Arizona roads carry a constant flow of commercial trucks, and anyone who drives I-10, I-17, US-60, or the 101 knows how overwhelming that traffic can feel. These trucks keep goods moving across the Southwest, but when something goes wrong, the impact on a family can be immediate and devastating.
If you’re here because a semi-truck hit you or someone you love, you’re likely dealing with fear, pain, and more questions than answers. You may be wondering what caused the crash, whether it could have been prevented, and what you should be doing right now to protect yourself.
In this guide, we break down the common causes of truck accidents, why truck crashes keep happening in Arizona, where they tend to occur, who may be responsible, and how our team can help you navigate the aftermath with clarity and support.
Why Truck Crashes Keep Happening in Arizona
Arizona’s trucking corridors are some of the busiest in the Southwest. Long-haul drivers move freight from California through Phoenix and into Texas every single day. Heavy trucks line every mile of I-10 and I-40. And while many truck drivers try to operate safely, the reality is simple: one mistake behind the wheel of a fully loaded tractor-trailer can harm dozens of people in a single moment.
The 2024 crash numbers, according to the AZDOT report, highlight just how often these incidents happen. More than 13,000 heavy trucks were involved in Arizona crashes last year, including
- 142 fatal crashes
- 3,469 injury crashes
- over 9,700 property-damage crashes.
These trucks make up a small percentage of all vehicles on the road, yet they continue to show up in a disproportionately high number of serious and deadly collisions.
They follow patterns, and those patterns point toward preventable choices—speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, poor maintenance, and unsafe lane changes. Below are the most common causes that continue to show up year after year.
Speeding and Driving Too Fast for Traffic Conditions
Speed continues to be one of the most dangerous behaviors on Arizona highways. Last year, speed-related crashes killed 417 people statewide. Lane-departure crashes caused 771 deaths.
When you apply that to heavy trucks, the danger multiplies. A semi-truck needs much more time and distance to stop. Even small increases in speed dramatically reduce a truck driver’s ability to avoid a collision.
Common areas where high-speed semi-truck crashes occur include:
- I-10 approaching the Stack and Mini-Stack interchanges
- I-10 west of Phoenix toward Buckeye and Tonopah
- I-17 through Bell Road, Deer Valley, and all the way up toward Sunset Point
- I-40 through Flagstaff and Holbrook
These are places where traffic moves quickly, lanes merge, and congestion forms without warning. When a truck driver is moving too fast for the flow of traffic, a rear-end collision or lane-departure crash becomes almost unavoidable.
These are places where traffic moves quickly, lanes merge, and congestion forms without warning. When a truck driver is moving too fast for the flow of traffic, a rear-end collision or lane-departure crash becomes almost unavoidable.
Driver Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most well-known contributors to truck accidents nationwide. It shows up in Arizona, too, especially on long, isolated stretches of highway. Many truck drivers push their limits to keep up with strict delivery schedules. Some drive overnight to avoid traffic. Others rely on caffeine or energy drinks to power through a run.
Fatigue reduces reaction time and makes it harder to stay in a lane. In the most dangerous moments, it can cause a “microsleep,” where a driver dozes off for seconds without realizing it. That’s all it takes for a semi to drift across lanes or into a stopped vehicle.
In Arizona, fatigue-related impacts happen most frequently between midnight and early morning, especially on:
- I-8 near Yuma
- I-10 between Casa Grande and Tucson
- I-17 near Black Canyon City
- I-40 outside Winslow and Kingman
Families often tell us that the truck “came out of nowhere.” Fatigue is often the reason.
Distracted Driving and In-Cab Technology
Today’s commercial trucks are mobile offices. Drivers use GPS units, dispatch tablets, Electronic Logging Devices, messaging systems, and sometimes their phones. Even hands-free communication can pull attention away from the road.
When a driver in an 80,000-pound vehicle becomes distracted, even for a second, the results can be catastrophic.
Most distracted truck drivers don’t swerve wildly or slam into barriers. The more common pattern is: A large truck hits slowed or stopped traffic at full speed. These high-impact rear-end crashes often cause severe injuries such as spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death cases, and multi-vehicle pileups.
Phoenix sees many of these collisions on:
- The US-60 through Tempe and Mesa
- I-10 near the Broadway Curve
- Loop 101 in Scottsdale and the West Valley
The combination of heavy traffic and distracted drivers makes these hotspots especially dangerous.
Improper Lane Changes and Blind Spot Collisions
Semi-trucks have massive blind spots on all sides. Truck drivers know them, but they often misjudge the speed or distance of smaller cars, especially during heavy traffic.
Improper lane changes are a major source of truck accidents in Arizona. Crash data shows over 926 driver injuries linked to “other truck combinations,” which include commercial trucks and trailers that frequently cause these types of collisions.
Areas with the highest rates of lane-change truck crashes:
- Loop 101 through Scottsdale and Glendale
- I-17 between the 101 interchange and Downtown Phoenix
- Loop 202 through Chandler and Ahwatukee
A truck drifting even a few feet can push a smaller vehicle into another lane or off the road entirely.
Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Truck maintenance is supposed to be strict. Commercial carriers must inspect brakes, tires, lighting, and safety equipment regularly. Unfortunately, violations are common, and they often lead to serious accidents.
Typical issues that show up in Arizona crash investigations:
- Brake failures or poor brake adjustment
- Tire blowouts
- Missing reflectors
- Broken or dim headlights
- Faulty coupling systems
- Overloaded trailers.
Night Driving and Visibility Problems
The 2024 crash data makes one thing clear: road conditions have impacted too, and nighttime crashes are far more deadly.
Although dark, unlit roads account for a small fraction of total crashes, they represent a far larger share of fatal accidents. When a semi-truck travels at highway speeds at night with poor lighting, the consequences are severe. Key visibility issues include:
- Misaligned headlights
- Dim or dirty headlights
- Missing side marker lights
- Broken reflectors
- Faulty or faded reflective tape on the trailer
Even a well-trained truck driver cannot avoid what they cannot see.
Improper Loading and Cargo Shifts
Cargo loading errors are one of the hidden causes of vehicle accidents. When freight is unbalanced or improperly secured, it can shift during transit.
A fast lane change, a sudden stop, or a curve can send the entire trailer rolling. Rollover and jackknife events happen often on:
- SR-87 heading toward Payson
- I-40 between Flagstaff and Holbrook
- Mountain passes along I-17.
Who May Be Liable After a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents rarely involve just one responsible party. That’s why these cases are complex and why you should never handle them alone. Each party often has its own insurance policy, and those policies determine how much compensation is available. Here’s how liability and insurance typically work in Arizona truck accident cases.
- The Truck Driver
The driver may be responsible for actions such as:- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to use required lights at night
Truck drivers are usually covered under their employer’s commercial liability insurance, but if they’re an independent contractor or using a leased vehicle, they may have separate coverage that also applies.
- The Trucking Company
This is one of the most critical liability sources, because truck vehicles are mostly commercial vehicles. The company may be responsible for:- Poor hiring and training
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Neglecting maintenance
- Skipping mandatory inspections
- Pressuring drivers to break hours-of-service rules
Federal law requires trucking companies to carry significant commercial insurance limits. This often becomes the primary source of compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term care needs when a serious and large commercial vehicle accident happens.
- Maintenance Contractors
Many trucking companies outsource repairs. If the brakes were faulty or a tire was improperly installed, this company may share blame. Maintenance companies carry their own liability coverage, which may apply if their negligence contributed to the crash. - Cargo Loaders and Freight Brokers
If cargo was loaded improperly, liability may extend to the warehouse, distributor, or broker. These businesses typically have separate commercial liability policies. They may be responsible if shifting cargo caused a rollover, jackknife, or loss of control. - Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Faulty brakes, defective tires, and lighting equipment failures can point to product liability. Manufacturers and distributors carry product liability insurance. This coverage applies when a design flaw or defective part contributed to the collision. - Government Entities
Though less common, poor road design, missing guardrails, or inadequate lighting can put public agencies at fault. Claims against government entities follow strict notice deadlines and damage caps. Their insurance coverage works differently, which is why quick legal action is critical.
Identifying every responsible party is essential. Each one may have a separate insurance policy, which can increase the total compensation available. When our team investigates a truck accident, we evaluate all potential sources of coverage to make sure nothing is overlooked and no responsible party escapes accountability.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Arizona
You don’t need to have every detail figured out right now. Most people feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. These steps help protect your health, your rights, and your case from the start.
- Call 911. Large truck crashes nearly always require police and medical response.
- Get Medical Care. Some injuries don’t appear until hours or days later. Evaluation protects both your health and your claim.
- Document What You Can. If you’re physically able, take photos of vehicle positions, capture skid marks and debris, photograph the truck’s DOT number, and get the names of witnesses.
- Do Not Speak With the Trucking Company. They often contact injured victims quickly, hoping to limit their own exposure.
- Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer. Truck companies move fast. Evidence is often erased or manipulated if you don’t act quickly. Calling a lawyer early, even before calling your insurance company, levels the playing field in your future personal injury claim.
How We Help You After a Truck Crash
When you call us, you get a legal team that steps in immediately to protect you and the evidence your case depends on. We send preservation letters right away, secure dashcam footage, GPS data, ELD logs, and the truck’s black box, and pull maintenance and inspection records to see whether the vehicle was safe to be on the road. Our truck accident attorneys work with reconstruction experts who know Arizona’s highways, handle every conversation with the insurance companies, guide you through treatment, and help manage the medical bills that start piling up. Our goal is simple: give you space to focus on healing while we fight for compensation for your medical care, lost income, and long-term needs. Many clients tell us they finally breathe again once we take over, and that’s exactly why we do this work.
A semi-truck crash doesn’t just disrupt your day; it turns life upside down. If you have been injured in a truck accident and are feeling overwhelmed, in pain, or pressured by insurance adjusters, you don’t have to go through any of it alone. You deserve answers, accountability, and someone who knows how to stand up to the trucking companies and protect you. If you need guidance or just someone who will listen, reach out to us. Your consultation is free, and we’re here to help you regain control during one of the most difficult moments your family may ever face.