Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As Arizona car accident lawyers, we believe it is a good idea to have laws that limit drivers’ cell phone use, especially if those drivers are teens. That’s because we see a lot of crashes caused by drivers who are distracted by their cell phones. These crashes can be serious and even deadly.

According to Fox 10, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Arizona lawmakers are teaming up to create a bill that would limit teens’ use of cell phones while driving. They would be banned from texting as well as using their phones at all while driving. It would affect drivers with learners’ permits as well as those within a six month period after receiving a license. This could help reduce the number of accidents in the state.

Causes of Arizona Car Accidents

Many Arizona car accidents are caused by drivers who are distracted by their cell phones, even if they are not texting. Many drivers look down at their phones either to dial a number or to answer an incoming call, and that’s when accidents can happen. Rear-end collisions are highly likely as are failure to yield collisions.

Arizona Car Accident Statistics

According to the report in Fox 10, more than 60 percent of teens admit to talking on their phones while driving. Fifty percent make calls while driving, and 40 percent text while driving. In 2010, there were 19 teenage drivers between the ages of 15-19 years who were killed in Arizona car accidents, according to a study published by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). There were another 3,078 injured in the same age group.

Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Attorney

If you were injured in an Arizona car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an experienced Phoenix cell phone accident attorney. The Husband and Wife Law Team investigates each case to determine whether the driver who caused the accident was using a cell phone or was distracted or impaired at the time of the collision. We gather facts to use against that at-fault driver in order to recover compensation for our clients. Contact us at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. today for your complimentary consultation.

As Arizona personal injury attorneys, we want to make sure motorists look out for runners participating in marathons. Drivers should remember to slow down whenever they see pedestrians and runners, and be aware when driving through busy pedestrian areas and during times when marathons or other organized runs are in progress.

Watch Out and Avoid Scottsdale Pedestrian Accidents

Motorists can avoid Scottsdale pedestrian accidents by slowing down and watching for pedestrians near where marathons are taking place. Be aware as you drive through the area, and consider taking alternate routes. Usually, you can search online or in the newspaper for more information on areas where marathons are taking place.

Scottsdale Pedestrian Accident Law

According to ARS 28-794, drivers should exercise due care to avoid pedestrian accidents. This includes honking the horn when necessary to warn pedestrians of your approach, as well as exercising proper precaution when a child or confused and/or incapacitated adult is on the roadway. Also, according to ARS 28-792, drivers shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the road within a crosswalk.

Scottsdale Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to City-Data.com, there were two fatal Scottsdale pedestrian accidents in 2009. There were 155 fatal pedestrian accidents in Arizona in 2010, and 1,236 pedestrians were injured. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), more than 10 percent of pedestrian accidents in Arizona resulted in a fatality.

Contact a Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorney

Our law team represents victims who are injured in pedestrian accidents. We investigate the place where the accident occurred and collect evidence to use against the at-fault driver. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. then works to obtain large settlements for their clients that help cover medical expenses and more. Contact us today if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident and we will answer all your questions in a free consultation.

The law team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. was sorry to hear that two people were injured on Dynamite Road on December 7 at 1:30 a.m., according to a news report from AZ Central. Two people inside the car who were not wearing seatbelts were injured when the car went out of control and drove into the desert on the south of the road. One person suffered life-threatening head trauma while the other had minor injuries. Under Arizona law, not wearing a seatbelt does not mean that you automatically do not have a personal injury claim. We have helped many people who have been injured and were not wearing their seatbelts. If another driver is at fault, you may still have a valid injury claim despite not wearing a seatbelt.

Scottsdale Car Accident Statistics

Seven people died in fatal Scottsdale car accidents in 2009, according to City-Data.com. Drunk drivers caused four of these accidents. In Arizona, 223 people were killed in fatal car accidents due to drunk drivers in 2010. Drunk drivers caused 5,489 car accidents. While the cost of lives lost is the highest cost of all, the state also faced a $416,311,470 economic loss because of drunk drivers.

Contact a Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorney When A Drunk Driver Hits You

An experienced Scottsdale auto accident attorney knows how important it is to collect evidence in any Scottsdale car accident. The Husband and Wife Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. uses the information about the car accident to hold the at-fault driver responsible for paying the car accident victim’s medical expenses, future lost wages, and more. Contact the team at Breyer Law Offfices, P.C. today for a free consultation.

As Payson personal injury lawyers, we were surprised to hear that the city has an accident rate nearly five times higher than that of Prescott, which is much larger than Payson. There have been several serious accidents, minor accidents, and even close calls in the city, and while officers say it is usually motorists who are to blame, bicyclists must remember that they must obey traffic signs too, according to the Payson Roundup. Other accidents are caused because of Payson’s narrow streets and lack of bike lanes. In fact, most collisions occur on streets that lack shoulders or lanes for bicyclists, according to the report.

Payson Bicycle Accident Statistics

Payson bicycle accidents make up 3.62 percent of the state total for 2010, which is 1,089. Compared to other communities, this is very high. For example, Prescott comprised .8 percent of the total, Sedona 2 percent, and Pinetop .54 percent. The most common cause of bike accidents, according to the news report, is when motorists fail to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist at an intersection.

Payson Bicycle Accident Safety

According to the news report, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) released several tips to help bicyclists stay safer. Here they are:

• Always wear a helmet;
• Signal your intentions, such as a turn;
• Stay alert;
• Ride with traffic and stay out of drivers’ blind spots;
• Ride away from the curb to avoid car doors opening or other unexpected occurrences;
• Make sure your bicycle is in good working condition with tires inflated fully;
• Wear light colored or reflective clothing; and
• Bicyclists must obey the same traffic signals and laws as motorists.

Contact an Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney

An experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney can investigate cases to determine exactly who was at-fault for a bicyclist’s injuries. Oftentimes, it is the motorist who is at-fault for failing to yield the right-of-way. When this happens, bicyclists often face serious and life-threatening injuries. They deserve the best possible representation and lawyers who will work to obtain settlements to pay for their expenses. The Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. has obtained large settlements for many bicycle accident victims. Contact us today for a free consultation.

As Tucson car accident lawyers, we were shocked to hear about a 92 percent increase in pedestrian deaths in 2011, according to a news report published in Fox 10. There were 25 fatal Tucson pedestrian accidents in 2011, a jump from the year before when there were only 13. The city decided to put together a task force to figure out exactly what is going wrong. The force includes police, fire officials, transportation officials and representatives from the parks and recreation departments. They will focus on learning why there is an increase and what they can do about it, including making pedestrian transportation improvements, increasing education and enforcing laws.

Tucson Car Accident Statistics

There were more than 9,700 Tucson car accidents in 2010, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Pedestrian deaths in the state totaled 155 and the total of injured pedestrians was 1,236. Ten pedestrians were killed in Tucson in 2009, 13 were killed in 2010, and 25 were killed in 2011.

Tucson Pedestrian Laws

According to ARS 28-791, pedestrians are subject to the same traffic rules as drivers.
ARS 28-792 gives pedestrians the right-of-way at crosswalks. ARS 28-793 details the specifics of crossing outside of crosswalks. ARS 28-794 states that drivers must exercise caution to avoid hitting any pedestrian in the roadway, whether they are in a crosswalk or not. ARS 28-795 tells pedestrians they must use the right half of the crosswalk.

Contact a Tucson Personal Injury Attorney

Tucson pedestrian accidents are often serious and sometimes deadly. People hurt in these accidents deserve representation by the best and most experienced Tucson pedestrian accident attorneys. The Husband and Wife Law Team represent accident victims and their families and work to obtain settlements on their behalf. Contact us today at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation.

As AZ fatal car accident lawyers, we were saddened to learn about the death of one 75-year-old woman during a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 19 on January 3, according to News 13. The accident occurred near Milepost 1 at about 3:24 p.m. The driver of the second vehicle was injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to the families of both people and we wish the injured driver a quick and full recovery.

Causes of This Nogales Car Accident

Police are still unsure of exactly what caused this Nogales car accident. In incidents like this, we often see drivers who were driving while distracted, causing them to swerve into another lane and sideswipe another vehicle. We also see crashes caused by tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and drunk driving.

Nogales Car Accident Statistics

There were 342 Nogales car accidents in 2010, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). These crashes resulted in zero deaths and 121 injuries. This appears to be the first fatal crash in Nogales in 2012. Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 18 incidents in 2010, leaving 16 people injured. In Arizona, speeding caused nearly 34,000 accidents, following too closely caused 5,520 crashes, and unsafe lane changes accounted for almost 6,000 accidents. Failure to keep in the proper lane caused 3,067 collisions, while inattention and distracted driving caused 12,026 incidents.

Contact a Nogales Car Accident Lawyer

As car accident lawyers, we know how important it is to begin investigating your case right away. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. studies the accident scene, talks to police, and interviews witnesses to determine exactly what happened. We support the families of victims who are killed in crashes and we work one-on-one with individuals injured in collisions. We understand how important client communication is while at the same time giving our clients the legal representation that they deserve. For a free consultation, call us today.

As car accident lawyers in Arizona, we think it is very important for cities to keep up with necessary road maintenance. The city of Fountain Hills planned maintenance for the Fountain Hills area, but residents rejected the $29.6 million bond proposal, according to news reports published in AZ Central. The city will now only fill potholes while other solutions are found to make greater improvements. Saguaro Boulevard was at the heart of the proposal, accommodating nearly 20,000 vehicles every day. Improvements could lead to safer roads that are free of cracks, potholes, narrow lanes and other potentially hazardous conditions.

Fountain Hills Car Accident Statistics

There were 97 Fountain Hills car accidents in 2010, which resulted in one death and 46 injuries, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Thousands of accidents in 2010 in Arizona resulted from poor road conditions, like those that Fountain Hills is experiencing.

Tips to Avoid Fountain Hills Car Accidents

As Fountain Hills car accident lawyers, we know how important it is to make sure roads are in good condition. To limit your chances of being involved in an accident, drive slowly on roads that are in poor condition. Avoid potholes, but don’t swerve out of your lane to do it. Obey all traffic and safety rules, and always wear a seatbelt. If you know a road is in poor condition, consider taking an alternate route.

Contact a Fountain Hills Personal Injury Attorney

As Fountain Hills personal injury attorneys, we know that hazardous roadway conditions can result in crashes that lead to injury or death even for the safest of drivers, and they can also severely damage cars. The costs associated with these injury claims can be very high. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. investigates any Fountain Hills car accidents to determine who was at fault, whether it be another driver, the government entity responsible for road upkeep, or other parties, and we obtain monetary settlements for our clients from those responsible parties. Contact us for a free consultation today.

As Tempe auto accident attorneys, we would like to remind drivers that during busy festival times, walking the streets can be more dangerous due to streets being congested with more traffic. When there are busy festivals and events, stay close to the event area and do not go outside the event barricades, otherwise you run the risk of being hit by a driver. Many people at these festivals are prone to drinking and driving as well. Remember that there are cabs available as well as a free tow from the American Automobile Association (AAA) for drivers who find themselves stranded because they have had too much to drink. AAA is available if you call (800) AAA-HELP.

Arizona Pedestrian Accidents Happen Frequently

As accident lawyers in Tempe who help Arizona pedestrian accident victims, we want to remind those who do drive to be aware of pedestrians at all times, slow down in areas near events and festivals, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pedestrians should obey all traffic and safety rules, including crossing at designated crosswalks, waiting for traffic lights to indicate it is OK to walk, and remaining aware of drivers and oncoming cars at all times. Pedestrians who are consuming alcohol should walk with someone who is sober. Still, if a drunk driver hurts a pedestrian, it will typically not matter if the pedestrian is in the crosswalk.

Tempe Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were four pedestrians killed in Tempe pedestrian accidents in 2009, according to City-Data.com. In Arizona in 2010, there were nine fatal crashes during New Year’s, resulting in 10 people killed. There were three alcohol-related crashes, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

Contact a Tempe Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

As pedestrian accident lawyers, we know that even when everyone obeys all traffic and safety laws, accidents can still happen. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. represents victims injured in accidents in Tempe. We act as their advocates, working to make sure they receive the best possible medical care, as well as money for their accident-related expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation.

As Tucson car accident attorneys, we were shocked to hear that a car that was rear-ended immediately ignited because of the 500 rounds of ammunition inside the trunk, according to a news report in the Tucson Citizen. The car accident occurred near the Bethany Home Road exit on Interstate 17 Thursday afternoon, December 15, 2011. One person was injured and transported to an area hospital.

Causes of this Tucson Car Accident

As Tucson car accident lawyers, we know that rear-end car accidents are often caused by drivers who are following too closely to the car in front of them. It is likely that the second driver was tailgating the first, which is especially dangerous when traveling on the freeway at high speeds.

Tucson Car Accident Law

According to ARS 28-730, drivers should not follow vehicles in front of them too closely. The law states specifically that they should not follow more closely than is “reasonable and prudent” and should consider the speed they are traveling, in addition to the traffic around them.

Tucson Car Accident Statistics

There were 32 fatal car accidents in Tucson in 2009 that resulted in 35 fatalities, according to City-Data.com. Rear-end car accidents in the entire state of Arizona totaled 40,371 in 2010, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and resulted in 54 deaths and 12,058 injuries. Common injuries associated with rear-end car accidents include back and neck injuries.

Contact a Tucson Car Accident Injury Attorney

An experienced Tucson car accident injury attorney is able to investigate this accident more closely. Many times, the people who are involved in an accident such as this one will have emotional injuries as well as physical ones. After an accident, many people find it difficult to drive or ride in a vehicle again. The Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. work to obtain settlements from the at-fault drivers that cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, future damages, and more. Contact us today for a free consultation.

As Phoenix pedestrian accident attorneys, we were saddened to hear that an 84-year-old man was recently killed after being hit by two cars, one of them driven by a drunk driver. According to a news report in the Tucson Citizen, the man was carrying groceries while crossing 19th Avenue at Sunnyside Drive at 6:30 p.m. on December 14. He was hit and knocked to the ground by one car, driven by the drunk driver, and then run over by another driver. He was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the man’s family.

Causes of This Phoenix Pedestrian Accident

According to police, the first driver who hit the man may have been impaired. The man was crossing at a designated crosswalk. The second car, driven by a 57-year-old woman, hit him while he was on the ground. Both drivers remained at the scene.

Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were 589 Phoenix pedestrian accidents in 2008 and 525 in 2009, according to AZ Central. More than 35 deaths occurred as a direct result of the pedestrian accidents both years. Phoenix fatal pedestrian accidents accounted for more than 26.3% of the city’s traffic-related deaths in 2009.

Contact a Phoenix Wrongful Death Attorney

The family of this accident victim deserves an experienced and knowledgeable Phoenix wrongful death attorney to investigate this case and represent them to obtain a settlement from the at-fault drivers. Victims’ families may also be able to file for punitive damages in the event that a drunk driver was involved. Contact the Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation.

As Mesa car accident attorneys, we were happy to hear that Forbes rated Mesa 7th in the nation for safety. These statistics were based on violent crime as well as fatal traffic accident statistics, according to a news report on Fox 10. According to the report, Mesa is Arizona’s third largest city and 38th largest in the nation. While the report doesn’t attribute the low number of fatal car accidents to any one thing, it is likely that safe roads, good lighting, and consistent police monitoring play a role. We want to commend Mesa for this distinction.

Mesa Car Accident Statistics

In 2010, Mesa saw more than 6,130 car accidents, 23 of them fatal. Phoenix had the highest number of fatal car accidents with 134. Glendale was close behind Mesa with 19. Drunk drivers caused 294 car accidents in Mesa in 2010, which was lower than Phoenix at 1,457 and Tempe at 331. Glendale and Chandler were right behind in the number of alcohol-related car accidents with 220 and 193, respectively.

Avoid Mesa Car Accidents: Tips to Stay Safe

Drivers can work to avoid Mesa car accidents by following these tips:

• Obey all traffic and safety rules
• Never drive while impaired, intoxicated, drowsy, or distracted
• Always make sure your vehicle is in good working condition
• Remain aware of other drivers at all times
• Look carefully for pedestrians before driving across a crosswalk
• Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left

Contact a Mesa Auto Accident Injury Attorney

As Mesa auto accident injury attorneys, we know that car accidents can happen even when drivers obey all traffic rules and safety tips. That’s where we come in. The Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. represent victims and make sure they receive excellent medical care. Medical expenses, however, can be extremely high, so we hold the at-fault party responsible for your bills. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn your legal rights when you are injured by another party.

As Flagstaff car accident attorneys, we know that drowsy drivers are often as dangerous as impaired drivers. On December 8, 2011, a drowsy driver drove his GMC pickup truck into a semi-truck hauling a flat-bed trailer that was parked on the side of the road. Luckily, both drivers were alright, although the pickup truck driver was treated for chest pains. He admitted that he fell asleep at the wheel, according to a news report in the Eastern Arizona Courier.

Arizona Car Accidents: Drowsy Driver Statistics

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety published in 2010, two out of every five drivers fall asleep while driving. Representatives of AAA liken drowsy driving to using drugs or alcohol, saying that driving while tired slows reaction time and impairs judgment. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), 1,287 Arizona car accidents were caused by drowsy drivers in 2010. They resulted in 14 deaths and 579 injuries.

Avoid Arizona Car Accidents: Stay Awake

As Arizona car crash lawyers, we recommend that no one drive when tired. It is highly advisable to take a nap, call for a cab or pull over and wait until morning to drive. If you begin to notice signs of fatigue, pull over in a safe location, such as a rest area, immediately. While many drivers believe drinking coffee or energy drinks may help, they risk serious fatigue when the caffeine begins wearing off. Also, these drinks don’t always work.

Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one is injured by a drowsy driver, an experienced personal injury attorney at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. works to investigate your case and hold the at-fault driver responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages and more. We interview witnesses and study police reports to determine whether the other driver was fatigued or fell asleep at the wheel. We then use this evidence to obtain a settlement for the victims. Contact us for a free consultation at (602) 267-1280. You can also find news, useful information and other topics of interest on our Husband and Wife Law Team Facebook page.