Common Trucking Violations in Arizona That Lead to Accidents

If you’ve ever driven the I-10, I-40, or other Arizona highways, you know how quickly a routine trip can turn dangerous when a big rig gets involved. Trucking accidents aren’t always random. Many are caused or made worse by common violations that happen far too often on Arizona roads.

At Plattner Verderame Arizona Injury Lawyers, we’ve handled cases where crash scenes clearly show that a truck’s violation directly contributed to the accident and injury. Knowing what these violations are and how they’re detected can help you understand what happens if you need a truck accident lawyer. Following is a breakdown of the most frequent federal and state-level trucking violations our firm sees in Arizona and how those violations can affect your case.

Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations

Federal law sets strict limits on how long commercial drivers can be behind the wheel without rest. These limits prevent HOS violations like:

• Driving more than 11 hours in a 14-hour workday window
• Not taking required breaks (like a 30-minute break after 8 hours)
• Exceeding 60 hours in a 7-day period (or 70 hours in 8 days)

These rules are designed to prevent driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of truck accidents. Fatigued drivers don’t brake as fast, react more slowly, and can even nod off. On high-speed highways like I-10, that split-second delay can cause catastrophic accidents.

If we can show a driver was over the HOS limit, it strengthens your case by supporting an argument that fatigue contributed to causing the crash. We use logbooks, electronic logging device (ELD) data, trip manifests, and driver schedules to uncover violations.

Improper cargo loading

A truck’s cargo must be properly tied down and balanced. Federal rules require securement to prevent shifting, falling, or imbalanced loads. A load that shifts can make the truck tip, roll, or veer into other lanes. Cargo that falls into traffic becomes a deadly hazard, especially at 75+ mph on I-40.

Crash investigators look at the scene, photos of cargo placement, tie-down equipment, and the driver’s loading records or photos. If the investigation finds poorly secured cargo, that’s powerful evidence of negligence.

Neglected vehicle maintenance

Trucks need regular inspections and care for:

• Brakes and brake lines
• Tires (including air pressure and tread)
• Lights and signals
• Steering and suspension
• Fluid levels and leak checks

Failing brakes or a tire blowout can cause serious crashes, especially when drivers can’t stop in time. Faulty lights might keep other drivers from seeing a truck slowing or turning.

Maintenance logs, inspection reports, records from repair shops, and driver daily inspection forms can all reveal whether the truck was roadworthy. A missing or falsified record may show that the company cut corners.

Logbook falsification or record fraud

Falsifying logs can be powerful evidence of intentional or reckless disregard for safety. False records hide real violations like over-driving or over-loading. When we uncover evidence of falsified logs, it helps prove the company tried to conceal wrongdoing. That supports not just negligence claims, but potentially makes a case for punitive damages as well, because it shows intentional wrongdoing.

Weight limit violations

Trucks have weight limits for a reason. If they’re too heavy, parts like brakes, tires, and axles can fail. Federal and Arizona laws set maximum gross vehicle weights. Overloaded trucks are harder to steer, take longer to stop, and are more likely to suffer catastrophic failures. On inclines or sharp curves, which are all too common in Arizona, this can lead to serious truck wrecks.

Evidence may include scale records (from weigh stations), trip manifests, or vehicle inspection logs showing overweight conditions.

Speeding, aggressive, or distracted driving

Yes, truckers can break speed limits, drive aggressively, tailgate, or get distracted (e.g., by cell phones). Speeding increases a truck’s stopping distance. Distraction or aggression takes attention off the road. In high-speed zones, this leads to devastating crashes.

Evidence usually comes from witness statements, dash cams, electronic logging data, and sometimes cell phone records. This type of violation can bolster your claim by demonstrating reckless behavior.

How we uncover violations during an investigation

At Plattner Verderame, our truck accident lawyers work closely with investigators, experts, and first responders. Here’s how the process typically goes:

• We inspect the crash scene, including police report details, photos of cargo, vehicle condition, skid marks, and surface conditions.
• Next, we collect evidence, like gathering logs, maintenance and inspection reports, ELD files, trip manifests, driver schedules, CDL records, and weigh station data.
• We typically call in accident reconstructionists, trucking safety experts, and mechanics to interpret evidence, whether it’s a log violation or mechanical failure.
• Our requests for records (subpoenas) often produce documents that defendants might otherwise avoid sharing.

Remember, prompt action matters. Some logs or records can be altered within days or weeks. That’s why we always work quickly after a crash to preserve data and document violations before evidence disappears.

Why proving a violation matters to your case

Here’s what proving a trucker’s or trucking company’s violation of the law does for you:

• Showing that a driver broke the law makes it much easier to establish fault.
• Violations often lead to serious injury. Proving them links conduct with harm, increasing your chances of fair compensation.
• Intentional or reckless violations allow you to seek more than just actual damages. You may be able to seek punitive damages, especially if a company ignored safety norms.
• Families certainly deserve accountability and justice when a loved one is killed, especially due to preventable, illegal conduct. Our truck accident lawyers can help you file a wrongful death suit against the liable party or parties.

What should I do if I’m injured in a Phoenix truck accident?

Take the following steps if you’re involved in a truck crash:

• Call 911 and go to the hospital. Your health and safety come first.
• Document the scene. Take pictures of the damage, cargo, and the surrounding area. Jot down the date, time, and road where it happened.
• Get the truck information. Note down the truck’s company name, number, and license plate if you can.
• Report the crash. Provide an accurate statement to law enforcement. Mention any signs of speeding, reckless driving, or load issues.
• Keep your records. Save all your medical bills, repair estimates, and other documents; the more, the better.
• Call our Phoenix truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. A law firm experienced in trucking laws, like Plattner Verderame, moves fast to collect ELD data, logbooks, and inspection reports before they disappear.

Why choose Plattner Verderame for my Phoenix truck accident?

We know federal and state trucking laws, including HOS, cargo securement, maintenance, and CDL requirements.

We’re based in Phoenix, so we understand local crash patterns, highway layouts, and challenges like remote accident scenes.

We’ve helped families and individuals get fair compensation when a trucker’s illegal behavior caused life-changing harm.

Our team includes experts, from trucking safety engineers to accident reconstructionists, to piece together exactly what happened before and during your accident.

We’re not afraid to go to trial if insurers fail to offer a fair settlement. Their hesitation often falls when they see we’re prepared to hold them fully accountable.

Common trucking violations, like breaking hours-of-service rules, sloppy cargo loading, letting equipment go unmaintained, or falsifying records, happen far too often on Arizona’s roads. These violations aren’t just regulatory slip-ups. They cause crashes, injuries, and lives turned upside down.

If you or a loved one has been injured or even killed due to a truck driver or carrier’s negligence, you deserve justice. A skilled truck accident lawyer can turn a tangled case into a plainly stated claim: “They broke the law, and because of that, I’ve been hurt.” Let Plattner Verderame bring the evidence, the law, and the fight your case deserves. Your recovery and your future shouldn’t be decided by a careless rule-breaker or an insurer that tries to look the other way. Call our Phoenix truck accident attorneys or complete our contact form today to arrange a free consultation. We take truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We maintain an additional office in Tempe for your convenience, and we serve clients throughout Maricopa County.