Semi-truck accidents are a serious safety issue in our region. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that more than 12,000 commercial truck accidents were reported statewide in 2023. Semi-truck accidents are disproportionately likely to cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities. At Free Injury Legal Advice, we fight for justice for the victims of truck accidents. Here, our Gilbert semi-truck accident lawyer explains why these crashes are so dangerous.
Five Reasons Why Semi-Trucks Cause More Injuries than Other Vehicles in Arizona
A fully loaded tractor-trailer is a very large vehicle. To operate safely, truckers need to be skilled, rested, and well-trained. Further, commercial trucking operations are complex. Unfortunately, safety too often takes a backseat to other—less important—priorities. Here are five reasons why semi-truck accidents caused more injuries than other motor vehicle crashes in Arizona:
- Massive Size Difference: It is difficult to overstate the size and weight of a modern commercial truck. A typical semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. For reference, your standard passenger car is around 3,000 pounds. Many larger SUVs are still less than 4,000 pounds. The massive size difference means that in a collision, the force exerted by the truck is disproportionately larger, and the occupants of smaller vehicles will bear the brunt of the impact. Notably, 75% of those killed in commercial truck accidents nationwide were outside of the tractor-trailer.
- Long Stopping Distance: Larger vehicles take longer to come to a complete stop. Indeed, semi-trucks require a much longer distance to reach a complete stop than smaller vehicles. A fully loaded truck traveling at a relatively standard highway speed can take the length of two football fields to stop completely—even under ideal conditions.
- Larger Blind Spots: Semi-trucks have significantly larger blind spots, or “no-zones,” compared to other vehicles. These areas around the front, back, and sides of the truck are where a truck driver cannot see other vehicles through their mirrors. It is the trucker’s responsibility to safely manage blind spots. Unfortunately, if they fail to do so, other innocent people will become victims of that negligence. These types of crashes are especially likely to result in serious injuries.
- Risk of Cargo Issues: The cargo carried by semi-trucks can pose additional hazards if not properly secured. Shifts in unsecured or imbalanced cargo can cause a truck to tip over or jackknife, especially during abrupt maneuvers or when navigating turns. Beyond that, cargo that falls from a truck can create dangerous obstacles.
- Driver Safety Failures: Truck drivers often face rigorous schedules that lead to fatigue, which is a major factor in driver safety failures. Despite regulations limiting driving hours, pressure to meet delivery deadlines can prompt some drivers to skirt these rules. Trucking companies have a duty to ensure that their drivers are qualified, well-trained, properly rested, and are willing and capable of operating the truck in a safe manner.
Recovering Compensation for a Semi-Truck Accident
In Arizona, trucking accident victims have the right to seek compensation for the full value of their damages, including for their non-economic losses. However, truck companies and their large commercial insurance carriers are interested in protecting their own bottom line—not what is best for you and your family. They want to pay out less to injured victims. Our Gilbert truck accident lawyers fight aggressively to help injured victims maximize their compensation, including for:
- Property loss, such as vehicle repairs;
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses;
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative medical care;
- Loss of wages and loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability/disfigurement;
- Loss of quality of life; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Gilbert, AZ, Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Free Injury Legal Advice, our Gilbert truck accident attorneys are standing by, ready to protect your legal rights and your financial interests. Hurt in a tractor-trailer crash? You need an experienced legal advocate on your team. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation case review. With an office in Gilbert, we handle eighteen-wheeler accident injury claims in Maricopa County and all across the wider region of Arizona.