What Phoenix roads are the most prone to car accidents?
As anyone who has spent more than a day in the Phoenix area knows, there is a great deal of traffic. Arizona’s state capital is a city of over 1.6 million people and the seat of a county with a population of over 4.4 million. With so many people coming and going each day, there are many cars on the road – and that, unfortunately, means there are many car accidents as well.
A car crash can happen on any road at any time, but certain roads stand out as particularly dangerous. Crashes on those roads also present significant legal challenges to victims who need compensation for their injuries. That’s why it’s critical to hire an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
What makes a road or intersection dangerous?
Numerous structural and environmental factors can affect the number of car crashes on a given road or highway. Some of those factors include:
- Dangerous curves: When motorists have to navigate sharp turns and curves, the risk of losing control of a vehicle is high, especially at high speeds.
- Low visibility: Especially at highway speeds, motorists who cannot see other vehicles are at a high risk of causing collisions.
- Confusing layouts and signage: At some intersections, motorists aren’t always sure where to go or which lanes to be in. This confusion increases the risk of a collision.
- Dangerous slopes and inclines: Inclines are particularly dangerous for heavy trucks, but they can also affect visibility and traction for smaller vehicles.
- Inadequate lighting: Some roads can become particularly deadly at night because a lack of light further limits visibility.
While these environmental factors can make roads more dangerous, ultimately, the cause of almost any given accident is driver behavior. Motorists can reduce their speed to compensate for limited visibility. They can take curves slowly and carefully. They can put extra effort into scanning the area to navigate difficult intersections and avoid causing a crash.
Unfortunately, too many drivers in the Phoenix area fail to meet those responsibilities, causing thousands of crashes every year. Some are driving under the influence, others are reckless and aggressive, and some just aren’t paying attention. When that happens, a car accident attorney can investigate why the accident happened and hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence.
The most dangerous intersections in the Phoenix area
According to data compiled by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the most dangerous intersection in the Phoenix area is actually a roundabout: 99th Ave & Lower Buckeye Road in western Phoenix, which sees nearly 100 crashes per year. Local motorists have stated that the signs in this intersection are confusing and lead to a lot of lane switching within the roundabout, often without signaling.
Other highly dangerous intersections in the Phoenix area include:
- 67th Ave & McDowell Rd in Phoenix
- 75th Ave & Indian School Rd in Phoenix
- 67th Ave & Indian School Rd in Phoenix
- 75th Ave & McDowell Rd in Phoenix
- 27th Ave & Camelback Rd in Phoenix
- 43rd Ave & Bethany Home Rd on the Phoenix/Glendale line
- 35th Ave & Glendale Ave in Phoenix
- 51st Ave & Camelback Rd on the Phoenix/Glendale line
- 51st Ave & McDowell Rd in Phoenix
- 43rd Ave & Thomas Rd in Phoenix
Again, while confusing signage and other factors can affect the risk of crashes in a given intersection, at the end of the day, most crashes are caused by negligent motorists who fail to exercise caution when navigating those intersections.
Intersections can pose significant challenges for attorneys representing motorists injured in accidents. It’s often unclear who had the right of way. Witnesses to the accident may disagree about what they saw. Camera footage, if available, may shed light on the situation, but it must be secured quickly before it is lost or overwritten. An experienced attorney who knows how to investigate intersection crashes can make a significant difference.
The most dangerous roads and highways in the Phoenix area
Because of the high volume of traffic in and around Phoenix, it’s unfortunately common for crashes to occur on highways and major roads in the area. Some of the most dangerous roads in Phoenix include:
- Interstate 10: I-10 is an east-west transcontinental highway that stretches across over 400 miles in southern Arizona. The 150-mile stretch of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson is particularly deadly because many stretches have no guardrails or center barriers – meaning there are no physical obstacles to prevent deadly head-on crashes.
- U.S. Route 60: U.S. 60 stretches all the way across Arizona to the New Mexico border and continues from there all the way to the East Coast. Unfortunately, many of the Arizona portions of U.S. 60 are dangerously curvy and narrow, and motorists who travel at high speeds on this road are at high risk of causing accidents.
- Interstate 17: I-17, also known as the Black Canyon Freeway, connects Phoenix with Flagstaff. The Phoenix end of I-17 has heavy traffic congestion and a correspondingly high number of accidents. I-17, in general, is also quite dangerous because of significant elevation changes in many spots, especially in inclement weather. One report found that I-17 was the 4th most dangerous highway in America.
- 43rd Avenue: According to a 2019 analysis, 43rd Avenue in Phoenix is the most dangerous road in Arizona, particularly the stretch between Lamar Road and McDowell Road.
- Indian School Road: Running about 40 miles east-west through the Phoenix area, Indian School Road is named for the Phoenix Indian School that was once located where the road crosses Central Avenue. Several stretches of Indian School Road are among the most dangerous in Phoenix, including the portions between 53rd Ave and 91st Ave and between 30th and 3rd Street.
Many of these roads have a high volume of traffic, which again can pose significant challenges for both motorists and accident investigators. Crashes often have multiple witnesses who may disagree on what they saw. Physical evidence is quickly cleared away. Hiring an experienced attorney as soon as possible is key to protecting your rights after an accident.
What to do after a car accident in Phoenix
There are several steps you need to take right away after a car accident anywhere in the Phoenix area. First, call 911 and wait for the Phoenix Police or other law enforcement to arrive. The police will secure the crash scene and complete an initial accident report, which is a key piece of evidence. It’s also important to get the name and contact information of the other driver as well as any witnesses – again, the police can assist with this if it is not safe to do so yourself.
If you are physically able to do so, gather evidence at the scene of the accident. Take pictures of any skid marks, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Take note of any nearby cameras, as well as the weather conditions and any signs and signals. These details will help your attorney reconstruct the accident and get to the bottom of what happened.
Get medical attention as soon as possible at one of the Phoenix area's numerous hospitals and medical centers, such as Maricopa Medical Center or Mayo Clinic Arizona. Even if you feel fine, getting checked out by a doctor is important. Car crashes often cause internal or delayed injuries that need to be diagnosed to avoid further complications. Furthermore, getting medical attention creates a record of your injuries, supporting a potential claim.
Finally, call an experienced Phoenix car accident lawyer as soon as possible, before you talk to the insurance company. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more effectively your lawyer will be able to protect your legal rights.
How an experienced car accident attorney can make a difference
The insurance industry’s own data says that people who hire lawyers get better results than those who don’t, and it’s not hard to see why. An attorney can launch a full investigation into the accident, determine who was responsible, and identify all potential sources of compensation.
An experienced attorney can deal with the insurance company on your behalf, leveling the playing field with their adjusters and defense lawyers. They can negotiate for maximum compensation on your behalf and file a lawsuit if necessary to protect your rights while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Moreover, hiring a car accident attorney doesn’t cost you anything up front or out of pocket. Car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if and when they win your case. If your attorney doesn’t win, you don’t owe them a penny. It’s that simple.
The sooner you talk to a car accident attorney, the more effectively that lawyer can protect your rights under Arizona law and advocate for maximum compensation. If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in the Phoenix area, contact an experienced lawyer today for a free consultation.
