Commercial trucks share Arizona highways with millions of passenger vehicles every day, and the size difference between the two makes truck crashes some of the most damaging collisions on the road. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Arizona recorded 2,750 crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024, including 118 fatal crashes that resulted in 144 deaths.
The Arizona Department of Transportation also reported that truck-tractor involvement in crashes rose by more than 30 percent between 2023 and 2024, even as the fatal crash rate for these vehicles declined. These figures show why truck accident cases require specialized legal knowledge, particularly around federal trucking regulations and the multiple parties who may share liability. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, our Phoenix truck accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options.
How Many Truck Accidents Happen in Arizona Each Year
Arizona sees thousands of large truck and bus crashes annually. FMCSA data shows the following totals for recent years:
- 2024: 2,750 total crashes, 118 fatal, 2,632 non-fatal, 144 deaths, and 1,090 injuries
- 2023: 2,775 total crashes, 134 fatal crashes
- 2022: 2,822 total crashes, 175 deaths
While the total crash count has stayed relatively steady, fatalities have trended downward since 2022. This decline is encouraging, but Arizona still averages more than seven large-truck and bus crashes every day of the year.
The Arizona Department of Transportation tracks a related but distinct measure: truck tractors involved in any type of crash, not just those classified by FMCSA as large truck and bus crashes. ADOT’s 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report shows that truck tractor involvement in crashes jumped from 2,485 vehicles in 2023 to 3,245 in 2024, a 30.6 percent increase, largely reflecting growth in freight traffic across the state.
Despite that surge, fatal crash involvement for truck tractors stayed nearly flat, moving from 107 in 2023 to 106 in 2024. This means the fatal crash rate for truck tractors actually dropped, from 4.31 percent to 3.27 percent, even as more trucks shared Arizona roads.
National Truck Crash Fatality Data
Arizona’s numbers reflect a larger national pattern. Across the country, 4,354 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2023. Of those fatalities, 65 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, not the truck itself. This statistic highlights the central danger of truck accidents. When a loaded semi truck collides with a passenger car, the mismatch in size and weight means the smaller vehicle’s occupants absorb the overwhelming majority of the force.
This size disparity is a major reason truck accident injuries tend to be more catastrophic than typical car accident injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and fatalities are all reported at higher rates in truck collisions than in crashes between two passenger vehicles.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study, conducted jointly by FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, remains the most detailed federal analysis of why serious truck crashes happen. The study assigned a critical reason to each crash and found the following breakdown for trucks:
- Driver decision errors, such as speeding, following too closely, or misjudging another vehicle’s speed, accounted for 38 percent of crashes
- Driver recognition errors, including inattention and distraction, accounted for 29 percent of crashes
- Driver nonperformance issues, such as falling asleep or medical impairment, accounted for 12 percent of crashes
- Vehicle-related factors, including brake failure and tire problems, accounted for 10 percent of crashes
Driver fatigue deserves particular attention. FMCSA estimates that fatigue is a factor in roughly one out of every eight large truck crashes, a figure tied directly to the demanding hours many commercial drivers work. Federal hours-of-service rules exist to limit how long a driver can remain behind the wheel without rest, and violations of these rules are a common thread in Arizona truck accident lawsuits. Our attorneys regularly investigate fatigued truck driving accidents and distracted truck driving accidents to determine whether a driver or trucking company violated federal safety standards.
Crash Types and Fatality Rates on Arizona Roads
ADOT’s statewide multi-vehicle crash data shows that certain collision types are far more likely to prove fatal than others. Rear-end collisions are the most common crash type on Arizona roads, making up 37.5 percent of all multi-vehicle crashes, followed by sideswipe collisions at 18.6 percent and angle crashes at 17.6 percent. Head-on collisions are comparatively rare, representing only about 2 percent of crashes, but they carry a fatal crash rate of roughly 4.1 percent, several times higher than rear-end or sideswipe collisions.
These patterns are especially relevant to truck accident cases, since specific truck crash configurations carry their own severe risks. Override accidents, in which a truck strikes and crushes a smaller vehicle from behind, and underride accidents, in which a smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath a truck’s trailer, are among the most catastrophic collision types on Arizona highways. Jackknife accidents and blind-spot collisions also frequently appear in Arizona truck crash litigation, particularly on high-traffic corridors such as Interstate 10, Interstate 17, and Loop 101.
Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different
Truck accident claims involve more moving parts than a standard car accident case. Liability can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, a cargo loading company, a maintenance contractor, or even the truck’s manufacturer. Federal regulations set requirements for driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and maximum driving hours, and a violation of any of these requirements can support a claim of negligence.
Trucking companies also carry significantly higher insurance policy limits than typical drivers, which means their insurers often deploy rapid response teams to the crash scene to gather evidence and limit the company’s exposure. Having legal representation early in the process helps ensure that evidence is preserved and your rights are protected.
Our Scottsdale truck accident lawyers and Phoenix-based team have recovered significant compensation for injured clients across Arizona, and our case results page reflects that track record. For broader context on how truck crashes fit into Arizona’s overall traffic safety picture, see our Arizona car accident statistics page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many truck accidents happen in Arizona each year?
FMCSA data show that Arizona recorded 2,750 large-truck and bus crashes in 2024, including 118 fatal crashes. This is consistent with recent years, each of which has seen more than 2,700 large-truck and bus crashes statewide.
What is the leading cause of truck accidents in Arizona?
Federal crash causation research attributes 38 percent of large truck crashes to driver decision errors such as speeding or following too closely, making it the single largest contributing factor. Driver inattention and fatigue are also significant causes.
Are truck accident injuries more severe than car accident injuries?
Yes. Nationally, 65 percent of people killed in large truck crashes were occupants of passenger vehicles, not the truck. The size and weight difference between trucks and cars means that injuries from truck accidents tend to be more severe and more often fatal.
Who can be held liable in an Arizona truck accident?
Liability may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loading company, a maintenance provider, or the vehicle manufacturer, depending on the cause of the crash. An investigation into driver logs, maintenance records, and federal compliance history often reveals who is responsible.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Arizona?
Arizona law generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Claims against government entities may require a notice of claim within 180 days, so it is important to act quickly.
What should I do after a truck accident in Arizona?
Seek medical attention immediately, document the scene if possible, obtain the truck driver’s information and the trucking company’s name, and speak with an experienced truck accident attorney before providing a statement to any insurance company.
Sources
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, CMV Driving Tips, Driver Fatigue
