Arizona’s Deadliest Cities for Car Crashes: Where Tucson and Phoenix Rank Now

Two Arizona cities rank among the deadliest in the country for fatal car crashes. Here’s what the latest data shows, and what your legal options look like if you’ve already been involved in one.

Tucson has climbed to the 5th spot nationally for dangerous driving in the August 2025 Consumer Affairs index, with a fatal crash rate that puts it near the top of every per-capita ranking it appears on. Phoenix has held a long-running place on similar lists, and Mesa has appeared on at least one national index. The Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, released in July 2025, recorded 1,228 traffic deaths across the state. That’s more than three people losing their lives on Arizona roads every single day.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a serious crash in Phoenix, Tucson, or anywhere else in the state, the next steps you take in the first 30 days will shape what you can recover. Call My AZ Lawyers at 480-448-9800 for a free consultation.

“In September of 2024, I had the unfortunate experience of being involved in a car accident where a driver hit me while making an illegal left turn. I ended up with serious injuries, my Toyota Tacoma was badly damaged and didn’t know what to do or what legal steps to take next. Thankfully, I found My AZ Lawyers… my attorney Allison Briggs was absolutely amazing. She kept me informed every step of the way…”

– Orlando Bonilla, Google review, October 2025 ★★★★★

Which Arizona Cities Are On The Deadliest List?

Three Arizona cities have appeared on national fatal-crash rankings in recent years. The most-cited list, originally published by Forbes from a five-year study of motor vehicle fatality data, ranks U.S. cities by deaths per 100,000 residents (rather than raw counts) so population doesn’t distort the picture.

Top U.S. cities by fatal crash rate per 100,000 residents (Forbes, 5-year study):

Tucson scored 93.02 out of 100 in the underlying methodology, fourth-worst nationally for fatalities per 100,000, and tenth-worst for distracted-driving fatalities (1.1 per 100,000). Phoenix scored 80.65 out of 100, ranking tenth for speed-related fatalities (3.86 per 100,000) and eleventh both for total fatalities and total fatal crashes.

What’s Changed Since The Original Ranking?

The original Forbes data was the snapshot through 2023. Two years later, the picture has shifted in two directions at once.

Nationally, traffic deaths have been falling. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 2025 traffic fatalities dropped roughly 6.7% to about 36,640 deaths, the second-lowest national fatality rate in recorded history.

In Arizona, the 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report (released July 2025) recorded 1,228 deaths and 1,117 fatal crashes statewide. That’s a 6.12% drop from 2023 (1,308 deaths) and the second consecutive year of declines. Total crashes statewide came in at 121,107.

A January 2026 broadcast on Phoenix’s Vision Zero program reports the city recorded 278 traffic deaths in 2024, down from 307 the prior year, after $10 million in annual safety investments and a 13% reduction in serious-injury crashes from baseline.

But Tucson’s per-capita risk has gotten worse, not better. An August 2025 Consumer Affairs analysis ranks Tucson as the 5th most dangerous driving city in the United States, up one spot from 2024. The same analysis ranks Tucson 5th nationally for cyclists and 7th nationally for pedestrians. The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting confirmed the ranking in a September 2025 fact brief.

2024 ADOT crash data by Arizona city:

$20.89 billion is the total economic cost of motor vehicle crashes to Arizona in 2024, according to ADOT. That figure includes medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the value-of-statistical-life calculations federal agencies use to measure systemic harm.

Why Are Tucson And Phoenix So Dangerous To Drive In?

Different cities, different problems.

The Tucson Per-Capita Problem

Tucson’s wide arterial roadways, warm year-round driving conditions, and limited safe pedestrian infrastructure all push the per-capita rate up. The Consumer Affairs 2025 analysis identifies elevated speed-related deaths and impaired-driving fatalities as the primary contributors. The Pima County Medical Examiner has reported that a majority of pedestrian fatalities involved intoxicated pedestrians, which compounds the city’s overall fatality rate.

The most dangerous Tucson intersections, per Tucson Police Department data, include Valencia/Nogales, Golf Links/Swan, Grand/Alvernon, and Golf Links/Craycroft.

The Phoenix Volume Problem

Phoenix has the per-capita rate of a top-15 city, but it’s the absolute volume that overwhelms. In 2024 Phoenix logged 37,472 crashes and 265 fatal crashes. At the county level, Maricopa County recorded 88,094 total crashes and 560 fatal crashes, by far the largest crash burden of any Arizona county.

Phoenix adopted Vision Zero in 2022, with a goal of eliminating all traffic deaths by 2050. The city has invested $10 million annually in dangerous-intersection improvements, lighting, and pedestrian infrastructure. Early results: a 13% reduction in killed-or-serious-injury crashes from the program’s baseline. Phoenix is also rolling out 17 new photo enforcement cameras (9 corridor + 8 school zone) starting February 2026.

What Are Arizona Cities Doing About It?

Beyond Vision Zero in Phoenix, Tucson voters approved Proposition 411, which is funding the Tucson Delivers Safe Streets program at roughly $150 million over a 10-year period for High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk signals, pedestrian refuge islands, lighting, and traffic-calming. Tempe has run its own Vision Zero program since 2019.

Maricopa County’s most dangerous intersections cluster on the same corridors year over year, and knowing them helps Valley drivers reduce their own risk.

What Damages Can You Recover After A Fatal Arizona Crash?

If you or a family member has been seriously hurt or killed in a traffic crash, Arizona law lets you pursue several categories of damages from the at-fault party. You typically get one shot to recover, so the initial demand has to include everything. A personal injury lawyer who’s handled Phoenix and Tucson cases can tell you which categories apply to your situation and what those numbers should look like. The consultation is free, and you can talk through your case with us at 480-448-9800 before deciding whether to file.

The damages most often pursued in Arizona car accident claims include:

• Medical bills. Past medical costs and projected future care are both recoverable. The deadline to file is short (2 years from the date of the crash under A.R.S. § 12-542, and only 180 days if the at-fault driver was working for a city, county, or state agency under A.R.S. § 12-821.01). Serious injuries often need years of treatment, so future medical projections from treating physicians become central to the claim. Soft-tissue injuries that seem minor at the scene can develop into long-term care needs that show up months later.
• Lost wages. Time missed from work after a crash is recoverable, and so are lost future earnings, including promotions, raises, and career trajectory the victim won’t reach because of long-term injuries. Projecting future wage loss accurately requires economic analysis and treating-physician input. The dollar amount varies enormously by profession.
• Disability or disfigurement. Scarring, amputation, and other temporary or permanent physical changes are their own damages category in Arizona. The amounts can be substantial, but they need to be supported by evidence: medical records, treating-physician testimony, and sometimes expert life-care planning.
• Loss of consortium. When a serious injury affects a spouse or family member’s daily function, the household also incurs costs (childcare, housekeeping, lost intimacy and companionship). These are recoverable separately, particularly in serious-injury cases.
• Wrongful death. When a crash victim doesn’t survive, specific family members can pursue a wrongful death claim under A.R.S. § 12-612. The plaintiff hierarchy is set by statute (typically the surviving spouse, children, or parents). Insurance carriers defend wrongful death claims aggressively because the values are large. Talk to a lawyer before initiating one.

For deeper detail on each category, see Arizona personal injury damages categories and medical liens in Arizona personal injury claims.

⚠️ Critical 180-day deadline if the other driver was on government duty

If the driver who hit you was operating a city bus, a county utility truck, an Arizona Department of Public Safety patrol vehicle, or any other government-owned or operated vehicle, the regular 2-year deadline doesn’t apply. A.R.S. § 12-821.01 requires a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days from the date of the crash. The notice has to identify the specific dollar amount you’d settle for, with facts and calculations supporting that number. If 60 days pass with no response, or the agency denies the claim, you then have a 1-year deadline to file suit (not 2 years) under A.R.S. § 12-821.

Get this wrong, and the case is over. Talk to a lawyer fast if there’s any chance the at-fault driver was on government time.

Pure Comparative Fault In Arizona

A common worry: “I was partly at fault, so I can’t recover.” That’s not how Arizona works. Under A.R.S. § 12-2505, Arizona uses pure comparative fault, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were mostly to blame. If a jury finds your damages are $100,000 and assigns you 30% of the fault, you collect $70,000. Even at 80% fault, you can still recover 20%. Most crash victims have a viable claim, even when an adjuster initially says otherwise.

The 2-Year Clock And Its Exceptions

The standard deadline to sue after an Arizona crash is 2 years from the date of injury, set by A.R.S. § 12-542. Two important exceptions:

1. Minors. If the injured person is under 18, the clock doesn’t start until their 18th birthday under A.R.S. § 12-502. A minor injured at age 12 still has until age 20 to file.
2. Discovery rule. In rare cases where an injury was genuinely undetectable at the time of the crash, the clock can be tolled until the injury is discovered. This is narrow. Talk to a lawyer if you think it might apply.

The 180-day government-claim rule is its own separate deadline, not an exception to the 2-year rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Arizona cities rank as the deadliest for car crashes?

Three Arizona cities have appeared on national fatal-crash rankings in recent years. Tucson is currently the most dangerous in the state on a per-capita basis, ranked 5th nationally in the August 2025 Consumer Affairs index for dangerous driving. Phoenix has historically held a top-15 spot for fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, and Mesa ranked 23rd on an earlier Forbes list.

Why is Tucson’s per-capita fatal crash rate so high?

Tucson’s wide arterial roadways, warmer year-round driving conditions, and limited safe pedestrian infrastructure all contribute. The Consumer Affairs 2025 analysis points to elevated speed-related deaths and impaired-driving fatalities as the primary drivers. The Pima County Medical Examiner has also reported that a majority of pedestrian fatalities involved intoxicated pedestrians, which compounds the city’s overall fatality rate.

How many people died in Arizona car crashes in 2024?

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, 1,228 people died on Arizona roads in 2024, down from 1,308 in 2023. That works out to more than three deaths per day. Total crashes for the year reached 121,107, and an additional 54,426 people were injured.

Is Arizona a fault or no-fault state for car accidents?

Arizona is an at-fault state. The driver responsible for causing the collision is legally liable for the resulting damages. All Arizona motorists must carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage under A.R.S. § 28-4009. These minimums are often inadequate for serious injury cases, which is why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage matter.

What is the deadline to file a car accident claim in Arizona?

Most car accident claims must be filed within 2 years from the date of the crash under A.R.S. § 12-542. There are exceptions. If the injured person is under 18, the clock doesn’t start until their 18th birthday, per A.R.S. § 12-502. If the at-fault party is a government entity or employee (a city bus, a state vehicle, a county truck), you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01. Missing that 180-day window typically ends the case before it starts.

What if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Arizona uses pure comparative fault. You can still recover damages even if you were mostly to blame. If a jury finds your total damages are $100,000 and assigns you 30% of the fault, you collect $70,000. Even at 80% fault, you can still recover 20% of your damages. This rule means most crash victims have a viable claim, including in scenarios where insurance adjusters initially deny liability.

Do I have to call the police after a minor crash in Arizona?

Arizona law requires a police report any time a crash causes injury, death, or property damage exceeding a statutory threshold. Even when injuries seem minor, a formal report creates an evidence record that adjusters and lawyers depend on. Many soft-tissue injuries don’t show symptoms for days. A police report taken at the scene is much harder to dispute later than a delayed self-report.

Where do most fatal crashes happen in Arizona?

Maricopa County accounts for the largest share of total crashes, with about 88,094 collisions and 560 fatal crashes in 2024. Pima County (Tucson) recorded 8,867 total crashes and 168 fatal crashes. Per-capita, rural Arizona corridors are deadlier than urban ones because of higher speeds and longer emergency response times. Inside cities, Friday is consistently the most dangerous day of the week, and the 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. hour produces the most fatal crashes.

How much does it cost to hire an Arizona personal injury lawyer?

Most Arizona personal injury attorneys, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you. The fee is a set percentage of the settlement or verdict, agreed in writing before representation begins. Initial consultations are free, and there are no upfront costs to start a case. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.

What’s the difference between a personal injury claim and a wrongful death claim in Arizona?

A personal injury claim is brought by the injured person to recover their own damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future losses). A wrongful death claim is brought after a victim dies, by a specific group of family members defined under A.R.S. § 12-612 (typically the surviving spouse, children, or parents, in that order). Wrongful death claims also have a 2-year deadline, and the damages categories include the family’s lost financial support, loss of companionship, and the deceased’s pre-death pain and suffering.

“I was in a life-changing accident a couple months ago. It wasn’t my fault. My life changed all of a sudden and unexpectedly… My AZ Lawyers helped me get everything I deserved in my settlement. They diligently worked to get my bills reduced and I believe got me more than another firm could have.”

– Stuart Simonds, Google review, September 2019 ★★★★★

Hurt In A Crash In Phoenix Or Tucson? Here’s How To Start.

Two Arizona cities are on the worst-of national lists for fatal crashes. The numbers are sobering, but the practical question after a wreck isn’t statistical, it’s procedural. Did the police take a report? Are you getting the right medical workup? Has an adjuster already called with a lowball offer? Is the 180-day government claim clock running because the other driver was on the job?

A free consultation with our Arizona personal injury team will tell you where you actually stand. We work on contingency, so you don’t pay us until we recover for you. There’s no risk to having your case looked at.

• Mesa (main): 480-448-9800
• Phoenix: 602-609-7000
• Tucson: 520-441-1450

Schedule your free consultation.

MY AZ LAWYERS
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.myazlawyers.com

Mesa Location
1731 West Baseline Rd., Suite #100
Mesa, AZ 85202
Office: 480-448-9800

Phoenix Location
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Phoenix, AZ 85003
Office: 602-609-7000

Glendale Location
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Glendale, AZ 85308
Office: 602-509-0955

Tucson Location
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Tucson, AZ 85701
Office: 520-441-1450

Avondale Location
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Avondale, AZ 85392
Office: 623-469-6603