Tempe Motor Vehicle Accidents Lawyer

Most crashes in Tempe and Maricopa County happen because someone acted carelessly or didn’t take the safety of other drivers seriously. These negligent parties are often other drivers, but they can also include automakers, employers, parts manufacturers, or even government agencies. Some common causes of Tempe and Maricopa County motor vehicle collisions include:

• Distracted Driving – Drivers who are on their phones, snacking, applying makeup, daydreaming, or otherwise distracted often collide with other motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists. Likewise, Uber and Lyft drivers looking at their apps or GPS devices might miss potential dangers nearby.
• Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol, illegal drugs, and some prescription medications can slow a driver’s reaction time and impair their judgment, which makes a crash more likely.
• Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions – Drivers need longer distances to stop and have less time to react to emergencies when they speed or drive too fast in bad weather or heavy traffic. These risks make severe collisions more likely, and speeding also increases the force of a crash.
• Following Too Closely – Tailgating leaves little to no room to stop if the car ahead brakes suddenly. Rear-end collisions resulting from following too closely are common at intersections, on highways, and in heavy traffic.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – Drivers who blow through intersections without stopping risk causing catastrophic T-bone accidents.
• Aggressive Driving Behaviors – Weaving through traffic, cutting off other cars, brake-checking, and other forms of aggressive driving create dangerous situations that often end in multi-vehicle pileups.
• Fatigued Driving – Tired drivers, especially commercial truckers and overnight workers, may have slower reflexes or even fall asleep at the wheel. These risk factors make a potentially fatal collision much more likely.
• Defective Vehicle Parts – When critical components like a car’s brakes, tires, or steering systems fail, drivers can lose control without warning. Parts manufacturers and automakers may be liable if a defective part caused the crash.
• Improper Vehicle Maintenance – Commercial trucking companies, bus operators, and even regular drivers who skip essential maintenance can put unsafe vehicles on the road. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and engine problems often lead to preventable accidents.
• Dangerous Road Conditions – Potholes, faded lane markings, broken traffic lights, and missing signage make driving much more hazardous. Government agencies responsible for road maintenance can be liable if they fail to fix known dangers.
• Unsafe Roadway Designs – Poorly designed intersections, confusing signs, sharp curves, and inadequate lighting can contribute to severe accidents.
• Failure to Secure Loads – Commercial trucks carrying loose or poorly strapped cargo can spill debris onto highways, creating deadly hazards for everyone nearby. Trucking companies and cargo loaders may be liable for these accidents.