In The News

Arizona Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accident Statistics – What Can Be Done to Prevent Injuries and Death?

According to the national Arizona Department of Transportation (“AZDOT”), in 2013, there were approximately 107,348 total recorded vehicle related crashes, resulting in 34,047 injuries and 777 deaths in the State of Arizona.

The breakdown of the types of vehicles involved in the 107,348 crashes is :

  • Cars: 70.47% or 143,944
  • Pickup Trucks & Vans: 17.46% or 35,672
  • Motorcycles: 1.54% or 3,153
  • Commercial Trucks & Buses: 5.79% or 11,826
  • Other Vehicles: 4.73% or 9,644

Of the vehicles noted above, the majority of fatal crashes involved passenger cars (with 601 fatalities), followed by pickup trucks and vans (with 251 fatalities), and then motorcycles with 154 fatalities. While motorcycles were only involved in 1.54% of the vehicle crashes, they made up 32.3% of the fatalities.

As Casa Grande car accident lawyers, we see the devastating effects from these crashes and accidents.

Drunk Drivers Kill

We support the efforts of organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in their efforts to combat drunk driving.  Since MADD was founded in 1980, the number of drunk driving deaths in the United States has been cut in half.  Unfortunately we still have a long way to go.

In 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,322 people died in drunk driving accidents, and 290,000 were injured.  Of those involved in drunk driving fatalities, 239 were children riding as passengers in a car, and of those more than half were in the car with the drunk driver.

This is unacceptable. 

We urge everyone not to drink and drive.  We also urge everyone not to permit friends, or loved ones to drive drunk.  Call a taxi, assign a designated driver, or stay where you are – just don’t drive drunk.  There is too much at stake to take the chance of driving if you have been drinking.

What can be done to reverse the statistics?

While it’s impossible to entirely avoid motor vehicle related accidents, steps can be taken to help prevent and lessen the severity of an accident.

  1. Don’t drink and drive.
  2. Don’t text and drive.
  3. Fasten your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are fastened.
  4. Avoid talking on the cell phone while driving.
  5. Keep two hands on the wheel .
  6. Make sure headlights and windshield wipers are in good working order.
  7. Keep tires inflated to recommended levels.
  8. Be aware of your surroundings and other drivers around you.

Remember, driving is a privilege that should not be taken lightly.