Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog

The safety of small tour buses and 15-passenger vans is again being called into question in the wake of last week's fatal Arizona bus accident.

As we reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyers Blog, 11 passengers were aboard the bus when it rolled over several times on Pierce Ferry Road. Two passengers were killed and several others were taken by helicopter and ambulance to area hospitals with serious injuries. The bus was taking Chinese tourists from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. It is the third high-profile fatal bus accident in Arizona in the past two years.

FOX News reports three Chinese tourists were killed while riding a small shuttle bus carrying 14 people. A personal injury lawsuit has been filed, claiming the driver had been smoking pot the night before and was sustaining himself with nicotine gum and energy drinks at the time of the crash. Investigators believe fatigue was a major factor and that the driver fell asleep, causing the bus to leave the road and flip over. He faces 10 felony counts, including negligent driving under the influence and logbook and lane-change violations.

Our Phoenix Injury Attorneys note that the government just issued a warning to organizations that rely on 15-passenger vans to transport guests after a pair of fatal crashes in New York and Georgia. As Arizona prepares for winter tourist season, more and more of these vans and shuttle buses will be in use by hotels, nursing homes, resorts, churches and other organizations. Such organizations have an obligation to provide for the safety of passengers and guests.

The government deems the 15-passenger vans so dangerous that it has forbidden schools from purchasing new vans for school transportation purposes. The two recent accidents in New York and Georgia claimed 10 lives.

Tire maintenance is vitally important for van safety -- tire blowouts frequently contribute to rollover accidents. And the Arizona Department of Transportation frequently cites tire safety as an issue of particular importance on Arizona's hot, desolate stretches of highway.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also warns that tires degrade over time -- and putting a van into service after a period of inactivity -- like many businesses and organizations do at the start of tourist season -- can be a particularly dangerous time. Spare tires should not be used to replace worn tires and no tires older than 10 years should be left in service at all.

Safety Tips for 15 passenger vans include:

-Owners need to make sure a transport vehicle is properly maintained.

-Drivers need to be properly trained and licensed.

-15-passenger vans are very sensitive to loading and should not be overloaded. Overloading increases rollover risks and reduces handling.

-Owners need to make sure properly sized tires are being used and are properly inflated and in good repair.

-Drivers should check tires for proper tire inflation before every trip. Tires should also be checked thoroughly for signs of wear.

-Passengers should wear their seat belts.

Continue reading " Season brings increase of Arizona bus accidents - Phoenix accidents involving vans, taxis and shuttle services " »

Two separate Arizona pedestrian accidents have resulted in the death of one person and serious injuries to another.

In one case, the Arizona Republic is reporting that the Peoria Police Department is asking for help in locating a female SUV driver involved in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident. The driver fled the scene of the crash that occurred near 83rd Ave. and Thunderbird Road. An 18-year-old pedestrian that was struck by the SUV is in critical condition.

It is being reported that the vehicle drove up on the sidewalk and hit the victim late Friday night as the pedestrian was walking home from his place of employment. Police do not have a good description of the subject.

Anyone with information about the Peoria hit and run accident should immediately call police at 623-773-7061.

Another deadly pedestrian accident occurred on Friday night in Tempe, Arizona, according to azcentral.com. A man was struck by a car on Tempe Street and died from his injuries. The pedestrian was struck by 2010 Toyota Corolla while walking northbound in the area of University Drive and Price Road. The 73-year-old pedestrian was taken by ambulance to an area hospital where he passed away a short time later.

Exact details as to how the deadly Tempe pedestrian accident occurred have not been reported.

A woman has been killed in a Mesa car crash that was caused by a motorist going the wrong way on the Loop 202, according to azcentral.com. This is the second wrong way accident on a Phoenix area highway this past week.

A spokesman from the Mesa Police Department is stating that the crash involved a police chase. Two detectives observed a vehicle pass them going well over 100 mph on US 60 around 11 PM on Wednesday. Police were not initially following the suspect and they do not know why he was traveling at such an excessive rate of speed.

The speeding driver was in a Jeep Grand Cherokee headed eastbound. Police officers tried pursue the Jeep, but then slowed down and called in a police helicopter. Police vehicles reportedly stayed a half mile in back of the suspect to try to avoid unnecessary danger to the public.

The driver of the Jeep blew through traffic lights as it sped through parts of Mesa. Officers tried to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Power and Brown Roads by blocking the intersection with police cars, however the driver got around them by driving through landscaping.

The police also tried using stop sticks at Hermosa Vista Drive and Gilbert Road, but the speeder was able to avoid capture again and got onto the Loop 202 heading east in the westbound lanes.

The Jeep then struck a car head-on, killing its 36-year-old female driver. The driver of the Jeep is facing manslaughter charges, and additional charges are expected to be filed.

Phoenix auto accident lawyers at our office reported just a few days ago that a teenage driver on the Loop 101 caused an accident by driving the wrong way. Three people were injured and hospitalized in that accident.

Abogados de accidente de carro de Abels & Annes en Phoenix estan listos para representar a un residente local que resultó herido la semana pasada en un accidente de auto en Scottsdale. El choque ocurrió el 20 de octubre de 2010 en los carriles con rumbo al sur de Scottsdale justo al norte de Quinta Avenida. El demandante y su hija de 10 años de edad fueron detenidos en el tráfico cuando otro conductor en un coche de alquiler choco su vehículo en el trasero.

El Departamento de Policía de Scottsdale respondieron al accidente. Después de una investigación ellos le dieron una multa al demandante.

Después del choque nuestro cliente empezó a sufrir de dolores de cabeza, mareos, dolor de cuello superior y dolor de espalda superior, dolor lumbar y dolor en la cadera izquierda y rodilla izquierda. Debido a sus heridas, el demandante fue a ver su médico de familia poco después del accidente.

Sobre los próximos varios días su dolor llegó a ser más intenso. El ahora esta tratando con un médico ortopédico.

El niño en el carro ha sido visto por su pediatra.

Si usted ha sido herido en un accidente de tránsito en Arizona, contacte a los abogados de accidente en Phoenix de Abels & Annes para una consulta gratis. Llame al 602-819-5191.

An Arizona motorcyclist has died in an accident that occurred in the North Valley on Tuesday, according to ABC news. The Phoenix bike crash took place at Union Hills Drive and 28th St. in the late afternoon, which is a stop light intersection in a residential area.

It is being reported that the accident occurred when a female driver of a car made a left turn into the path of the motorcycle. The woman later told police she did not see the motorcyclist approaching.

When the vehicles collided the gas tank on the motorcycle punctured and burst into flames, burning both the bike and the car. The Arizona Republic is reporting that the motorcyclist was thrown around 30 feet and sustained severe chest injuries.

The motorcycle rider, age 26, was rushed by ambulance to John C. Lincoln Hospital in critical condition and died a short time later. The driver of the car only suffered minor injuries.

The Phoenix Police Department is handling the motorcycle crash investigation. They do not believe the left turning driver was impaired. The intersection had to be closed for several hours.

It has not been reported if a Phoenix personal injury lawyer is involved in the case yet. There will most likely be a civil claim pursued in this matter, as drivers in the state of Arizona have a duty to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn.

On Tuesday night a deadly Mesa bike accident claimed the life of 11-year-old girl, according to azfamily.com. The accident took place around 6 PM at the intersection of Brown Road and Lindsay Road.

A 16-year-old driver of the pickup truck was reportedly passing a vehicle in front of him, and he failed to observe the bicyclist and struck her. The 11-year-old victim was out for bicycle ride with her family at the time of the accident. The name of the girl has not been released.

The Mesa Police Department is handling the accident investigation. No charges have yet been filed, and it appears that drugs or alcohol did not play a role in the accident.

As the weather cools off in the Phoenix area, more and more bicyclists will be on the streets. Arizona drivers have to diligently lookout for bikes on the roadway, especially children.

ADOT reports that in the year 2008 there were nearly 2000 bicycle accidents in our state. In those accidents,113 children between the ages of 10 – 14 were injured, and two were killed. Statistics for 2009 have not yet been released.

An Arizona car crash has resulted in three people sustaining serious injuries, according to azfamily.com. The accident involved three vehicles in the West Valley on Sunday night.

The collision occurred when the teenage driver of a Volkswagen headed eastbound on the Loop 101 in the area of 67th Avenue lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center median and drove into oncoming traffic. The Volkswagen collided with a black SUV being driven by a man in his 60s. The Volkswagen's spare tire then flew off and hit a silver Volvo that was moving eastbound.

DPS handled the traffic crash investigation.

The three people injured in the accident were all hospitalized. The exact nature of their injuries has not been reported.

The Phoenix accident shut down the expressway for several hours.

Phoenix car crash lawyers from Abels & Annes are set to represent a local resident that was injured last week in a Scottsdale auto accident. The collision occurred on October 20, 2010 in the southbound lanes of Scottsdale Road just North of Fifth Avenue. The plaintiff and his 10-year-old daughter were stopped in traffic when another driver in a rental car rear-ended their vehicle.

The Scottsdale Police Department responded to the accident. After an investigation they issued the defendant traffic ticket.

After the collision our client started suffering from headaches, dizziness, upper neck and upper back pain, low back pain and pain in his left hip and left knee. Due to his injuries, the plaintiff went to see his family physician shortly after the accident.

Over the next several days his pain became more intense. He is now seeking treatment with an orthopedic physician.

The child the car has been seen by her pediatrician.

If you've been injured in an Arizona traffic accident, contact the Phoenix injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for free consultation. Call 602-819-5191.

Phoenix injury lawyers have filed a negligence lawsuit on behalf of a Gila Bend resident and against the Buckeye Elementary School District and the Town of Buckeye stemming from an Arizona motorcycle versus car accident. The Arizona Republic is reporting that the crash allegedly occurred about a year ago and caused the 30-year-old motorcyclist to become partially blind.

The Gila Bend man was riding his bike when a special education teacher from the Inca Elementary School, driving her personal vehicle, made a left turn from Yuma Road to get onto Durango Road and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The motorcyclist crashed into the teacher's driver's-side door and ended up beneath her vehicle.

At the time of the accident, the teacher was working for the school district and was traveling to a training session, therefore within the scope of her employment. The lawsuit alleges the bike rider sustained a severe concussion that has resulted in memory loss and a partial loss of vision.

The lawsuit was filed on September 15 in Maricopa County Superior Court. The teacher, school district and town are named as defendants. The plaintiff's previously filed notice of claim is asking for $28.5 million in damages from the defendants. The motorcyclist's lost wages and medical bills incurred so far are reportedly in the area of $4 million. The victim's wife and two children are also named as plaintiffs.

The motorcyclist's attorneys are not named in the Arizona Republic article, and only referred to as "Phoenix lawyers".

An 11-year-old child is been seriously injured after being involved in an Arizona SUV vs. bicycle accident, according to azfamily.com. The collision took place in Maricopa just after 1 PM on Wednesday in the Rancho El Dorado subdivision.

When Maricopa police officers responded to the accident, they located the boy sitting on the side of the road with his bicycle. A witness at the scene saw the child get hit by the SUV as he was crossing the street.

Around 10 minutes after police arrived the child started showing signs of trauma and head injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Maricopa Medical Center. Upon arrival at the hospital treating physicians discovered internal bleeding in his head and emergency surgery was performed. The child reportedly is still in critical condition.

It was not reported if the bicyclist crossed in the middle of a block or at an intersection.

It has also not been reported if a Phoenix bicycle accident attorney is involved in the case yet. With injuries this serious, it is likely that the boy's family will have an Arizona injury lawyer investigate a possible civil claim.

Phoenix car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a local resident that was injured in a Peoria, Arizona rear-end crash. The collision took place at 9100 W. Peoria Ave. on October 18, 2010 around 7:15 PM.

The plaintiff was stopped in traffic just east of the intersection of 91st Ave. and Peoria Avenue. At that time the driver of a 2004 Mitsubishi rear-ended our client's vehicle with great force.

Shortly after the accident the plaintiff developed severe back pain, headaches, shoulder pain, numbness, and a burning sensation on the back of his head. He was seen at the Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center emergency room. There he was examined by physicians and x-rays were taken of his neck and back.

Over the next couple days his pain only got worse. He is currently planning on following up with an orthopedic physician in the Phoenix area.

The crash investigation was handled by the Peoria Police Department.

If you've been injured in an Arizona auto accident, contact a Phoenix personal injury lawyer at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 602-819-9151 speak directly to a lawyer.

An Arizona bike crash attorney has resolved a case for $3.5 million stemming from a 2008 accident that occurred in Pima County. The claim was resolved at a mediation last week and is expected to be approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

The accident occurred when the bicyclist was riding in El Tour de Tucson on November 22, 2008. At that time a 91-year-old driver turned North onto Westward Look Drive from West Ina Road and struck 10 bicyclists. The victim in this settlement, age 41 at the time, suffered severe brain injuries. Four other bike riders were also injured.

The victim's wife and the four other bicycle riders that were hurt filed suit againt the 91-year-old driver, the organizers of the race, and the sheriffs department (who was handling traffic control at the location).

It is being reported that the victim was lucky to survive. He sustained damage to his frontal and temporal lobes, was in a coma for 40 days, and had parts of his brain removed. He also suffers from epilepsy.

The 91-year-old driver that caused the injuries initially fled the scene of the accident. He then hired a defense attorney and turned himself in. He later pleaded guilty to attempting to leave the scene of an accident and was placed on probation for three years.

The Arizona bicycle accident victim in this case was represented by Stephen I. Leshner, PC of Phoenix.

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

An Arizona car versus motorcycle accident has resulted in the death of a woman from Buckeye, according to azcentral.com. The motorcycle crash occurred Saturday morning in Goodyear.

At the time of the collision, the victim and her husband were both riding on two motorcycles. They stopped for stop sign at the intersection of Indian School Road and Citrus Road at around 12:30 AM. While stopped, the driver of a Chevy Cobalt rear-ended the victim's motorcycle.

The woman's name has not been reported, and her husband was not injured in the accident.

Investigating Goodyear police officers believe the at fault driver may have been drinking, and their investigation is ongoing.

Whether a Phoenix area personal injury law firm is involved in the case yet has not been reported.

In other bike crash news, the Arizona Republic is reporting that an All-Arizona senior linebacker from Mesa was injured last week in an accident. The 6 foot three, 215 pound player reportedly suffered bad road rash. What caused the motorcycle accident has not been reported.

According to ADOT, in 2008 alone there were over 3,500 motorcycle accidents in Arizona. 140 motorcyclists died and over 3,000 were hurt in those collisions. 70% of those accidents took place in urban centers such as Glendale and Mesa.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is participating in Operation Safe Driver this week (Oct. 17 to 23) by focusing on aggressive driving by both commercial drivers and the drivers of passenger vehicles.

Many Phoenix car accidents and trucking accidents in Arizona are caused by some form of aggressive driving, including speeding.

As we reported recently on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, 806 motorists were killed and more than 50,000 injured in Arizona traffic accidents last year. Arizona trucking accidents killed 99 motorists in 2008.

Aggressive driving is a significant threat to motorists on the road. While many drivers associate aggressive driving with road rage, they are not the same thing. Road rage is a criminal offense, aggressive driving is a much broader category of driving behaviors that includes speeding, failure to pay attention while driving, tailgating, making frequent lane changes, running read lights, inappropriate passing, cutting drivers off in traffic and not using your turn signals.

Those who are prone to driving aggressively should slow down, plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destination, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

When confronted by an aggressive driver, a motorist should move out of the way, avoid eye contact and should not respond to gestures. Dangerous drivers should also be reported to police.

Arizona safety officials hope to combat the dangers of aggressive driving and other poor driving decisions on a number of fronts. The Department of Public Safety's objectives this week include:

-Increased traffic and safety belt enforcement.

-More roadside inspections of commercial vehicles.

-Increase education among drivers, especially teen drivers, of the dangers of driving around large trucks and buses.

-Promote awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

-Implement education and awareness programs for commercial drivers.

Continue reading " Safety authorities to combat aggressive driving in effort to reduce Phoenix car accidents, Arizona trucking accidents " »

An Arizona bus crash has resulted in the death of two people in serious injuries to several others, according to CNN. The accident occurred in Kingman, Arizona which is part of Mohave County.

It was a single vehicle bus crash that took place just after 8 AM on Sunday. A commercial tour bus reportedly drove off the road and rolled over several times on Pierce Ferry Road near milepost 23, according to NBC news. There were a total of 11 passengers and the driver on board.

Two of the bus passengers died at the accident site, and several other passengers were seriously injured and either helicoptered or taken by ambulance to to area hospitals. Some were taken to Kingman Regional Medical Center. The bus may have been carrying a group of Chinese tourists. The tour bus was traveling from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

The bus driver is said to incurred minor injuries and is cooperating with investigating officers. The Mohave County Sheriff's Department is handling the crash investigation. No reason has yet been given as to why the bus drove off the highway.

It is not been reported if there are any Arizona injury attorneys involved in the case.

Fox news in Arizona is reporting that there is been two other fatal bus crashes in this region over the past two years. One bus crash in January of 2009 killed seven people and injured 10 others. A bus traveling with Chinese tourists coming from the Grand Canyon were in an accident on US 93.

Then in August, 2010 a bus crash on Interstate 15 in southwestern Utah resulted in the death of three Japanese tourists. The bus was doing a four-day national Park tour that included the Grand Canyon.

The Arizona Republic is reporting that a driver that was involved in a deadly bicycle accident in Tempe Arizona has pleaded guilty in court to failing to drive at a speed to exercise reasonable care for others.

The accident happened back on May 17, 2010 when a 36-year-old Tempe bicycle rider was headed home from work when he was hit by a car at the intersection of Alameda Drive and McClintock Drive. The Arizona bicycle rider died later the same evening.

The driver claimed in the police report that as he went through the intersection he had a green light, however a witness at the scene (who was also riding a bicycle) stated that the bike rider had the green light.

The victim's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the at fault driver. The newspaper report did not name the Phoenix bicycle accident attorney that is working on the case.

A total of 29,282 Phoenix car accidents claimed 142 lives and injured 9,714 in 2009, according to statistics being released by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Maricopa County car accidents accounted for $1.4 billion in losses, or more than half of the $2.7 billion traffic accidents cost Arizona statewide in 2009. More than half of all Arizona drunk driving accidents also occurred in Maricopa County, accounting for 3,601 of the state's 5,854 traffic crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported the fewest traffic accidents since 1950. A total of 33,808 motorists were killed on the nation's roads in 2009, compared to the 37,423 deaths reported in 2008.
Arizona car accidents by county:

Maricopa: 68,653 accidents/280 fatalities/21,410 injuries
Pima: 15,669 accidents/83 fatalities/5,292 injuries
Coconino: 3,768 accidents/39 fatalities/903 injuries
Pinal: 3,541 accidents/62 fatalities/1,079 injuries
Yavapai: 3,313 accidents/42 fatalities/1,003 injuries
Yuma: 2,825 accidents/24 fatalities/968 injuries
Mohave: 2,940 accidents/34 fatalities/974 injuries
Cochise: 1,876 accidents/30 fatalities/486 injuries
Navajo: 1,241 accidents/38 fatalities/360 injuries
Gila: 984 accidents/17fatalities/303 injuries
Apache: 591 accidents/29 fatalities/203 injuries
Santa Cruz: 591 accidents/6 fatalities/149 injuries
La Paz: 421 accidents/15 fatalities/131 injuries
Graham: 287 accidents/8 fatalities/ 94 injuries
Greenlee: 67 accidents/2 fatalities/25 injuries

Arizona pickup truck accidents accounted for nearly 20 percent of all Arizona accidents.

Crashes by vehicle type
Cars: 98,888
Pickup Trucks: 38,674
Station Wagons: 35,990
Tractor-Trailer Accidents: 2,457
Concrete Mixers: 31
Dump Truck Accidents: 164
Garbage Truck Accidents: 121
Tanker Truck Accidents: 42
Tow Truck Accidents: 143
School Bus Accidents: 238
Commercial Bus Accidents: 1,086
Motorcycle Accidents: 3,029
ATV Accidents: 169
Moped Accidents: 21
RV Accidents: 153

Top 5 Most Common Causes of Accidents (non-alcohol):
Speed too fast for conditions: 33,845
Failure to Yield Right of Way: 18,531
Inattention/Distraction: 11,117
Following too Closely: 5,502
Unsafe Lane Change: 5,557

Continue reading " More than half of all Arizona drunk driving accidents involve car accidents in Phoenix " »

Nearly 300 Arizona traffic accidents a day injured more than 50,000 motorists and claimed 806 lives in 2009, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys reported earlier this month on our Injury Lawyer Blog, that fatal traffic accidents hit a 16-year low last year, in part because of the struggling economy.

But all totaled, the state reported more than 100,000 car accidents. Among the highlights of Arizona's 2009 traffic report:

Number of crashes
Drunk Driving Accidents: 5,854
Pedestrian Accidents; 1,523
Bicycle Accidents: 1,995
Motorcycle Accidents: 2,958

Serious an fatal injuries

Total: 806 fatalities/50,610 injuries
Drunk Driving accidents: 261 fatalities/4,142 injuries
Pedestrian accidents: 122 fatalities/1,304 injuries
Bicycle accidents: 25 fatalities/1,643 injuries

Months and Days
December: Most crashes
February: Most fatal crashes
Friday: Most crashes
Saturday: Most fatal crashes

At a glance

-More than two motorists a day died in Arizona traffic accidents.
-One person was killed every 10.88 hours.
-138.56 injuries were reported per day.
-Drunk driving was involved in more than 5 percent of all crashes and more than one-third of all traffic fatalities.
-Single-vehicle accidents accounted for less than 20 percent of all accidents but almost half of all fatalities.
-Three-quarters of all accidents occurred during daylight hours.

The most common type of collision was rear-end accidents while driving too fast for conditions was the most common driving violation. The total cost of the state's traffic fatalities was estimated at more than $1 billion, while overall cost of traffic accidents in Arizona in 2009 was $2.7 billion.

Continue reading " More than 300 Arizona car accidents a day cost the state $2.7 billion in 2009 " »

An Arizona auto accident occurred on Sunday in the area of 75th Ave. and Mountain View Rd. in Phoenix where a driver crashed into a garage at a home, according to azfamily.com. The incident occurred when a man who was backing out of this own driveway lost control of his vehicle, drove across the street and struck an attached garage where his neighbor was working.

No injuries have been reported.

Making the situation even more odd, it is being said that the driver of the truck works for a garage door company. Accident cleanup is supposed to be underway at the home.

While luckily it sounds like no one was injured in this accident, that is not always the case, and car crashes where motorists hit buildings is not all that uncommon. Phoenix personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have handled a couple of these cases.

In one case, our law firm represented a woman who was at home when her elderly neighbor lost control of her vehicle, drove into her house and hit her while she was lying in bed in a first-floor bedroom. The injuries in the case were non-life-threatening and the claim settled without having to file a lawsuit.

In another injury case we worked on, accident lawyers from our office represented a man who was eating lunch at a busy hot dog stand in downtown Chicago when an elderly motorist lost control of his car and drove right into the restaurant, striking several patrons.

The plaintiff was taken by ambulance to an emergency room with complaints of neck and back pain, and headaches. He ended up having to go through medical treatment for several months with an osteopathic physician. A lawsuit was filed in the case which settled prior to going to trial.

And speaking of Chicago accidents, there is a popular restaurant downtown called Petterino's that is across from the Daley Center Courthouse. The restaurant has been on the wrong end of taxicab accidents on several occasions. Each time (and I can remember at least three events) a taxi is involved in some type of accident, or just loses control, and hits the eatery. Fortunately, there's been no fatalities or severe injuries in any of the crashes.

The number of traffic fatalities on Arizona roads reached a 16-year-low in 2009, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

As our Phoenix car accident attorneys recently reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, the federal government recently reported the fewest traffic fatalities in 60 years. Safety experts pin the decline on a number of factors, including the economic downturn.

Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that traffic deaths dropped to 33,808 in 2009, the lowest level since 1950.

Arizona recorded 807 fatal traffic accidents in 2009, the lowest number since 1993. By comparison, 938 people were killed in Arizona traffic accidents in 2008. The numbers represent a two-year decline of 14 percent in the number of fatal car accidents in Arizona.

ADOT gave some credit for the reduction to what it calls the "Four Es," engineering, enforcement, emergency response and education.

"There are a variety of modern improvements that we have already made to our state highway system and continue to implement," said ADOT Director John Halikowski. "This includes enhancements to the roadway and the addition of technology along our freeways. All of these innovations work together with law enforcement officers and others in the safety sector to create a safer driving experience."

The state program to cut rumble strips into the shoulders of the state's entire highway system was also cited for the reduction. The warning grooves at the edge of highways have been shown to reduce accidents by up to 33 percent as they warn drivers who are drifting onto the shoulder of the road.

Other improvements include:

-Reflective pavement markers

-Larger traffic signals

-Crash cushions on guardrail endcaps

-Wider highway stripes -- ADOT uses 6-inch stripes compared to the 4-inch stripes that are the national average

-Cable barriers on urban divided highways that keep cars from crossing over into oncoming traffic

-Brighter freeway signs

Continue reading " Arizona car accidents at lowest level in 16 years " »

An Arizona truck versus bike accident in Phoenix on Tuesday has injured a woman, according to ABC news. The Phoenix bicyclist sustained a fractured leg in the collision.

The Phoenix Police Department is saying that the bike rider was crossing at 16th St. and Camelback road when a truck took a left turn, failing to yield the right-of-way, and struck the bicyclist. The vehicle, described as a large box type truck, hit the front wheel of the bicycle.

Some witnesses thought a Phoenix city bus struck the bicycle, but police are saying that is not the case, and that the bus traveled through the intersection after the accident took place and was not involved. No citations were reportedly issued to the truck driver, as police say he may have not even known he hit the bicyclist due to the size of the truck.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, the fact that the trucker failed to observe the bicyclist is irrelevant. When making a left turn, drivers have to keep a proper sufficient lookout and yield the right-of-way to bicyclists on the road, and other vehicles for that matter. Failing to observe the bike rider was negligent.

The fracture sustained by the woman is been described as severe. How severe is the question. Some fracture cases that Phoenix bike accident lawyers handle at our office require surgical intervention, such as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) to repair the break.

That being said, some would consider it lucky to escape from a Phoenix bicycle vs. truck accident with just a broken leg. In a case like this where the trucker didn't even know the bicyclist was there, the woman could have been fatally injured.

CBS news in Phoenix is reporting that a multi-vehicle Arizona car accident at a red light intersection on Sunday morning has hurt five people involved. The collision occurred on Buckeye road near Interstate 17.

A man driving a white pickup truck in a northerly direction on a frontage road for I-17 reportedly disobeyed a red light at Buckeye road and struck a gold pickup truck in the intersection. The impact caused the gold pickup to flip over and then collide with a third pickup truck and a minivan.

After a police investigation, the driver that ran a red light was ticketed for disobeying the signal. Drugs or alcohol reportedly did not play a factor in the accident.

Due to the collision, a total of five people were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. One person injured was a young girl. The most seriously injured was an elderly woman that was a passenger in a white pickup truck, but none of the injuries are supposed to be life-threatening.

It was not reported if there is a Phoenix car accident lawyer involved in the case yet. Sometimes red light cases can be difficult for attorneys to prosecute, especially if there are only two vehicles involved and no independent witnesses. These types of accidents often turn into "he said she said" disputes as to who ran a red light. In this case, the Arizona injury attorney that gets involved shouldn't have that problem due to the fact that there were multiple parties involved.

Another issue that can arise when multiple parties are injured in accident is whether the at fault driver has enough insurance to cover the loss. Currently, the minimum requirements for Arizona auto insurance is only $15,000 per person/$30,000 per occurrence. If the defendant does not have enough insurance, the Phoenix accident lawyer involved will explore the possibility of setting up an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim.

A Phoenix pedestrian injury lawyer at Abels & Annes has reached a settlement on behalf of a woman that was hit by a bus in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The plaintiff is a claims adjuster with the major insurance carrier.

Our law firm takes it as a compliment to represent insurance adjusters who have been injured in accidents. Off the top of my head, we currently represent two claims adjusters, an insurance agent, and the daughter of insurance agent, all from major insurance carriers.

The bus vs. pedestrian accident took place back on February 25, 2010 at the intersection of State Street and Lake Street, which is a major downtown intersection. The plaintiff was walking across the intersection in a crosswalk with a green walk sign. At that time the defendant, who was driving a city bus, was traveling northbound and took a right turn to go eastbound. The bus driver failed to observe the pedestrian in the marked crosswalk and hit her.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the collision and handled the investigation. The investigating officer ticketed the bus driver for striking a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. The defendant later pleaded guilty in traffic court.

Our client started having left leg pain right after the accident. She was seen at an area emergency room the next morning. There, she was examined by physicians and x-rays were taken. X-ray films showed a fracture in her left leg.

The plaintiff went to follow up treatment with an orthopedic physician. The break in her leg was later confirmed by an MRI in March of 2010.

The case was negotiated and resolved without having to go to court.

If you have been hurt in a Phoenix pedestrian accident or bus crash, contact an Arizona injury attorney at Abels & Annes for free consultation. Call 602-819-5191 to speak directly to a lawyer.

The Arizona Republic is reporting that a fatal Phoenix car crash that occurred back in the summer of 2009 has resulted in a 21-year-old man pleading guilty to manslaughter. The defendant reportedly was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash that resulted in three people being killed.

The defendant, who is an Arizona resident, pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault back on September 28 in Maricopa County Superior Court. He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on October 28.

The defendant reportedly had a 0.137 alcohol level after the vehicle he was driving struck an SUV carrying a family of four. An adult and toddler in the SUV and a passenger in his own car died the collision.

The at fault driver was speeding at least 70 mph eastbound on lower Buckeye Road. The collision occurred around 6:30 AM on June 20, 2009.

The SUV was spun around in the accident and three of the four passengers were ejected. A third person in the SUV was also seriously injured and another male passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

It was not reported if a civil claim is pending or if Phoenix injury lawyers are involved in the case.

CBS news in Phoenix is reporting that alcohol may have played a role in a Arizona car accident that occurred early Monday morning. A mother and three children were injured in the crash.

Police are stating that the woman was headed northbound on 19th Ave. somewhere between lower Buckeye and Broadway when her car crossed the median and hit a brick wall around 3 AM. All three kids were in the backseat of the car, according to azfamily.com.

The 28-year-old woman and her kids, ages 9,8 and 5 were taken by ambulance to area hospitals in serious to critical condition. A portion of 19th Ave. had to be closed for a period of time after the accident, according to the Arizona Republic.

The Phoenix Police Department is handling the crash investigation. It is not been reported what evidence the police have obtained to indicate alcohol was a factor.

A three vehicle Arizona auto accident seriously injured a 17-year-old teen on Thursday, according to ABC 15. The crash involved three vehicles and occurred in the area of Val Vista Drive and Germann Road in Gilbert, AZ.

The teenager, who is from Gilbert, was taken to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Trauma Center after sustaining a head injury and a loss of consciousness. He was transported to the hospital by helicopter in serious condition. Four other people involved were treated at the scene and not hospitalized.

The Arizona car crash reportedly occurred when a Ford F-150 that was southbound tried to make a left turn when act the same time a Nissan that was headed northbound ran a red light. The Ford was then knocked into a minivan that was stopped at the intersection for red light. The injured teen was riding as a passenger in the Nissan.

The Arizona Republic reported that a hazmat team had to respond to the scene of the accident because the pickup truck rolled over and spilled pool cleaning chemicals onto the road. The intersection had to be closed for a period of time for cleanup.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, the Gilbert teen definitely has a case, however there could be some difficulty in resolving the claim. This is a "he said she said" type of red light accident, and often both sides will end up pointing the finger at each other. The Phoenix area car accident attorney that gets involved in the case will most likely pursue claims against both the driver of the Nissan and the driver of the Ford, and attempt to reached settlements with both sides' insurance carriers.

Six people a minute are injured in car accidents on the nation's roads and a motorist dies every 8 minutes, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Our Phoenix Injury Lawyers agree with the report's findings that concentration in four main areas would help reduce the risk of serious and fatal Arizona car accidents and accidents throughout the nation: Improve child passenger safety, improve teen driving, reduce drunk driving and increase seat belt use.

Each year the nearly 40,000 motorists die and 270,000 are hospitalized at a cost of $99 billion.

Child Safety

More than 1,300 hundred children are killed in accidents each year, making motor vehicle crashes the leading cause of death. Lawmakers should strengthen child safety laws, increase educational programs and provide financial assistance to those in need.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes -- or about 12,000 times a year. The increased use of ignition interlock devices for convicted drunk drivers could substantially reduce repeat offenses. The minimum drinking age saves more than 700 lives per year and should be maintained. Sobriety checkpoints are another valuable tool to combat drunk driving and programs should be continued or expanded throughout the country.

Teen Driver Safety

Car accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, more than 5,800 young people were killed in car accidents. States without strong graduated driver's license programs should make improvements; those with the strongest GDL programs have experienced a 40 percent average reduction in fatal and nonfatal accidents involving new drivers.

-Additionally, teens should be limited to one teen passenger unless an adult is along to supervise and should be restricted from driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Increase Seat Belt Use

Primary seat belt laws, which allow law enforcement to pull drivers over and ticket them for not wearing a safety belt, are more effective than secondary enforcement laws, which only permit ticketing if a driver has been pulled over for a separate offense. Seat belt use saves an average of 13,000 lives a year and increasing compliance to 90 percent nationwide would save more than $5 billion a year.

States that have upgraded to primary enforcement laws have seen a 14 percent increase in seat belt use and a 7 percent decrease in traffic deaths.

Continue reading " Targeted safety efforts could reduce serious and fatal Phoenix car accidents, traffic accidents nationwide " »

The Arizona Republic is reporting that a car crash in Phoenix has led to the death of the teenager who was riding as a front seat passenger. The accident happened when a teenager driving on a permit hit a tree at 4100 W. Bethany Home Rd. around 4 AM on Sunday. The driver's injuries were reportedly minor.

The vehicle was moving eastbound when it crossed the center line and then crashed. Police do not yet know what caused the vehicle to lose control, however there was no indication of alcohol impairment.

It is also being reported that the front seat passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, but the driver was belted. There was another passenger in the backseat of the car that was also not wearing a seatbelt. That passenger, age 17, sustained critical injuries, according to Fox news.

The passenger that died in the accident was 18 years old and was a student at Phoenix Union High School District.

Click here to read the story as reported by CBS news.

According to ADOT, in the year 2008 alone a total of 258 passengers were killed, and 16,055 passengers were injured in Arizona motor vehicle accidents.