate faster. The resulting bumpy, uneven road can increase the risk of car accidents, including those caused by vehicle damage such as tire punctures.

Beginning in 2016, the Arizona Department of Transportation has been focusing on improvements to this highway, including repaving and improving bridges, which is slated to continue in 2025. There is hope that this will improve traffic safety, but the construction can also create lane closures and delays that add to driver frustration, as well as visibility issues and other distractions for drivers.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Arizona

When a large commercial truck is involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, the truck driver is often assigned fault for the collision. The circumstances of every accident are unique, but some common causes are:

• Physical impairment like controlled substance usage or a medical event
• Distraction or inattention
• Unsafe road conditions
• Negligent or unsafe reactions
• Vehicle equipment problems like brake failure
• Improper loading of cargo
• Poor driver training
• Contributing factors like heavy traffic, speed, fatigue, unfamiliar roads, or drug use
• Failure to follow regulations

Rules and Regulations for Trucks

Commercial trucks’ large size and heavy cargo make them dangerous in collisions, especially with smaller vehicles. Because of this, there are regulations about size, weight, inspection, and maintenance of large trucks and about driving safety for truck drivers, such as limits to how long they can drive without breaks and lower legal limits for blood alcohol content.

Failure to follow the regulations for commercial trucking can increase the chance of accidents, so there are steep penalties in place for violations. Truck drivers, motor carriers, shipping companies, and manufacturers can face steep fines. Truck drivers can be at risk of losing their jobs, having their licenses suspended or revoked, and higher insurance rates.

FAQs

Q: What Counts as a Truck?

A: Generally, when referring to truck accidents, a truck is a large commercial truck, not a personal pickup truck, because weight and size are such significant factors. A large commercial truck can be a:

• Semi-truck
• Tractor-trailer
• Big rig
• 18-wheeler
• Refrigerated truck
• Box truck
• Delivery truck
• Dump truck
• Oil or gas truck
• Tow truck
• Cement mixer
• Flatbed trucks

Q: What Is the Number One Cause of Crashes in Arizona?

A: Speed is the number one cause of crashes in Arizona, either exceeding the lawful speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions. Speeding reduces a driver’s time to react, increases the time and distance it takes for the vehicle to stop, makes it more likely the driver will lose control of the vehicle, and generates more force, which leads to greater damage and injuries.

Q: Which State Has the Most Semi-Truck Accidents?

A: Wyoming has the most semi-truck accidents due to its often harsh weather conditions, such as blizzards with heavy snow and high wind and mountainous terrain with steep grades and sharp curves. It’s important to note that many accidents in this state either did not involve a collision, such as jack-knifes or rollovers, or involved collisions with a fixed object like a guardrail.

Q: Is Arizona a No-Fault State for Accidents?

A: No, Arizona is not a no-fault state for car accidents. Arizona uses a comparative negligence system, which means each person is assigned a percentage of fault and can collect damages accordingly. Arizona requires drivers to carry liability insurance on their vehicles, but if the costs exceed the driver’s insurance coverage, parties may file a legal claim for their losses.

Complications of Truck Accidents

Traffic accidents often only involve two parties who are driving their personal vehicles, but when a large commercial truck is involved, several other parties may be liable for damages.

For example, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, the cargo loader, or the maintenance provider may have some liability depending on the factors leading to the accident. In addition, the Arizona Department of Transportation may also have some responsibility if known road conditions play a part.

A personal injury attorney at The Kaiser Law Group can act as a buffer against these companies and their legal teams. We take a strategic, aggressive approach to make sure our clients get the legal representation and the compensation they need to navigate this challenging time. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a large truck accident, contact our office to discuss your case.