Phoenix Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Phoenix Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics Motor vehicle crashes in and around Phoenix, Arizona, can lead to very serious injuries and damages that require significant medical treatment and rehabilitation. Car accidents in the Phoenix region are especially common downtown, as well as on the nearby interstates (especially I-40, I-410, I-510, and I-710). In fact, the entire state of Arizona, including Phoenix, is a common locale for motor vehicle collisions. Every year, more than 125,000 motor vehicle accidents occur here, resulting in injuries, and sadly, fatalities. Moreover, according to recent statistics provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation, almost three fatalities occur daily because of serious car accidents. This totals approximately 1,000 motor vehicle fatalities each year. In addition, more than 150 people suffer injuries every day in the State of Arizona due to motor vehicle accidents, totaling more than 55,000 injuries each year. When it comes to motor vehicle accident fatalities, more than 30 percent involve alcohol and some form of intoxicated driving. Single motor vehicle crashes, such as when a vehicle collides with a stationary object, account for nearly 15 percent of all motor vehicle collisions—as well as for approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities. As you would imagine, bicycle and pedestrian accidents are the most likely to result in fatalities. Greater than two percent of all bicycle accidents lead to fatal injuries, while around 13 percent of pedestrian accidents (when a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian) result in fatalities. One of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents is driver error and negligence. Given the high percentage of motor vehicle collisions that occur in the Greater Phoenix area—and throughout Arizona—you must understand your legal options if you suffer injuries in a traffic accident. As soon as possible after your Phoenix motor vehicle accident, seek follow-up medical care and treatment at an urgent care center near you or a local hospital emergency facility. The doctors there can assess your medical condition and determine what, if any, injuries you suffered in your accident. They can also perform the necessary tests and run certain imaging studies, such as MRIs and X-rays, to discover the extent of your injuries. Finally, these providers can recommend follow-up medical care and treatment with a primary care doctor or specialist (such as an orthopedic doctor). Since injury symptoms do not always manifest right away, go to a health care provider as soon as possible after your Phoenix motor vehicle collision. In addition to receiving prompt medical treatment after a car accident, you should call a knowledgeable Phoenix motor vehicle accident attorney in your area as soon as possible. Your lawyer can start work on your case even while you continue your medical treatment. For example, your attorney can investigate the circumstances behind the accident (if the issue of fault is unclear), gather your medical treatment records and bills, file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and pursue a favorable monetary settlement offer on your behalf. If the insurance company does not offer you reasonable settlement money, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and litigate your case in the Arizona court system.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents that Occur in Phoenix

Some of the most common types of motor vehicle crashes in Phoenix and the surrounding areas:

• Single-vehicle crashes - A single-vehicle crash happens when a motor vehicle collides with a stationary object, often seriously injuring the vehicle's occupants.
• Head-on collisions - A head-on collision happens when the front of one vehicle collides with the front of another vehicle. These accidents are common on dual-lane highways and other roadways with one lane of travel in each direction. When these accidents occur at high rates of speed, they can lead to serious injuries and fatalities for motor vehicle operators and their passengers.
• T-bone accidents - A T-bone accident occurs when the front of a vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, resembling the shape of a “T.” In many instances, these collisions happen at traffic intersections between vehicles that are moving perpendicular to one another. A forceful T-bone collision impact can cause one or both vehicles to spin around rapidly, often becoming disabled in the center of the intersection and leading to a multi-car pileup.
• Sideswipe collisions - A sideswipe collision happens when one vehicle brushes up against the side of another vehicle—often while the vehicles are traveling next to each other and moving in the same direction. Sideswipe accidents are common on multi-lane highways and roadways and typically occur when a driver is not paying attention to the road or becomes distracted.
• Rear-end accidents - A rear-end collision occurs when the front of one motor vehicle strikes the rear of the vehicle in front. Sometimes, these collisions occur with such a degree of force that a chain-reaction collision involving many vehicles ensues. Rear-end impacts typically cause the driver’s body to move forward and backward very abruptly, resulting in a whiplash injury.

If you suffered injuries in one of these accidents because of another driver’s carelessness, recklessness, or negligence, reach out to a knowledgeable Phoenix car accident lawyer in your area as soon as possible. Your attorney can investigate the circumstances of your collision and will do everything possible to get you fully and fairly compensated by the at-fault driver’s motor vehicle insurance company.

Injuries that Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Often Suffer

When motor vehicles collide with one another in a serious accident, the vehicle drivers and their passengers can suffer serious and sometimes permanent injuries that require long-term medical treatment. Many accident-related injuries occur because of the driver or passenger’s movement in the vehicle at the time of impact. For example, the accident victim’s body might thrash about in the vehicle, usually resulting in a soft-tissue-type injury (e.g., neck and back strains). At other times, the force of the impact might cause a part of the accident victim’s body (such as his/her head, arm, or leg) to strike something in the vehicle, such as the headrest, steering wheel, door, or window, leading to one or more serious injuries. Some of the most common car accident injuries include traumatic head and brain injuries, soft tissue contusions, back and spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and bruising on various parts of the body. Sometimes, the accident victim might sustain an open cut or wound that leaves a scar when it heals. Victims of Phoenix car accidents typically have to undergo medical treatment for their injuries. The length and types of medical treatment that the accident victim will need typically depend upon the extent of the injuries suffered. In some instances, accident victims will recover from their injuries, while at other times, they may suffer one or more permanent injuries in a car accident. Medical treatment following a car collision might include one or more hospitalizations, doctor visits, medical procedures (including surgeries), injections, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. If you had to undergo medical treatment for the injuries that you suffered in a car accident, a skilled Phoenix motor vehicle accident attorney can assist. Your attorney can assemble a settlement demand package to submit to the insurance company for the at-fault driver and can work to pursue the monetary compensation that you need.

Common Causes of Phoenix Motor Vehicle Accidents

Statistically, there are three common causes of motor vehicle accidents that occur in and around Phoenix. These causes include negligent driving, reckless driving, and intoxicated driving. Negligent driving refers to operating a motor vehicle in an unreasonable, imprudent, reckless, or careless manner. When a person violates one or more traffic laws or safety regulations that are on the books, he or she drives negligently. Some common forms of negligent driving include:

• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Running a stop sign or yield sign
• Running a red traffic light
• Speeding
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Tailgating other vehicles
• Failing to use turn signals
• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving
• Drowsy driving

When a motor vehicle operator engages in negligent driving, he or she increases the chances that a motor vehicle collision will result. Distracted driving, on the other hand, is a form of negligent driving. A person engages in distracted driving when they divert attention from the road. This diversion usually happens because of a cellular phone or some other electronic device that a driver uses while attempting to operate a motor vehicle at the same time. Distracted driving can come in other forms as well, such as by listening to loud music in the car or turning one’s head to discipline misbehaving children in the back seat. Finally, intoxicated driving is one of the most common causes of Phoenix motor vehicle collisions. Intoxicated driving occurs when a person operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Specifically, when it comes to alcohol, a person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is per se intoxicated under the law. Even if a person drives with a lower BAC, it can still impair his or her judgment and driving abilities. Alcohol intoxication can cause a driver’s vision to become blurry and can alter his or her judgments. Alcohol intoxication can also delay a driver’s reaction time, preventing him/her from stopping quickly to avoid colliding with another vehicle. If you or someone you care about sustained injuries in one of these types of Phoenix car accidents, you need legal representation at the very beginning of your claim. A knowledgeable Phoenix motor vehicle accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss how your accident happened, and if necessary, appoint an accident reconstructionist or other expert to assist. Your lawyer can then lay out your legal options for pursuing the monetary compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Deadline for Filing a Phoenix Motor Vehicle Accident Claim or Lawsuit Victims of motor vehicle collisions in Phoenix do not have unlimited time to bring a claim or lawsuit for personal injuries. Generally speaking, victims of car accidents in Arizona have two years from the date of their accident to take legal action. This is not a significant amount of time, and failing to bring a personal injury claim or lawsuit within this deadline can result in the dismissal of your claim due to the Arizona statute of limitations. This means that you can no longer pursue monetary compensation and damages for the injuries that you suffered in your accident. Consequently, you must get a Phoenix car accident lawyer on board in your case as soon as possible after your collision. Your attorney can start to work on your case right away, and if necessary, can file a lawsuit to protect the statute of limitations from running. Your attorney can then pursue favorable settlement compensation on your behalf or litigate your case in the Arizona state court system.

Speak With a Knowledgeable Phoenix Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer About Your Concerns Today

If you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle collision that took place in Phoenix, you should call a knowledgeable car accident lawyer right away. Your attorney can help you pursue favorable settlement compensation for your injuries. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to take your case seriously and won't offer the compensation that you need, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and litigate your case to a prompt and efficient conclusion.