Category: Trucking Accidents

On average, semi trucks are involved in fewer accidents per mile driven than other types of vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and SUVs. Operators of semi trucks need special licensing and additional training before they can legally operate a rig and they also have more experience behind the wheel, two factors often believed to be part of the reason that semi trucks are involved in relatively few accidents.

However, when a truck accident occurs, the results are often more severe and extreme than they would be if the accident involved smaller vehicles. The size, weight, and distribution of a truck means that it often has significant momentum and force when a collision does occur. Additionally, if a truck is involved with a vehicle or object smaller than the truck itself, the smaller object or vehicle usually absorbs the majority of the impact, leading to a potential for serious injuries stemming from any truck accident.

The victims involved in a truck accident in the Phoenix area or across the rest of Arizona may be entitled to relief for their damages. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand whether you are entitled to recover for your losses, including any medical expenses you have been forced to incur and time that you have been forced to miss from work. These claims are separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges that may be brought by the state; in fact, claims for personal injuries are often available even where an at-fault driver did not receive a ticket for his or her negligence.

Local police in Surprise responded to the scene of an accident on the Loop 303 this morning and found a gruesome sight. A truck traveling near Grand Avenue left the road’s surface and struck a guard rail on the right side, causing a piece of metal from the guard rail to impale the truck from the windshield area through the back of the truck which reportedly carried newspapers. The metal also impaired the driver’s leg, nearly severing it and leaving the man with critical injuries.
Continue reading “Driver Critical After Truck Accident in Surprise”

On average, a semi truck travel more miles every year than a passenger car, particularly on highways and freeways as they move product from one location to another. Though they travel a lot of miles, semi trucks are involved in fewer accidents per mile than most other drivers. This, in part, is due to stricter requirements for truck drivers as well as addition required training.

But semi truck accidents still occur, some in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. And when a semi truck is involved in a crash, often the results are serious. The large size and weight of a semi truck means that it causes more damage than other vehicles when it is involved in an accident. In addition to any damage done to a car, a semi crash can also leave those involved with serious or even fatal injuries. Speaking with an injury lawyer after a crash is the best way to learn about the legal options if you have been hurt in an accident.

Police in Phoenix were called to the scene of an accident on Wednesday morning that involved a pickup truck and a semi near the intersection of 7th Avenue and a frontage road for I-17. Police believe that the two vehicles collided while traveling in different directions. According to the driver of the semi, he was eastbound and had a green light when the oncoming pickup truck collided with his vehicle. It is not clear whether there are any independent witnesses to the collision that can confirm or deny this version of events.

In addition to police, emergency crews responded to the crash and transported the driver and the passenger in the pickup to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment of their injuries. Their current conditions remain unknown.

Police are still investigating the crash and trying to determine if the pickup ran a red light, and if so, why. Reportedly they are considering all possible scenarios including whether alcohol may have played a factor in the accident.
Continue reading “Phoenix Truck Crash Leaves 2 Hurt”

Semi trucks present a significant threat to all other drivers on the road. Their large size and generally heavy weight means that they outmatch any passenger car that is in their way, meaning that when a collision occurs, the passenger car will almost always fare worse than the truck. Those injured through the negligence of a semi truck driver may be entitled to bring a claim for their damages and speaking with an injury lawyer can help you understand what your options may be.

Police have reported shocking facts from a fatal crash outside of Quartzsite yesterday morning between an SUV and a semi. At this time, police believe that the driver of the semi was driving under the influence of drugs on Interstate 10 as he approached an SUV with at least seven people inside. The truck driver reportedly rear-ended the SUV, causing a crash that pushed the SUV off the road and forced it to roll over at least once.

Two people inside the SUV were ejected during the crash, and unfortunately, both of them lost their lives as a result of the injuries they sustained. Five others in the SUV suffered injuries but were expected to survive.

According to local authorities, the driver of the semi fled the scene but was apprehended about a half a mile away from the crash site. He has been arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, five counts of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of drugs, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. It is unclear whether he was also injured in the crash.

If the allegations against this truck driver are proven to be true, he could face serious penalties, including incarceration. But that may not be the end of the driver’s legal liability stemming from this incident.
Continue reading “Semi Truck Driver Charged in Fatal Arizona Crash”

Five people were hurt in an Arizona truck accident on Interstate 8 west of Gila Bend, AZ Family reported.

The accident reportedly involved at least two semis and closed eastbound I-8 between Citrus Valley and Route 85. The semis apparently collided and burst into flames — a passenger vehicle was also involved. Four people were airlifted to area hospitals while a fifth victim was taken by ambulance.

ABC 15 reported that the road was blocked for hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage. Cause of the trucking accident remains under investigation.

Arizona accidents involving semis and other large commercial trucks typically result in very serious or fatal injuries to motorists. In 2008, a total of 103 people were killed and 1,563 people were injured in accidents involving semis, tractor trailers or other large commercial trucks, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Earlier this year, the Arizona Republic reported that the Arizona Highway Patrol’s Department of Public Safety unit would no longer make “administrative stops” on large trucks.

The stops are aimed at ensuring the safety of the motoring public by stopping trucks to check for safety violations and review compliance with driving hours, log books and other safety regulations.

Nationwide, an average of 5,000 motorists a year are killed in accidents with large trucks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The change in Arizona enforcement is meant to allow authorities to concentrate manpower on trucks that are overtly violating the law, rather than stopping trucks that are committing no apparent violation.

“Here’s what I told our officers: if you have a vehicle that goes by with a poor safety rating, but they’re not currently committing a traffic violation or any other obvious violation of regulations, then let’s go find one that is,” said Lt. Col. Jack Hegarty. “There’s no shortage of commercial vehicles that have bad ratings and they’re committing traffic violations.”

Safety advocates aren’t buying it.

“The bad actors will start running footloose and fancy free,” said Gerald Donaldson, of the Associates for Highway and Auto Safety.