Arizona Accident Stats
According to the 2022 Arizona Crash Facts Summary from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), over the course of the year, 119,991 total crashes occurred in the state. Out of those crashes:
- 1,178 were fatal
- 35,878 caused injuries
- 82,935 resulted in property damage only.
A total of 1,178 people died in crashes in Arizona, and 52,411 people suffered injuries.
The Arizona motor vehicle accident attorneys of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. provide this review of Arizona accident statistics in order to help people to understand the most common causes and factors involved in these crashes.
What Are The Overall Accident Trends in Arizona?
The 119,991 total accidents in Arizona were the highest total since the 141,193 crashes which the state recorded in 2007. The number of fatal crashes has increased each year since 2010. However, the 35,878 injury crashes were less than the 38,634 reported in 2016, which ended five straight years of increases. The 1,178 fatalities were the highest total since 1,071 people died in crashes in 2007. At the same time, the 52,411 people injured was the first decrease after five consecutive years of increases.
What Are The Estimated Costs of Arizona Auto Accidents?
According to ADOT, the average economic cost per incident was:
- $5.8 million per fatality
- $400,000 per suspected serious injury
- $80,000 per suspected minor injury
- $42,000 per possible injury
- $4,000 per property damage only.
No county had higher estimated costs than Maricopa County. The estimated economic loss in Maricopa County was $6,066,226,000 in 2017. Of this total:
- $2,685,400,000 involved fatalities
- $3,115,590,000 related to injuries
- $265,236,000 related to property damage only crashes.
Where Do Most Car Crashes Happen in Arizona?
Of the total crashes in 2022, urban crashes accounted for 86.3 percent (103,571), while rural crashes accounted for 13.6 percent (16,420). Maricopa County had far and away the highest totals in all categories with:
- 85,970 total crashes
- 613 fatal crashes
- 24681 injury crashes
- 60676 property damage only crashes.
The 660 people killed and 36,035 people injured in Maricopa was also the highest of any county.
The next four counties with the highest number of total crashes were:
- Pima County (9,880)
- Pinal County (5,140)
- Yavapai County (3,930).
- Coconino County (3,587)
Pima County was second-highest in all categories, with 166 fatal crashes, 3,681 injury crashes, and 6,033 property damage only crashes. Additionally, 166 people died in Pima County crashes, and 3,681 people were injured.
When Do Most Car Crashes Happen in Arizona?
Most crashes in Arizona occurred during daylight hours, or 90,444 total crashes, 417 fatal crashes, 26,894 injury crashes and 63,133 property damage-only crashes. A majority of accidents also occurred during clear weather conditions, or 113,225 total crashes.
In terms of total crashes during the week, Sunday was the only day that averaged less than 10,000 urban crashes with 8,716, but Friday had the highest number of total urban crashes and fatal urban crashes.
An ADOT breakdown identified:
- March as the peak month for all crashes
- Friday as the peak day for all crashes
- 5-6 p.m. as the peak hour for all crashes.
The peak date for all crashes in 2022 was February 23rd (509 crashes), and the peak dates for fatal crashes were Jan 14, Feb 19, March 19, Oct 22, and Oct 27 (eight crashes each).
In terms of holidays, Thanksgiving had the highest number of fatal crashes (16) as well as the highest number of people killed (17) in 2017. Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day both had five alcohol-related fatal crashes.
Why Do Car Crashes Happen in Arizona?
In terms of causes of crashes, it is important to note that “no improper action” was cited in the highest number of total crashes (114,387), fatal crashes (752), injury crashes (35,274) and property damage only crashes (78,361). The next most common cause cited was speeding or going too fast for conditions. This factor contributed to:
- 34,639 total crashes
- 183 fatal crashes
- 11,318 injury crashes
- 23,138 property damage only crashes.
The next most common causes of total crashes were:
- Failure to yield right of way (21,781)
- Unsafe lane changes (9,102)
- Following too closely (6,708).
ADOT listed alcohol use by a driver in 5,489 total crashes, 202 fatal crashes, 3,538 injury crashes and 2,526 property damage-only crashes. It is important to note that driver condition was unknown in nearly 20,000 total crashes.
How Many Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes Are There in Arizona?
The 1,888 pedestrian accidents in Arizona in 2022 accounted for 1.57 percent of the total crashes. Out of these crashes, 303 resulted in deaths, while 1,585 caused injuries. The 1,888 pedestrian crashes, 302 pedestrians killed and 1,669 pedestrians injured in 2022 were all the highest totals of any year dating back to 2013. In terms of age groups, pedestrians between ages 55 and 64 accounted for the most pedestrians killed with 62, while pedestrians between the ages of 25 and 34 accounted for the most pedestrians injured with 313.
Fewer bicycle crashes occurred in Arizona in 2022. ADOT recorded 1,159 total bicycle accidents. That total included 47 fatal crashes and 1,112 which resulted in injuries.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Are There in Arizona?
The 2,911 motorcycle crashes in 2022 in Arizona accounted for 2.43 percent of total crashes. This total included 230 fatal crashes, 2,262 injury crashes and 419 property damage only crashes.
The 230 motorcycle fatalities were the most of any year since 2013. The first harmful event reported in 1,779 crashes was collision with a vehicle in transport, followed by overturning in 487 crashes and collision with a fixed object in 445 crashes.
In terms of age groups, motorcyclists ages 25 to 34 accounted for the most motorcyclists killed with 48, while motorcyclists 25 to 34 years of age accounted for the most motorcyclists injured with 567. Out of the 2,982 motorcyclists involved in these crashes, 1,581 wore helmets, while 606 did not wear helmets.
Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys Are Here for You
If you suffered severe injuries, or if your loved one was killed in a car accident anywhere in Arizona, you should know that you could be entitled to compensation for all of your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and other damages. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you to pursue the justice and compensation that you deserve. To discuss how we can assist you at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., contact us today. We will provide a consultation for clients in Peoria, Glendale, Sun City, and the greater Phoenix area.
Visit Our Sun City Car Accident Injury Law Offices
About the Author
Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive…
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