Car accidents can happen to anyone and at any time. Busy Arizona is known to have a relatively high number of car accidents each year, and Phoenix, being the largest city in the state, experiences a significant number of those accidents. In such populated areas, car accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence, and they can cause significant physical, emotional, and financial damage.
When someone is injured in a car accident, they may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is where a Phoenix personal injury lawyer can come in. These legal professionals specialize in helping car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. This article will discuss the steps you should take if you are involved in a car accident in Phoenix.
How common are car accidents in Phoenix?
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2021 Crash Facts report, there were a total of 125,345 crashes in Arizona in 2021, which resulted in 35,203 injuries and 1,063 fatalities. Of those crashes, 86,687 occurred in Maricopa County—which includes Phoenix—resulting in 24,283 injuries and 546 fatalities.
The report also found that more than 3 people were killed each day in car accidents across the state and 141 people were injured every day—that is one person every 10 minutes! Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 4.63% of all crashes and 20.23% of all fatal crashes, with 84.02% of these crashes occurring in urban areas.
Additionally, the report noted that motorcyclists and pedestrians continue to be particularly vulnerable on Arizona’s roads. In 2021, there were 2,594 motorcycle crashes, which resulted in 163 fatalities and 2,115 injuries. There were also 1,714 pedestrian crashes, which resulted in 257 fatalities and 1,535 injuries.
The major causes of car accidents in Phoenix include distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. To address these issues, the Arizona Department of Transportation has implemented several safety initiatives, including a “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign that encouraged drivers to avoid distractions and pay attention to the road.
That said, drivers and pedestrians should note that car accidents are difficult to predict and it is crucial to take appropriate safety measures to prevent them. Some tips for staying safe on the road include obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions such as texting or using a cell phone while driving, wearing seat belts, and driving defensively.
What should I do if I am involved in a car accident?
If you are involved in a car accident in Arizona, remain calm and do not panic. You may be feeling shaken or upset but losing your cool can make the situation worse. When you are not thinking clearly, you may say or do things that could negatively impact your insurance claim or any legal proceedings related to the accident. Once you are calm, take the following steps to protect yourself and the others involved.
- Check for injuries – Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no visible injuries, it is still a good idea to arrange to seek medical attention as soon as possible just to be sure.
- Move to a safe area – If possible, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic to a safe area to prevent additional accidents or injuries. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers and move all the people involved away from the road.
- Call the police – Even if the accident is minor, you should call the police to report the accident. The police will create an official report of the accident, which can be useful if you need to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
- Exchange information – Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver or parties involved in the accident. Be sure to get their name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, and license plate number.
- Document the accident – Make notes of the time, location, and other details about the accident. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the accident as well as any skid marks or debris that may help determine fault.
- Notify your insurance company – Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and ask the other driver to do the same. Be honest and detailed when describing the accident, but do not admit fault.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer – If you were injured in the accident, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal and financial issues that can arise from the accident, including insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
Car accidents can be devastating and cause untold physical, emotional, and financial damage to victims and their families. Remember that prevention is always better than cure, so be a cautious driver and always obey traffic laws. If you do end up in an accident, follow the above steps to safeguard your well-being and protect yourself legally and financially. Always consult a reputable personal injury lawyer if you have been injured in an accident to ensure that you receive the rightful compensation that you deserve. Together, we can work towards improving the safety of our roads.