Carpool Lane Accident Causes

For Arizona drivers, carpool lanes are convenient and efficient ways to ease the flow of traffic. But, while they have clear benefits, they also present unique safety hazards for those on the road.

Experienced car accident lawyers like those at Gage Mathers often see cases involving HOV lane accidents and can help determine HOV lane accident liability. The most common accident causes? State carpool lane crash data is limited, but sometimes, it’s due to drivers simply not following the rules of the road set by Arizona law. This includes HOV lane use laws.

Misusing the HOV Lane

HOV lanes aren’t a free-for-all for Arizona drivers, and using the lanes come with their own set of rules. In Arizona, those rules mostly involve when you can drive in the lane. Commuters with more than one person in the car can take advantage of the lane to fast-track their drive during the busiest times of the work week: 6:00 to 9:00 AM 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Dotted and solid lines on the road also dictate when it’s okay to enter and exit the HOV lane, no matter the time of day. When it’s dotted, drivers are clear to make a move in or out, but solid lines are a no-go.

At times, drivers even try to pretend they have another person in the car using dolls, mannequins, and other creative ideas to try and get away with using the lane. Arizona troopers have begun cracking down on this particular issue, according to local news outlets.

Drivers who violate any of these rules run the risk of getting hit with a hefty ticket, or worse, increase the chance of a car accident and hurting yourself or other drivers in the process.

Common Causes of Carpool Lane Accidents in Arizona

Unpacking Crash Statistics

Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows nearly 18,000 people were hurt in crashes on the state highway system in 2024. While it’s unclear how many of them may have been in an HOV lane, it’s important to remember that accidents can happen anywhere, even in lanes designed to make driving during peak traffic times a little easier.

The cause of most crashes in Arizona is simple: driver negligence. Whether it’s speeding, driving under the influence, or using a phone while behind the wheel, these actions are often what lead to the majority of accidents on Arizona roads.

Who’s At Fault?

Figuring out who’s at fault in an HOV lane accident can be a complicated and tricky task. It will matter if both (or all) drivers were following the laws regarding HOV lanes, and if they were following basic traffic laws, like not tailgating, sticking to the posted speed limit, and making lane changes only when safe to do so.

Investigators and insurance companies will dig into these details to piece together what happened. But even with their findings, liability isn’t always clear and it’s possible more than one driver is to blame. 

When to Get Help

If you’ve recently found yourself a victim in an HOV lane accident in Arizona, you don’t have to figure out what to do next all by yourself. With so many laws to be aware of, questions of who’s at fault, and the back-and-forth with insurance companies, it can be both confusing and overwhelming.

This is where the expert legal team at Gage Mathers can help. We can be your biggest advocate, whether you’re filing a whiplash lawsuit or trying to figure out who’s liable in a freeway crash. We’re here every step of the way: to explain your rights, stand by your side, and fight for the justice you deserve. Your only priority should be healing from the traumatic experience you endured!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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