Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer Blog

There were a total of 120 Arizona pedestrian fatalities in 2009. It is horrifying to find that pedestrian fatalities made up 14.9 percent of the total Arizonians killed in car accidents for that year, which saw 807 Arizonians lose their lives in fatal car crashes.

In Scottsdale, a Mesa resident faces a felony charge for an hit and run accident after running over his ex-girlfriend last month. The man was arrested on the night after the incident. Officials have not disclosed the name of the ex-girlfriend, who is 37 years of age. Police reported that the incident happened near Hayden and Osborn at the Sunscape Villas apartment complex, where the couple was seen reportedly in a heated argument as they made their way to the man’s vehicle.

As the suspect pulled out of the parking space of Sunscape Villas, the victim was reportedly clinging to the outside mirror of his car on the left side. She was then run over by her ex-boyfriend and abandoned. She is now in a local hospital and currently in very serious condition.

Arizona hit and run accidents are very serious offenses. In Arizona many of these types of accidents may occur due to a lack of insurance or not knowing the law. In case you are ever involved in a hit and run accident, it is important to protect yourself with appropriate insurance coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are two very important types of insurance that not everybody has, even if you think you have “full coverage,” but they would protect you and your family in the event that you are hit by a hit and run driver, or a driver without insurance. Take a moment today to check your declaration page to make sure you will be covered.

If you have questions about a recent accident, please do not hesitate to call (480) 753-4534 for your free consultation.

Auto accidents very often cause serious pedestrian injuries in Arizona. Approximately 59,000 pedestrians are injured every year after being hit by a vehicle (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2009). Around 2,000 pedestrian injuries are aged five and below. Unintentional injury—especially from car accidents—is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-14 (Safe Kids USA 2009). As pedestrians, children under 10 years old are not developed enough to correctly gauge the speed of an oncoming car, which could lead to an accident (Safe Kids USA 2009).

Recently, at 33rd drive and Bell road in Phoenix, two pedestrians were hit by a truck, a grandmother and her 2-year-old grandson.

When the Phoenix pedestrian accident took place, the woman was holding her grandson in her arms. The truck was a flatbed truck. After the incident, the truck driver said that he did not see the woman and her grandchild crossing the street. As a result, the grandmother suffered minor head injuries while her grandson suffered minor injuries also in the body. The police are currently on the process of investigating what caused the accident.

Drivers should always be aware and attentive of the surroundings where they drive, especially at intersections. Always be on the lookout especially if there is a pedestrian crossing ahead the road since this is the place where most people would cross the road, but also be aware when approaching an intersection because pedestrians may cross the street at areas without a crosswalk—especially in school zones where there are a lot of children.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please call us at (602) 267-1280, or (480) 753-4534 for your free consultation today.

Did you know that the chances of being involved in a Arizona drunk driving accident increase between the hours of midnight until dawn? There are often more people drinking when it is already dark. This reaches a peak of 66% of accidents involving impairments when driving during 12 midnight until 3 AM. Before these times, from 9 PM to midnight, 46% of accidents involve an impaired driver, and after 3AM up until 6 AM, a 52% of accidents are alcohol related. The lowest concentration of impaired driving accidents is during 9 AM until noon.

Although the percentage is low during 9 AM until noon for alcohol related accidents, accidents do happen just like what happened recently in Tempe, where a drunken father drove with his two-year-old daughter with him and hit a red pick-up truck that was parked at a Tempe home near Guadalupe and Rural roads.

After hitting the pick-up truck, the driver drove off and his car broke down about 100 feet away from the Arizona hit and run auto accident. The brother-in-law of the owner caught up with him and found that the driver had his daughter with him, luckily she appeared to be completely safe and didn’t suffer any injuries from the crash because she was properly restrained in her seat.

Child car seats are very effective in preventing serious injury. In fact, the risk of fatal injury is 80% lower for children in properly installed car seats (Safe Kids USA 2009). Get your child’s car seats checked today to make sure they are installed correctly by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website to find an inspection center near you.

If your child has been injured because of the negligence of another driver, then call (602) 267-1280 so we can give you the proper advice regarding the situation.

Did you know that one person dies every minute due to impaired driving? In 2008, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that approximately 32 people died every day as a result of drunk driving accidents. In fact, impaired driving is still considered one of the major causes of fatal car crashes in the United States. In 2009, a total of 9813 out of 30,797 accidents were the result of alcohol-impaired driving in the United States.

Arizona had 710 cases of fatal accidents in 2009. From this numbers, 196 or 28 percent were due to alcohol-impaired driving. Out of those alcohol caused accidents 134 of them involved single car accidents, and 61 involved multiple vehicles.

One fatal Arizona car accident occurred in a busy Peoria intersection, of 83rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive on Saturday afternoon (AZ Family 3/19/11). Police investigations show that the driver of a Lincoln Navigator was impaired when he rear ended a gold sedan. This collision triggered a series of crashes involving four vehicles. Sadly, the driver of the gold sedan, a woman, died in the hospital.

Meanwhile, the driver was also taken to the hospital due to minor injuries and will recover soon. He might face DUI charges. Investigators are still waiting for the result of the blood test for additional charges.

Drinking and driving is a serious offense but despite its danger, impaired driving is still a prevalent problem in traffic safety. In you have been drinking and are not able to operate your vehicle have a designated driver or cab take you to your destination safely.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of an impaired driver, you can reach us at (480) 753-4534 for a free consultation. As Arizona impaired driving accident lawyers, we may be able to help you in getting the payment you deserve for the damages you or your family member has acquired.

A Peoria traffic accident occurred late last week which sent three people to the hospital including an 82-year old and 70-year-old for minor injuries (AZ Central 04/15/2011). Six senior citizens were on board a van near Northern and 83rd avenues when a truck rear-ended the vehicle.

According to a spokesperson for Peoria police, the crash injured two of the passengers and the driver of the small van who were sent to a local hospital for treatment.

The van was from a foundation for senior citizens.

While being the leading cause of death for persons aged 5-34 in the US (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), car accidents have also taken its toll among the elderly. From 2007 to 2009, there were 28,764 people aged 55 and older killed in car crashes as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA-FARS).

Aside from the alarming number of fatalities are the millions of injured people reported each year from motor vehicle crashes. Injury crashes have reached 1,517,000 in 2009 alone.

In an effort to mitigate high injury and fatality rates, campaigns for road safety have been strengthened by authorities including a more active task force against DUI .

If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and would like to seek compensation relating to a personal injury, we are available at (602) 267-1280. Call now for a free consultation with one of our Arizona accident lawyers.

Pedestrian injuries and fatalities are serious problems being faced all over the United States. Research shows that motor vehicle crashes are the leading causes of unintentional injuries and deaths of children below 14 years of age. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)reported 276 pedestrian fatalities of children aged 15 and below. Approximately 72 percent of these deaths occurred in non-intersections.

A Phoenix child pedestrian was injured on Wednesday morning while crossing McDowell Road between Second and Third streets (KPHO 03/06/2011). The young girl was on her way to school when she was struck by an SUV. However, the driver of the SUV said that the girl ran into the side of the SUV, causing the side mirror to break, and knocking her down. The young girl sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.

According to witnesses, the victim always crosses the same spot on her way to school. The day before the accident she was reminded by DES employees to use the nearest cross walk at Third Street.

There are a lot of government and private organizations which work towards eliminating life-threatening accidents on the roads. Safety programs that highlight the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations are likewise being implemented. Despite these efforts, reports of pedestrian injuries and fatalities continue to stay at an alarming rate.

As parents, it is always vital to inform and teach our kids on how to properly cross busy streets and how to interpret traffic signals. Lastly, be an example. Kids can easily understand what we teach if they see us practice what we preach.

For pedestrian accident victims, our free consultation hotline is available at (480) 753-4534. As a top Arizona accident law firm, we are committed to giving victims their best legal options.

Did you know that in 2009, 40.4 percent of the total number of vehicles involved in fatal crashes was passenger cars? In the same year, more than 33,000 cases of traffic deaths occurred in the United States. Statistics also showed that traffic-related injuries reached more than 2.3 million as per the number of drivers and passengers being treated in emergency department.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that motor vehicle crashes are considered to be the leading cause of death among people ages 5 to 34. If accidents continue at this rate, car accidents are expected to become the third most serious threat to human health by 2020.

In Mesa, two were injured after crashing near Stapley Drive and Southern Avenue around 2:15 p.m. on Friday (AZ Central 03/25/11). According to Mesa police, a Pontiac Grand Am was travelling westbound when the driver, a 22-year-old man, suddenly lost control of the wheel. The man's 19-year old girlfriend believed that he was having a seizure. Police investigator revealed that the girlfriend veered the car off the roadway, over a curb and rolled into a dirt lot.

The driver was severely injured in the crash and had to be airlifted to a hospital. Meanwhile, the passenger, although she only sustained minor injuries, was taken to the hospital by an ambulance.

Continue reading " Mesa Couple Injured after a Crashing due to Seizure " »

Did you know that 33,808 people in the United States died in 2009 because of alcohol impaired driving accidents? According to the NHTSA, fatal car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and one out of three of those are alcohol related. On average Arizona suffers 200 accidents annually that are alcohol related with fatalities.

In the United States, one person is killed every 45 minutes as result of motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. This April, we are celebrating Alcohol Awareness Month, a campaign which was started by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence in 1987. AAM's main objective is to enlighten and change society's norms of drinking.

Statistics show that every day 350 Americans die because of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, while thousands more are suffering in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and prison. When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, the number of alcohol-related crashes is quite high.

This month, let us put extra effort in appreciating the importance of having safe roads not only for us but for our children. The first weekend of April is intended for Alcohol-Free Weekend, a great opportunity for parents to teach their children about alcohol and reflect on the dangers and consequences that it can bring if abused.

Continue reading " Drunk Driving Prevention During Alcohol Awareness Month in April " »

Car accidents often result in serious injuries and they can be fatal depending on how the impact happened and at what speed was the collision. Car accidents are now the leading cause of death of kids aging from 2-14. Every 14 seconds, a person is injured in a car crash; And each year 250,000 children are involved in car accidents. This means that there are around 700 children that are injured every day. Aside from fatalities, car accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability (NHTSA).

A 15 year old boy suffered a deep cut, which could have been fatal, from a hit and run accident. Although the blow was a glancing hit from the car, it was enough to make a deep cut. The car involved was an old Volkswagen beetle.

The driver took off after the accident. It was clearly a scenario. Luckily, a friend was there to aid him after the accident had happened. If you know anything about this accident in regards to the identity of the driver or the vehicle, please call our anonymous Hit and Run Tipline. Your information, if it leads to the successful arrest and felony conviction of the driver, could get you up to $1000!

There is no telling when an accident happens, if the driver would stop and help the victim. Sometimes drivers without insurance are more likely to leave the scene of an accident, or sometimes drivers might just be scared and not know what to do. No matter what the situation, it is never acceptable to leave the scene of an accident, no matter how minor it may seem.

Continue reading " Teen Injured in Hit and Run Accident " »

A Mesa car accident was reported late last week and police say the medical condition of the driver was a factor. (AZ Central 3/25/2011).

According to report, the 22-year-old driver suffered a seizure and lost control of his vehicle near Stapley Drive and Southern Avenue, 2:15 pm Friday afternoon. His 19-year-old girlfriend who was with him at the time of the car accident tried to steer the vehicle from the passenger seat.

The vehicle swerved off the roadway and rolled into a dirt lot.

The driver suffered life threatening injuries and had to be airlifted to a local hospital while his girlfriend was lucky enough to escape with only minor injuries.

Stapley northbound had to be closed after the crash.

While most car accidents are attributed to negligent driving behavior, rare are the instances when the medical condition of the driver becomes a main cause.

A seizure happens when the brain undergoes uncontrollable discharge of electrical activity which interferes with normal functioning. It can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition or can be caused by alcohol or drug withdrawal.

While a completely accidental occurrence, some states have enabled laws to try to prevent seizure-related accidents with drivers who have had history of seizures. They may require that seizure victims have to be treated and need to establish that their condition is under reliable control before being allowed to drive again. Usually this is established with a doctor’s approval.

Continue reading " Mesa Car Crash Leaves 2 Injured After Seizure Incident " »

Recent research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA-FARS) in 2009 revealed that 3,215 or 7.1 percent large trucks and 17,902 or 39.4 percent light trucks were involved in fatal crashes nationwide. NHTSA also revealed that approximately 2.6 million passenger vehicle occupants were injured due to motor vehicle accidents.

Based on statistics, fatal truck crashes often occur in rural areas and only 1 percent of those accidents are DUI-related. Fatal passenger car accidents on the other hand are more commonly caused by impaired driving. Most truck accidents are caused by fatigue. In fact, 30 percent of all truck crashes were the result of truck drivers driving without proper rest or enough sleep.

At around 6 a.m., a collision between a pickup truck and dump truck occurred on the Interstate 17 access road north of Dixileta Drive (AZ Family 03/25/11). According to investigations, the driver of the Ford F250 was negotiating a turn when he collided with an Isuzu dump truck.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 30-year-old man, died in the collision while his passenger suffered minor injuries. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old driver of the Isuzu also sustained minor injuries. Authorities believe that speed was a factor in the collision.

Arizona roads are prone to motor vehicle accidents and driving in this state requires safety precautions. Most of the time carelessness and negligence are primary causes of traffic accidents. It is important to be responsible drivers by following road safety signs and reminders. By being more alert to our surroundings we can contribute in the decreasing number of fatal traffic accidents.

Continue reading " 1 Dead, 2 Injured in a Pickup and Dump Truck Collision " »

Did you know that according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are considered to be the leading cause of death among all ages, from 5 to 34? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the other hand revealed that there were 33,808 reported cases of traffic deaths in the United States. Traffic-related injuries have reached more than 2.3 million based on the number of drivers and passengers treated in the emergency department. In fact, by 2020 car accidents are expected to become the third most serious threat to human health.

Head-on collisions are often considered to be worse than other types of crashes. It usually occurs when the driver travels in the wrong lane, crosses a centerline or a median and crashes into an approaching vehicle.

As the result of a fight between a mother and her daughter, five kids were injured and sent to the hospital after a head-on car crash happened between Peoria and Cactus roads in Glendale (KPHO 03/23/11). The car was travelling northbound on 67th Avenue when it swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with another car which was carrying five kids, all under the age of 10.

The four children suffered broken bones. The police reported that the injuries may be the result of improper car seats and seat belts. Meanwhile, the mother might be facing charges since she was the driver of the car that caused the accident.

Accidents happen in a blink of an eye and being involved in a fatal car crash is no joking matter. Seat belts can protect us from serious injuries, and have saved thousands of lives since laws in most states require them. Statistics show that most head-on collisions are due to distracted driving, unintentional manuevers, and speeding. Thus, it is also important that we exert more effort in following traffic rules and regulations while on the road.

Continue reading " 5 Kids Injured in Head-on Crash " »