Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog

Thousands of residents and visitors will be traveling through Phoenix for the Christmas and New Year holidays. With this significant increase in road traffic, motorists are faced with significant increases in their risks for a car accident in Phoenix and elsewhere. For this reason, the Arizona Highway Patrol Association offers drivers a few safe driving tips to help prevent a fatal car accident during the holidays. Every year, these holiday periods produce some of the highest fatality rates on roadways across the United States. With cautious and alert driving habits, we can help to reduce the risks altogether.

Before we discuss how to avoid an accident, our Phoenix car accident lawyers would like to discuss the risks we'll be faced with over the holiday travel season. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the Christmas and New Year's holidays are some of the most deadliest times on our roadways. According to a recent release, the NSC has concluded its predictions regarding the number of fatalities and injured that we'll see on our roadways during this holiday time.

Christmas Holiday Fatality Estimates:

-The Christmas holiday is considered the time from 6 p.m. on December 23rd through the late evening of Monday, December 26th.

-287 fatalities are predicted to occur during this time.

-Another 28,700 injuries in which professional medical assistance is required are predicted to occur.

-Seat belts may save approximately 102 people.

-If all motorists were to wear a seat belt during this holiday period, then another 73 people could be saved in car accidents.

New Year's Holiday Fatality Estimates:

-The New Year's holiday is considered the time from 6 p.m. on the evening of December 30th through the late evening of January 2nd.

-297 fatalities are predicted to occur during this time.

-Another 29,700 injuries in which professional medical assistance is required are predicted to occur.

-Seat belts may save approximately 106 people.

-If all motorists were to wear a seat belt during this holiday period, then another 76 people could be saved in car accidents.

Safe Driving Tips from the Arizona Highway Patrol Association:

-Never drive after drinking. Always have a designated driver. Don't let your friends drink and drive either. Intervene. Your consideration may help to save a life.

-Make sure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt at all times. Seat belts have been proven effective in saving lives.

-Obey all road laws. They're there to keep you safe.

-Drive slower in bad weather. It's important to adjust your driving habits to accommodate weather conditions.

-Curb all distractions while driving.

-Go out with a plan. Be aware of road closures, etc., before heading out.

-Leave with plenty of time to avoid rushing and aggressive driving.

-Avoid traveling during rush hours to avoid congested and dangerous roadways.

Continue reading " Holiday Season Typically Brings Hundreds of Fatal Car Accidents in Phoenix and Elsewhere " »

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, only school bus drivers in the state are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone while driving. All other drivers are allowed to make calls and send text messages while they drive. As we recently reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending that a law be passed that bans the use of portable electronic devices by all drivers. Currently there are 35 states that have made text messaging at the wheel illegal and only nine that prohibit talking on hand-held cell phones.

Officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) point out that it's not just hand-held phones and text messaging that serves as a danger on our roadways. Hands-free devices may be just as dangerous. Still, no state has made it illegal for drivers to use a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys understand that legislatures have been enacting laws to curb driver distractions since 2000, but no state has yet to completely ban all devices. Officials believe that such a law wouldn't go over well with residents. Many have claimed that similar laws were in fact a violation of their personal freedoms, according to CNN.

"It's just one of those things that would be the equivalent of the 18th Amendment today. It's a Prohibition that would not work," said David Adkins, of the The Council of State Governments.

Prohibition laws take time to gain the participation of the country. Think of our seat belt laws. The first of these laws were passed back in the '80s. In recent years, a few remaining states enacted such laws to make it a nationwide law. Still, less than 85 percent of motorists wear a seat belt.

There have been a number of studies that have looked at driving quality when a hands-free cell phone us being used by a driver. The study concluded that driving skills are hindered just as much by hands-free use as by hand-held use.

Scenarios affected by hands-free cell phone use:

-Drivers who are using a hands-free device at the wheel have the same reaction time as a drunk driver.

-Drivers using hands-free devices in work zones take longer to slow their speed when following a vehicle. These drivers are more likely to brake hard than a driver who isn't using a cell phone.

-In vehicles that have a rear-end collision warning system, a driver who is using a hands-free cell phone reacts slower to the device than a driver who isn't using a cell phone.

Driver distractions have joined the list of top accident causes alongside speeding and alcohol. Every year, nearly one and a half million accidents occur because of accidents involving cell phone-using drivers. These accidents are completely preventable. While legislators argue the effects and regulation efforts of cell phone use by drivers, the bottom line is that talking on a phone, hands-free or otherwise, is dangerous.

Continue reading " Hands-Free Cell Phones Dangerous, Causing Car Accidents in Phoenix and Elsewhere, says NSC " »

As we recently reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, we witnessed nearly 800 fatalities resulting from car accidents in Arizona throughout 2010. Our state saw nearly 110,000 car accidents during the year. While car accidents are a huge threat to residents of all ages, they serve as the number one cause of death for individuals aged 3- to 34-years-old. We always hear about these incidents being the number one cause of death for teenage drivers. But the truth of the matter is your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal traffic accident is alarmingly high regardless of age group.

Our Phoenix car accidents attorneys understand that traffic crashes are the third highest ranked cause of loss of life in the country. This means that these accidents account for the third highest incident calculated by the number of years that a resident reasonably had expected left to live, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Top Causes for Deaths, Calculating by Years of Life Lost:

-Cancer

-Heart Disease

-Motor Vehicle Accidents

-Stroke

-Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease

-Suicide

-Perinatal Period

-Diabetes

-Accidental Poisoning

-Homicide

As we get closer to Christmas and New Year's, drivers are asked to be cautious on our roadways as the volume of traffic is expected to increase significantly with holiday travelers. An increase in traffic flow significantly increases your risks for a fatal accident.

Whether you're in the warm and sunny Arizona weather or in a cold-weather climate, drivers are urged to consider the following safety driving tips from Tiiu Napp, a Phoenix Travel Photographer for the Examiner, to enjoy a safe and injury-free holiday.

Holiday/Winter Safe Driving Tips:

-Reduce speed and drive cautiously, even if you have a 4WD vehicle. Four-wheel drive means you can accelerate quicker, but not that you're able to stop quicker.

-You should try to avoid stomping on the brake or making quick, sudden turns to help avoid losing traction with the road.

-Speed is the top cause for winter weather car accidents. Obey speed limits, or travel even slower, to get to your destination safely.

-Try not to tailgate. Vehicles have a tougher time stopping on ice and snow.

-Try not to use your cruise control. In inclement weather, it's difficult to regain control of your vehicle if it spins out, hydroplanes or loses traction.

-Keep in mind that bridge roads freeze quicker than ground roads.

-If you're uncomfortable driving in the current weather conditions, pull over and wait for the weather to improve. There's no need to rush and jeopardize your safety.

As we mentioned earlier, car accidents are the number one cause of death for a large portion of residents in the state. Please be super careful on our roadways to avoid a potentially fatal accident. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Continue reading " Car Accidents in Phoenix and Elsewhere Top Cause of Death Among 3- to 34-Year-Olds " »

There are 6 new units that were unveiled at a recent news conference to help catch drunk drivers through the holidays. These new units were given to the Maricopa County, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Tuscon and the Phoenix Sheriff's Offices, Scottsdale and the Department of Public Service office to help to combat drunk drivers during this year's multi-agency Holiday DUI Task Force efforts, according to Cronkite News.

These mobile units act as processing centers where officers can conduct Breathalyzers and blood-alcohol tests, in addition to checking for search warrants. These units help to reduce the time that arresting officers spend processing those who are suspected of driving under the influence and frees up more time to help prevent drunk driving car accidents in Phoenix and elsewhere. The units cost more than $1 million and were purchased with federal money.

“These trucks mean we can get out and get the next person off the road faster,” said Travis Mathews, officer for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Our Phoenix drunk driving car accident attorneys understand the need for increased patrolling efforts during holiday season. Each year, we see a large number of roadway fatalities during the month of December. Many of these accidents are alcohol-related. During this time of year, residents and visitors get to spend some time away from work and school and get to gather with friends and family members. What's unfortunate isn't the fact that more people drink during these joyous gatherings, but the fact that more people get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

In 2010, there were nearly 19,500 DUI arrests in Arizona. Nearly 4,000 of these arrests were during the holiday season. In 2010, there were nearly 200 people killed in the state because of alcohol-related car accidents.

Arizona isn't the only one that's beefing up enforcement efforts around the holidays. The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that it will be launching its "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is a nationwide campaign that involves thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country. In 2010, there were nearly 10,500 people who died because of drunk driving accidents in the U.S. More than 400 of these fatalities occurred during the second half of December.

"Safety is our focus year round at DOT. But this holiday season, we're stepping up our efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads and reminding Americans 'drive sober, or get pulled over,' " said USDOT Secretary LaHood.

The USDOT reports that although the number of drunk-driving fatalities decreased in 2010, these accidents still accounted for one out of every three deaths on our roadways.

Transportation officials are urging states to push education and enforcement efforts to help to reduce the risks of alcohol-impaired accidents on our roadways. This year's national campaign is accompanied by a $7 million national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over advertisement campaign. This campaign will be running from December 16th through January 2nd.

Residents are urged to be extremely cautious behind the wheel during the upcoming holidays. There's never a reason to drink and drive. If you're expecting to go out and to drink, please designate a sober driver to get you home safely. If you can't find a sober driver, consider getting a hotel room or staying at a friend's house. Please be safe and responsible on our roadways through the remainder of the year. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Continue reading " Officers Increase Enforcement to Help Curb Drunk Driving Accidents in Phoenix " »

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced this week that it will be pushing for a nationwide cell phone ban. The board would like for government officials to make it illegal for all drivers in the country to talk on a cell phone while driving, according to the Phoenix NewTimes.

The board is claiming that talking on a phone, texting, e-mailing or surfing the web is far too dangerous and contributes to too many car accidents in Phoenix and elsewhere. The recommendation comes with some exceptions though. Drivers would be allowed to use devices that help aid driver safety, including GPS devices, and to use devices in the event of an emergency.

Some states already ban texting at the wheel, while others have yet to enact a law to regulate this activity. Cell phone regulations for drivers vary throughout the country as well. The NTSB understands that a complete ban on cell phone usage for drivers isn't going to win any popularity contest, but it could be the key to making our roadways safer.

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys understand that only school bus drivers are prohibited from talking on cell phones behind the wheel in our state. But drivers who text message or are distracted by phones has increasingly become a serious safety issue.

The National Safety Council is backing the NTSB's proposal to ban cell phone usage for all drivers in the U.S. The recent proposal comes after a meeting that was used to discuss the 2010 distraction-related traffic accident that happened in Gray Summit, Missouri. In this accident, a trucker's vehicle killed two people and injured nearly 40 more. Cell phone records indicated that the driver blamed for causing the accident was using his cell phone behind the wheel just seconds before the accident happened.

The NTSB is also recommending that states figure out a way to increase the visibility of enforcement officers on their roadways to enforce such a ban. In addition to the increased patrolling efforts, government officials are urged to launch a campaign to communicate the rules of the new ban along with the dangers and risks of using a cell phone at the wheel.

"This (distracted driving) is becoming the new DUI. It's becoming epidemic," said NTSB's Robert Sumwalt.

In an even more extensive effort to halt this dangerous behavior, the NTSB is asking cell phone manufactures to create features that would disable the functionality of a driver’s cell phone as long as the vehicle is moving.

“This recommendation by NTSB is a national call to action to end distracted driving due to cell phone use. This is a growing public safety threat that needs to be addressed by legislators, employers and every person who operates a motor vehicle on our nation’s roadways,” said Janet Froetscher, of the NSC.

According to the NSC, there are nearly 1.5 million traffic accidents that happen every year because of distracted drivers. These accidents account for nearly a quarter of all traffic accidents. Drivers are asked to voluntarily commit to roadway safety and curb all distractions. With responsible driving habits, we can all do our part to contribute to a reduction in roadway fatalities. No phone call or text messaging is worth a life.

Continue reading " NTSB Proposes Full Cell Phone Ban to Help Curb Car Accidents in Phoenix and Elsewhere " »

According to the new statistics released from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of fatalities and injuries from car accidents in Phoenix and elsewhere in 2010 reached a low not seen since 1949. The number of fatalities didn't decline everywhere though. The number of fatalities among large truck occupants, motorcycle riders and pedestrians in fact increased significantly.

"While we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these numbers show we're making historic progress when it comes to improving safety on our nation's roadways," said U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood.

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys understand that our state still experienced more than 760 traffic-related fatalities in 2010. While this is a decrease in the total number when compared to 2009, this number is expected to increase as the economy continues to recover. As Arizona pushes efforts to combat drunk driving, distracted driving and speed-related traffic accidents, motorists are asked to exercise safe driving habits to help to reduce these numbers.

As technology advances, distraction-related car accidents are becoming more and more common on our roadways. The NHTSA recognizes this increasing trend as well. The Administration is now using a new measure to count these accidents. It's called "distraction-affected crashes" and was first used in the 2010 statistics, released this week.

In 2010, there were more than 3,000 traffic fatalities resulting from car accident that involved a distracted driver. While we commonly hear about cell phones and texting being the cause for driver distractions, we still see an alarming high number of distractions caused by eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup, messing with the radio and talking to other passengers.

Back in 2006, the FARS unveiled a new measure to keep track of alcohol-related accidents. In an attempt to focus on these types of accidents, the NHTSA recently introduced its measure called "alcohol-impaired driving crashes" to better define and keep track of these types of accidents.

Key Findings of the 2010 Motor Vehicle Accidents Overview:

-There were nearly 33,000 people in the U.S. who died because of traffic accidents.

-More than 2 million people were injured in 2010. This is approximately 100,000 more than in 2009.

-Alcohol-related accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of all fatal traffic accidents.

-Motorcycle fatalities increased and accounted for nearly 15 percent of all traffic fatalities.

-Fatalities among large truck occupants increased by nearly 10 percent from 2009.

-The number of rural accidents increased, while the number of urban-area accidents decreased slightly.

-The number of motorcycle fatalities decreased among riders under the age of 50, but increased significantly for riders over the age of 50.

-Twenty states experienced increases in the number of traffic-related fatalities.

As we recently reported, the state of Arizona witnessed more than 106,000 car accidents in 2010. Drivers are urged to be cautious and practice safe driving habits on our roadways to help to further reduce the number of accidents.

Continue reading " NHTSA Released New Reports Regarding 2010 Car Accidents in Arizona, Nation " »

Redflex Traffic Systems already has cameras at 12 intersections in Chandler. The company is introducing a new camera that could potentially prevent even more intersection car accidents in Phoenix and the surrounding area. This new technology supposedly knows when a car is going to run a red light and will stop other drivers from crossing the intersection, according to AZ Central. The camera would stop traffic until the red-light runner has passed through the intersection.

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys understand just how dangerous intersection collisions can be. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car accidents commonly occur at intersections because these are locations where two or more roads intersect and activities such as crossing over, turning left and turning right have the potential for conflicts resulting in crashes. Data from the National Automotive Sampling System-General Estimates System (NASS-GES) and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) conclude that approximately 40 percent of the nearly 6,000,000 traffic accidents in 2008 were intersection-related accidents.

A majority of fatal intersection accidents happen when a vehicle that is turning left collides with another vehicle traveling through an intersection, according to the Chandler Police. When cars run red lights, they're likely to run into a vehicle coming from another direction. But when they slam on the brakes to avoid a red-light ticket, their risk for a rear-end accident also spikes significantly.

This new technology claims that it can hold off other vehicles when a driver is running a light and therefor would reduce the risks of another car being struck in the intersection.

The new technology is serving as backup for the current red-light cameras, which initially claimed to be the solution to intersection accidents. Frank Milstead of the Mesa Police said that the red-light camera technology has improved and now they're able to see the whole intersection and make adjustments to avoid an accident.

Redflex and a number of other companies have installed the technology at intersections across the country in exchange for a portion of the ticket profits. But this move caused controversy for those who say drivers are slamming on their brakes at these intersections to avoid a ticket. Unfortunately, these brake-slammers are causing their fair share of intersection accidents by causing an increase in the number of rear-end collisions.

Sherry Kiyler of the Chandler Police says that she approves of the cameras and supports their purpose. She says that they've not only reduced the number of intersection accidents, but have reduced the severity of them.

While technology at intersections will continue to be a topic of debate among residents and city officials, drivers are reminded that there's nothing more beneficial in preventing an accident than awareness and attention.

Continue reading " Cameras Stopping Traffic to Avoid Intersection Car Accidents in Chandler, Arizona " »