Phoenix Car Accident Attorney Blog

Arizona pedestrians are more vulnerable to accidents when sharing the road with vehicles. In every pedestrian accident, there is a very high possibility that the victim will suffer serious injuries. There were approximately 59,000 incidents that involved a pedestrian that resulted in injuries in 2009, while there are only 4,092 fatalities that same year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Among the pedestrian injury accidents, 49.1 percent or 29,000 of the incidents took place in an intersection. This may be due to the number of vehicles that are crossing an intersection.

Just last month, a pedestrian was injured in a hit-and-run incident in Avondale. The pedestrian was a woman walking her dog at 118th lane. The driver is unknown, but the car was a Toyota Corolla.

The woman was crossing West Coldwater Boulevard at the 118th lane when she was hit by the car. The driver made a right turn onto Coldwater and hit the woman, but still went on and drove away. The woman was then taken to the local hospital as she was treated for her injuries. Though, her injuries were not life threatening, the police are now in search for the Corolla driver.

If you know anything about the identity of this driver or if you have any information that may lead to the identification or location of the driver, please call our free, anonymous hit and run tipline. You could win a reward if your tip leads to the successful felony arrest and conviction of the driver! As a driver, it is not only the right thing to do, but it is the law to not leave the scene after an Arizona auto accident.

If you do not know what to do in case you are involved in a hit and run accident, call us at (602) 267-1280, or (480) 753-4534 so we can advise you what to do with your situation.

We are now nearing the end of April, Alcohol and Drunk Driving Awareness Month. It is commonly known that alcohol and driving is a deadly combination, but did you know that the NHTSA in 2009 predicted that for this year, 10,839 people would lose their lives due to car crashes involving drunken driving?

The Country Thunder Music Festival that occurred earlier this month could have provided many opportunities for people to be exposed to the dangers of driving under the influence in Arizona. That would have been the case, but luckily the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force was strongly present at the event.

The task force was busy doing their duty of preventing or stopping drunken drivers from getting on the road and endangering lives. Overall, there were 20 misdemeanor DUIs recorded during that period, 1 underage DUI, 2 aggravated DUIs, 29 arrests for minor alcohol consumption, and 52 arrests for both felonies and misdemeanors (KPHO 4/12/11).

According to the Sheriff of Pinal County Sheriff’s Offices, an average of 2.21 people are killed every day due to Arizona DUI related incidents. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System ranks Arizona 8th lowest in the nation for the percentage of traffic deaths resulting from DUI related accidents (2009). The state has some strong DUI enforcement laws, which hopefully are enough to deter drivers from getting behind the wheel impaired, but there is still much more that could be done to prevent more deaths.

There are many ways for ordinary people to play just as important a role as the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force. In essence, exercising responsible driving is important, but also being a responsible citizen can help if you report suspicious driving behavior to the authorities. If you know anyone who is suffering from injuries due to DUI accidents, or if you are suffering yourself, we provide free consultations at (602) 267-1280.

After reading this article, about 20 people in the U.S. will have already been injured because of a car accident (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2009). With injury cases for 2009 reaching 2,217,000, it is evident that there is more work to be done to improve road and traffic safety.

Just recently, another Glendale car accident was reported involving a pickup truck and a handicap transport van (KPHO 03/30/2011). The head-on crash happened at the intersection of 27th and Glendale avenues Wednesday morning.

Not much information was available as of yet regarding the passengers, but helicopter news footage showed officers investigating the crash; while two ambulances were reported to be on their way to the scene.

The damages caused by car accidents are not only in terms of fatalities and injuries. Crashes have been known to be financially burdensome to the victims, at-fault drivers, as well as the general public. According to the AAA, a motorist advocacy group, car accidents in the U.S. cost about $164.2 billion each year. This includes costs for medical care, property damage, lost productivity, and more.

A majority of car accidents can be attributed to human error. Speeding, distraction, and impairment are very common causes of crashes. In fact, 32 percent of fatalities in 2009 road accidents involved a driver exceeding the legal limit for blood alcohol content.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a car accident in the Arizona area and are seeking compensation for injuries incurred, contact the Glendale car accident lawyers at the Breyer Law Offices P.C. We are available for a free consultation at (480) 753-4534.

Apparently not only Arizona traffic accidents can cause fatalities on the road. In Gilbert, a man died when what seemed to be a simple traffic altercation ended in gunshots (AZ Family 04/09/2011).

According to police the victim was shot near SanTan Village Mall Saturday evening this past weekend when he got into a heated argument with another driver. A witness recounts that the 56-year-old victim was in a chase with another vehicle until they got to the red light and that is when things started getting really bad.

The victim got out of his pickup truck armed with a gun and approached the other vehicle. The other driver also had a gun and seconds later gunshots were heard as the 23-year-old man fired at him.

The victim was sent to a local hospital where he later died.

The suspect stayed at the scene and was brought in for questioning. Police believed the shooting was out of self-defense and the man was later released.

The case has been forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

As Arizona accident injury attorneys, we have witnessed similar cases in the past. Stress and frustration can fuel road rage which could end up in a tragic manner. To prevent yourself from getting involved in such situations, always keep your cool and try to breathe deeply and don’t let your emotions get the best of you.

For accident victims in the Arizona area, we are open for a free consultation at (602) 267-1280. Call now and discuss your case with one of the top Arizona accident lawyer firms of today.

A head-on collision happened earlier this week which sent six people to a hospital with two seriously injured (AZ Central 03/23/2011).

According to the Police report, the Glendale car accident happened at 6 p.m. Tuesday night near 67th and Peoria Avenue. A northbound vehicle on 67th avenue swerved into to the opposite lane and hit another car head-on.

Six people were hurt in the crash; the driver of the first car and her 13-year-old daughter, and the occupants of the second vehicle including two children ages 3 and 9, the driver who suffered a broken leg, and her 1 year old baby who broke her foot.

Police are looking into the possible causes of the incident but initial investigations reveal all of the victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

The crash could have possibly ended on a more tragic note if not for the use of safety restraints. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 53 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities in car crashes in 2009 were from not wearing safety restraints.

Seatbelts have been proven to mitigate the risk of acquiring fatal injuries during a crash. In fact, in an effort to improve road safety, states in the U.S. have created different laws in regards to seat belt safety to protect its citizens.

If you or someone you know have been in an Arizona auto accident and would like to seek compensation for injuries you received, call us at (602) 267-1280 for a free consultation. It is time that negligent drivers are held responsible for damages that they have caused.

Arizona road accidents can happen any time, to anyone and anywhere. So whenever you are on the roadways, pay attention to the road and not to other things to avoid distractions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5.5 million car crashes where reported in the United States in 2009. Collisions with another vehicle are considered the most common harmful event for fatal injury.

On a Saturday afternoon, a fatal car crash happened in a busy intersection of Peoria, which killed 1 woman and caused minor injuries to the occupants of other colliding vehicles.

According to police, the fatal Peoria car crash occurred when an impaired driver of a Lincoln Navigator rear ended a vehicle driven by 64- year old woman. This led to a chain reaction crash, which involved another four vehicles.

The 64-year old woman suffered major injuries and was immediately taken to the hospital where she was declared dead. Meanwhile, another driver was also taken to the hospital due to sustained minor injuries.

The fatal crash led to the temporary closure of the intersection of 83rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive for the entire afternoon for further investigation.

This terrible story shows that anyone can be a victim of a fatal Arizona car accident. The 64-year old woman was very involved in the Red Cross, operating Emergency Communications Response Vehicles during disasters.

As a reminder whenever driving; you should always wear your seat belt, use proper turn signals, and leave at least a car length between you and the car in front of you when you are stopped. In case you are ever rear-ended, leaving extra space may prevent you from being pushed into the car in front of you and suffering two impacts.

If a loved one is ever involved in a fatal crash, contact us immediately on (602) 267-1280. We will give you a free consultation and answer as many of your questions as we can.

Did you know that school buses in the United States provide almost nine million trips every year? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that students are eight times less likely to be involved in fatal road accidents when riding a school bus in comparison with riding other modes of transportation.

However, recent reports about accidents involving school buses have created doubts when it comes to our children’s safety. Many parents have realized that school buses are also vulnerable to road and traffic crashes.

Another motor vehicle collision was reported last Tuesday afternoon at about 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of 43rd and Northern avenues (AZ Central 3/29/11). The collision involved a Chrysler convertible and a full-size bus filled with special needs children.

The collision caused severe damage to the convertible and its driver, a 62-year old woman, sustained life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, the 15 children who were on the bus only suffered bumps and bruises from the accident, although the firefighters who responded on the scene evaluated their vital signs to ensure their condition. Another bus had to take the children to their homes from the accident scene.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision.

One vital thing to consider to ensure your child’s safety while on a school bus is to make sure the school systems hire competent and trustworthy school bus drivers. There are many requirements that must be met before a driver becomes qualified to drive children. Just as important as the driver is the behavior of the children on board. Parents should also teach their children about safety procedures while on the school bus, because misbehaving children can be a distraction to the school bus driver and lead to an accident.

Continue reading " Woman Severely Injured after a Convertible-School Bus Collision " »

Speeding, impaired, and distracted driving, are some of the most common causes of car accidents in the U.S. According to the 2009 Traffic Safety Facts released by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), 31 percent or 10,591 of total fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involved speeding drivers.

Recently, another fatal car accident was reported on Interstate 17 in which authorities say speeding was a factor (AZ Central 03/20/2011).

According to reports, a convertible running at high speed lost control and crashed a few weeks ago around 1 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, backing up southbound traffic on I-17. The vehicle then caught fire as rescuers from Daisy Mountain Fire Department rushed to the scene. The driver did not survive the accident.

Just 25 minutes after the fatal crash, another accident took place on northbound I-17. A car hit the back of another between Anthem Way and New River Road. No one was reportedly hurt in the second crash and traffic was not affected.

Out of all the drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 who were speeding at the time of the accident, 39 percent were males aged 15 to 29 years of age. It is important for parents to teach our children, safe driving habits from a very young age to prevent needless fatalities. Try to live by example as well, and encourage your children to obey all posted traffic laws.

Continue reading " Speeding a Factor in Fatal I-17 Accident " »

Automobile accidents are increasing each year and in 2009, there were 33,808 fatalities from car accidents according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Many die or are seriously injured in these accidents. With just a few minor changes in our driving habits, we can prevent many of these needless accidents.

A few weeks ago at a Phoenix intersection at around 6:45 pm, the collision between a red Mercury car and a black Lincoln SUV caused the death of an unborn baby of the 20-year-old female passenger in the Mercury. A 2-year old girl who sat at the back seat sustained serious injuries as well, while the drivers of both cars only suffered minor injuries (AZCentral 3/1/11).

Police say that an investigation is still underway since the two drivers did not show any impairment. Police are currently waiting for witnesses to come forward, since there were no cameras on Roosevelt Street, the site of the collision.

There are many causes of car accidents. Besides impairment, distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents. Distracted driving is commonly thought of in regards to texting and driving, but a distraction can be many other things besides cell phone use, such as people talking to each other while driving, or playing with the radio. Eating and drinking while driving are also causes for a large percentage of car accidents.

Currently, scientists are studying car safety for pregnant women. They are looking for ways to reduce the possibility of fetal death for expectant mothers who are involved in car accidents (AZfamily 12/25/09).

Continue reading " Expectant Mother and Young Child Seriously Injured " »

Did you know that everyday 32 people in the United States die because of alcohol impaired driving accidents? In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that alcohol-impaired driving reached up to 30,797 cases in 2009. In the same year, NHTSA recorded 10,839 deaths involving drivers with blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit of .08 – .32 percent.

We are aware that alcohol is also the primary reason of fatal car accidents in the United States. Drunk driving is a big concern in the country. Although statistics show that fatal DUI-related accidents have been steadily decreasing over years, the numbers could always be lower.

Every April, we highlight the need to prevent and treat alcohol-related related problems. Alcohol Awareness Month started in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. It aims to raise awareness of alcohol abuse and encourage people to make healthy, safe choices. This is also the opportunity for communities to work together in educating everyone especially the children about the importance of being alcohol-free.

This month, let us all work together to further lessen the number of fatal car accidents due to impaired driving. Many of us have lost a friend or a loved one because of a careless and reckless driver. Arizona AAA usually offers a free “Tipsy Tow” during holidays for drivers who cannot avoid drinking and driving. There are also many other services for free or a small charge to get impaired drivers home without having to get behind the wheel. A small ride fee is nothing compared to a priceless life. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is also a very well known group of people fighting to save more lives from drunk drivers every year.

Continue reading " Prevent Serious Injuries: April is Alcohol Awareness Month " »

Bicycling is an excellent outdoor activity for kids. It is not only a recreational activity but a healthy mode of transportation. Bicycling also helps reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of air and life.

However, bicycling does have the risk of being involved in an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 51,000 cases of bicycling injuries were reported and 630 people were killed as a result in 2009. Seventy-four of the casualties were children under the age of 14.. In Arizona, 25 bikers were killed in 2009 and bike deaths accounted for 2 percent of the total number of fatal traffic accidents.

A child was involved in an accident after falling off of his bike on Saturday around 3 p.m. (3/26/11). The accident occurred in Maricopa at 36000 block of West Alhambra Street. According to the witnesses, the victim, a 10-year old boy was trying to avoid a van when he fell off his bike and was unconscious for about 45 seconds after hitting the ground.

Fortunately, the boy was wearing a helmet when the incident occurred. He was alert and talking when the fire crews arrived at the scene. The boy was flown to the hospital in a stable condition.

The NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts of 2008 revealed that there was a decline in the number of bicycle related deaths as compared to ten years ago. This means that more and more people have taken safety precautions seriously. As parents, we are responsible for teaching our kids how to stay safe while having fun riding their bikes.

Continue reading " 10 Year Old Stable After Bike Accident " »

A higher incidence for car accidents is associated with driving at night, rough and unpaved rural roads, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, vision problems and distractions (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Statistics from NHTSA showed that a majority of fatal accident victims were drivers (63%), followed by the passengers (28%), motorcycle riders (4%), pedestrians (3%), and pedal cyclists (2%).

A fatal car crash in Deer Valley killed one woman two Saturdays ago at 83rd Avenue and Union Hills.

According to the police, the fatal car crash occurred when an SUV slammed into a Honda driven by a 64-year-old woman that led her car to be pushed into a nearby brick wall. The Honda was at stop at a red light.

The 64-year-old woman didn’t survive the fatal crash because of the severity of the injuries she sustained from being crushed from both the SUV and another vehicle that her car bumped into.

The driver of the SUV was taken at the custody of the police because he was suspected to be under the influence when the fatal car crash happened. The police are still waiting for the blood test to confirm their suspicion.

The 64-year-old woman was an active volunteer for the Red Cross serving at the Emergency Communications Response Vehicles during disasters and whenever it was in need.

Driving under the influence triples the risk of meeting a fatal car crash. In 2009, 32% of car accidents death toll was due to alcohol impaired driving crashes (NHTSA). Please remember the lives you put at risk when you get behind the wheel impaired, especially now, during Alcohol Awareness Month.

Continue reading " Drunk Driver Car Crash Kills Philanthropist " »