Arizona Accident Lawyer Blog

More than 1,300 people suffer serious injuries and 16 people are killed every day due to accidents caused by distracted drivers (CDC). Distracted driving is taking one’s attention away from driving due to preoccupation with something else, such as using a mobile phone. In 2009, about 5,500 people were killed due to distracted driving in the U.S. alone (AZfamily 3/7/2011).

In a recent poll conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Consumer Reports on distracted driving, it was found that 63% of those aged below 30 were guilty of distracted driving, being on their mobile phones or texting while driving. The rates were lower for those who were 30 and above. Only a small percentage of the younger population felt that driving while using a mobile phone was actually dangerous (AZfamily 3/7/2011).

Being distracted while driving increases the chance of crashing into another vehicle, resulting in injured people, or even death. Teens have the highest proportion of distracted driving (CDC). Researchers say the reasons are the teens’ lack of experience behind the wheel as well as peer pressure. Socialization plays a big role in distracted driving, as teens are becoming more conditioned into the habit of immediate responses to text messages and phone calls, even while driving.

The U.S. government is currently taking steps to halt this rampant problem by enacting laws, which are geared towards reducing this problem. Also, proper education through the family and school is being encouraged by the government.

Continue reading " Distracted Driving Accidents " »

Did you know that 4,092 lives were lost because of pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes in 2009? The National Center of Health Statistics also revealed that motor vehicle crashes are a major cause of death for children ages 3 to 14. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also revealed that 1,314 or 4 percent of the total 33,808 traffic fatalities were children under the age of 14 in 2009.

In Arizona, there were 807 fatalities in 2009, and 120 of those were pedestrians. Out of the 807 killed in Arizona 60 of those were children under the age of 15.

On Friday night, a pedestrian was hit by a car near 32nd Street and Yale (3/18/11). The victim, an 8-year old boy was struck by a Lincoln Town Car and is currently in critical condition. According to the statements gathered by the police department, the boy was with his mother and brother when he suddenly darted into the busy street and was hit by the car.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Lincoln town car who was travelling at a normal speed remained on the scene. As of now no criminal charges have been filed.

Although, pedestrian fatalities and injuries have declined over the years, it is vital that we continue to understand the importance of pedestrian safety. Minors who are at a higher risk of injury need to be taught the responsibility of roadway safety.

If you are a victim of a pedestrian accident or any other serious injury, as Phoenix accident lawyers we may be able to help you in getting the payment you deserve for the damages you have acquired. Please call us at 602)-978-6400 for your free consultation

The 2010 statistics for semi truck, tractor-trailer, and commercial vehicle accidents in the U.S. have been released. Over 500,000 large truck and commercial vehicles were involved in accidents; with over 100,000 people getting seriously injured. Over 5,000 people died in these crashes. The numbers for these types of accidents continue to go up today (insurancenewsnet.com). These statistics were compared to only 3,200 deaths involving large trucks in 2009 (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

In Glendale, a man was killed when the vehicle he was driving rear-ended a Dodge pick-up truck, then swerved and hit a semi trailer before swerving into the desert (abc15.com 3/3/11). When the police arrived, they declared the driver of the car dead on the scene. The vehicle’s passenger was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Glendale was closed between Dysart and El Mirage due to this accident.

There are thousands of reports of car accidents with fatalities each year. As the number of vehicles increase, the chances of these kinds of accidents will also increase. Drivers need to be more responsible when driving, by driving at a safe speed, avoiding distractions, and staying alert. Vehicle crashes are not only tragic but often result in high costs to the public.

Continue reading " 1 Dead in Glendale Truck Accident " »

Teenagers are three times more likely to be involved in fatal car crashes than any other age group. A recent poll about distracted driving from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Consumer Reports Magazine revealed that 9 percent of people over thirty years old have admitted to sending text messages on the road, while this number is 30 percent for people below the age of thirty.

More shockingly, the poll stated that 41 percent of people above thirty years old have made calls as they were driving, while for people below thirty, this number was a staggering 63 percent.

Within quite close time frames of each other, Mountain Pointe High School suffered a traumatic loss from the deaths of two of their most brilliant and remembered graduates. A wonderful student described as exemplary for both her academic achievements and her heart, was killed on February 18 shortly after moving to California. She was a Mountain Pointe High School graduate of 2007 and was killed in a car crash on the 405 freeway near LA.

Almost immediately following this young woman’s death, a second blow was dealt when another former female student, a track and field legend in both her school and the state, was killed in a Maricopa street intersection while riding her bike. She was hit by a pickup truck and died at the age of 27.

Today, teens are killed by car crashes more than any other cause of death. And according to the Department of Transportation in 2009, traffic accidents were responsible for the deaths of 5,500 people in the U.S.

Continue reading " 2 Former Mountain Pointe High School Students Killed in Car Wrecks " »

As Arizona accident lawyers, we understand the hardships of losing a loved one in a traffic accident. In 2009, traffic fatalities in the U.S. reached 33,808; averaging out to over 90 people who die every day because of car crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System).

In Maricopa, a life was lost in a tragic bicycle accident last week. The victim, a marathon champion and Olympic hopeful, died after crashing her bike into a pickup truck Tuesday around 1:20 in the afternoon (AZ Family 03/09/2011).

Police say the Maricopa woman was going south into the intersection of White and Parker Road and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway when she failed to yield and collided with the eastbound vehicle resulting in her immediate death.

According to Maricopa Police Department’s spokesperson, the driver of the pickup truck did not appear to be impaired.

Investigations are still ongoing with regards to the accident.

The victim was well known in the local running scene and has in fact qualified for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials after winning a recent marathon event.

Cyclists makes up about almost 2 percent of traffic fatalities in 2009 which was 12 percent less of what was reported in 2008.

For safety purposes, it is important for cyclists to stay focused while on the road and to wear proper gear which serves as cushion against fatal injuries. It is also advised to avoid using gadgets that can impair one of the senses while riding such as music players and cell phones.

Continue reading " Maricopa Bike Accident Kills Athlete " »

Over the years, pedestrian fatalities have accounted for a large portion of total traffic-related fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found nearly 175,000 pedestrians were killed in all motor vehicle crashes. Studies also revealed that 90 percent of all pedestrian fatalities were the result of single vehicle crashes.

There were 69,000 pedestrians who suffered injuries in traffic crashes in 2008 and nearly 5,000 were killed. In 2009, the NHTSA reported that 4,092 pedestrians were killed nationwide, 120 of these were from Arizona. In fact, Arizona was ranked 8th highest in terms of Pedestrian Fatality Rate per 100,000 Population among all other states at 1.82.

In Phoenix, a woman was confirmed to be in extreme critical condition after being hit by a car around 6:50 a.m. on Friday (AZ Central 3/11/11). The accident happened at 32nd Street near Indian School Road when the victim ran across the street and a mid-1990’s Nissan struck her. Police believe that the victim crossed the street when the traffic light was red. Further investigation has shown that the driver of the car was not impaired when the accident occurred.

While on the road, we not only have the responsibility for our own safety but also for others. Pedestrians as well as drivers must follow the laws on the road to avoid fatal accidents. One important safety tip for pedestrians is to stay on sidewalks and use crosswalks instead of walking in the road. It is also important to take action by reporting suspected impaired drivers and speeding cars to avoid fatal accidents.

Continue reading " Female Pedestrian Critically Injured in Phoenix Accident " »

Every 50 minutes, a life is lost due to a drunk driving accident in the U.S. (NHTSA, 2009). In Arizona, the Department of Public Safety and police departments reported that 7,756 car crashes every year involve a pedestrian or a drunk driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .01 or more (AZfamily, 3/15/11).

While a BAC of .01 may seem insignificant, individuals can react at different levels to alcohol, so even at this low level, some users can actually become significantly impaired.

As the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day approaches tomorrow, the Scottsdale Police Department has placed safety as a top priority during the event. Police officers will be out on DUI inspections at a checkpoint at Palm Lane and Scottsdale Road, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. The police will be paying special attention to drivers going southbound on Scottsdale Road, heading from Old Town bars and nightlife.

For every impaired driving fatality, Arizonans pay approximately $3.3 million in monetary and quality of life losses. If alcohol-related crashes in Arizona were reduced by even 10%, it would save $50 million annually in insurance costs.

If only to spare the financial implications of a drunk driving accident, please drink responsibly during your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. AAA Arizona is again offering their free “Tipsy Tow” service starting at 6pm Thursday night through 6am on Friday. You don’t even have to be an AAA member—just call 1-800-AAA-HELP and say you need a “Tipsy Tow” and an AAA truck will provide a free one-way ride home within a 10 mile radius of the starting location.

Continue reading " Scottsdale Drunk Driver Checkpoint Planned for St. Patrick's Day " »

A Phoenix motorcycle accident happened around 1am last Friday morning. Motorcycle accidents happen very frequently all around the world. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 51,000 bikers injured during 2009. Preventive measures have been implemented by the authorities to ensure safe travel among road users. Public warnings, public awareness, educational programs and police visibilities on the road are just a few of the preventive measures to try to prevent motorcycle accidents.

The motorcycle accident that happened last Friday involved a police chase. The chase began when the motorcyclist refused to stop when an officer in a patrol car was initiating a traffic stop. In an attempt to run over the driver, the officer drove around the corner of Greenway Road and 40th street. The motorcycle driver ran through the parking lot of a Quiktrip gas station. The motorcycle driver got in the path of an incoming cruiser and crashed into it.

Both ways from Greenway Road up to the next minor street to the south were temporarily closed due to the accident and for investigation purposes. The driver sustained broken bones and currently is recovering in the hospital according to Phoenix police. Fatal crashes and injuries can be prevented if only all road users follow traffic laws and rules of the road. Be considerate and show courtesy to other road users like the presence of police and pedestrians.

Continue reading " Phoenix Collision Leads to a Driver’s Escape " »

Car Collision in Mesa landed One 18-year-old Woman To The Hospital
http://www.kpho.com/news/27025520/detail.html

Most of the time, children are helpless when a vehicular accident occurs. The children would normally rely on their parents or the driver’s assistance to escape the vehicle. This leads to approximately 250,000 children every year being injured in car accidents recorded by The National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA). On average, around 2,000 children die due to the car accident. As a result, 5% of the total fatalities from car accidents are children.

Recently in Mesa, a 26 year-old woman, a 4 year-old boy, and two other small children were involved in a two-car accident that the sent the driver of the other vehicle to the hospital. The accidents happened because the minivan containing the three children and the 26 year-old turned on a yellow light the same time the 18 year-old driver of the other car was entering the intersection.

The 18 year-old girl was taken to the hospital, but she did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. The 4-year old child suffered minor abrasions and was treated at the scene. The child only experienced minor injuries because he was properly restrained in a safety seat.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the fatality risk for children from car accidents has lowered by 71% for babies and 54% for toddlers aging from 1-4 years old. The decline in fatalities has been due in part to the proper installation of car seats. It is important to remember to purchase a new safety seat after you have been involved in an accident to ensure it is in working condition.

If you or a family member has recently been involved in a similar car accident then contact (602) 267-1280 for consultation and advice. As Arizona accident attorneys we will fight for rightful compensation.

Did you know that people over the age of 65 accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2008? Did you also know that 16 year olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash then any other age group? In 2009 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the number of traffic fatalities had decreased by 300 due to campaigns such as “Click-it-or-Ticket” and other safe driving initiatives.

Arizona has been known for having a very high number of traffic-related accidents. However, stronger safety regulations have come into effect nationally, which has led to the state of Arizona seeing a decline in the number injuries and fatalities related to motor vehicles.

There was a head-on collision in Peoria last Thursday. The accident happened near a Peoria intersection at 112th and Northern avenues before 5 a.m. (AZ Family 3/3/11). According to reports, emergency crews had to extricate both drivers. The driver, age 65, had to be airlifted to a local hospital and the other victim, age 30, suffered multi-system trauma and was transported by ambulance. Further information has not been released, but it is believed that they both suffered life threatening injuries. Peoria Police revealed that a loose trailer might have caused the wreck. The 65-year old driver might have tried to avoid the trailer and as a result collided into the other car head-on.

Accidents caused by run away trailers are not as common as motor vehicle accidents however, can be just as dangerous. To avoid finding yourself involved in a car accident, it is important to not follow cars or trailers too closely.

Continue reading " 2 Injured in a Head-On Collision in Peoria " »

Safe Kids USA, an organization working towards preventing unintentional child injuries, revealed that motor vehicle crashes ranks first in leading causes of unintentional injury and deaths among children below 14 years old in the United States.

Every year, there are over 3,000 large trucks involved in fatal crashes nationwide (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2009). Arizona alone lost 67 lives to fatal truck accidents in 2009. Out of the 67 fatal accidents, 18 trucks were involved in single-vehicle crashes and 49 were involved in multiple-vehicle crashes.

Two people were seriously injured and hospitalized as a result of an accident in Glendale on Wednesday night (AZ Central 3/2/11). The incident started when the driver of a landscaping truck with a trailer came to a stop near 47th and Olive avenues to avoid hitting a person, who was at that time, crossing the street. Due to the sudden stop, a silver car carrying two women and a young boy struck the trailer. Then another car rear-ended the silver car. The driver of the silver car was critically injured, and the boy who was with her had to be extricated from the car, suffering life-threatening injuries.

Many studies have been done on child fatalities, and sadly, car crashes have been found to be the number one killer of children in the country, over and over again. As parents, we don’t want to see this trend continue. There are many safety precautions to take to protect your children in the car—most important is the appropriate child seat. Children should ride in car or booster seats until they reach 80-100 pounds or 8-12 years of age. Take the time to make sure your child’s seat is properly installed; an incorrect installation renders the seat useless in a crash. Free car seat checks are available all over the valley: Visit www.seatcheck.org to find a location near you.

Continue reading " 2 Seriously Injured in Glendale Truck Accident " »

Almost 250,000 people have died in alcohol related accidents in the past 10 years (U.S. Dept of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Added to that is the 11,773 drunk driving deaths that were recorded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2008. 41 % of drivers involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.8 and above. Every 20 minutes, one life is lost in a vehicular crash.

The recent forced closure of the Carefree Highway in North Phoenix rooted from the serious head on collision between two cars that happened early this morning. The accident left two injured people.

Accordingly, just before 1 a.m., the 22-year-old female driver of the 2005 Kia Spectra was heading east along the Carefree Highway when suddenly another car hit her head-on.

Police have identified the 39-year-old female driver of the Black 2005 Mitsubishi Montero who hit the Kia, she was traveling the wrong way on the road leading her to crash into the other car. Investigators believe that the driver of the Mitsubishi was under the influence of the alcohol.

The two drivers were immediately brought to Valley Hospital. The driver of Kia was severely injured and in critical condition while the driver of Mitsubishi suffered only non-life threatening injuries.

To gather evidence and investigate properly the accident, the police officers of Phoenix had to close both lanes of Carefree Highway from 7th to 23rd Avenues for about 12 hours.

The high incidence of alcohol-related collisions has been of high concern for many years. Not only does it cost lives, but it also increases the cost of hospitalization. That’s why so many advocacy groups try to keep these drunk drivers off the road. Remember, even one drink is enough to impair your driving skills, so please don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.

Continue reading " Head on Collision Injured Two People in Carefree Highway, North Phoenix " »

In 2009, there were 3,215 fatal crashes involving large trucks, accounting for 7.1 percent of all fatal accidents in the United States (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). In most cases, fatal truck accidents occurred in rural areas and only 1 percent were DUI-related. On the other hand, truck driver fatigue is a major cause of fatal truck accidents. In fact, research showed that 30% of all truck crashes were a result of truck drivers driving without taking enough rest and getting the required amount of sleep.

In Arizona, only 67 large trucks or 6.6 percent out of 1,008 vehicles were involved in fatal crashes in 2009. From this total number, 8 resulted in roll over and 14 resulted in a fire. Large truck accidents in Arizona are the second most infrequent type of accident, next to buses, according to data from NHTSA-FARS.

A truck accident occurred last Tuesday night in Tempe (KPHO 02/22/11). According to reports, a FedEx truck tipped over near Broadway Road and McClintock Drive in Tempe. Fortunately, the impact of the accident was not intense, so the driver only suffered minor injuries according to the officers.

As per the initial investigation, the load in the truck might be the cause of the accident. Witnesses say the truck was turning slowly before it tipped over. The load likely shifted and threw the truck’s weight distribution off, causing it to tip.

Continue reading " Truck Roll-Over Injures Driver " »