Pedestrian accidents are a constant risk in the State of Arizona. Even the most prudent pedestrian can get injured or killed by a reckless driver. If you get injured in a pedestrian accident, you have rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the motor vehicle driver’s insurance company. Learn more about pedestrian accidents in Arizona by reviewing the latest available crash facts and statistics.
The most recent data available for Arizona crash statistics is from 2021. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) published a 2021 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts Summary on September 7, 2022. This report detailed all traffic accidents in the state in 2021, including collisions involving pedestrians. Below is a summary of facts pertaining to pedestrian crashes:
These numbers demonstrate certain trends. Statistically, pedestrian collisions are most likely to occur in urban areas, during the day or at night where street lights are present. They are most likely to occur when a pedestrian is crossing the road, and the victims are most often middle-aged. Finally, Maricopa County tends to see the highest number of pedestrian collisions – and car accidents in general – compared to the rest of the state.
According to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 7,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2020. There were also around 104,000 emergency department visits by pedestrians for nonfatal injuries. A countrywide comparison published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2020 placed Arizona sixth on the list for its pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population. Arizona’s rate was 2.99, with 222 pedestrians killed in 2020. The other top states for pedestrian deaths, in order, were New Mexico, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana.
Pedestrian crash data shows that driver error is the number one cause of these accidents. Motor vehicle drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, prudently and in accordance with all applicable traffic laws. Unfortunately, many drivers violate this obligation, otherwise known as the duty of care. They commit acts and omissions that go against what is reasonable for the situation. This can place everyone sharing the roadway with the driver at risk – especially vulnerable pedestrians.
Common examples of driver errors are:
Negligent, careless and reckless drivers pose a serious threat to pedestrians in Arizona. If a motor vehicle driver causes a pedestrian collision, his or her car insurance company will be responsible for paying for the victim’s medical bills and other losses. In addition to driver error, other common causes of pedestrian collisions are poor roadway conditions, sidewalk defects, dangerous construction zones and bad weather.
Since, statistically, the majority of pedestrian collisions in Arizona take place when a pedestrian is crossing the road, intersections and crosswalks are particularly dangerous for these vulnerable road users. Negligent drivers may fail to stop when and where they are required to do so, including at pedestrian crosswalks and marked or unmarked intersections. Urban locations where pedestrian and vehicle traffic commonly intersect are also danger zones. Pay extra attention to vehicle traffic and your surroundings as a pedestrian in these areas.
Be proactive about your safety as a pedestrian in Arizona. Although drivers have an obligation to obey traffic laws and prevent accidents, they often fall short of their responsibilities and put others at risk. Take your safety into your own hands with these tips:
If you get hit by a car in Arizona, contact a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights, including the right to seek financial compensation from the driver’s insurance carrier. Speak to a lawyer at Stone Rose Law at no cost about a recent pedestrian accident by calling (480) 498-8998.