Phoenix Car Accident Attorney Blog

Riding on bicycles is a trend which will never grow old because it is economical, cool, and one can relax while enjoying the scenery and the wind. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that in 2009, there were 630 bicyclists who were killed and 51,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes. These accidents made up 2% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the same year.

A 20-year-old woman died when she was struck by a van as she rode into oncoming traffic (AZCentral 06/17/2011). Witnesses reported that the woman stopped in the crosswalk to adjust something on her feet, when the signal light changed. A 76-year-old man then struck the woman after she got back onto her bike and rode directly onto his lane. The woman was taken to the hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after. Police are still currently investigating the incident.

In every type of transportation, there are risks involved; more so with a small bicycle. Therefore, when riding a bicycle in Arizona, be a cautious cyclist at all times, follow the rules of the road and wear appropriate protective gear such as a DOT approved bicycle helmet. A well-fitted helmet is the single most effective way to prevent serious head injuries in an accident. For drivers of motor vehicles, always remember to share the road with bicycles. Allow a few feet of clearance while passing a bicycle on the street, and be especially mindful of them when turning left of right.

If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bicycle legally in Arizona, then you may call our bicycle accidents attorneys in Phoenix for a free consultation at (602) 457-6222.

Did you know that injuries from car accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans 5 to 34 years of age? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.3 million people each year are killed in motor vehicle crashes around the world while leaving 20–50 million more seriously injured.

In related news, police have identified the three victims of a recent Peoria fatal auto accident (AZ Family 06/14/2011). The victims were a 39-year-old Mesa resident, a 23-year-old, and 19 year-old who were both from Peoria.

According to report, the 23-year-old was travelling in a pickup truck with his younger brother at a high rate of speed and ran a red light, hitting the vehicle driven by the 39-year-old at the intersection of Northern and 107th avenues.

A third vehicle was involved in the crash but the driver survived with non life threatening injuries. Both trucks caught fire and the three victims died at the scene. Peoria Police are still investigating the incident.

With today’s fatal car accident rate, CDC predicts that by 2020 motor vehicle crashes will be the third most serious threat to human health in the world. But as vehicle technology and road safety systems continue to improve in the following years, many are positive that motor vehicle fatalities will continually be pushed down to its all time low.

If you have lost a loved one in an Arizona car accident caused by a negligent driver, we may be able to help. For a free consultation with one of our car accident wrongful death attorneys in Peoria, call (480) 389-2463.

The number of teens driving cars is increasing. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has stated that in 2009, eight teens’ ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries, and that per mile driven, teen drivers aged 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash.

A 19-year-old male led police in a car chase around Casa Grande before hitting a utility pole (ABC15 06/16/2011). According to authorities, they attempted to pull the male over for cancelled Arizona auto insurance when he didn’t stop and instead, sped up. Later, the male started driving recklessly until he crashed into a utility pole in the desert. Afterwards, he ran out of the car and into the desert, where he was caught after a hundred yards. Police say he dropped a .45 calibre pistol while he was running.

Teenagers who are behind the wheel should take extra caution while driving in Arizona. Dangerous behaviours such as speeding could injure the driver or others. Distractions and passengers also increase the likelihood of risky driving behaviour. The CDC reports that male high school students are more likely than female student to never wear seat belts while driving.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Arizona, you may call us at (480) 389-2463 for a free consultation. We are Arizona car accident attorneys and we may be able to help.

Did you know that alcohol was involved in 32 percent of traffic fatalities in 2009? Out of 33,808 deaths in motor vehicle crashes in 2009, 10,839 involved a driver with more than .08 blood alcohol content (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Needless to say, impaired driving accidents continue to be one of the major problems in road safety.

In recent news, a Diamondbacks television announcer was arrested on Memorial Day on suspicion of drunk driving in Scottsdale (AZ Family 06/08/2011).

Scottsdale police say he was spotted making a wide right turn from 71st Place onto Shea Boulevard at around 1 a.m. on May 30 and was stopped by officers. According to the report, he was also seen weaving within his lane and had a flushed face and bloodshot and watery eyes. There was also the smell of alcohol in his vehicle.

He did not have his wallet or license with him at the time of the arrest. Blood test results are pending. He faces DUI, improper right turn and failure to carry license or vehicle registration.

Out of 807 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in Arizona in 2009, 27 percent or 219 involved an impaired driver (NHTSA). In an effort to decrease car accident deaths, statewide DUI enforcements have been made which resulted to thousands of arrests. We advise our readers to always avoid alcohol when driving, the life you save maybe your own.

If you have been a victim of an impaired driver in Arizona and would like to receive compensation related to a personal injury, call our drunk driving accident lawyers in Scottsdale at (480) 389-2463 for a free consultation.

Collisions do not only occur on the road, and any person, driver or not, can testify to that. In 2009, 20.1% of total fatal crashes occurred between motorist and a non-motorist. Sometimes, things such as distracted driving or perhaps causes beyond one’s control can cause an accident in an instant.

Recently in Chandler a black car didn’t take a turn and drove right into a house that stood at the end of the street. The car ran into some bushes before smashing into the front right corner of the white house. During the incident, the car struck a gas line and fire officials were called on the scene. This was due to the car hitting a gas meter. In effect, 23 homes in the area were affected and lost their supply of gas.

The driver of the car was an 80-year old man who fire officials think might have crashed the car because he unexpectedly experienced a seizure while along Cooper and Ray Road. After the Chandler car crash, fire officials reported that the man driving the car was okay. Although nothing horribly wrong resulted from the wreckage, the driver was sent to a hospital nearby and was hospitalized overnight.

Driving is not something to take for granted, especially when lives of both people in and out of the car are involved. One car crash can change the lives of everyone involved. Remember to always be alert while driving and be prepared for anything.

If you suffered from a car accident in Arizona and need help, call our Chandler auto accident attorneys for a free consultation at (602) 457-6222.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has announced that the leading cause of death for those ages 5 – 34 years old is motor vehicle crashes. Regardless of age, every passenger needs to be buckled in while inside a car.

In Arizona, 2 children and their mother survived a rollover crash in Tuscon (ABC15 06/07/2011). The crash happened on Interstate 10, just northwest of Tucson. The two children were 6 and 7-year-old girls and were not wearing seatbelts when the rollover happened; only the mother was wearing a seatbelt. The 7-year-old was reported to be partially ejected from the rear window. The two children were brought to the hospital via ambulance where they were listed as serious, but in stable condition. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.

Children should be kept safe at all times while inside a vehicle in Arizona. Ages 5-9 and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall are recommended to be in a car seat or booster seat for the best protection. A vehicle’s seat belt is designed for adults; therefore, a child cannot fit well in it. This is where booster seats come in handy to get the best protection from a seat belt. Booster seats are placed on the vehicle seat and are used to properly position the adult seat belt for a child.

If your child has been injured in a crash in Arizona, you may call us for a free consultation at (480) 389-2463. We are Tuscon child injury lawyers who may be of help to you.

A rollover is a dangerous type of crash for the driver, passenger and the vehicle too. A lot of rollovers occurred in 2009, according to the NHTSA national statistics, but the number has decreased over the years. In 2009 8,267 rollover incidents occurred. Although the number of rollovers has decreased, the percentage of rollovers taking place has been stable at around 35%.

Recently, a Peoria rollover accident occurred on loop 101 in northbound traffic. A vehicle hit a barricade near the grand avenue exit, which caused the vehicle to rollover. After the accident, the left two lanes were blocked.

Approximately thirty minutes later another accident took place between two vehicles in the same area, but it was a collision, which resulted to minor injuries. The authorities have already stated that all of the accidents were considered minor accidents.

On average 2.83 fatalities occur in every rollover accident. This is a very dangerous incident most commonly occurs among SUV’s and trucks. This is why you should always be careful if you are going to drive a big vehicle. Also, avoid humps along the road because these are the most common cause of rollovers.

If you have encountered such incident, then call our Peoria rollover crash lawyers at (480) 389-2463 so we can advise you through your problem.

Traffic accidents are a common cause of death in the United States. In the entire country, 33,808 people were killed on American roads in 2009. Of this number, 807 died due to fatal car accidents in Arizona. And of these fatalities in turn, a staggering 120 of them were pedestrians. That means well over a hundred people died doing things such as crossing the street, walking on the sidewalk to work or the like. Doing the safest thing they thought they could be doing—walking—some of these people, just like that, lost their lives.

While attempting to cross the street in Phoenix, a woman was hit by an SUV and killed on recently. A spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department reported that at 7 in the evening the woman was struck on McDowell Road, mid-block near 59th Avenue.

The fatal Phoenix pedestrian accident happened in the evening and the woman was not using a pedestrian lane or an assigned crossing location. As she crossed, a Toyota 4Runner was approaching and struck her, killing her on the scene. The driver of the 4Runner was 23 years of age and did not leave the victim, waiting for police to arrive at the scene of the incident. He was detained and officers looked into whether or not impairment was involved in the crash.

With the shocking statistics of pedestrian fatalities available to the public, one is constantly reminded that safety tips are definitely no joke. They are more than the nags of mothers constantly echoed throughout childhood.

Sometimes, simple rules such as crossing the street in the designated area can be the only thing standing between life and death. If you have lost a loved one to a fatal Arizona pedestrian accident, our compassionate pedestrian wrongful death lawyers in Phoenix can help you with a free consultation. Call us at (480) 389-2463.

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 30 people die every day in motor vehicle crashes due to alcohol-impaired drivers. In 2009, there were 10,839 people who were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (32%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.

ABC15 reported that a woman from Eloy, Arizona died after falling out of a moving vehicle. The woman was reportedly riding in the passenger seat of the car driven by her husband at the time of the accident. The woman died from a massive head trauma after being transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The couple had just come from a friend’s house where they drank some alcohol. The incident is still being investigated, and the husband has been arrested and may be charged with impaired driving.

Prior to any drinking in Arizona, be sure to assign a sober driver when going out with a group. If a friend is drinking, then be a friend as well and prevent him or her from driving by taking away their keys. This is the safest thing for them as it will keep them from hurting themselves and others.

If a sober driver is unavailable take a taxi or the bus instead. When hosting a party, be a responsible host and make sure that the guests leave with a sober driver afterwards.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an impaired driving accident in Arizona, then you may call at (480) 389-2463 for a free consultation.

Drinking and driving is a deadly combination. Once you have a drink it reduces one’s ability to concentrate and react immediately to things while driving. The more alcohol in the blood the more difficult it becomes for a person to judge distances and sudden hazards on the road. According to NHTSA, 10,839 people died due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. These fatalities accounted for the 32% of all traffic deaths in 2009. This just means that in every 50 minutes, someone is killed due to alcohol-impaired driving crash.

Recently a multiple vehicle crash in Peoria happened near 83rdAvenue and Union hills Drive and killed one woman.

According to the Peoria police, a Black SUV was travelling at a high speed when he suddenly slammed into the rear of gold car, which was at stopped at the red light. This lead the gold car to be pushed in the intersection in which the car collided with another two vehicles; a Chevrolet Silverado which was heading East on Union Hills and a Toyota Tundra which was heading north on 83rd avenue.

The 64-year old, driver of the gold car was immediately rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead at around 2:30 pm. The driver of the Silverado was also taken to a local trauma center due to non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Black SUV was arrested by the Peoria police because he was suspected to be driving under the influence. He then submitted to a blood test to check for drugs and alcohol.

If you have lost a loved one in Arizona car accident caused by an impaired or negligent driver, feel free to call our Peoria auto accident wrongful death lawyers at (602) 457-6222. We will give you right assistance that you deserve.

The story of a child running into the street after a ball and subsequently being hit by a car is used so often as an example of road safety. Because of this, some people might think, as the clip is played in movies and videos that it would never happen in reality anymore. People are just too aware of the danger, they might think. However, it is shocking that 4, 092 people died in pedestrian accidents in 2009 in the United States. Arizona made up 120 of those deaths which was one less death compared to motorcycle fatalities

On Tuesday night in Glendale Arizona, a little boy was struck by a car in the street. He was playing with a ball, it rolled onto the street and he chased after it and was hit by a car. According to the spokesperson of the Glendale police, the boy was only 8 years old. He was walking with his father westward along Olive Avenue. Thankfully the vehicle merely “clipped” the boy. This fortunately left him with only minor injuries to his torso that were not life threatening. He was then brought to a local hospital.

Pedestrian accidents in Glendale occur frequently in every age group. It is important to be alert at all times and stay on the sidewalk to avoid any possible accident.

If you know anyone who is a victim of a car accident in Arizona, you may call our Glendale pedestrian accident lawyers (602) 457-6222 for a free consultation.

With the congestion problem in the world today, it comes as no surprise that the same problem occurs on the roads all over the world. Nowadays streets are filled with cars, causing not only damage to the environment but also damage to other people as well. With the sheer number of cars on the road, the chances of two vehicles hitting each other by accident are a great possibility and about 12, 121 fatal car crash accidents involved two or more vehicles in 2010 (Car Statistics 2010).

In Phoenix Arizona, a terrible incident occurred on Friday when two cars collided with each other. The accident happened at 32nd Street and Union Hills Drive. The Phoenix Fire Department spokesman said that there was no immediate information on the cause of the accident, but that it was so severe that one of the two vehicles rolled over and hit a tree after it crashed into the other vehicle.

Authorities reported that the Arizona car accident left two people in serious conditions due to fatal injuries incurred from the crash. Salomon said that there was also a third person that was affected in the crash and received injuries as well, but the injuries of this third person were not as severe compared to the other two. According to Salomon, the two people who were fatally injured were rushed to hospital in the area and they are now receiving treatment for their injuries.

If people are not careful, the likelihood of an accidental collision between cars on the roads of today is very high. Although man has been driving cars for a considerable amount of time, one can never claim that we have reached the level of expertise. The statistics per state and even for the entire United States state one fact: that one can never be complacent on the road, because sooner or later, an accident will happen. Such experiences have caused a major dent in the lives of people.

If you are one of those, we can give a free consultation if you call (480) 389-2463.

Did you know that a total of 4,092 pedestrian were killed in 2009 alone? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s national statistics, pedestrians constituted to 12.1% of 2009 traffic fatalities and 3% in injuries. The accident frequently occurred in a non-intersection, consists the 3,061 fatality and 986 for intersections, but there are 45 pedestrian fatalities that took place in an unknown location. Clearly, non-intersection is far more dangerous for pedestrians if based on this statistics.

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and died as the result of the I-10 pedestrian accident in Phoenix. This had happened last week at around 2 in the morning. According to the Department of Public Safety, the accident took place at Interstate 10 near 7th street East of the tunnel.

Up to this point, it is not clear why did the pedestrian crossed the freeway. The Department of Public Safety did not release any further details regarding the pedestrian.

The pedestrian was brought to the hospital after the incident because of fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The Interstate was then later opened approximately before 4:30 am.

It is dangerous to cross a street and not on a pedestrian lane. This is because most of the time, drivers are confident that there are no people going to cross the street there. Worst, don’t cross a freeway because it is not a place for a pedestrian to cross. There are circumstances though that this is inevitable for some people.

If you are a victim of a road accident, give our experienced pedestrian crash lawyers in Phoenix a call so we can help you. Our numbers are (602) 457-6222, or (480) 389-2463 for your free consultation.

Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous crash types there is. Did you know that in 2009 alone there are 126,000 cases of head-on collision crash? This makes 2.3% of the total crash incident of that year. There were 3,007 involved in a fatal crash, 60,000 with injuries and 63,000 for property damages only. Head-on collision is third when it comes to crash between two motor vehicles fatality.

In Arizona, a head-on car collision in Mesa had occurred near the Basline and Meridian Road. It took place last memorial day. Three teens were involved in a head on crash that was a result of heading straight to them from an opposing lane swerved towards them and crashed head on.

The passenger at the backseat was thrown at the front windshield because of the force of the impact, while the other blacked out and found herself waking up with the airbag in her face. The other teen was not injured though, but was so frightened of the incident.

Luckily, there was an off-duty firefighter driving behind them and took action at the scene. There were no serious Mesa passenger injuries during that incident. The teens were all 18-year-old that time and they look up to the firefighter that acted on the scene as a hero after the incident at the fire station.

There will always come a time that a head-on collision will occur and one or both parties may never avoid it at some point of the incident. There are many causes for these to happen and it is inevitable at times.

Just in case that you know someone who is a victim to a head-on collision, do contact us at (602) 457-6222, or (480) 389-2463, for some free consultation.

Distracted driving accounts for a shocking amount of car accidents in the United States and in 2009, 5,474 people died due to this. It is no joke for a person to attempt to multitask while he tries to drive and keep not only his own life but also the lives of his passengers safe. There are so many people, old and young people alike, who think that it is no big deal to drive for a brief moment with their eyes not on the road.

At around 8:45 Monday night, a Gilbert woman Jamie Rea crashed her SUV and she was ejected from her car after trying to get her iPod. She was driving along Guadalupe Road when she hit a curb and her car rolled over. Sgt. William Balafas reported that Rea was not seriously injured in the Arizona distracted driving accident.

A person may one minute be reading something and think to himself that indeed, distracted driving may seem like a bad idea. But in the very next minute, that very same person may find himself in a situation where the easiest solution may seem to be to take his eyes off the road for a second. This may seem like the easiest solution however it is definitely the most risky one. When you face such a dilemma, just ask yourself which of the worst-case scenarios is worse: Failing to pick up your cell and missing an important call, or ending up in a deadly crash that affects you for the rest of your life? If this seems too dramatic, just ask any victim of such accidents and you will be brought back to reality.

For people who either are victims themselves or know victims that are suffering from injuries caused by a cell phone or other distracted driving accident in Arizona, a free consultation is available if you call our experienced Phoenix cell phone auto accident lawyers at (480) 389-2463.

Rollovers are dangerous. Among other types of crashes, rollovers have higher fatality rates. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, rollovers account for 33% of all deaths from passenger vehicle crashes. More than 10,000 people in a year are killed due to rollover crashes.

In Casa Grande, a person was reported dead in an Arizona rollover crash on the Interstate 10 (ABC15 05/31/2011). The crash happened at about 12:37 pm on eastbound I-10 at milepost 196, near State Route 287. There is still no word about the cause of the accident.

There are many factors as to why a rollover happens. An important factor to rollovers is the type of vehicle that is involved. Usually, taller, narrower vehicles are prone to rollovers, such as SUVs, pickups and vans; since these vehicles have a higher center of gravity and are usually involved in single-vehicle rollovers. Another factor is the speed of the vehicle. 40% of rollover crashes involved excessive speeding. Alcohol is also a factor in rollovers, as it accounts for nearly half of all fatal rollover accidents.

Rural roads are often sites of rollover accidents as they are undivided and without barriers, and usually where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or higher. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has added that routine driving such as negotiating a curve or going straight results in more than 90% of fatal single-vehicle rollover crashes which suggest that driver behavior plays a significant role in rollover crashes.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover crash in Arizona, you may call our rollover accident lawyers in Phoenix for a free consultation at (602) 457-6222. We are Arizona car accident lawyers who could help you.

Motorcycles have been around long enough for rules to be made in order to assure their safety as much as any other vehicle’s. Given this fact, it is shocking to find that in Arizona for the year 2009, 31.3 percent of all fatal car crashes were collisions involving motor vehicles. This translates to 222 fatal car crashes with motorists occurring that year. Given the current safety precautions and driving rules, a number of people’s lives were still taken by crashes occurring in the very same roads used by every Arizonian each day.

Last Monday in Scottsdale Arizona a man was killed after being thrown off his motorcycle due to a collision with an SUV. The man was 64 years old. He was driving his motorcycle along North Scottsdale Road and as he neared Grayhawk Drive, a woman who was 71 years of age was making a left turn in her Mercury SUV.

It was 4:30 in the afternoon and the motorcyclist was on his 2007 Honda Goldwing motorcycle when he was hit by the woman’s SUV after she did not yield to the vehicle. The elderly man was catapulted off his motorcycle and he hit the pavement while he was not wearing a helmet. He was transported by air to a local hospital and died after a short while later.

One of the first safety tips motorcyclists learn is to always wear a helmet. And surely, in a worst-case scenario after all the basic safety rules have somehow been broken, a helmet can be the only thing that stands between a motorcyclist and death.

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal motorcycle accident in Arizona, our compassionate Scottsdale motorcycle accident wrongful death lawyers would be glad to offer assistance and answer any questions you may have at (480) 389-2463.

Drunk driving accidents continue to raise concerns despite a very active campaign by the state against DUI’s. In a recent story published by AZ Central (04/19/2011) a vehicle crashed into a home Monday night and police believe impairment was a factor.

According to report, the Mesa drunk driving accident occurred after a 23-year-old man lost control of his pickup truck and crashed into the side of the house at Longmore Drive and Rogers Circle.

A large part of the living room wall was knocked out, but fortunately no one was inside the room at the time. No one in the house was hurt in the accident. The driver faces DUI charges according to Mesa police.

Alcohol impairment is often a factor leading to fatal accidents. From 2005 to 2009, fatalities in crashes which involved drivers exceeding the legally allowed blood alcohol content (.08) have reached more than 60,000, comprising 32 percent of the total roadway accident fatalities for the period.

On a positive note, DUI related and fatal crashes in general have been decreasing as of late. But with tens of thousands of people still dying each year because of car accidents, it is apparent that there is still more work to be done and more importantly more cooperation needed in order to minimize road accidents.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of an impaired driver in Arizona and would like to seek compensation related to a personal injury, call our Mesa drunk driver accident victim lawyers at (602) 457-6222 for a free consultation regarding your case.

Did you know that the total annual cost of alcohol-related crashes reach more than $51 billion across the country? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts 2009, nearly 30 people nationwide are killed everyday due to fatal car crashes involving a drunk driver.

In the United States, the average alcohol-related fatalities cost $3.5 million. This is $1.1 million in monetary costs and $2.4 million in quality of life losses. Meanwhile, the estimated cost per injured survivor of an alcohol-related crash averaged $99,000 or $49,000 in monetary costs and $50,000 in quality of life losses.

In the recent statistics from NHTSA in 2009, fatalities as a result of alcohol-impaired driving crashes reached up to almost 11,000 or 32 percent of the total number of motor vehicle crashes in the country. On the same year, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

At about 11 p.m. last Saturday, a mother and her 6-year-old daughter were injured in an Arizona DUI crash on the eastbound Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway ramp in Tempe (05/28/11). The Department of Public Safety (DPS) revealed that the late-night accident which injured the mother and her 6-year-old daughter was due to impairment.

According to DPS, the car which carried the two rolled down to the embankment after it collided with another car. The mother suffered serious injuries while the girl sustained minor ones. Both were taken to the hospital while the occupants of the other car were safe and uninjured.

The mother is now charged with aggravated DUI and is facing aggravated assault for the injuries she and her daughter suffered.

The danger of being a victim of fatal car crash involving a drunk driver is very high especially in busy roads of Arizona. The high rate of car crashes in Arizona is a harsh reminder that some of us are still not aware of the risks of alcohol-impaired driving.

Here are some tips from Sgt. Thomas Neve (DPS) that might help you to avoid an accident and to stay safe while on the roads:

• Find an alternate way to get home such as a taxi cab, designate a driver, or just plan to stay put
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings and other drivers, especially at night
• Call 911 to report a suspected impaired driver

Pedestrian fatalities accounted for a significant percentage of deaths involving motor vehicle collisions throughout United States and all over the world. For instance, there were a total of 4,092 pedestrian deaths out of more that 33,000 fatalities involving motor vehicles crashes in 2009. This is equivalent to 12 percent of the number of deaths on that year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Did you know that pedestrians have a higher chance of getting killed in a car accident as compared to vehicle occupants on each trip? In most cases, alcohol impairment on the part of either the driver or the pedestrian is the primary cause of accidents resulting to pedestrian deaths. Speeding also offer’s great risks to pedestrians who might be injured or killed after being hit by a car.

In Arizona, each concerned government sector has been trying to establish a pedestrian-friendly environment. For instance, a pedestrian bridge was built in the dam at Tempe connecting the northern and southern shores of the lake. According to information gathered, the bridge, which is 912 feet long, 34 feet high and weigh more than 660,000 pounds will be completed in August.

The bridge primary aim is to build a way for bicyclists, runners, and walkers where they are safe from motor vehicle accidents. In this case, they do not have to compete with speeding cars on the road.

To avoid you and your loved ones become victims of pedestrian accidents, here are few simple tips to stay safe on the road:

• Always use crosswalks and follow traffic signals when crossing the streets.
• Look both ways before crossing even if it is a one way street.
• Use sidewalks or paths, and walk against the flow of traffic to see incoming vehicles.
• Lastly, always be alert when walking on sidewalks or crossing the street.

For victims of pedestrian accidents, dial (602) 457-6222 for a free consultation with one of our top Arizona pedestrian accident injury attorneys.

In the U.S., the leading cause of death for teens ages 15-19 is motor vehicle crashes. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention have said that motor vehicle crashes account for more than one in every 3 deaths in this age group. In 2009, eight teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries. In the same year, about 3,000 teens in the United States aged 15–19 were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes.

A multi-vehicle accident in Arizona was the cause of injury of at least 3 people in a crash on the Interstate 10 (AZFamily 05/28/2011). The 5-vehicle wreck caused the traffic in the I-10 to back up for miles. Among the injured were a pregnant 19-year old woman, an infant and an adult male. The pregnant 19-year-old female was at the head of the accident, she also reported that she was 31 weeks pregnant. The conditions of the victims are still not available. Police resumed the flow of traffic in less than an hour.

Teens, ages 15-20 are always at risk for motor vehicle crashes as they often underestimate dangerous situations. Sometimes, they are also unable to recognize hazardous situations or dangerous roadways in Arizona. Teens are also more likely to speed, allow shorter headways and have the lowest rate of seatbelt use. One way to prevent teen crashes is through the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Systems.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash involving a teen driver, be knowledgeable about your legal rights and options. You may call us at (480) 389-2463 for a free consultation.