Every year, the Arizona Department of Transportation gathers accident data from the police and sheriff’s departments around the state. That data is compiled, analyzed, and released to the public so that trends in car accidents, motorcycle collisions, and pedestrian crashes can be reviewed and better understood.
Recently, the data from 2014 was released and it provided both good and bad news for those who drive in Arizona and, in particular, the greater Phoenix area. During the year, there were 109,554 traffic-related accidents in the state and of those, 90,882 involved two or more vehicles. Almost 82 percent of all accident happened in urban settings while rural collisions accounted for 18 percent.
While the number of car accidents are still high in the state, there was some good news. The number of fatalities associated with those crashes decreased from the numbers of 2013 with fewer people losing their lives as a result. In 2013, 849 people were killed in traffic accidents while only 774 died in 2014.
The loss of a life is the most severe of the possible outcomes that can occur due to a car crash in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona and any trend towards a decrease in the deaths experienced is a good sign. But motorists should not assume that this means the roads are getting safer or that they do not need to worry about their security while they are on the roads. Rather, the number of fatalities that occurred in 2014 still reflects a serious problem that illustrates harm not only to the victims of these car accidents but also to their family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and associates.
Victims of car accidents may not know what options exist to help them get back on their feet or to move forward after a collision has affected their lives. Unfortunately, these cases can be complicated and insurance companies may make it nearly impossible for those who deserve relief to get what they deserve. When in doubt, speaking with a personal injury attorney can help victims and/or their surviving family members understand the laws in Phoenix as well as what options they have to obtain the compensation they deserve.
Though there were some positive changes among collision statistics of 2014, hundreds of thousands of lives continue to be affected by car accidents in Arizona annually and many of the most severely injured will continue to suffer for years to come. If you have been the unwitting victim of a crash, the injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by now to help you.
We offer a free case consultation without obligation to all those victims who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we have a lawyer available at all times of the day and night to take your call. If you let us represent you, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf and we always advance all case-related expenses.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our firm believes in fighting for the rights of victims and we want to fight for you. Call us now and let us help you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering following a car crash or other injury incident.
Prior Blog Entry:
Pedestrian Accident in Phoenix Injures 1, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 5, 2015.
Resource:
ADOT releases 2014 car accident statistics, West Valley View, published June 5, 2015.