Arizona Accident Lawyer Blog

As Eloy car accident attorneys, we were saddened to hear of the death of one 16-year-old girl when the car she was riding in rolled over several times. According to a news report in Fox 10, the girl was ejected from the pickup truck and died at the scene on December 6, 2011. The car accident happened at 10 p.m. Two other people in the car, including the 18-year-old male driver and an 18-year-old female passenger, were transported to Phoenix hospitals for their injuries. Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the teenager, and we wish the injured a quick recovery.

Causes of This Eloy Car Accident

The driver of the vehicle told police that he swerved and lost control of his vehicle when he tried to avoid debris in the road. As Eloy car accident attorneys, we often see car accidents, especially rollover accidents, that are caused by debris in the road. However, according to police, alcohol and drugs could have played a role in the car accident.

Eloy Car Accident Statistics

There were four fatal car accidents in Eloy in 2008 and four people died, according to City-Data.com. Drunk drivers caused one of these fatal accidents. Thirteen people were involved in fatal Eloy car accidents in total.

How an Eloy Auto Accident Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

As Eloy auto accident wrongful death attorneys, we talk to many families who believe that because their children chose to ride in a car with another individual, they have given up all their rights. This is not the case. The Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. talks to witnesses and reviews police reports to rebuild what happened during the car accident. We are available to answer any and all legal questions. For a free consultation, call our office today.

As Glendale motorcycle accident attorneys, we never like hearing that a death could have possibly been prevented. According to a news report in the Tucson Citizen, a 60-year-old woman was killed after a motorcycle accident on November 30, 2011 while riding near 114th Street and Glendale Avenue. Police believe the motorcycle accident may have been caused by a “maintenance issue.” Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family during this time.

Causes of This Glendale Motorcycle Accident

According to reports, police believe this Glendale motorcycle accident may have been caused by a maintenance issue. They said too much brake kicked in when the woman attempted to stop at a traffic light. As Glendale motorcycle accident lawyers, we sometimes see motorcycle accidents that are caused by defective parts, as well as motorcycle accidents that are caused by improper repairs. It is possible that the woman had her motorcycle worked on at a repair shop and a technician did not adjust the brakes correctly. When she applied the brake, it is possible that the bike overturned and killed her. There are many reputable repair shops in Arizona, so this is not to say the repair shop is at fault; it just could be something that the family of the woman should look into to see if they have a valid wrongful death claim. Many times the product companies recall certain items.

Arizona Motorcycle Accident Statistics

There were 326 Arizona motorcycle accidents in 2010 that included the motorcycle overturning, resulting in 11 fatalities and 291 injuries, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

Contact a Glendale Wrongful Death Attorney

If this Glendale motorcycle accident was caused by a defective part or maintenance issue, an experienced Glendale wrongful death attorney can collect the evidence to prove it. The Breyer Law Offices, P.C. advocates on the part of the victim and victim’s family by investigating all matters to see if a wrongful death claim exists. Contact us for your free consultation today at (623) 930-8064.

In certain situations, a Yuma pedestrian wrongful death lawyer can help victims of crashes by lending a hand in assessing the situation properly to determine the legal implications involved. According to ABC15, an 84 year-old man just recently died due to injuries he sustained after he was hit by a pickup truck. The fatal collision occurred on a Monday morning at around 7 a.m. near 26th Street and 33rd Drive. Results of the preliminary investigation found that the man was crossing the street when a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck, which a 16-year-old was driving, struck him. The man was transported to a hospital but was later pronounced dead due to his injuries. We send our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victim and our prayers go out to them.

Phoenix Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrian accidents can happen at any time. Recent statistics published by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) show that there were 155 fatalities and 1,236 pedestrian injuries in 2010.

Arizona State Pedestrian Law

Pedestrians are given priority when crossing the street. While pedestrians are supposed to cross on marked crosswalks, there will always be pedestrians who will walk on unmarked crosswalks. Either way, pedestrians may be seen crossing the road at intersections and drivers should try to yield the right of way.

Contact an Arizona Wrongful Death Lawyer

In cases such as these, it is recommended that you contact an Arizona wrongful death lawyer. The case should be examined by an experienced wrongful death lawyer so that the family understands how to ensure the best possible settlement is obtained and justice is served. The top Arizona wrongful death lawyers offer free consultations and will not take a fee until the case is settled. The Breyer Law Offices is willing to help the families of those victims of wrongful death claims and will answer all your questions. Call anytime for a free consultation at 602-457-6222. You can also follow us on our Arizona Law Team Twitter account for additional information, news, and other topics of interest.

Motor vehicle accidents are often caused by negligence on the part of a driver. Driving at a high speed or driving while impaired are two relevant factors when it comes to fatal car accidents. In the United States motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among ages 5-34 years old. This is based on the research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nearly 34,000 persons were killed in fatal car crashes in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to that, more than 2.3 million were reportedly injured in car crashes and were treated in emergency departments.

In Arizona, fatal car accidents are very common with 698 reported fatalities in 2010. The Arizona Department of Transportation also stated that based on the records, speeding is a common violation of drivers which resulted to motor vehicle crashes.

On September 20, 2011 at around 8:41 pm, an Arizona speeding collision between a 1995 Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Lumina occurred in Wickenburg. According to authorities, the SUV was travelling southbound at high-speed when it struck the Chevrolet Lumina, and a DPS vehicle. Authorities said that the SUV might have been trying to pass other vehicles before it hit the Chevrolet head-on. The driver of the DPS vehicle and two others died at the scene.

As drivers, we are expected to be extremely careful while we are behind the wheel. In most instances, a seemingly simple and thoughtless act can cause serious injury and even death. Running a red light, speeding, and failing to yield or stop for a pedestrian are potentially deadly forms of negligence.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal Arizona car accident, your family may be entitled to financial compensation for losses such as medical bills, funeral costs, loss of companionship and lost future income. Contact the dedicated Phoenix traffic accident wrongful death attorneys of the Arizona Husband and Wife Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. today for a free consultation at 602-457-6222.

Head-on collisions are serious type of road traffic accident. The nature of the collision itself is dangerous enough to result to fatal injuries. Did you know that there are a total of 126,000 head-on collision accidents that took place in 2009 alone? This is according to the national statistics of NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It sums up to a 2.3 % of the total crashes that had happened on that year, where 3,007 incidents had resulted to fatality.

A head-on collision took place in San Manuel, Arizona, where a 74-year-old man died and three other people were injured. The fatal auto accident in Arizona was between an all-terrain vehicle Polaris Ranger and a Ford Bronco. The Ranger was heading north on Water Tank Road while the Ford Bronco heading southbound when they collided as they reached the hilltop.

The Ranger’s driver died on the scene and three other people involved in the accident were injured. The Ranger had rolled over because of the force of the impact of the collision.

The Ranger driver’s wife, a 61-year-old woman and a 17-year-old passenger of the Ford Bronco was airlifted to the University Medical Center in Tucson due to some serious injuries, but were expected to survive. The driver of the Ford Bronco was taken to the hospital by an ambulance.

According to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, alcohol and drug impairment are factors in the car collision.

Head-on collisions like this one exemplify the importance of safe driving. Distracted and negligent driving can often lead to fatal injuries and worse, death. However, there are other factors that may contribute to head-on collisions for instance if there are obstructions on the road that may prevent the driver to see what’s ahead, which is why it is always important to keep your eyes on the road at all times.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, call our drunk driving crash victim attorneys in Arizona at (602) 457-6222 for your free consultation.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Admission has announced that 4,092 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 59,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2009. From this figure, it was deduced that a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every nine minutes in traffic crashes.

Last week in Scottsdale, a driver hit and killed two pedestrians who were from Alaska (ABC15 05/20/2011). On May 8, a couple from Alaska was walking on the sidewalk when an SUV drove into the sidewalk, hitting the two, and then a power pole. The driver of the SUV that hit the pedestrians was a 23-year-old male who have stated that he fell asleep while driving at the time of the pedestrian accident in Scottsdale. Both pedestrians were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, while the driver suffered only minor injuries.

The safest place for a pedestrian in Scottsdale is the sidewalk. However, it seems that from this account, pedestrians should maintain caution even when on the sidewalk. That’s why; it is always wise to be seen by drivers while walking. At night, it is advised that a flashlight be carried while walking. Putting reflective material on to the clothes could also help, as well as wearing bright-colored clothes. As for drivers, it is advised that one should not drink and drive as well as text and drive and in this case, it is important to get proper rest before driving.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an Arizona pedestrian accident because of negligence, then you may call our Scottsdale fatal pedestrian accident attorneys at (602) 267-1280 for a free consultation. Know your legal rights and options.

Hit and run accidents are one of the most common accidents on the road. According to statistics, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death to people between the ages of 1 and 34. Hit-and-run is considered to be a criminal offense. It is defined as the act of causing accidents on the road and the failure to stop and identify oneself.

On Wednesday, a 22-year old man was sentenced to three years of probation after causing the death of a 32-year old man. The Arizona hit and run accident happened near Southern Avenue and Rural Road last July. The victim was legally riding his bicycle when he was struck.

Hit-and-run accidents in Arizona have severe legal consequences including the suspension of one’s driver's license or revocation of a license and imprisonment. In the United Sates, hit-and run penalties vary from state to state. Arizona, for instance has two guidelines with regards to leaving the scene of an accident or hit-and-run- accidents involving death or personal injury; failure to stop (ARS 28-661) and
accidents involving damage to vehicle; failure to stop (ARS 28-662) .

If you have been involved in a hit and run, the first thing to do is to stay calm and stop immediately. Drivers should also be aware that they must still stop even though the accident is not his fault or they might face hit and run charges instead of gross negligence.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hit and run, or other fatal traffic accident and would like to seek compensation, our Arizona auto accident wrongful death lawyers are here to help. Call us at (602) 267-1280.

Speeding is one of the most common causes of motor vehicle crashes in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2008 11,674 lives were claimed due to speeding-related accidents. Speeding also contributed to 31 percent of fatal crashes in the same year and an estimated $40.4 billion in economic costs. An NHTSA study revealed that alcohol related car accidents also create a high cost for the state.

Meanwhile, out of 45,230 drivers who were involved in fatal crashes, 8,302 had previous speeding convictions from 2009. Arizona had 166 drivers with previous speeding convictions out of 981.

Early Friday morning, a Mesa one-vehicle fatal collision occurred on U.S. 60 East and Greenfield Road (AZ Central 3/25/11). According to authorities, the only occupant of the four-door Dodge sedan was its driver, a 39-year-old man from Superior.

Investigations revealed that the man was driving very fast when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then hit the guardrail, which caved in the driver-side door. Due to the high speeding rate, the driver was thrown into the dashboard. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

Motor vehicle accident fatalities are often the result of carelessness or distractions. Despite the continuous decline of traffic-related fatalities in the U.S., there are still some who take safety for granted. People have become more aware of the importance of wearing seat belts and following the speed limit. However, reporting suspicious driving is also a very important part of decreasing accidents on the road. If you spot a reckless or speeding driver, please be take your safety into your own hands and report the behavior to the police.

Continue reading "Fatal 1-Vehicle Mesa Accident" »

The United States reported 5.5 million car crashes in 2009 and 32 percent of them were due to impaired drivers. Drunk driving haunts thousands in every nation each year and leaves many people killed or injured. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so please take a minute to remind yourself and others about the dangers of drunk driving—you could just save a life.

In Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and various police agencies arrested 48 people with outstanding warrants regarding drunken driving offenses under the fifth multi-agency driving under the influence warrant roundup last Thursday.

The DPS, Phoenix, Surprise, Scottsdale Police and Maricopa County Adult Probation Department participated in the said event.

The officers went to homes and businesses to arrest the DUI suspects. However, if the DUI suspects don’t want to be arrested, they can submit themselves voluntarily at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

Based on the report, Department of Public Safety arrested 33 suspects, Surprise Police Department has 8, Phoenix Police Department has 3, Maricopa County Adult Probation has 3 and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Constables 1 suspect arrested.

This pursuit of the authorities regarding DUI is such a big thing to do to stop the increasing incidence of fatalities in car crashes. Drunk drivers must not be allowed to drive and drink because it just triples the risk of having a fatal crash which could kill and injure million of innocent people. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has found that the average drunk driver is not caught for the first time until they’ve driven drunk approximately 87 times. The sooner these drivers are taken off the road, the less destruction they can wreak.

Continue reading "48 DUI Suspects Arrested: April is Alcohol Awareness Month" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

Did you know that in United States, 4,092 persons were killed in 2009 due to fatal car crashes (Fatality Analysis Reporting System)? Arizona had 120 road fatalities occur in the same year.

A hit and run accident is defined as the failure to stop and identify oneself after colliding into a person or a fixture. Hit and run accidents are very serious crimes. As Glendale car accident attorneys, we see the disastrous effects that hit and run accidents have both in regards to injuries and finances. Victims of hit and run accidents are sometimes left with no insurance coverage to pay for their injuries because the driver left the scene. In an effort to catch more of these negligent drivers, we sponsor a statewide hit and run tip line. Witnesses can call anonymously and provide information that will help lead to the capture of a hit and run offender, and they could be rewarded with up to $1,000!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there was a 15 percent increase in the rate of hit and run accidents from 1998 to 2002. Furthermore, statistics also show that about 11 percent of the total vehicular accidents are hit and run accidents.

In Glendale, another pedestrian fatality was recorded due to a hit and run collision. The incident happened near 23rd Avenue and Glendale Avenue just in front of Washington High School around 4:30 p.m. Phoenix Police said that a newer model of orange or red Pontiac Bonneville with dark tinted windows hit and killed a man. Due to the intensity of the collision, the car should have acquired heavy front end damage. Police are currently searching for the car based on the descriptions they have. If you have any information, please call our tip line to bring this driver to justice.

Continue reading "Fatal Glendale Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident" »

Did you know that 18,350 passenger cars were involved in fatal crashes in 2009? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, this is equivalent to 40.4 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. The good news is in that same year, the total number of vehicle occupants killed declined 2,317 fatalities from 2008 with an unfortunately still high number of 24,474 deaths.

In Arizona, traffic fatalities have been decreasing from 2007 to 2009. Traffic fatalities in 2009 accounted to 807 deaths or a 14 percent change from 938 in 2009 (NHTSA-FARS).

Two more victims were killed in another Phoenix car accident when a 2006 Kia struck a house early Friday morning on Osborne Avenue near 25th Street (KPHO 02/04/2011). The driver was a 30-year old man with a 35-year old female passenger. The Phoenix Police Department reported that the driver lost control of the car and hit a home just after midnight.

The two occupants were ejected from the car and later pronounced dead. None of the occupants of the home were injured although the home was severely damaged because of the crash.

Just as the total number of traffic fatalities in Arizona has declined, the number of fatal collisions with passenger cars and fixed objects has decreased as well from 47 cars in 2007, 42 in 2008, to only 32 cars in 2009. Nevertheless, car crashes are still one of the major threats to human health. In fact, they kill more than a million globally each year. Because of this current trend, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2020, vehicular accidents will rank third in the list of threats to human health.

Continue reading "Car Crashes into Phoenix Home, Kills 2" »

There are a number of contributory factors that can lead to a car crash, two of the most common offenses are habits that many drivers unfortunately do without hesitation. Distracted and impaired driving cause thousands of fatal accidents every year. Distracted driving is engaging in another activity that decreases focus on the primary task of driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has divided distraction into three main types:

Visual – taking attention off the road;

Manual – taking your hands off the wheel; and

Cognitive – taking your mind off what you are doing (in this case, driving).

Texting has been recognized as one of the most dangerous forms of distraction as it combines all three types of distractions, visual, manual, and cognitive.

Impaired driving, as well as distracted driving, is a staple problem in road safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 10,839 deaths recorded in fatal vehicle crashes that involved a driver with blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than .08 in 2009. This accounts for 32 percent of the year’s recorded fatal crashes.

Fatal car accidents continue to live up to their notoriety as being the number one killer of people between the ages 1 to 34 as another casualty was recorded in a car crash in Phoenix last Thursday morning.

The West Valley accident happened around 7:25 am on eastbound Interstate 10 near the state Route 85 junction, taking away the life of a woman and seriously injuring three more, including two children (KPHO 1/20/2011). Responding crew requested a helicopter to help transport the victims.

Continue reading "West Valley Car Crash Kills 1, 3 Others Seriously Injured" »

Did you know that everyday 32 people in the United States die because of alcohol impaired driving accidents according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? An in depth look into the history of vehicle crashes involving alcohol impaired drivers reveals that although the numbers are steadily decreasing in the recent years, the families that lose their loved ones every year can tell you that they are never low enough. In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety administration recorded a total of 10,839 deaths involving drivers with blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit of .08 – 32 percent of traffic accident fatalities in the US.

Despite being one of the most common causes of car accidents, many people seem to ignore the dangers that go with drunken driving. As reported by KPHO (01/03/2011), more than 3500 DUI arrests were made in Arizona in only a span of several weeks; a clear statement that alcohol involved traffic accidents are still a major problem.

This statewide effort to arrest drivers suspected of DUI began during the Thanksgiving holiday and ended New Year's Day. Exact numbers reached 3,534 DUI arrests, more than a thousand less compared to last year.

Continue reading "Over 3500 Arizona DUI Arrests Made Statewide" »

The impaired driving fatalities continue to rise as a suspected drunken driver hit two pedestrians in an east valley accident, early Christmas morning (AZ Central 12/25/2010). One of the victims was pronounced dead while the other one suffered serious injuries.

The officer in charge of the investigation says that the driver, a 34 year old woman, hit the two pedestrians as they were making their way across a street in the early morning. The driver then crashed her Chevy Avalanche SUV into a traffic signal after the pedestrian accident, suffering only minor injuries.

This case is yet another to add to the numerous drunk driving fatalities that occur every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2009 there were 10,102 drivers that reached or exceeded the blood alcohol content limit of .08 percent who were involved in fatal crashes, taking away 10,839 lives. This year MADD predicts we will again lose at least that many lives if not more.

On a local scale, of all drivers involved in a fatal car accident in Arizona, 202 had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, killing 219 people.

This holiday season, authorities are out in extra force taking impaired drivers off the roads. This New Year’s Eve, make it a safe one. If you plan on drinking, please arrange for a sober ride home. AAA Arizona is offering their free tipsy tow service from 6pm tonight until 6am on Saturday. Drivers unfit to get behind the wheel can call 1-800-AAA-HELP, ask for a “tipsy tow,” and a tow truck will arrive to take them and their car to their home.

Continue reading "Impaired Driver Kills Pedestrian and Injures Another in Phoenix" »