Most Common Cause of Collisions in Phoenix

December 9, 2021

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Speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving represent some of the most common causes of collisions in Phoenix, Arizona. Bright sun, heavy traffic, and drivers unfamiliar with our roads also contribute to many crashes in our area. 

You can learn more about potential causes for crashes with a Phoenix car accident lawyer. Lawyers identify the specific causes of accidents and may help you secure compensation after a head-on, side-impact, or rear-end collision. 

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What Is the Most Common Cause of Collisions in Phoenix?

One of the leading causes of car accidents in Phoenix is excessive speed. Speed is a factor in nearly one of three crashes in the state. Police cited over 43,000 drivers for speeding before a crash in the state. 

When drivers ignore the speed limit, they have less time to process what happens on the road. They often cannot brake in time to avoid hazards in front of them, and they are more likely to lose control of their cars. 

So, what is the most common cause of most collisions? Speeding, reckless, and aggressive driving cause many crashes in Phoenix. 

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Distracted Driving Is a Common Cause of Crashes

More Phoenix motorists are also driving distracted than ever before. They do not put their cell phones down when they are driving. Motorists are the safest with both eyes on the road. Distracted driving represents one of the most common causes of collisions in Phoenix.

While drivers pick up their phones anywhere, they are more likely to send a text or make a call when they are on a long stretch of highway. Distracted driving is not limited to mobile device usage. 

Anything a driver does behind the wheel besides driving can be distracting. Distractions include eating and having a conversation. Distractions can cause injuries, property damage, and fatal accidents. A Phoenix distracted driving accident lawyer can help in this situation. 

Drunk Driving Is a Problem In Phoenix

There are nearly 5,000 accidents each year in Arizona in which alcohol is a factor. Arizona ranks 20th in the country for the highest drunk driving arrest rate. 

DUI can cause problems on Phoenix-area roads because drivers travel at extremely reckless speeds. The roads’ long straightaways allow drivers to reach very dangerous speeds. When the straightaways bend into sharp curves, drunk drivers lose control of their cars.

More than one in every four DUI crashes will cause a fatality because they often occur at high speeds. In one year, nearly 300 people died in Arizona from alcohol-related accidents. An experienced Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyer can help after a drunk driving crash. 

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Tourists and Winter Residents Can Cause Crashes

Individuals spending the winter in the area for warmer weather or visiting as tourists don’t know the complexities of driving in Phoenix or how to handle local conditions.

They may also not know where they are going on the roads. Unfamiliar drivers can be dangerous ones. They may not know how to navigate the frightening Phoenix intersections that even experienced local drivers struggle with on their best days.

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Phoenix Weather Poses Challenges to Drivers

Many people think that Phoenix roads are ideal because drivers do not have to contend with the inclement weather that plagues drivers in colder climates. However, the weather is often a cause of Phoenix crashes because extremely hot weather poses challenges.

When the temperature soars into the triple digits, cars face severe challenges. The engine is more likely to overheat and, even more worrisome, the heat can flatten or blow out tires.

Rain Is a Common Cause of Collisions

For a desert climate, rain is a factor in many Arizona crashes. Just above five percent of Arizona car crashes happen in the rain, which is quite a high percentage for a desert climate. The most dangerous time for drivers is right when heavy rains fall.

Roads that were bone dry get very slippery with sudden moisture. Phoenix drivers often do not know how to navigate wet conditions. In addition, blowing sand can also contribute to Phoenix car accidents.

Bright Sun Can Blind Drivers

The sun is another factor in the high number of car accidents in Phoenix. Phoenix gets more sunshine than practically every other U.S. city. Drivers lose the ability to see when the sun is very strong in their eyes.

The blinding sun is even more of a problem when the road curves because drivers will miss the turn. Therefore, most accidents occur throughout the state when the sun is the brightest.

The hour with the most car accidents in the area is between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. when the Valley sun shines at its brightest. The most common accident in bright sunshine is a rear-end crash because drivers cannot see the car in front of them to stop in time.

Wide Roads Contribute to Crashes

Phoenix has many high-capacity roads designed to carry a lot of traffic. These wide roads allow cars to travel faster than they otherwise can on busier roads. In addition, drivers continuously change lanes and weave in and out of traffic.

The same problem exists when you get off the highway. Phoenix has dangerous intersections through which tens of thousands of cars drive daily. For example, busy streets like Camelback Road and McDowell Road have massively busy intersections. 

Heavy traffic means long lights that drivers fear missing. They think they might just make it if they speed or make a dangerous turn. An average of two to three accidents occur weekly at many of these intersections. A Phoenix highway accident lawyer can help.

Phoenix Driving Has Different Risks than Other Cities

Car accidents in the Valley area may result from some unique Phoenix driving challenges. Even though it is a spread-out area and traffic may not be as bad as in other cities, Valley roads are by no means safe.

The Number of Car Crashes in the Phoenix Area Nears Six Figures

In Maricopa County, the total economic impact of car accidents tops $10 billion each year, including losses from fatalities and injuries. In a recent year, nearly 100,000 car accidents occurred in greater Phoenix.

Therefore, roughly three out of every four car crashes in Arizona occur in our city. Approximately one of every four car accidents result in personal injury in Maricopa County. 

The Important Thing Is Learning the Cause of the Crash

While we have listed the common causes of Phoenix car crashes, this is only part of the picture. The key to your car accident claim is to learn the cause of the crash. Discovering the cause of an accident takes work and investigation. 

You must show that another driver did something careless or reckless that caused the crash. Namely, you must show that they acted unreasonably under the circumstances.

You must have an experienced personal injury lawyer in Phoenix who knows how to get to the bottom of your car crash. They will need to get to work quickly because crucial evidence can be lost quickly if you do nothing.

Contact a Lawyer to Discuss the Cause of Your Collision

One of the very early calls that you make after your car crash should be to a lawyer. We know exactly what to do once you call us with your case. We will give you the legal advice you need and can explain the most common causes of collisions in Phoenix.

Our team at Zanes Law can determine the cause of a car accident and take decisive legal action against the party responsible for your injuries. 

Proving how the crash happened is only part of the job. We can help with a settlement or lawsuit. You can find out more by calling or completing our online contact form.

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