An accident involving a commercial truck can change a life, or multiple lives, in an instant. The size of the trucks involved, coupled with the speed they were traveling means that a split-second mistake can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
In 2025 alone, Arizona has seen a handful of accidents involving tractor-trailers that resulted in significant injuries and damages: from a commercial truck that collided with a light rail train to a fiery crash that killed four people on the outskirts of Phoenix. While the factors involved in commercial truck accidents may vary, there are some common denominators that help unravel the cause of the accident and help to assign liability.
While blame usually, at least initially, falls to the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision, it’s not as cut and dry when it comes to commercial trucks. Trucking companies could be at fault, at least in part, for an accident.
And since Arizona uses a comparative negligence standard to determine liability and compensation, which means multiple parties can be named partially liable, it’s imperative to understand the factors that contributed to an accident. The comparative negligence standard uses the percentage of liability to then determine the level of compensation each party is eligible for following an accident.
There are a number of ways a trucking company can be held liable for an accident. When drivers are forced to work long hours, to meet unrealistic deadlines with improper periods of rest, a company is prioritizing profits over safety. By looking into a trucking company’s safety record following a commercial truck accident, attorneys may find violations related to federally-mandated hours of service for drivers.
Those violations could indicate negligence, particularly if the accident can be attributed to a lack of sleep or a driver who is overworked.
Maintenance and service records can also be revealing. If an accident is caused by a malfunction on the commercial truck, it’s important to look into the trucking company’s service and maintenance records for that vehicle and its fleet. Poor adherence to regularly scheduled maintenance may also indicate negligence or cost-cutting moves that sacrifice safety.
Hiring practices are also important records to dive into following a commercial truck accident. If a trucking company has a history of negligent hiring, perhaps hiring drivers with records of impaired driving or poor safety records in general, those practices could prove telling when it comes to assigning liability for an accident.
Just due to their sheer size and weight, commercial trucks don’t have the same maneuverability or response time as a passenger vehicle. So, when roads are maintained poorly, or if they are under construction, those conditions can amplify the dangers.
Poorly marked lanes, soft shoulders, missing signage and guidance — any single factor or combination of them all can spell trouble for commercial truck drivers and the passenger vehicles on the road with them.
Negligent driving in these types of conditions, as well as dicey weather conditions, can compound the danger. For example, a well-rested truck driver may find a poorly-marked construction zone challenging. But, a truck driver who is overworked and hasn’t had a proper amount of sleep could more easily miss warnings of tricky road conditions or lack the normal response time needed to correct if a mistake is made.
Records, from hiring practices and maintenance at a trucking company to public works plans, play a huge role in resolving accident cases involving commercial trucks.
An accident with a commercial truck takes a huge emotional, financial and sometimes physical toll. It’s important to know how to respond if or when something like this happens.
It likely goes without saying that anyone involved in a commercial truck accident should first contact the authorities. Then, it’s vital to get as much evidence as possible, remembering to think beyond the actual scene of the accident to capture the full scope of the circumstances surrounding the collision.
In situations like these, it’s easy for emotions to muddy up the facts. To help keep those two separate, and to help you navigate the tangled web of corporate attorneys and insurance, it’s best to find experienced representation.
With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Torgenson Law knows what questions to ask, knows how to find the information needed to prove liability, and knows how to keep facts separated from emotion to ultimately achieve the best outcome for clients. As a trusted truck accident lawyer, the professionals at Torgenson Law can find answers to the questions you never even knew you had to ask.
No one should go up against corporate attorneys alone. The team at Torgenson Law is here to support you through this process, ensuring your best interests are represented. If you’ve been involved in a commercial truck accident, reach out to our team today.
No pressure, no upfront costs, just answers from a legal team that takes your recovery personally.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
