Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog

An Arizona car vs. pedestrian accident in July, 2010 has left one person dead and another facing a potential prison sentence, according to AZCentral.com.

The driver accused of causing the accident is a 29-year-old Phoenix man who allegedly lost control of a Cadillac last summer, crashing it into a crowd of pedestrians crossing the street. One of the five injured was killed in the accident that took place near Bell Road, west of Arizona 51. The at fault motorist reportedly left the scene of the Phoenix accident without checking on any of the accident victims, in violation of Arizona law.

Arizona law mandates that any driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in injury to or death of a person must stop the car at the scene of the crash and remain at the scene until cleared by officials to leave. A driver who fails to meet these requirements and also caused the crash is guilty of a Class 3 felony.

Witnesses reported seeing the Cadillac speeding down Bell Road around 36th Street where the driver appeared to lose control. After running down a group of pedestrians crossing the street, the car stopped and several occupants of the vehicle fled in different directions.

The Cadillac passengers later turned themselves in to the police, but the driver failed to do so and was later arrested at his girlfriend’s house. He faces several charges, including leaving the scene of the accident. He could face up to 10 years in prison when his case goes to trial in March.

Cases like this usually involve a civil claim in addition to the pending criminal charges. It has not been reported if the pedestrian victim's family has retained a Phoenix personal injury attorney or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

An Arizona bike accident that occurred on Sunday, November 14th around 4:30 AM has resulted in the death of the 53-year-old man, according to Fox news. A 54-year-old female motorist who hit the bicycle rider and then fled the scene has been arrested by the Phoenix Police Department.

The accident occurred in the area of 48th St. and Van Buren when the driver hit a bicyclist moving westbound. The driver was traveling in a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier and she attempted to flee the scene after the accident. Police officers were able to apprehend her within blocks of the accident scene and they now believe she was driving while impaired.

The bicyclist died at the scene.

The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident causing death. Additional charges reportedly could be made after toxicology reports are reviewed.

Read the story as reported by CBS news and ABC news here.

There is no word as to whether a Phoenix bike accident lawyer is involved in the case yet. Click here to read more about Arizona hit-and-run claims.

A woman from Chandler has been found guilty in federal court of leaving the scene of an Arizona pedestrian accident that caused a death on an Indian reservation, according to the Arizona Republic. The 64-year-old woman now faces sentencing in November 2010.

The accident happened back on March 21, 2007 early in the morning on the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Reservation, which is located east of Phoenix, Arizona. Evidence showed the defendant hit and killed a 34-year-old Native American pedestrian as she attempted to cross the street. The at fault driver did not stop at the scene of the accident as required by law.

A conviction in federal court for leaving the scene of a fatal accident carries a possible sentence of up to nearly 9 years and a possible $250,000 fine.

It was not reported if a civil lawsuit was ever filed or if an Arizona pedestrian accident attorney is involved in the case.

Phoenix hit-and-run car accidents seem to be more and more common. Many speculate that this is due to the fact that, because of the poor economy, many drivers are on the road without auto insurance. This in turn can lead to drivers fleeing the scene of Arizona accidents. In my experience as a Phoenix car accident lawyer, I have found that most hit-and-run drivers are uninsured.

Police are looking for help finding a driver involved in a Phoenix, Arizona pedestrian accident that took place back on June 29, 2010, Fox News reported. The Phoenix Police Department has released surveillance tape that shows the at fault driver entering a convenience store near the accident location.

The woman reportedly told workers in the store that she had been involved in an accident, but she then left and did not wait for police to arrive. She was reportedly driving a white Ford minivan, was around 35 to 40 years old, 5'3", 170 to 190 lbs., and is either native American or Hispanic.

The 30-year-old pedestrian accident victim is still hospitalized and recovering from injuries. The victim was struck by the hit-and-run driver while he was walking across 29th Ave. at Glendale. He was in intensive care at the hospital for weeks and it is being reported that rescue workers initially didn't think he would survive.

Phoenix police are releasing the surveillance tape with the hope that someone will recognize the hit-and-run driver and call police. If she is caught, police plan on charging her with felony offenses. If you have any information regarding this accident, please immediately contact the Phoenix Police Department at (602) 262-7626.

As far as a civil claim is concerned, it is not been reported if the victim has a Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyer working on his behalf. In a case like this, an Arizona injury lawyer will look to file a hit-and-run, uninsured motorist claim against the pedestrian's own auto insurance policy. If the driver is eventually caught, the lawyer will investigate as to whether her vehicle was insured.

Click here to read more about Phoenix hit-and-run accidents and Arizona uninsured motorist claims.

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

A man has been arrested in connection with an Arizona hit and run accident that killed a bike rider in Tempe last week, according to azfamily.com. A 22 year old man from Mesa was arrested on Saturday and charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, which is a felony charge. Police are also saying he has admitted being involved.

The arrest stems from a bicycle accident that occurred last Saturday night at Southern Ave. and Rural Road. The 32 year old victim was driving a motorized bike eastbound when the defendant turned his car left into the victim, causing a T-bone accident. The defendant then fled the scene of the accident. Video shows the bicycle rider was legally riding in traffic at the time of the crash.

Several people in other vehicles called police and stayed at the scene to try to help the bike rider. The victim was rushed to an area hospital where he later died.

Click here to read the entire story as reported by azcentral.com.

A Tempe, Arizona motorcycle vs. car accident has resulted in severe injuries to a biker, according to AZ Central.com. The Motorcyclist lost his right let below his knee after he was hit by a driver on Saturday morning.

The Tempe accident occurred at University Drive and State Route 143 around 2:30 a.m. The Tempe Police Department is reporting that a driver from Phoenix was westbound in a Toyota when he hit the motorcycle that was stopped for a red light. The at fault driver was allegedly going more than 60 mph and witnesses told police he looked like he had been drinking alcohol.

The police are reporting that the defendant fled the scene on foot, without helping the injured biker. He was tracked down at his home the next morning, and he admitted his involvement in the crash and that he left the accident site with no intention of alerting police of the accident.

He also said he had no intention of alerting the police about the accident. He was charged with aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident. The Tempe Police are still investigating.

In this case, I can't help but wonder if the defendant left the accident because he was intoxicated, or uninsured, or both. Either way, the motorcycle rider should have a policy limits case, whether it is against the defendant's insurance carrier, or an uninsured / under-insured motorist claim against his own insurance policy.