Arizona Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a report, a Phoenix man was walking on Camelback Road when a car ran a red light, swerved onto the sidewalk and struck him. Police suspect that alcohol may have been a factor.

Drunk driving must be stopped in Arizona, and car accident lawyers can do their part. Though we cannot stop Arizona drunk driving car accidents overnight, we must try to decrease them.

If alcohol was involved in this incident, there must be criminal prosecution and, if possible, civil prosecution as well. While we do not know the details of this case, we do know that alcohol is repeatedly a factor in pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles throughout Arizona. To that end, we must take every step necessary to help reduce the number of people harmed.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Hit by Alleged Drunk Driver in Arizona" »

Drunk driving accidents are increasing in Arizona. People who drink and drive do not care when they get behind the wheel that they are putting at risk the health and safety of innocent individuals. Almost always, a person who decides to get behind the wheel after they have been drink and driving is acting very selfishly, and this behavior needs to be eliminated. One drunk driver in Arizona recently got behind the wheel after drinking and driving and caused a serious accident hurting 5 innocent people. Many times those who drink and drive cause serious automobile accidents or death to innocent people.

Criminal Courts handle many cases to punish drunk drivers, however the criminal courts are overloaded and they cannot help victims of drunk drivers who have suffered serious injury receive monetary awards for all of the pain and suffering sustained by such an injury. Trial lawyers in Arizona need to make a statement that drunk driving will not be tolerated. The public needs to know that if a person chooses to drink and drive that personal injury lawyers in Arizona will pursue civil cases against these drivers. In some instances, although as personal injury attorneys we cannot bring back a loved one who has been killed by a reckless driver, we can work to make sure that the family members are taken care of financially. With the help of the Courts putting the drunk drivers in prison, it is hopeful that at the end of the civil case the family members feel some level of justice. Criminal courts focus on punishing the drunk driver by putting them in jail or giving some other punishments, personal injury lawyers focus on getting a monetary settlement for the family members or injured victim. Our criminal courts can only get limited restitution when an individual has been hit by a drunk driver. On the other hand, a personal injury lawyer in Arizona can help the victim of a drunk driving accident recover for money, including lost wages, medical bills, loss of abilities to do the normal life’s activities, and loss of enjoyment of life. For wrongful death claims where it involves a drunk driver, as personal injury lawyers in Arizona, we also can request from the Judge that we be allowed to ask for punitive damages and that the drunk driver further be punished. With wrongful death claims, we make the claim on behalf of the family of the wrongful death victim or on behalf of the personal representative of the estate.

From handling many Arizona wrongful death claims and injury claims against drunk drivers, one of the questions that is difficult for many families is making the decision whether to bring a lawsuit or not. Many people in Arizona feel that bringing a lawsuit is not an acceptable way to recover damages. In fact, the law gives victims only one method to obtain a monetary settlement against an individual and that is to file a claim or file a lawsuit. When it comes to drunk drivers and similar, selfish behavior, we believe that people who drink and drive should be pursued not only in the Arizona criminal courts, but also by the injury victim and families of the lost loved ones. Personal injury lawyers can serve to hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions in a court of law. What is most important is that individuals make a decision in which they feel most comfortable. If you are wondering if you have a claim against a drunk driver or whether or not to pursue a claim, we are happy to go over the process of filing a claim against a drunk drier with you. In order to know whether you feel comfortable filing a claim, it is best that you have as much knowledge as possible. We can review your case with you and give you all the details, and you can make an informed decision. Our consultations are always complimentary and we are always ready and willing to help injury victims and families who have lost a loved one.

It is well documented that at Breyer Law Offices, we sue drunk drivers. We do everything possible to make sure drunk drivers and their insurance companies fully compensate our clients. Drinking and driving is selfish and it is stupid. More importantly, although most drunk drivers intend to cause no harm, they take not only their own lives, but the lives of others into their hands. We have been very critical of drinking and driving for a long time and very aggressive in our representation of our clients when there is a drunk driver on the other side.

However, sometimes we are all reminded that it can happen to anybody. No, this is not one of our many, many stories of people who are hurt in drunk driving accidents and needed a lawyer to help them with the personal injury case. Yes, we have helped many, many people under those circumstances because we are Arizona car accident lawyers and drinking and driving unfortunately causes many of the most serious accidents. However, day after day and year after year, we always see the side of the family who was devastated because of an injury caused by a drunk driver.

However, a former client of ours recently was involved in a terrible drunk driving accident. This was a client we have always liked and a client that we have nothing but good things to say about from the time that we got to know him while we represented him. We got to know his family as well, and he came from an excellent family. And yet, he was recently listed as a suspect for driving under the influence. We have no idea if the allegations are accurate. The truth is, it does not matter. It doesn't matter whether it's true in this case or not, because it is a reminder that whether our former client is innocent or not, one mistake not only devastates the lives of the person who is hurt in their family, but the family and loved ones of the person who was too selfish to make sure that they had a safe ride home.

We certainly hope our former client is innocent. We hope for justice for everybody involved.

If you have been in an auto accident in Arizona and think that it may have been caused by the negligence of a drunk driver, Breyer Law Offices, P.C. can help. Contact our skilled Tuscon personal injury attorneys today for a free evaluation to ensure that you get the compensation that is due to you. Call us today at 602-978-6400.

Arizona drunk driving must be stopped. Car accident lawyers in AZ can do their part. If we cannot stop drunk driving car accidents in Tucson and Phoenix and throughout Arizona, we must do more to decrease the number. According to reports, Rene Herrera was walking on Camelback Road near 37th Avenue when Victor Lopez ran a red light, swerved onto the sidewalk and hit Mr. Herrera. According to the reports, alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.

To the degree that alcohol was involved in this incident there must be criminal prosecution and, if possible, civil prosecution as well. We have all heard about drunk driving accidents. We all know how many Arizona residents are killed because of drunk drivers every year. We have all heard the stories of the terrible Tucson car accidents and Phoenix drunk driving accidents that take the lives of innocent people.

Continue reading "Arizona Man Hit By Careless Driver Who May Have Been Drunk" »

A small bit of justice was brought to the Yuma, Arizona community following the wrongful death to Yuma resident Yvette Herrera as a result of a one-year sentence handed down to Daniel Luna. Apparently, in September Yvette Herrera was killed in a single vehicle Yuma, Arizona car accident in which Mr. Luna was the driver. It has been reported that Mr. Luna was driving under the influence at the time of this incident. It has also been reported that Mr. Luna had been previously arrested but was apparently allowed to keep his driver’s license with some limitations.

Everything that can be done to prevent drunk driving accidents in Arizona must be done. Personal injury lawyers can help drunk driving victims by not only helping them through the legal process, but by going after compensation from the drunk driver after a serious injury.

The best personal injury lawyers helping Yuma residents, Scottsdale, Arizona residents, Tucson, Arizona residents, and everywhere throughout the state know the tragedies that befall innocent victims as a result of drunk driving. In addition to the prosecution of these individuals who cause serious injuries, it is important that personal injury lawyers do everything possible to allow the families who have lost a loved one to receive every bit of compensation that they are deserved and allowed under the law. Not only does this serve the benefit of helping the survivors after such a tragedy, or the injury victim that can no longer work, but it may be one more potential harm that could befall a drunk driver that may discourage future drunk driving. Anything that can be done to do so is important.

Continue reading "Yuma Woman's Death From Drunk Driving Accident Accounted For" »

Serious injuries and death on Arizona roadways as a result of drunk drivers is on the rise yet again. According to published reports, in 2006 there were 502 alcohol-related fatalities on Arizona roads. This is apparently climbing in number, reaching back to the terrible days of 1986 where 582 people were killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.

As experienced personal injury lawyers helping people after drunk driving accidents, we have seen far too many occasions where we have had to help out the family who lost a loved one because somebody was so selfish that they chose to get behind the wheel of a car after they had been drinking. Some may question whether or not even the best Arizona personal injury lawyers can help a family who has lost somebody after a drunk driving accident. Most people assume that the help provided to drunk driving accident victims is only provided through the criminal courts in the prosecution of the drunk driver. In fact, we have helped many clients receive full and fair compensation for the financial toll that these types of injuries take upon the entire family. When a wage earner is lost, there is no greater pain than the emotional loss and we have seen this repeatedly. However, there are financial realties for the family left behind. Even when somebody is able to survive and only suffers a serious personal injury, the inability to continue to work or to help out around the house causes serious financial tolls on everybody involved. The whole family is affected by this kind of drinking and driving that we have seen continue to climb in Arizona.

As Arizona personal injury lawyers helping the victims of drunk driving, we know all too well the many questions that are facing the family considering a bringing a claim. How long will the claim take? How long does a personal injury case take after a serious injury? What has to be done to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver? Can a drunk driver be forced to pay for lost wages or for pain incurred as a result of their negligence? The answers to these questions and many more are so vital to a family deciding whether or not to bring a claim.

We take great pride in the fact that for years we have not just been able to be very successful for our clients in obtaining compensation, but also in the fact that we have answered their questions and provided a level of communication that has led so many of our clients for so many years to encourage people to call us with any questions they have. If you or anyone you know has been involved in a serious injury, or you know the family suffering through the wrongful death that was caused by another's negligence, we are happy to answer the questions that exist. It is not just about whether or not a legal claim exists, but whether that legal claim is in the best interest of the family involved, and which legal claim and in which manner a claim that is brought should be done for the benefit of the family that is already suffering.

In the meantime, we could only hope that enforcement by both experienced personal injury trial lawyers as well as prosecutors throughout the state will continue or will start to once again decrease the number of fatalities on our Arizona roadways.

Drunk drivers must be prosecuted. Drunk drivers should be sued by the victims for the injuries they caused in a civil court by personal injury lawyers. We must come together and end the killing on our highways and the destruction and serious injury caused by DUI accidents in Arizona and across the country.

We are outraged and extremely saddened by the case of the Smith family. According to this report, Traci Smith and her husband Frank Smith were driving with their two boys when they were violently struck at a four-way stop sign by two teenagers who were speeding and drinking when the accident happened. The two boys tragically lost their lives. Mrs. Smith is apparently in critical condition. There are no words to express our sadness for this family. There is absolutely no excuse for this crime that was committed by these teenagers.

At some point we must draw the line. At some point we must say that Arizona drinking and driving accidents are not just tragic when these accidents happen. We must do everything possible to stop drinking and driving before these types of tragedies can occur.

Continue reading "Drunk Driving Accident Claims Lives of Two Boys" »

Did you know that repeat drunk drivers are responsible for 60% of alcohol-related fatalities? Well, neither did I, until I came across that interesting fact and about 1,000 others provided by Chris Davis, the outstanding Seattle personal injury trial lawyer. I have met Mr. Davis on a number of occasions, and he never fails to impress. It is evident from in-person meetings and from his blog and website that he takes his clients seriously. More importantly to me, and to Seattle car accident victims searching for the best Washington State serious injury accident lawyer, he has tremendous ability to get the job done, gather facts and resources beyond what most could even contemplate, and go on the offensive.

As a Phoenix, Arizona personal injury lawyer, I continue to be overwhelmed by the ongoing tragedies that occur every day as a result of drunk drivers. Now, through Seattle Accident Lawyer Chris Davis, I come to find out that over half of all the wrongful death cases due to drunk drivers are the result of repeat offenders? This is unacceptable. It is time that we, as a community and as a nation, start taking drunk driving seriously. It is time we consider a zero-tolerance policy. One DUI - no more license. Why such an extreme reaction - because we have an extreme problem. The one night in jail and up to one year of no license is not working well enough. If we can save a single car accident victim from having to suffer through years of pain by enacting such a law, it is time to get it done.

Continue reading "Repeat Drunk Drivers Responsible For 60% Alcohol Related Fatalities" »

Phoenix car accident attorneys discuss why the Metro Light in Phoenix should stay open later to prevent serious injuries in car accidents to Arizona residents

Metro Light Rail in Phoenix, Arizona is making a big mistake in our opinion in closing down early. Too many Arizona residents are killed in drunk driving accidents every year. Too many of our clients with personal injury cases resulting from drunk drivers on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, Tempe, Arizona, Mesa, Arizona, Glendale, Arizona, and many other places the Light Rail does or will run are injured because people leave bars and restaurants late at night and, the poor decision to drive themselves, badly hurt others.

In our firm, as personal injury lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona, we have spent far too many days of our lives trying to help out the families who have lost people killed in car accidents because of drunk drivers. When there is a golden opportunity to decrease the number of drunk drivers on our streets we must do it. We must do not just because it saves tax dollars in paying for people who were badly injured that did not have enough medical insurance. We must do it not just because it deceases the amount of personal tragedy and suffering that occurs when drunk drivers hurt people throughout the State of Arizona. We must do this because there is a moral imperative to take advantage of a taxpayer funded Light Rail system.

The Light Rail system is not going to remain open past 11:00 p.m. to, at the latest, 11:45 p.m. on most nights. However, based upon a recent law in Arizona, bars and restaurants are allowed to stay open until 2:00 in the morning. Why would we not do everything we could to make sure Light Rail stays open so that people who get last call at a bar can take the Light Rail to within walking distance of their home and decrease the number of miles they drive?

Continue reading "Metro Light Rail in Phoenix Won't Help Curb Drunk Drivers" »

Mesa police have arrested a 39-year-old woman who they say was the hit-and-run driver in a four-vehicle auto accident on November 12, 2008, which killed 63-year-old Ted L. Fletcher and injured two others. According to an article in the East Valley Tribune, 39-year-old Caroline Begay reportedly caused a chain reaction crash near Third Street and Country Club Drive.

Fletcher was crossing the street at an unmarked crosswalk when he was fatally struck by a truck, one of the vehicles involved in that chain-reaction auto accident caused by Begay. Police said Begay spun her rear wheels doing a complete 360 and continued southbound on South Country Club where she stopped her vehicle after making a right onto West 6th Avenue. Police also said she was “belligerent” and showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested on suspicion of fleeing the scene of an injury involved collision and DUI charges.

According to Arizona Revised Statute 28-661 (a), the driver of vehicle involved in an accident resulting in personal injury or death of a person “shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the accident scene as possible, but shall immediately return to the accident scene.” It is also illegal in the state of Arizona to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or operate a motor vehicle under the influence of any type of drug.

Begay will face criminal charges, but she should also be held civilly responsible for the injuries and death caused. If you or a loved one has been severely injured or killed because of someone else’s negligence please call an experienced and knowledgeable Phoenix personal injury lawyer to find out about your rights and legal options.

Kelly Tracy, 16, was killed in a traffic collision which officials say was caused by a suspected drunk driver in Mesa. According to this news report, Kelly’s brother, Matthew, was driving her to a high school marching band performance when their car was struck by 32-year-old Manuel Contreras-Galdean, who reportedly drove his car into the path of the Nissan Sentra in which Kelly and her brother were traveling. Officials say the collision at the intersection of Guadalupe and Sossaman roads was nearly head-on. Matthew suffered non life threatening injuries while Kelly died of severe head injuries.

Contreras-Galdean has been arrested and charged with one count each of vehicular manslaughter and aggravated assault. Authorities have also placed an immigration hold on him after determining that he is in the country illegally, the news report said.

This is a horrific and tragic Arizona auto accident and our hearts go out to Kelly’s family. If Mr. Contreras-Galdean is guilty, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is sad to see a young person taken away so suddenly.

This is how auto accidents happen – without warning. Families that are left with an injured victim or worse, a deceased victim, are faced with medical and/or funeral expenses, not to mention the pain and grief of having lost a loved one. A knowledgeable and experienced Phoenix auto accident attorney will fight for the rights of these injured or affected victims and help them secure the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Phoenix auto accident, please call the Breyer Law Offices for a free and comprehensive consultation.