You may have driven through countless intersections in your adult life, but it only takes one wrong move from another driver to cause a life-changing accident.
In fact, passing through an intersection is one of the riskiest things you can do while driving a car. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, the majority of crashes that cause injuries happen inside or next to an intersection, and about 25 percent of all fatal accidents occur in an intersection.
While all intersections can be dangerous, some intersections happen to be riskier than others. A recent report from the Maricopa Association of Governments Transportation Safety Committee (MAG) highlights some of the most hazardous intersections in our region, including the most dangerous intersections in Scottsdale.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in Scottsdale
The MAG report ranked dangerous intersections in the region based on a few key metrics, including number of crashes, crash type, and crash severity. The agency pointed out that its report doesn’t indicate that the particular intersection is unsafe for use by the public. It noted that the report is only meant to inform, and crashes are often the result of unforeseen events that are difficult to control.
Below are the three most dangerous intersections in Scottsdale. It should be noted that these intersections are associated with busy roads, and high traffic on the streets makes them more dangerous than low-traffic roads. Therefore, you should consider the roads connecting these intersections to be some of the most dangerous roads in Scottsdale, for safety purposes.
Camelback Road and Goldwater Boulevard
This intersection in Old Town sees a lot of traffic due to the area’s many shops, dining and entertainment options. The walkability of Old Town also means there are a lot of pedestrians thrown into the mix. Unfortunately, this results in the intersection being one of the more dangerous in the region. According to the MAG report, there were 113 crashes at this intersection from 2017 to 2021.
The intersection of Camelback Road and Goldwater Boulevard has also seen a number of high-profile accidents. On Halloween night in 2019, a scooter rider was hit by a car and sent to the hospital. In February 2020, two pedestrians were hit after two cars collided.
Hayden Road and Thomas Road
Located near the Loop 101 highway, Eldorado Park, the Eldorado Aquatic and Fitness Center, and the Continental Golf Club, this intersection sees a significant amount of traffic. It’s also quite common to see coyotes passing through the intersection, with many coming from the park and golf course. All of this makes the intersection of Hayden and Thomas roads one of the most dangerous intersections in Scottsdale. According to the MAG report, there were 139 crashes in the intersection between 2017 and 2021.
This intersection has seen more than its share of high-profile accidents. In 2018, a man veered off the road and crashed into a tree, resulting in his death. In 2019, a bus driver was charged with manslaughter after he ran the light at the intersection and caused a rideshare accident.
64th Street and McDowell Road
Located at the southern end of Scottsdale, the intersection of 64th Street and McDowell Road is a high traffic intersection and it’s only bound to get busier. A large mixed-use campus called Scottsdale Entrada recently opened and it will draw more traffic to the intersection. The new mixed-use development is just the latest development in the area, which recently added Miller and McDowell Townhomes and Pickle and Pour Bar. The city has identified McDowell Road as a key area for growth, suggesting this intersection will get even busier.
City officials may want to consider redesigning this intersection because it’s already one of the most dangerous in the region. According to the MAG report, there were 116 crashes at the intersection of 64th Street and McDowell Road between 2017 and 2021. The intersection has also seen a few high-profile accidents. In 2018, a motorcyclist died after hitting a car in the intersection. In 2021, police investigated a deadly crash involving an SUV striking a broken-down truck on the side of the road.
How To Deal with the Most Dangerous Intersections in Scottsdale
While the three intersections listed above are considered to be the most dangerous intersections in Scottsdale, any intersection can be dangerous if you aren’t taking care to pass through it safely. Understanding how to approach dangerous intersections is literally the difference between life and death. With this in mind, let’s go over a few ways to deal with dangerous intersections.
Pay Extra Attention
For most of us, driving around Scottsdale is so routine that we tend to zone out and think about anything other than what’s happening right in front of us. On the other hand, if you’re in a rush to get somewhere, you may be purely focused on what’s immediately in front of you and not focused on what’s happening in the periphery.
When passing through a dangerous intersection, it is important to pay extra attention to what is happening around your vehicle. Pay particular attention to other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Being aware of other people, whether they are in another car or not, can help you avoid a dangerous lapse in concentration.
If possible, scan your surroundings to see what other drivers and people are doing around you. If someone is acting or driving erratically, be prepared to take evasive action if that unexpected behavior results in a dangerous situation.
Slow Down
Some of the most dangerous roads in Scottsdale are especially hazardous because people drive too fast on them. Regardless of whether you’re passing through an intersection, going too fast for a particular stretch of road seriously increases the risk of an accident.
It all comes down to basic science: The faster you’re traveling, the less time you have to react to a sudden change in what’s going on around you. Because many people tend to travel through an intersection at the same time, it increases the chance of one of them doing something unexpected. A pedestrian might try to run across the street. A bicyclist might swerve into the car lane. Slowing down before you get to an intersection gives you more time to react to unexpected events like these. Slowing down as you turn also helps you adjust to the new roadway you are entering.
Leave Room for Error
If you arrive at an intersection and you’re tailgating the car in front of you, you don’t have much room for error. If that car suddenly slams on the brakes, you have no chance of avoiding a rear-end collision. Also, if you’re hit from behind, being too close to the car in front of you could cause a chain reaction accident.
Try to leave about 15 feet of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. A good rule of thumb is to maintain enough distance so that you can still see the bottom of the vehicle’s tires touching the road. If you’re the first vehicle at the light, make sure to leave the same amount of space between you and the intersection or crosswalk. Once again, if you’re rear-ended, this cushion of space will prevent you from entering into the part of the intersection that’s meant for pedestrians.
Consider the Timing of the Light
The timing of the traffic signal is a big factor in how dangerous it is to pass through the intersection, as most accidents occur right after a light changes. Drivers waiting for the light to change from red to green should be prepared for cross traffic blowing through a red light. Even when the light is green, always be aware of cross traffic not obeying the red light on their side. Being prepared for these drivers to break the law can be their city life and death.
The timing of traffic lights is also important during stop-and-go traffic. Avoid getting caught underneath the traffic light and blocking the intersection. While this can result in gridlock, it can also significantly increase the risk of an accident as drivers around you get frustrated.
Use Your Signals Properly
Turn signals are one of the few ways you can communicate your intentions to other drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other people in an intersection. Using them properly helps to avoid confusion and puts everybody on the same page. Avoid switching on your turn signals too soon or too late. Experts recommend activating your turn signal about 100 feet before the intersection. This gives other drivers enough time to react, and it avoids sending the message that you’re turning off into a driveway or pulling over to the side of the road.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Scottsdale
Car accidents can be traumatic and confusing situations. Even minor “fender benders” can be difficult to handle correctly. In order to protect yourself, there are a few things you should remember right after being in a car accident.
Make Sure You’re Okay, and Others Are Okay
If you were in a serious wreck, the first thing to do is to get immediate medical attention. If other accident victims look like they have suffered serious injuries, get immediate medical attention for them. Everything else can wait. Even if you think you only suffered minor cuts and bruises, it’s a good idea to get a thorough medical examination to make sure you don’t have any hidden injuries, such as a concussion or internal bleeding.
If you are only in a minor fender bender, it’s still a good idea to get a medical exam as soon as possible after the accident. In addition to catching any injuries you might have missed, a medical examination can also document the extent of your injuries when you file a claim or take legal action.
Call the Police
Calling the police can be a tough decision to make. If you’ve been in a minor accident, you may want to leave the cops out of it. Maybe you are worried about being blamed for the accident, or you are hoping to avoid reporting the accident to your insurance company.
However, calling the police is a great way to protect yourself. The police can prevent an accident scene from causing even more accidents. They can also act as an impartial party while you and the other drivers exchange information. Simply put, the situation could get much worse if the police aren’t around to do their job.
Document What Happened
Another way to protect yourself is to document the accident scene and the events leading up to the accident. Use your phone to take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle. Take pictures of the surroundings and the vehicles in the position they came to after the accident. Take photos of road signs, traffic lights, and tire skid marks.
Also, use your phone to record voice memos of your recollection of the accident. As time passes, you may forget key details that support your claim of not being at fault.
Get Information from Other Accident Victims, Witnesses
After you’ve made sure the other accident victims are okay, ask if you can take pictures of their driver’s license and insurance information. Ask other victims for their contact information. If there are any witnesses, ask for their contact information and see if they are willing to record a statement on video or in a voice memo.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Scottsdale
Because Arizona is an at-fault state, you must contact the at-fault drivers’ insurance company in order to recover compensation for your injuries and property damage. You must also provide evidence that the policyholder was at fault for the accident. In some situations, this is a relatively straightforward process.
However, most people resist the idea of taking full responsibility for an accident. Also, many insurance companies use bad faith tactics to avoid paying out compensation. They might delay processing your claim or deny it without reason.
That means it’s usually a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer in Scottsdale.
An attorney can advise you on the best way to value your claim. They can also advise you on all of your legal options. An attorney can also represent you going forward.
Understanding Fault for Car Accidents in Arizona
Determining fault for a car accident in Arizona is a bit different than it is in so-called no-fault states. In states like New York, accident victims file a claim with their own insurance company, and there is no need to prove who is at fault for an accident to recover compensation.
In Arizona, determining fault is essential to recovering compensation. Accident victims will typically file a claim against the driver or drivers they believe are responsible for the accident. A claim should include evidence that indicates the policyholder was at fault. In some situations, drivers will file claims against each other in an attempt to place the blame on the other party. Sometimes, this is simply a tactic to avoid taking responsibility, and lawyers need to get involved to determine who is really at fault.
Other times, drivers filing claims against each other is justified because multiple drivers played a part in causing an accident. Arizona state laws resolve this situation by using a principle known as comparative negligence. Under this principle, the amount of compensation an accident victim recovers depends on the percent to which they were at fault, as determined by a court of law.
For example, if you were found to be 10 percent responsible for causing an accident and you were awarded $100,000 in compensation, your compensation would be reduced by 10 percent, and you would only receive $90,000. Therefore, accident victims must build a strong case that they were not responsible for causing an accident and a strong case that others were completely at fault.
Inured in a Car Accident in Scottsdale? We’re Here to Help
At Gerber Injury Law, our team of attorneys has extensive experience when it comes to dealing with Arizona car accidents. Our lawyers have handled relatively minor accidents and fatal car accidents, involving surviving family members taking legal action against a negligent driver. Our attorneys are also capable of handling emerging areas of car accident law, including accidents involving rideshares and self-driving vehicle accidents. We are very familiar with the most dangerous roads in Scottsdale and how they cause drivers to get into an accident through no fault of their own.
If you have been in a car accident in Scottsdale and need assistance, please call 623-486-8300 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
