Our increasingly busy and distracted world has only raised the level of danger when it comes to auto accidents. With Phoenix being one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country as well, the frequency of auto accidents continues to grow with the population increases. (The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported almost 47,000 injuries in urban car crashes in 2019.)
Because of this, it’s important to know what some of the top reasons are for auto accidents in Arizona. The state has plenty of wide-open tarmacs, but that doesn’t mean any less significant danger. Below, we’ve outlined five of the most common reasons and what you can do to avoid them and look out for others who may be doing this on the road.
Distracted Driving
As we all know, more technology in our vehicles means more potential for less focus on the road. Smartphones, navigation, and more can cause even a split-second swerve from one lane into the other – and that’s all it takes to cause an accident.
Speed
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2016, 10,111 lives were lost due to speed-related accidents. Unfortunately, speeding-related casualties and accidents often involve younger and more inexperienced drivers.
Driving Under the Influence
This one is a no-brainer. Operating a motor vehicle under any drug or even one drink can significantly change driving habits and dramatically increase the possibility of an accident.
Fatigue
Much like truck drivers, long hours on the road or even groggy car drivers can experience similar operating symptoms to intoxication. If you’re feeling tired and can pull over safely, even a 20-minute nap can restore vital cognitive awareness that could mean the difference between safe driving and an incident.
Weather
Rare rain in Arizona creates significant driving hazards. Roads become slick with oil and water and often cause accidents. Arizona drivers aren’t used to driving in inclement weather, so cooler, rainy days often see a spike in accidents. Increased awareness is crucial on these particular days.
Sometimes, auto accidents are out of our control. Suppose you’ve been involved in an accident due to one of the above reasons or another driver’s pure negligence. In that case, you may have options to recover damages or receive compensation related to the incident. Call the qualified auto accident team at Rabb & Rabb, PLLC today at (520) 888-6740 to schedule your free consultation and learn more about our expertise.
