With knowledge about Arizona car accident statistics, you can determine the likelihood of accidents and how specific types of accidents can impact a case. This article will explore some of the most compelling stats and how you can file a car accident claim or lawsuit with the help of a lawyer.
For help seeking compensation in a case in Arizona, call Burk Injury Lawyers at 702-620-2020 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney in Las Vegas, NV.
Car Accident Trends in Arizona
Car accidents are commonplace in the U.S., and Arizona is no exception. According to a 2023 accident report from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), there were a total of 122,247 traffic collisions in the state that year. 37,075 of these accidents resulted in injuries, and 1,197 involved Arizona fatal car accidents.
Based on this data, ADOT concluded several trends that year, including:
- 148 individuals sustained accident injuries each day in Arizona
- Alcohol-related accidents accounted for 4.71% of all accidents and over a fourth (25.73%) of all accident fatalities
- Most car accidents (70.3%) occurred during the day
- 15.77% of all accidents involved a single vehicle
- The number of pedestrian injuries went up from 1,673 in 2022 to 1,710 in 2023, a 2.21% increase
- 3,077 injuries and 36 fatalities involved children 14 years old and younger
Many of these accidents result from negligent drivers or other parties who are liable for injuries and other damages. These and other statistics and trends indicate the dangers present on the roads across the state of Arizona.
Types of Car Accidents
There are several types of car accidents that can cause serious injuries and fatalities. The following are common car accident types with Arizona car accident statistics accompanying them:
Impaired Driving
As mentioned, Arizona DUI accident rates are high, as many impaired drivers cause accidents. While the legal limit in the U.S. for driving while impaired is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%, driving with any level of intoxication can result in slowed reaction times and poor judgment, causing serious accidents.
Distracted Driving
Another one of the top causes of car accidents in Arizona and the U.S. is distracted driving. There are several types of distractions that can cause a driver to divert his or her attention from the road, including physical, cognitive, and visual distractions.
For example, a driver could wind up looking at a vehicle pulled to the side of the road and fail to pay attention to the road ahead. In other cases, drivers may engage with objects in the car, such as dashboard buttons or items in the backseat, which could also cause them to remove their focus from the road.
Reckless and Aggressive Driving
Sometimes, drivers could engage in reckless or aggressive behaviors. For instance, a driver could become angry or frustrated when trying to reach his or her destination, leading him or her to speed and swerve around vehicles. This kind of driving behavior can increase the risk of an accident, as drivers put themselves and others in danger.
Overturning Vehicles
Some vehicle accidents involve overturning cars or trucks, often when drivers attempt to make a tight or abrupt turn. According to the aforementioned 2023 ADOT report, 1.88% of all accidents that year in Arizona started when a vehicle overturned. Overturning events were also the first harmful event that caused 9.19% of all fatal accidents.
Poor Road Conditions
In many cases, accidents result from unsafe roadways. Potholes, cracks, equipment, and debris could cause vehicles to lose control and collide with other vehicles and pedestrians. Depending on the nature of the hazard, municipalities, state and federal governments, road workers, or other parties might be responsible for accidents resulting from poor conditions.
Mechanical Failure
Accidents may also result from poorly maintained, manufactured, or designed vehicle parts. For example, mechanics may fail to properly identify and address issues with a vehicle component, making them liable for an accident resulting from the worn or damaged part. Meanwhile, manufacturers may be responsible for accidents if they fail to manufacture or design a part that allows for safe operation when used as intended.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Car Accident?
Following a car accident, you might wonder how much compensation you can get, including the average settlement for a car accident in Arizona. There isn’t a true average, as the amount of compensation for accidents will vary greatly from case to case. Contributing factors will impact the overall settlement amount, but a lawyer could help you determine how much your case is worth.
Generally, if a liable party caused an accident of any kind, you can seek different types of compensation with a claim or a lawsuit. The following are the types of compensation you may recover:
Economic Damages
Also called monetary or special damages, economic damages are the types of damages that involve the quantifiable costs associated with accidents and injuries.
There are various types of costs that can result from accidents, such as:
- Medical expenses, including the costs of immediate and ongoing care
- Lost income and lost earning potential due to recovery or disability
- Physical therapy and occupational rehabilitation
- The costs of repairing or replacing damaged vehicles or other belongings
- Expenses pertaining to disabilities, such as home care or ramp installations for homes or vehicles
Keeping track of medical records, bills, and other documentation can help you identify and calculate all direct costs related to your case.
Non-Economic Damages
Another kind of damage you can recover is non-economic, also known as non-monetary or general. While economic damages account for the financial expenses experienced after an accident, these damages involve the personal suffering endured.
These damages include items like pain and suffering, psychological distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Proving and calculating these damages is more challenging than it is with economic damages, but a reliable car accident lawyer can assist with this. In addition, you can maintain a “pain journal” detailing your personal experience following an accident, including the recovery process and your emotional state in the days, weeks, or months after an accident.
Punitive Damages
If your attorney determines that a driver or another party was liable for gross negligence or malicious intent and caused an accident, you could recover punitive damages on top of the above compensatory damages.
Although rare and only recoverable in a trial setting, some accidents in Arizona could involve these damages. An example would be if a driver engaged in extreme aggressive driving behaviors, like speeding and swerving in traffic while drinking and driving, displaying blatant disregard for others on the road until he or she caused an accident and catastrophic or fatal injuries.
The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer in Arizona for a Car Accident Case
In the event of a car accident in Arizona or anywhere else in the U.S., it’s often best to work with a lawyer to help you proceed with a case. It’s especially important to choose the right attorney for a car accident claim if your accident resulted in serious injuries and other damages.
There are many advantages of hiring an attorney to handle a car accident case, including:
Determining Fault
One critical way an attorney could help with an accident claim or lawsuit is by determining liability. The ideal lawyer will review all the facts of your case to figure out precisely who was responsible for the accident, whether it’s a driver, mechanic, trucking company, government agency, or multiple parties who share liability.
Quantifying Damages
Looking at all the elements of your case, your lawyer could figure out how much compensation you’re able to recover in a settlement. In the process, the lawyer will take into account all economic, non-economic, punitive, or wrongful death damages.
Collecting Evidence
An attorney will assist you with gathering and presenting evidence to support a claim or suit, as there are many types of evidence that you’ll need to prove fault and the damages you sustained.
Some of these pieces of evidence can include medical records, police reports, witness statements, and expert witness testimony, all of which can be difficult to obtain on your own.
Proceeding With a Claim or Lawsuit
Based on the damages sustained, your lawyer can proceed with a claim against the liable party’s insurer or a lawsuit. He or she can continue to negotiate a fair settlement until you reach a favorable outcome.
Need help with a case from a car accident attorney in Las Vegas? The team at Burk Injury Lawyers is here for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys
