Vehicle accidents occur in a wide variety of ways throughout the state of Arizona. In most cases, an accident is caused by the careless or negligent actions of one or more drivers on the roadway. Here, we want to examine some of the main causes of Arizona car accidents. Armed with this information, we hope that you can take the steps needed to drive defensively and stay safe on the roadways.
Crashes and Driver Fault in Arizona
When we look at crash facts available from the Arizona Department of Transportation, we can see that there were nearly 100,000 total collisions reported across the state during the latest year of data on file. Out of these incidents, more than 41,000 individuals were injured and 1,057 individuals lost their lives.
When we examine the data more closely, we can see some of the top driver violations in the state, particularly those issued to drivers after an accident occurred. This data allows us to make inferences about the causes of many of these crashes. Some of the top driver citations after Arizona crashes include the following:
Speed too fast for conditions. The vast majority of vehicle accidents and Arizona are caused by drivers operating too fast for conditions. This can simply mean above the speed limit, or it could mean driving below the speed limit but faster than weather or traffic conditions allow.
Failing to yield the right of way. There are various ways that drivers can fail to yield the right of way. They can fail to yield to other drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and others at intersections, when changing lanes, and when entering or exiting driveways and parking lots.
Following too closely. Following others true closely is a recipe for disaster. The leading cause of rear-end accidents is drivers following others too closely.
Unsafe lane change. Drivers on the roadway should always use turn signals and change lanes only when they are clear to do so. Changing lanes without the use of turn signals or when the other lane is not yet cleared will very likely lead to an accident.
Driver intoxication. A significant number of all traffic fatalities that occur each year in Arizona are the result of driver intoxication. This can include drivers operating above the legal limit of alcohol as well as those impaired by illegal or prescription narcotics.
Driver distraction. Arizona drivers become distracted in a wide variety of ways, including talking on the phone, sending receiving text messages, browsing social media, taking pictures, eating or drinking behind the wheel, reaching for items inside the vehicle, and more.
What Happens if You Are Injured by Another Driver’s Actions?
Vehicle accidents are not uncommon, but you need to know what to do if you sustain an injury caused by the actions of another driver and Arizona. You should be able to recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance carrier, but this is not always easy. We strongly encourage you to contact a skilled Arizona Injury Lawyer who can examine the facts of your case and work to gather the evidence needed to prove liability. An attorney can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, property damage expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
