Arizona Road Deaths Increase

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries and fatalities in the United States. Every year, more than one million people across the country are killed in automobile accidents. In the state of Arizona, recent statistics show that not only are car accidents and crash-related injuries increasing, but deaths due to car crashes are increasing as well.

Accident Fatality Statistics

A recent study conducted by the Arizona Department of Transportation showed that in 2013, 844 people were killed in car accidents in the state of Arizona. This result averages out to one traffic-related fatality roughly every 11 hours. Although crash-related fatalities had declined from 1,193 deaths in 2005 to only 759 deaths in 2010, the change between 2010 and 2013 represents an 11 percent increase in crash-related deaths. Overall, however, Arizona’s increasingly-deadly roads do not reflect the national trend, which showed a two percent decrease in deaths across the nation as a whole.

Contributing Factors

There are a variety of factors that influence accident statistics, as well as the resulting injuries and deaths that occur. In particular, increasing economic prosperity and lower gas prices often contribute to a greater number of injuries and fatalities on the road as the number of drivers and the number of miles driven both increase. Regardless of other factors, greater numbers of drivers traveling longer distances are always responsible for an increase in traffic fatalities. Poor weather or unexpected conditions, such as heavy rain and dust storms, can also contribute to reduced reaction times that result in more accidents and accident-related deaths. To offset these negative factors, improvements in vehicle engineering and increased seatbelt usage have helped to reduce the number of fatalities on the road, as well as minimize the effects of crash-related injuries.

A personal injury attorney can help you handle the legal ramifications of a loved one’s death following an auto accident. Please call Hameroff Law Group today at (520) 792-4700 to speak with one of our attorneys about personal injury law and how it can work for you. You can also find out more about our law firm when you visit us online.