Most Dangerous Intersections in Scottsdale, AZ

Every intersection in Scottsdale is hazardous for its own unique reasons. However, many share certain qualities that increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents, including high traffic volumes, unusual layouts, and wide lanes that make left turns especially hazardous.

At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., our experienced car accident attorneys believe it is critical for drivers, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and cyclists to understand the factors that make certain intersections in Scottsdale more dangerous than others.

These Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Scottsdale

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) studied the prevalence of accidents across the Valley of the Sun in a recent five-year window. They weighed several factors, including the total number of accidents and the average severity of those crashes, to arrive at a final score grading each intersection. 

According to the results of its study, the most dangerous intersections in Scottsdale, AZ are:

• Camelback Road and Goldwater Boulevard, with 113 crashes and a final score of 0.395
• Hayden Road and Thomas Road, with 139 crashes and a final score of 0.392
• 64th Street and McDowell Road, with 116 crashes and a final score of 0.368

Other Scottsdale crash hotspots include Scottsdale Road’s busy intersections with Shea Boulevard and Camelback Road.

Why Some Scottsdale Intersections Are More Dangerous Than Others

Intersections are inherently dangerous, as they involve traffic headed in different directions passing against each other. According to the Federal Highway Administration, about a fourth of all traffic fatalities and half of all traffic injuries happen at intersections.

However, certain intersections tend to be hazardous when they have:

• Heavy traffic volume (especially commercial traffic
• Multiple lanes that increase confusion
• Higher speeds that increase the force of a collision.

As MAG’s study indicates, these hazards not only increase the likelihood of accidents happening at particular intersections, but also mean that those accidents often share certain characteristics. For example, an intersection of roads with high speed limits is more likely to involve high-impact crashes caused by drivers accelerating to “beat” red lights.

Steps to Protect Yourself at the Most Dangerous Intersections in Scottsdale

You can do your part to keep yourself safe and reduce the risk of being in an accident by:

• Slowing down as you approach an intersection
• Paying careful attention to your surroundings
• Checking to your left and right, even if your light just changed to green
• Using your signals to indicate lane changes
• Driving defensively and leaving room for other drivers’ errors

Common Factors That Cause Intersection Crashes

Many intersection collisions in Scottsdale happen for the same underlying reasons. These crashes often occur when a driver:

• Makes an unsafe left turn in front of oncoming traffic
• Tailgates, often leading to rear-end collisions as traffic slows
• Speeds in an attempt to beat yellow or even red lights
• Gets distracted by confusing layouts, a high volume of advertisements, or cell phone use
• Fails to yield before merging or turning

Types of Injuries Common in Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents, especially T-bone or side-impact crashes, can result in severe injuries. These crashes often involve impact areas on a vehicle that don’t have crumple zones. They can also involve collisions between vehicles, bicycle riders, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Common injuries are:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and tears
• Broken bones, particularly serious ones like compound fractures
• Head and brain injuries, including concussions and more serious TBIs
• Back and spinal injuries ranging from herniated discs to paralysis

How Fault Is Determined in Intersection Accidents

Under Arizona law, the person who is at fault for an accident is responsible for paying for the victims’ injuries and property damage. Fault is typically established through evidence like police accident reports, footage from nearby traffic or security cameras, testimony from involved parties and eyewitnesses, and accident reconstructions.

Arizona’s comparative fault law applies when an injured driver was partially to blame for a collision. Under this rule, an injured party is not entitled to compensation for the percentage of an accident that is their fault.

For example, let’s say that Bill turns right on a red light from Goldwater onto Camelback, which causes John to crash into Bill’s car. John had the right of way since he was coming into the intersection on a green light, but he was also driving 10 mph over the speed limit.

John sues Bill for $100,000, and the court hearing the case finds in his favor. But it also decides that John was 15 percent to blame because he was speeding. Consequently, John recovers $85,000 – that is, the $100,000 the court would have awarded him, less the 15 percent of fault it assigned him.

The comparative negligence rule is good for accident victims in that it allows them to recover compensation even when they share fault. However, it also gives insurance companies an incentive to shift blame onto claimants. Contact a car accident lawyer at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., immediately if an insurer tells you that you were partially at fault for your injuries.

How Our Scottsdale Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Have you been hurt in a car accident at an intersection in Scottsdale? If so, the attorneys with Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., can help you pursue full and fair compensation. While you rest and recover, we can:

• Investigate the crash and gather evidence like police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements
• Work with accident reconstruction experts as necessary to review this evidence and prove the other driver’s fault
• Calculate the fair value of your case based on your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses
• Handle insurance negotiations for you, protecting you from the company’s attempts to shift blame onto you.
• Demand a fair settlement and take your case to trial if the insurer won’t offer one

Contact a Scottsdale Car Accident Lawyer

When you need solutions to your legal problems, turn to Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. We offer:

• The personal service you’d expect from a small firm with the resources of a big one
• Over 50 years of combined legal experience to put to work on your case
• A commitment to open communication and straightforward advice

We’ve helped real people achieve real results, including Devin B., who had this to say about us:

“My family and I were facing one of the toughest challenges of our lives. Heather and Laura were there every step of the way. My family and I thank you so very much!”

If you’ve been injured in an accident at one of Scottsdale’s most dangerous intersections, don’t wait another moment to get the help you deserve. Contact us today to speak with a Scottsdale car accident lawyer and to get your questions answered.