Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog

El Departamento de Seguridad Pública en Arizona siguió un aplicación de velocidad en el aire tarde la semana pasada con un programa de fin de semana de aplicación de tráfico que concentró en Interstate 10 y Interstate 8. Los esfuerzos son el principio de un programa de aplicación de verano que propone reducir accidentes de carro graves y fatales en Arizona.

Nuestros abogados de herida en Phoenix le animan que tenga su vehículo atendido, practique hábitos de manejar seguro, obedecer la ley y disfrutar de la temporada de viaje de verano.

Durante la patrulla en el aire, un Cessna 182 voló al área de Parker, donde condujo aplicación de tráfico por State Route 95 y Interstate 10. Los carros de patrulla en la calle pararon a violadores.

La aplicación del fin de semana sucedió el domingo entre el mediodía y 8 de la tarde dirigidos a automovilistas en Interestatal 10 e Interestatal 8 entre fronteras de Nuevo México y California. Los esfuerzos de la aplicación están en respuesta al aumento de tráfico por la temporada de viaje de verano.

A principios de este mes, el Departamento de la Seguridad Pública en Arizona ofreció consejos de conducción seguro de verano para los automovilistas de Arizona.

-Las temperaturas extremas de verano hacen prevenir una llanta o fracaso mecánico una parte esencial de manejar seguro. Aségure que su vehículo ha sido atendido por un mecánico calificado.

-Mantenga mucha agua y un estuche de primeros auxilios dentro de su vehículo.

-Siga pautas de mantenimiento planificadas. Revise líquidos regularmente. Revise las correas y las mangas y cambie los que tienen una apariencia agrietado o seco. También revise regularmente por fugas o gotas en el suelo debajo de donde su carro está estacionado por la noche.

-Asegúrese que sus llantas esten infladas apropiadamente. Gire y equilibre sus llantas cada 6,000 a 8,000 millas.

Tratando con un reventón de llanta:

-Un reventón de llanta es señalado por un ruido fuerte o el sentimiento que su vehículo jala a un lado.

-No frene.

-No quite su pie del acelerador.

-Facilite su pie en el acelerador para mantener ímpetu.

- Compense la tracción por manejar en dirección contrario.

-Busque un lugar seguro, preferiblemente una salida de autopista, desacelere o frene levemente y pare lejos de tráfico. Levante su capucha para señalar que su vehículo está discapacitado y llame o haga arreglos para asistencia en la carretera.

Consejos de seguridad adicionales:

-Cuando su vehículo sufre un problema, mantenga el control antes de preocuparse de lo qué está causando el problema mecánico.

-Utilice buenos hábitos de manejo. No maneje distraído.

-No tome y maneje. No maneje cansado ni soñoliento – pare y descanse si es necesario.

-Obedezca las leyes de tráfico.

-Hagase a un lado para vehículos de emergencia que estan parados -- es la ley. Siempre que sea posible, muévase al carril más alejado de un vehículo de emergencia que esta parado, reduzca la velocidad y tenga cuidado.

Si usted ha sido herido en un accidente de tráfico contacte los abogados de herida de Phoenix en Abels & Annes por una consulta gratís y confidencial para hablar de sus derechos. Llame hoy al (602) 819-5191

A fatal Glendale, Arizona car accident claimed the life of a motorist in a two-vehicle wreck near 59th Avenue and Cactus Road, ABC15 reported.

The crash happened about 2 p.m. on Saturday when a Jeep t-boned a truck at the intersection, according to the Glendale Fire Department. Several occupants were transported to the hospital and information about which motorist was killed has not been released.

Police report that the accident happened when one vehicle apparently tried to turn into a private drive in front of the other vehicle.

Also on Saturday, two police officers were injured in a Phoenix car accident after a pair of police cruisers crashed downtown, ABC 15 reported.

The accident happened about 5 p.m. Saturday at 15th Avenue and Washington Street. One officer may have stepped on the gas instead of the brake while attempting to stop at a red light. Both were transported to area hospitals; one complained of chest pain, while the other complained of back pain. A 16-year-old riding in the patrol car with his father was also injured.

A Tucson trucking accident along 1-10 sent one person to the hospital on Saturday afternoon, News 13 reported.

The crash near Ruthrauff happened when the semi truck crashed into a passenger car, the Arizona Department of Public Safety reported. The passenger car hit a tree before coming to rest upside down. One person was transported to the hospital in unknown condition.

Federal authorities have fined a Van Nuys busing company more than $72,000 for safety violations in the wake of a Phoenix bus accident that killed six passengers in March, according to the Arizona Republic.

We reported in April on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog that a 130-page report by the Arizona Department of Public Safety blamed negligent operation and numerous safety violations for the accident. Six of 22 passengers were killed when the bus plunged off the freeway and overturned. It had been traveling from Los Angeles to New Mexico when it struck a pickup truck on I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the $72,760 fine on Monday. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recommended the fines as a result of its investigation.

The federal government charged the owner of the busing company with 78 violations of 13 motor-carrier safety regulations. Violations include operating without federal authority or required insurance and violating driver qualification, hours of service and maintenance requirements. The company has until July 12 to contest the claims.

The Republic reports that the company has a history of violations and was suspended from operating for lack of insurance in April 2009. The owner allegedly used four different names over a period of several years in order to evade federal orders to cease operations.

The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that 233 Arizona bus accidents occurred in 2008, the last year for which statistics are available. Four people were killed and 45 were seriously injured.

Five children and an adult suffered serious injuries in a Phoenix car accident on Wednesday when their car flew off the freeway, AZ Family reported.

The crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. southeast of 24th Street and McDowell Road. Firefighters report that the car went off Loop 202 and slammed into a concrete culvert along a canal bank. The children range in age from 10 to 16. The cause of the accident remains under investigation but firefighters believe one of the children was not buckled up.

Our Phoenix injury attorneys represent motorists who have been injured in accidents, whether or not they were wearing their seat belt. However, the law requires everyone to buckle up and wear a seat belt, which can often reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury.

We reported another case this week on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog that involved four people ejected from a Mustang in a crash that killed three passengers, including a 3-year-old boy. Authorities believe lack of seat-belt use may have been a factor in that crash as well.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a major summer offensive aimed at getting motorists to buckle up. The government agency charged with highway safety reports that 45 million Americans are still not using their seat belts on a regular basis. Overall, seat-belt use in this country is at a record high -- 84 percent of motorists buckle up.

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign will target violators through the summer months.

"We've made great strides to get Americans to buckle up, but we must not rest on our laurels," said Secretary Ray LaHood. "Not wearing your seat belt is a serious, life-threatening practice. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who won't buckle up, our Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization will be looking for you."

The government estimates about 38 people a day are killed in traffic crashes while not wearing their seat belt. In 2008, nearly 14,000 unbuckled occupants of passenger vehicles were killed in traffic accidents nationwide. Nearly half might have survived had they been wearing a seat belt.

Those most at risk include teens, young adults, men, pickup truck drivers and passengers, nighttime drivers and drivers in rural areas.

View a map of unbelted traffic fatalities.

View who is most at risk for not wearing a seat belt.

A 3-year-old boy has died after being ejected from a Mustang in a Sunday night Phoenix car accident, the Arizona Republic reported.

As we reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyers Blog, authorities believe the car may have been racing a black Chevy pickup truck at the time of the accident, which occurred on Thomas Road. The Mustang was carrying six people when it lost control and veered into a palm tree near 75th Avenue.

Witnesses told police the two vehicles were weaving in and out of traffic. They met up at a traffic light and took off when the light turned green. Police are still investigating how fast the vehicles were traveling but witnesses reported they may have been going as fast as 90 mph. The Mustang's 18-year-old driver and her 14-year-old boyfriend were pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were ejected out the back window of the vehicle. Those passengers were ages 14, 14, 16 and the 3-year-old boy.

Media reports indicate that the 14-year-old passenger apparently took the Mustang without his parent's permission.

Police continue to search for the black Chevy pickup involved in the race and said that driver could face charges. The truck is described as a newer model, 2002-2008, two-door extended cab with tinted windows. The truck may have been slightly lifted. Witnesses say the Mustang may have hit the pickup and the truck may have some damage to the rear end. It was last seen westbound on Thomas Road at a high rate of speed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department.

Meanwhile on Monday, a 23-year-old woman was killed in a Tempe SUV accident. The woman was riding as a passenger when the driver lost control and over corrected near an intersection. He was released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries, the Republic reported.

The accident happened at the intersection of Guadalupe Road and Maple Avenue. Police continue to investigate.

A Phoenix pedestrian accident has critically injured a city employee who had pulled over to the side of the road to watch the funeral procession of a police officer killed in the line of duty, the Arizona Republic reported.

The Phoenix Street Department electrician suffered severe brain injuries but is showing signs of emerging from a coma. A single father of an 8-year-old girl, the man is credited with pushing a coworker out of the path of an oncoming vehicle. The men had set up their bucket trucks on the south side of the Loop 101 near Seventh Street. They had pulled onto the shoulder of the freeway to salute the funeral procession of Phoenix Police Officer Travis Murphy. A 20-year-old woman lost control of her car and slammed into the trucks as traffic slowed in front of her, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The woman was cited for failure to control speed to avoid a collision.

Phoenix injury attorneys frequently handle cases involving an accident that happened due to stopped traffic in the roadway. Motorists need to use extra caution whenever they are approaching a construction zone, an area where police emergency vehicles or utility workers have activated emergency lights, or even a parade or funeral procession. Accidents can easily result when such circumstance interrupt the normal flow of traffic or disrupt normal driving rules.

The 34-year-old man is in critical condition at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. His family is praying for his recovery and seeking support to help pay medical bills.

Authorities say the man spotted the vehicle veering toward a group of city workers and jumped to help push a co-worker out of the way. The crash turned one of the trucks around and slammed the victim into another truck.

It is the second time the man has helped save someone in an auto accident. His father reports the victim was a high school baseball star in California when he injured his pitching arm while helping to save the life of a buddy in a rollover accident.

A Phoenix car accident killed two motorists and injured four others on Sunday night, Channel 13 News reported.

Police report the driver of a car carrying six people lost control and slammed into a tree on Thomas Avenue in west Phoenix. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and four others were ejected from the vehicle and transported to area hospitals in serious or critical condition.

Authorities report they are also looking for a black pickup truck that may have played a role in the accident. The victims range in age from 3 to 18. The 3-year-old was in critical condition.

AZ Family reports the fatal accident may have started as a street race. According to that report, police content a Ford Mustang and the Chevy pickup were traveling westbound on Thomas Road at a high rate of speed. The accident happened just before 10 p.m. when the driver of the Mustang reportedly lost control and slammed into a tree in the median.

The road was closed until after 6 a.m. Monday. The truck fled the scene and is being sought by authorities. It is described as a newer-model, two-door Chevy pickup truck and may have rear-end damage. It was last seen driving at a high rate of speed westbound on Thomas.

As our Phoenix injury attorneys have been reporting, summer is a particularly dangerous time for young drivers and their passengers. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The risk of young drivers being involved in a serious or fatal traffic accident increases as school lets out for summer.

Please visit out most recent teen safe driving post on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog and speak with your young drivers about safe driving habits.

Two other young motorists died in a Phoenix crash on Saturday, ABC 15 reported. That accident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on I-17 northbound between Black Canyon City and Cordes Junction. Authorities report the driver of a pickup lost control after a tire blew out, causing the vehicle to roll several times.

Five passengers were riding in the cab of the truck and three were traveling in the bed. They were part of a youth group from My Friend's House Family Worship Center in Phoenix, according to the media report. The female driver, who was reportedly the mother of at least two of the passengers, was thrown from the truck and seriously injured.

Two young men in the bed of the truck were killed and a third was critically injured.

It is legal for passengers to ride in the bed of a truck as long as the cab is filled, according to Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety followed up an airborne speed enforcement effort late last week with a weekend traffic-enforcement program that targeted Interstate 10 and Interstate 8. The efforts are the beginning of a summer enforcement program aimed at reducing serious and fatal Arizona car accidents.

Our Phoenix injury attorneys encourage you to have your vehicle serviced, practice safe driving habits, obey the law and enjoy the summer travel season.

During the airborne patrol, a Cessna 182 flew to the Parker area, where it conducted traffic enforcement along State Route 95 and Interstate 10. Patrol cars on the ground stopped violators.

The weekend enforcement effort took place Sunday between noon and 8 p.m. and targeted motorists on Interstate 10 and Interstate 8 between the New Mexico and California borders. The enforcement efforts are in response to the increase in traffic through the summer travel season.

Earlier this month, the Arizona Department of Public Safety offered safe summer driving tips for Arizona motorists.

-The extreme summer temperatures make preventing a tire or mechanical failure an essential part of driving safety. Make sure your vehicle has been serviced by a qualified mechanic.

-Keep plenty of water and a first aid kit inside your vehicle.

-Follow scheduled maintenance guidelines. Check fluids regularly. Check belts and hoses and replace those with a cracked or dry appearance. Also check regularly for leaks or drips on the ground beneath where your car is parked overnight.

-Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Rotate and balance your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Dealing with a tire blowout:

-A tire blowout is frequently signaled by a loud booming noise or the feeling that your vehicle is pulling to one side.

-Do not brake.

-Do not take your foot off the accelerator.

-Ease your foot into the accelerator to maintain momentum.

-Compensate for pulling by counter steering.

-Find a safe location, preferably a highway exit, decelerate or brake lightly and stop away from traffic. Put your hood up to signal your vehicle is disabled and call or make arrangements for roadside assistance.

Additional Safety Tips:

-When your vehicle experiences a problem, maintain control before worrying about what is causing the mechanical issue.

-Utilize good driving habits. Don't drive distracted.

-Don't drink and drive. Don't drive tired or drowsy -- stop and rest if necessary.

-Obey traffic laws

-Move over for stopped emergency vehicles -- it's the law. Whenever possible, move to the lane of travel furthest from a stopped emergency vehicle, reduce speed and use caution.

Continue reading " Heavy enforcement aims to reduce serious and fatal Arizona car accidents this summer " »

A three-vehicle Phoenix car accident killed a 32-year-old Glendale man last Friday and closed U.S. 93 for several hours, ABC15 reported.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety reported that the accident occurred at about noon Friday and closed U.S. 93 in both directions at milepost 193. A Toyota Camry driven by an 80-year-old Wickenburg resident, veered left of center and struck a Smart Car traveling northbound. A Ford F-150 traveling behind the Smart Car was also involved in the crash.

The driver of the Smart Car was pronounced dead at the scene. A 34-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken by medical helicopter to a Valley hospital. Two of the five passengers riding in the F-150 pickup truck were also injured.

The accident occurred just north of Wickenburg, according to the Arizona Republic. Northbound traffic on the road, which is popular with drivers traveling to and from Las Vegas, was routed to State Route 89; southbound traffic was routed to State Route 71.

Also on Friday, two motorists were injured and two dogs were killed in a Green Valley, Arizona car accident. A Ford Excursion blew a tire on I-19 and hit a car before leaving the road. The vehicle crashed through brush, over a fence and across the West Frontage Road before coming to a stop.

The driver, a 53-year-old Phoenix man, was flown to a Tucson hospital in serious condition. A woman in the vehicle was also transported to the hospital with injuries. Two other passengers in the vehicle were treated at the scene. Two of five chihuahuas died in the accident.

Authorities are reviewing city procedures after a 10-year-old boy was injured in a San Luis, Arizona bicycle accident by an employee who was allegedly driving drunk in a city vehicle, the Yuma Sun reported.

The boy was riding his bike near a Walmart store on May 27 when he was struck by the city vehicle, according to the San Luis police chief. The defendant is charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. He has since resigned from his job with the city. The victim, a student at Harvest Preparatory Academy, suffered a broken pelvis, femur and shoulder in the accident.

“The employee was on duty and broke the rule,” city spokeswoman Karin Meza said. “The idea is see what improvements can be made to the procedures to avoid risks” of similar incidents occurring in the future. “We don't know if supervision was lacking or if the rules need to be strengthened.”

Channel 13 reported that the accident happened shortly after 7 p.m. as the city worker was traveling west on Los Olivos Avenue. He struck the boy at the corner of Bernal Drive. Witnesses say he initially got out of his vehicle and attempted to help the boy. But, after seeing the witnesses, he climbed back in his city-issued Ford Ranger and left the area.

A police report indicated two beer containers were found in the city vehicle and a pair of breathalyzer tests showed the employee's blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit.

As we reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, safety advocates are pushing to reduce the number of serious and fatal Arizona bicycle accidents. Nineteen cyclists were killed in Arizona accidents in 2008 and 1,682 were injured according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drunk driving accidents continue to be a leading cause of traffic fatalities nationwide, accounting for about one-third of all deadly crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationwide, 11,773 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2008 -- or one person every 45 minutes.

In Arizona, 343 of the state's 937 fatal crashes involved alcohol.

An elderly driver is facing charges in connection with four Tucson car accidents in three days, Channel 13 news reported. Police say the elderly man suffered from medical episodes that caused all four accidents.

The media report questioned why the man was allowed to continue driving. On Saturday a woman was injured on business property after the man reportedly struck her while pulling into an East Side car wash. After three crashes on Monday, police reported that the man was extremely disoriented. Police said they must work through channels to seek a medical suspension of the man's license through the department of motor vehicles.

However the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles said law enforcement has the authority to begin the process by immediately confiscating the driver's license of a motorist determined to be a danger to the public because of a medical condition.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 3,458 older motorists were killed in accidents in 2008, accounting for about 15 percent of all fatal accidents. More than 183,000 older individuals were seriously injured in traffic accidents.

In Arizona, 139 of the 1,236 traffic fatalities involved drivers over the age of 65. Seventeen fatalities involved motorists over the age of 85.

NHTSA provides tips for gauging an older driver's abilities, as well as discussing safe driving with aging parents or older adults:

Observing an older driver:

-Make sure they stop at all signs and traffic-control devices and look both ways before proceeding.

-Appropriately yield the right-of-way.

-Respond properly to hazards and other vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.

-Merge and change lanes safely.

-Maintain their lane and drive straight.

Warning signs may include:

-Slowing or stopping inappropriately, such as at a green light.

-Driving too fast for conditions.

-Driving too slowly or impeding the normal flow of traffic.

-Driving aggressively.

-Getting lost.

Non-driving warning signs:

-Forgetfulness.

-Unusual or excessive agitation.

-Confusion or disorientation.

-Loss of coordination.

-Trouble walking, hearing or following instructions.

-Dizziness, tripping or falling.

-Shortness or breath or fatigue.

-Inappropriate responses to questions or directions.

Continue reading " Elderly driver involved in four Tucson car accidents " »

Arizona boating accidents are an increasing concern for authorities. As the Arizona Republic reported, the state ranks 7th in the nation for the number of serious and fatal boating accidents.

Despite being a desert state with no coastline, a total of 158 serious or fatal Arizona boat accidents occurred in 2008, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Only Michigan, home to three of the Great Lakes, and the coastal states of Florida, California, Texas, New York and Maryland recorded more boating accidents than Arizona. Authorities point to year-round warm weather and the large number of boaters on the few available waterways.

Boating while intoxicated is also a leading cause of serious and fatal boating accidents.

"You see them out there every time you go to the lake - they're not hard to spot," said Ed Huntsman, who oversees boating education for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "They typically are walking down the dock with a case or two of beer."

Laws governing boating under the influence in Arizona are much the same as those for driving while intoxicated; boaters face a minimum 10-day jail sentence and a $250 fine.

Other safety advocates argue that Arizona's problems on the water can be traced to a lack of regulations, including the state's lack of requirements for boater-safety education.

Arizona Safe Boating Tips

-Wear approved life jackets.

-Don't drink and boat.

-Understand boating rules and regulations before taking to the water.

-Check the weather. Keep an eye on changing conditions.

-Stay in touch. Cell phones, radios and GPS beacons can help keep you safe in the event of an emergency.

Continue reading " A desert with no coast but beware the dangers of Arizona boating accidents " »

An Arizona Department of Public Safety officer has been hurt in a wrong-way Glendale, Arizona car accident, according to The Arizona Republic. The accident happened around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday morning on the Loop 101.

A driver of a Ford F-150 was headed the wrong way on the highway when he struck the police cruiser head on. It is being reported that the officer viewed headlights coming his way so he turned on his emergency lights and started swerving back and forth to alert drivers behind him.

The at fault driver, a 31 year old Phoenix resident, lost a wheel in the impact but still continued driving on the highway for another 300 yards on 3 wheels. He finally stopped near 67th Ave. and then attempted to flee the scene on foot. When the wheel flew off, it hit another vehicle, and luckily no one was injured inside.

A helicopter was used to search for the driver and he was found a short time later. He has been charged with leaving the scene of the accident, aggravated assault and endangerment.

The DPS officer sustained minor injuries in the crash and the at fault driver was not hurt.

Click here to read the story as reported by azfamily.com.

In a letter published Monday in the Arizona Republic, the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists encouraged riders to participate in safety classes in an effort to reduce the number of Phoenix bicycle accidents and bicycle crashes elsewhere in Arizona.

Vice President Gene Holmerud said riding against traffic continues to be a primary cause of bicycle v. car accidents in Arizona. Nationwide, 716 cyclists were killed in 2008 and more than 52,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While about 1 in 7 fatal bicycle accidents involves a child under the age of 15, the increasing popularity of cycling for recreation and fitness has steadily increased the average age of cyclists who are seriously injured or killed in bicycle accidents. Middle-aged men are now most at risk: The average age of fatal accident victims has increased from 32 to 41 in the last decade, while the average age of a cyclist seriously injured has climbed from 24 to 31.

Nineteen cyclists were fatally injured in Arizona bicycle accidents in 2008 and 1,682 were injured, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported.

The Phoenix Police Department provides the following safety tips:

-Always ride on the right side of the road.
-Ride in the same direction as traffic.
-Use a bike path whenever available.
-Ride single file.
-Obey all traffic signals.
-Stop at street corners.
-Look in every direction before crossing and make eye contact with motorists.
-Obey traffic lights.
-Wear light colored and reflective clothing.

Continue reading " Advocates push safety measures aimed at reducing the number of Phoenix bicycle accidents " »

A 29-year-old mother is facing serious criminal charges in connection with an Arizona car crash that occurred between Phoenix and Flagstaff earlier this year. She remains in jail on a $15,000 bond after her arrest on Thursday.

ABC15 reported on Thursday that the woman is accused of driving under the influence of drugs and causing the Skull Valley car accident.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said she was driving a 1997 Ford Mustang with two children in the car, ages 5 and 6, when she collided with a Chevy truck driven by a 71-year-old Yarnell man.

The woman was flown to a Phoenix hospital with injuries to her legs and upper body; the daughter was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital with head injuries. Her son was treated at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. The pickup truck's driver, who had recently undergone open heart surgery, was flown to a hospital with severe chest pains.

Authorities report a traffic investigation clearly determined the woman was at fault in the accident, having driven left of center before colliding with the truck; her blood tested positive for a substantial amount of methamphetamine/amphetamines through lab testing conducted by the Department of Public Safety.

She now faces charges of aggravated DUI, child abuse, aggravated assault and felony criminal damage. Her 5-year-old daughter, who was home at the time of her arrest, was taken into custody by Child Protective Services.

Nationwide, about one-third of all traffic fatalities result from a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs; 11,773 motorists were killed in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Arizona, 343 of 937 traffic fatalities were blamed on impaired drivers.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently reported that the number of women arrested for driving while impaired has increased by 30 percent in the last decade, even as the number of men arrested has declined slightly.

You can learn more about the increase in DUI among women by reading the CNN report.

A woman from Peoria has been killed in an Arizona pedestrian accident, according to the Arizona Republic. The Phoenix area car accident happened when a car jumped a curb and struck the woman who was sitting on a bench outside a Walgreens on Tuesday.

The accident occurred around 9:00 a.m. The Peoria Police Department and Fire Department came to the scene of the accident at Lake Pleasant and Beardsley Road. The driver, an 87 year old woman, was parking her Honda Accord in the parking lot when she accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes. The car then jumped a curb and hit the victim, who was a 65-year-old Walgreens employee.

The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics and then flown to an area emergency room by helicopter. She died a short time later.

The at fault elderly driver was not injured, nor was she impaired.

According to most recent ADOT reports, 124 pedestrians were killed in Arizona in the year 2008 alone. Over 1,400 pedestrians were injured that same year. Also, in 2008 just under 7,000 elderly drivers (ages 75 & up) were involved in auto accidents, and in those accidents 66 people were killed and over 2,300 were injured.

A woman was killed in a Phoenix car accident that occurred overnight Sunday, AZ Family reported.

The deadly car crash happened near Happy Valley Road and 21st Avenue and involved an SUV and a pickup truck. Happy Valley Road was closed overnight between 19th and 22nd avenues and re-opened about 7 a.m. Monday.

The woman who was killed was reportedly a passenger in the pickup truck. Both drivers were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Two children, ages 5 and 7, who were passengers in the SUV, were also transported to the hospital.

One vehicle was westbound on Happy Valley Road, while the other vehicle was traveling eastbound. Police believe the man driving the SUV may have suffered a medical problem that caused his vehicle to jump the curb and enter the other lane, where it collided head-on with the pickup truck at about 11 p.m. Sunday.

Also over the Memorial Day weekend, a driver lost control of his truck and slammed into a home near 13th Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The Phoenix car crash occurred about 4 a.m. Sunday. Four people were at home at the time of the crash. The driver fled the scene, FOX Phoenix reported.

As we reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, police are searching for a suspect who fatally shot a man during an apparent road rage incident following a Saturday car accident.

The accident occurred on Southern Avenue near 19th Avenue and involved a Nissan and a Suburban. A passenger in the Suburban was shot during the ensuing altercation. Police are looking for a white Nissan Sentra with a partial Arizona license plate number of "052." The car may have rear-end damage as a result of the accident.

A Phoenix swimming pool accident nearly cost a 2-year-old her life last Monday night after the toddler almost drown in a backyard swimming pool, according to the Arizona Republic.

Police officers and firefighters responded to reports of a drowning near 38th and Missouri avenues shortly after 6 p.m. The girl was reportedly playing on the first step of a swimming pool when she slipped off and fell underwater. It's unclear who long she was submerged. Phoenix police officers found the girl, who was not breathing and had no pulse. She was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center where she was listed in critical condition.

The federal government reports that drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children under 5. Each year, an average of 385 children under 15 drown in swimming pools or spas -- the vast majority are small children under the age of 5.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reports an average of about 90 people drown in Arizona swimming pools each year.

Last week, the Consumer Products Safety Commission launched a nationwide campaign aimed at pool safety to coincide with Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer swimming season. The Pool Safety Campaign operates a website with a wealth of safety information for parents and kids.

Arizona law (A.R.S. § 39-121.03) mandates specific safety requirements for residential swimming pools, including strict requirements for pool enclosures, gates, pool covers and other safety devices.

The Arizona Department of Health Services makes the following recommendations for pool safety:

-Never leave a child unattended.

-Flotation devices and swimming lessons are no substitute for supervision.

-CPR instructions and emergency contact information should be posted in the pool area.

-Residential pool owners should have CPR training.

-Lifesaving equipment should be easily accessible.

-Gates and locks should be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.

-Gates should never be left open.

-All items that could be used to climb a pool barrier should be removed from the area.