Phoenix, AZ Car Accident Statistics

Auto accidents are all too common in Arizona. In 2021, overall crashes saw a nearly 23 percent increase from 98,778 to 121,345, according to crash data from the Arizona Department of Transportation provided by AZ Central/The Arizona Republic. Arizona auto crash statistics are fairly concerning, particularly when you take a look at the number of crashes that result in fatalities.

According to the data, fatalities and overall crashes increased in 2021 over 2020 in the state of Arizona. Fatalities were up 12 percent from 1,054 in 2020 to 1,180 in 2021.

Learning more about auto crash statistics in Arizona will not only give you a better understanding of the dangers of navigating our state’s roads, but it may also help you understand how you can lower your risk of an accident. If you know why accidents are most likely to happen, you can take steps to avoid dangerous situations that increase the risk of a dangerous crash.

If you were involved in an accident that was caused by the actions or negligence of another, you may be able to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for losses associated with the crash. Our Phoenix auto accident attorneys at Phillips Law Group can be your guide through the entire legal process.

Overview of Accident Statistics

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2021 publication contains numerous statistics about motor vehicle crashes in the state. These statistics can give you a much better idea about the types of accidents that are occurring, the vehicles involved, and why accidents are happening.

Here are the numbers of certain types of crashes in 2021:

There is a much higher risk of accidents in urban areas, possibly because there is more traffic in these areas. You can also see there were a significant number of alcohol-related crashes, as drunk driving continues to be a problem year after year, and not just in Arizona.

Driving in Maricopa County may be riskier than in any other county in Arizona, as 86,687 happened in this county.

Fatal Auto Crash Statistics

Of the 1,063 fatal crashes, 215 were alcohol-related. When you consider how severely alcohol can impair drivers’ vision, judgment, and reaction time, it is not a shock that it would contribute to so many accidents year after year.

The number of fatal accidents in urban areas (709) outpaced the number of fatal accidents in rural areas (354). There were also more fatal multi-vehicle accidents (752) than single-vehicle accidents (311).

Statistics on Crash Victims

In 2021, alcohol-related crashes accounted for 4.63 percent of all crashes and 20.23 percent of all fatal crashes.

Some other notable statistics include:

• 19,554 people were injured in speed-related accidents
• 359 were killed in speed-related accidents
• 41,837 were injured in crashes while using a safety device
• 114 drivers age 24 or younger were killed

Economic Losses from Motor Vehicle Crashes

Crashes have a huge economic impact on victims and their families due to the medical bills and costs of property damage. In 2021, auto accidents in Arizona resulted in $20.156 billion in economic losses.

As you might expect, given the number of crashes in Maricopa County, this county suffered the biggest economic impact from car accidents in 2021 ($11,563,280,444). This includes:

• $5,652,130,374 for fatalities
• $5,250,506,630 for injuries
• $660,643,440 due to property damage

Types and Causes of Arizona Car Crashes

Speeding and alcohol have already been mentioned as major contributing factors to crashes and the injuries and deaths that can result from car crashes. However, there are many other factors that contribute to accidents as well.

Peak Times/Dates for Accidents

There are certain times of day when accidents were more likely to happen in 2021 on Arizona roadways.

Types of Multi-Vehicle Crashes

The most common type of crash in 2021 was a rear-end crash. Other common accidents included left-turn and sideswipe (same) crashes.

Pedestrian Crashes

Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths in these crashes are still a huge problem. In 2021, there were 1,714 pedestrian crashes.

Accidents Caused by Driver Violations

A total of 234,763 accidents were the result of some type of driver violation. Violations included:

Contact an Experienced Attorney for Trusted Legal Assistance

At Phillips Law Group, we are committed to fighting for the rights of those who have been injured in a car accident caused by the actions or negligence of another driver. We believe that if you suffered harm through no fault of your own, you deserve both compassion and compensation for your condition.

We offer free case evaluations to any Arizona resident who believes he or she may have cause to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. During an evaluation, one of our Phoenix personal injury attorneys will assess the merits of your claim and offer guidance on how to best pursue legal recourse for your losses.

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you choose to hire our firm to fight your legal battle, there is never a cost to you unless we obtain a favorable outcome for your claim.

For more information on your legal rights, contact us today by calling or filling out our Free Case Evaluation form.

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For more information on the legal rights which may be available to Arizona motor vehicle accident victims and their families, or to schedule a confidential, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team of legal professionals, please complete the Free Case Review form on this page.