Intersections are some of the most common spots for car accidents in Arizona, as drivers heading in different directions all converge, often with dangerous results. Whether it’s a driver running a red light, failing to yield, or simply not paying attention, these crashes can leave victims with serious injuries and costly damages. If you’ve been hurt in an intersection accident, understanding what caused the crash, who’s responsible, and how to pursue compensation can make all the difference — and that’s exactly what we’ll cover in this guide.
What Is An Intersection Accident
An intersection accident happens when two or more vehicles collide at a point where roads cross or meet, such as a four-way stop, traffic light, or merging lane. These crashes often involve drivers traveling in different directions, turning across lanes, or entering the intersection at the same time, creating a high risk for side-impact, rear-end, and head-on collisions. Because intersections force vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians to share the same space, a single mistake, like misjudging speed or failing to notice another vehicle, can quickly lead to a dangerous crash.
How Common and Dangerous Are Intersection Accidents
Nationwide, more than 12,000 traffic fatalities in 2022 were linked to intersection-related crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of those, over 7,800 occurred at unsignalized intersections, where confusion over right-of-way, missing signage, and driver hesitation often leads to deadly collisions.
Arizona is no exception when it comes to the high risk of intersection crashes. In Arizona, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) documented 122,247 total crashes including the ones at intersections in 2023, with 1,307 resulting in fatalities. These accidents happen not only in heavily trafficked areas like Phoenix and Tucson, but also at rural crossroads across the state, where limited visibility and the false assumption that the road is clear create just as much danger.
T-bone and left-turn collisions, two of the most common crash types at intersections, strike directly at a vehicle’s weakest points, leaving drivers and passengers at high risk for severe injuries like broken bones, spinal trauma, and internal organ damage. Let’s take a look at where these accidents happen most often in Phoenix.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Phoenix as of 2025
Based on crash data from 2018 to 2022, these are some of the most dangerous intersections in Phoenix, ranked by crash risk:
- 67th Avenue & McDowell Road – 229 crashes. Located near high-traffic residential and commercial zones, this intersection sees heavy congestion, frequent speeding, and sudden lane changes, contributing to rear-end collisions and dangerous left turns.
- 57th Avenue & Camelback Road – 108 crashes. Major east-west commuter route with heavy morning and evening traffic, combining high speeds with frequent turning traffic from shopping centers and side streets.
- 19th Avenue & Peoria Avenue – 105 crashes. This area has multiple shopping plazas, bus stops, and pedestrian crossings, creating a high mix of turning vehicles, pedestrians, and drivers rushing to beat changing lights.
- 67th Avenue & Thomas Road – 128 crashes. Wide, multi-lane intersection with frequent left-turn conflicts and drivers misjudging oncoming traffic, leading to T-bone and side-impact crashes.
- 67th Avenue & Indian School Road – 167 crashes. One of Phoenix’s most consistently busy corridors, this intersection experiences constant stop-and-go traffic, frequent pedestrian crossings, and high rates of red-light running.
With five of the deadliest intersections in the Western U.S. located in Maricopa County, it’s clear that drivers across Phoenix face heightened risks at both busy urban crossings and suburban intersections where speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield often lead to serious crashes. But these are not the only causes of intersection incidents.
What Causes Most Intersection Accidents in Arizona?
Most intersection accidents in Arizona occur because drivers misjudge their available time, space, or right-of-way, or they disregard traffic rules entirely. As we’ve mentioned, NHTSA reported over 12,000 intersection-related fatalities in 2022, with more than 7,800 occurring at unsignalized intersections where drivers often misinterpret right-of-way or overlook signage.
Based on the nationwide and state statistics, common causes of intersection crashes in Arizona include:
- Running red lights or stop signs: This behavior remains a leading cause of fatal intersection crashes in Arizona, particularly in heavily trafficked areas like Phoenix and Tucson.
- Unsafe left turns: Misjudging the speed of oncoming vehicles or turning without a clear view contributes significantly to side-impact collisions, especially at intersections lacking dedicated turn signals.
- Failing to yield: Ignoring yield signs or merging improperly into traffic often leads to severe collisions, notably at uncontrolled intersections or those with complex layouts.
- Distracted driving: Engaging in activities such as texting or adjusting in-car systems diverts attention from the road, leading to missed signals and increased accident risk.
- Speeding through intersections: Exceeding speed limits reduces reaction time, making it challenging to avoid collisions when unexpected vehicles or pedestrians enter the intersection.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug impairment slow reaction times and impair judgment, contributing to the high severity of intersection crashes, especially during the nighttime.
- Blocked views or poor visibility: Obstructions like parked vehicles, large trucks, or inadequate lighting can obscure drivers’ views, leading to hazardous turns and preventable accidents.
Each of these causes stems from driver choices that can have immediate and life-altering consequences. If another driver’s reckless decision at an intersection has caused you harm, you shouldn’t have to bear the resulting financial and physical burdens alone.
Types of Intersection Accidents in Arizona
Intersection accidents in Arizona often lead to severe injuries, largely because of the types of collisions these crashes create.
- T-bone collisions: Especially from drivers running red lights or making unsafe left turns, tend to hit the side of a vehicle, an area with far less protection than the front or rear. These side-impact crashes frequently cause broken ribs, internal organ damage, head injuries, and spinal trauma.
- Rear-end collisions: Often caused by drivers speeding or failing to yield, can leave victims with whiplash, herniated discs, and long-term neck and back pain.
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck in crosswalks: Often by distracted or speeding drivers, face even greater risk, with traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and life-altering mobility issues being all too common.
Intersection crashes aren’t minor fender benders, they often leave victims with serious injuries that require extensive treatment, ongoing therapy, and financial resources. If you’ve been injured at an Arizona intersection, sorting out liability and proving who caused the crash often takes a thorough investigation — something an experienced legal team can handle while you focus on recovery.
Who’s Liable in Arizona Intersection Accidents?
Liability in Arizona intersection accidents depends heavily on your role — whether you were a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist — and how the crash unfolded. In many cases, liability doesn’t stop with the driver who hit you. Compensation can come from their insurance, their employer’s coverage, or even third parties whose actions contributed to the crash.
- The at-fault driver — The at-fault driver’s auto insurance is usually the first source of compensation, covering medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. However, Arizona’s minimum required coverage — $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident — is often far too low to cover serious injuries.
- Employers —If the at-fault driver was working at the time, their employer’s commercial insurance could provide higher coverage limits, especially for delivery drivers or company vehicles.
- Government entities — If poor intersection design, missing signage, malfunctioning traffic lights, or blocked sightlines played a role, you may have a claim against the city, county, or state responsible for maintaining the roadway.
- Vehicle manufacturers —In some cases, vehicle manufacturers or repair shops can be liable if a mechanical defect or faulty repair contributed to the crash, with compensation coming from product liability or general liability insurance.
- Third-party drivers — Sometimes a driver not directly involved in the collision, like someone cutting off another vehicle or forcing an unsafe turn, can still share liability if their actions triggered the crash.
Identifying all potentially liable parties’ matters, especially when serious injuries require compensation beyond a single driver’s insurance limits. A thorough investigation, including reviewing traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements, can uncover every avenue for recovery.
Compensation in Intersection Accidents in Arizona Laws
Arizona law sets clear expectations for how drivers should approach and move through intersections, and violating those rules often plays a direct role in liability after a crash.
Drivers must yield the right-of-way when turning left across traffic, stop fully at red lights and stop signs, and exercise extra caution at uncontrolled intersections, especially in rural areas where signage may be limited.
Arizona Revised Statutes §28-645 governs obedience to traffic control devices, while §28-771 outlines right-of-way rules for left turns at intersections. These laws don’t just guide safe driving — they become critical tools when determining fault after a crash. If a driver disregarded a traffic signal, failed to yield, or sped through a yellow light and caused a collision, their violation serves as powerful evidence of negligence.
Arizona also follows a comparative negligence system, which allows you to recover compensation even if you share part of the blame, but your total recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault. Building a strong claim means gathering every piece of evidence that shows the other party’s violation directly led to your injuries, from intersection camera footage to detailed accident reconstructions.
Preventing Intersection Accidents in Arizona
Preventing intersection accidents in Arizona starts with staying alert, slowing down, and making smart decisions every time you approach a crossing — whether it’s a traffic light in downtown Tucson or a rural four-way stop. At regulated intersections, clear right-of-way rules exist, but crashes still happen when drivers rush, misjudge gaps, or assume others will yield.
At unregulated intersections, where no signs or signals guide the way, right-of-way laws still apply, but drivers need to take extra care. Always approach slowly, make eye contact with other drivers when possible, and never assume the other vehicle will stop. If you’re unsure how these rules work, we’ve covered them in our detailed guide to Arizona’s four-way stop and unregulated intersection rules.
No matter the intersection, giving yourself extra time, double-checking for pedestrians and cyclists, and treating every crossing as a potential hazard can lower your risk and help keep you, your passengers, and everyone around you safe.
But what to do in case the accident has already happened?
What To Do After Intersection Accidents
What you do in the minutes, hours, and days after an intersection accident in Arizona can shape both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation.
First, get medical attention — even if your injuries seem minor, because internal injuries and whiplash often surface later. If you’re able to, gather evidence at the scene — photos of vehicle damage, the intersection itself, traffic signals, skid marks, and anything that helps capture how the crash happened. Get contact information from witnesses and request a copy of the police report once it’s available. Avoid discussing fault with the other driver or their insurance company before you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Intersection accidents often trigger disputes over right-of-way and traffic violations, so protecting your version of events, backed by clear evidence and legal guidance, gives you the strongest chance at recovering the full compensation you deserve.
Our Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers’ Role in Your Accident Case
When you’ve been injured in an intersection accident, our role goes far beyond filing a claim — we take on the heavy lifting so you can focus on recovering.
From the very start, our Phoenix car accident lawyers investigate every angle of your crash, gathering traffic camera footage, analyzing the scene, speaking with witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts if needed. We know how Arizona’s right-of-way laws, traffic control statutes, and comparative negligence rules apply to your case, and we use them to push back when insurers try to shift blame onto you.
Our job also includes calculating the full value of your losses — not just your immediate bills, but future medical care, lost earning potential, and the personal toll this crash has taken on your life. Whether it’s through aggressive negotiations or taking your case to court, we fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve and make sure your voice is heard every step of the way.