Over the past few years, traffic fatalities have been on the rise in Arizona. In fact, car accident deaths have crept upward every year since 2015, topping 1,010 deaths in 2018, which is the most since the Great Recession occurred more than a decade ago.
Arizona Accident Deaths
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, an average of 2.77 people were killed on Arizona roads each day in 2018, with one person dying every eight hours and 39 minutes. Meanwhile, around 146 Arizona residents were injured in traffic accidents each day last year, with injuries occurring every nine minutes and 51 seconds. Alcohol played a role in 3.66 percent of all accidents and a whopping 26.3 percent of all fatal collisions. Drivers in urban areas like Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler and Scottsdale accounted for 37.6 percent of all fatal drunk driving crashes, while drivers in rural areas were involved in 62.4 percent of deadly alcohol-related accidents.
Traffic Fatalities in Arizona and the United States
Arizona is not the only state dealing with a spike in traffic fatalities and injuries. According to the National Safety Council, U.S. car crash deaths exceeded 40,000 for the third straight year in 2018, proving that the whole nation is struggling with the issue. Traffic safety advocates and other experts say there are several likely reasons for the spike in deaths. One top contender is drivers’ increased use of cellphones, vehicle GPS systems and other electronic devices while behind the wheel, which leads to distracted driving. Other possible culprits include speeding, failure to use seat belts, impaired driving, lax traffic laws, insufficient amounts law enforcement and an increase in cars on the road due to the improving economy.
Injured in an accident in Phoenix AZ?
If you have been injured in a car crash caused by another party, contact one of our Phoenix personal injury lawyers for assistance. A member of our legal team could thoroughly investigate your case and file a personal injury lawsuit your behalf. If the claim is successful, the driver who caused the accident could be ordered to pay you compensation for various damages, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, wages lost during recovery, property loss, pain and suffering, mental anguish and more. Learn more about your legal rights by scheduling a free consultation.
