Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog

There is a new study that looks at the impact of distractions on pedestrian accidents in Phoenix and elsewhere over the last decade.

The vast majority of these accidents were the fault of drivers -- distracted or otherwise. Distracted pedestrians accounted for only 120 of the 48,000 pedestrian fatalities from 2000 to 2009, according to Transportation For America.

Overall, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents has roughly tripped in the last six years. Distracted driving car accidents took the lives of roughly 3,100 people in 2010. Distracted pedestrian accidents took the lives of about 120 people in the studied 8-year time period.

Our Phoenix pedestrian accident lawyers understand the truth of the matter is that these kinds of accidents are most oftentimes the fault of the drivers that are involved. Distracted pedestrians contributed to less than 1 percent of the recorded fatalities from 2000 to 2009.
We understand that it's never a good idea to travel, whether by foot or by vehicle, while engaging in distractions. To help to steer clear of dangerous drivers, pedestrians are asked to place their full attention on the roadway and on passing traffic.

What is most likely the top contributor to fatal pedestrian accidents is motorists not paying attention. Some also believe that the condition of our roadways is also a factor. You're most likely to die in an accident while walking along a state highway, busy arterial street or other type of busy roadway that's eligible to receive federal money for safety measures. The lack of sidewalks and safe crossings is arguably one cause for fatal pedestrian accidents in Arizona and elsewhere.

To help to reduce the risks of pedestrian accidents, the Arizona Department of Transportation shares its "Sharing The Road With Pedestrians Pamphlet" for drivers and pedestrians to review.

Tips for Drivers to Better Protect Pedestrians:

-Slow down when you see pedestrians.

-Slow down where pedestrians are likely to travel.

-Curb distractions and place all of your attention onto the roadway.

-Obey the signals at a pedestrian hybrid beacon.

-Always use your turn signals so that pedestrians know where your vehicle is going to go.

-Use the horn only when necessary.

-Be extra cautious nearly child pedestrians and in school zones and residential neighborhoods.

-Reduce your speed when approaching a stop sign, a traffic light, a crosswalk or a roundabout.

-Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in these areas.

-Be on the lookout for pedestrians when driving in parking lots.

-Remember that a 3,000 vehicle can do a lot of damage to properly and to a pedestrian, even when traveling at 5 miles per hour.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Accidents in Phoenix Likely Fault of Drivers" »

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), bicycle and pedestrian safety in school zones should be a top priority of all travelers. Local, state and federal officials oftentimes encourage biking and walking to school for a healthy lifestyle, but the safety of these young ones is oftentimes overlooked. Our state has continuously been a leader in providing safe school areas for our young students to help reduce the risks of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Arizona. Now we're turning the attention towards motorists because without cooperation from these individuals, the safety net that school zones are supposed to provide means nothing.

Arizona established low speeds in school zones different than any other state in the country. The system that we use was established back in 1950. Our state pushes a uniform application of a 15 miles per hour speed limit in all school zones from kindergarten through eighth grade. There's a problem though! These speed limits can't just be used at crosswalks that are policed by either stop signs or traffic signals. Under the current law, only portable signs and crosswalk markings can be used to enact a 15 mph speed limit. So to get this speed limit, employees set up and remove these devices to get passing traffic to slow down. Normal traffic flow is resumed during non-school hours and when signs are removed.

Our Phoenix bicycle accident lawyers understand that each school zone with a 15 mph speed limit is marked with a fluorescent yellow-green pentagon-shaped warning sign. After this permanent sign is where the portable signs are placed that read, "“NO PASSING, 15 MPH, FINES DOUBLED, SCHOOL IN SESSION.” These portable signs are located from 75 to about 300 feet before the fluorescent sign. The portable signs are posted where the reduced speed limit begins. Drivers are asked to be extremely cautious in these areas. The portable signs are brought out when children are expected to be around school and crossing the street, whether it be on foot or on a bicycle. Reduced speeds are enacted to help to protect our school-aged children. All motorists are asked to be extremely cautious when traveling near schools, whether there are warning signs or not.

In these reduced-speed areas, it's important that drivers don't pass other vehicles. Signs in these areas will also alert drivers to stop when children are in the crosswalk. In school areas, drivers are required by law to stop for anyone and everyone using the crosswalk.

Arizona doesn't use "School Zone Ends" signs either.

Motorists are asked to be extremely cautious when traveling through these areas. Remember that while our students are at increased risks for pedestrian accidents during this time, the crossing guard is the most vulnerable.

Remember that your safe driving habits shouldn't end in school zones either. When it's that time of the year and students are back in school, drivers should exercise extreme caution when driving through residential neighborhoods and round school buses as well.

Drivers should be cautious when traveling near big-yellow school buses. Always stop when a bus is stopped. Officers are out in full force making sure that travel is safe for our young students.

To help you to drive safely in these areas, please curb all the distractions. Hang up the cell phone, text message later and groom yourself before you leave the house. By working together, we can all make a difference in the safety of our school children.

Continue reading "ADOT Reviews School Zone Safety to Help Reduce Risks of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in Arizona" »

It's a new year and it's time for some new resolutions. Our Phoenix pedestrian accident attorneys asked all residents to make their New Year's resolutions to be safer travelers on our roadways. We would like to remind you that being a good driver, pedestrian and bicyclist involves keeping a close eye out for others traveling on the same roadway. Compassion and caution can help to make our roadways safer for everyone.

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Phoenix happen all too often because of driver inattention. It's very important for drivers to share the road safely with pedestrians and bicyclists as they're extremely vulnerable travelers. There are a few simple safety tips that can help travelers to more safely navigate our Phoenix roadways and to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

Safety Tips for Bicyclers, from the City of Phoenix:

-Bicyclists who are under the age of 8 should never be allowed to ride alone. These young riders should always ride on a sidewalk, too.

-Make sure that both of your feet can touch the ground (flat) when sitting on the bicycle's seat.

-Use a crosswalk when crossing a street.

-Look left, right and left again before crossing the street.

-Always ride your bike with the flow of traffic.

-Be sure to obey all traffic signals and signs.

-Never ride with more than one person to a bike. Bicycles that have one seat and one handlebar were meant for one person.

-Be on the lookout for broken glass, sticks, rocks and other dangerous debris in the roadway while biking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 120 pedestrians who died in the state of Arizona in 2009. With efforts from both motorists and from pedestrians, we can all do our part to keep the roadways safe for everyone. Drivers need to be cautious of our on-foot travelers while pedestrians need to be cautious of where and when they walk while navigating the city.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that in the next 24 hours, nearly 325 people across the country will be sent to an emergency room because of pedestrian-related injuries. In the next 2 hours, the CDC predicts that at least one person will die from a traffic-related pedestrian accident.

According to recent statistics, male pedestrians are more likely to be injured or to be killed in a traffic-related pedestrian accident.

Safety Tips to Help Pedestrians Avoid an Accident:

-Always cross the street at a designated crosswalk.

-Even when using a crosswalk, pedestrians need to be careful of nearby cars as they may not always yield to the right-of-way to a pedestrian.

-When walking at night, be sure to wear reflective tape on your clothing or to carry a flashlight with you so that you can be easily seen by passing motorists.

-Your best bet is so walk on a sidewalk. If there's no sidewalk available and you need to walk in the street, do so facing oncoming traffic.

We all need to make the effort to make 2012 the safest year yet on our roadways. These safe roadways start with you and your commitment to be a better and safer traveler. Happy 2012 and we hope you make one of your New Year's resolutions to be more aware of travelers on our Phoenix roadways.

Continue reading "Make Your New Year's Resolution to Reduce Risks of Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Phoenix" »

Phoenix injury lawyer Gary Annes has resolved a truck vs. pedestrian accident case for $95,000 for a plaintiff who was negligently struck by a truck as he walked in a marked crosswalk.

On June 18, 2009, the victim was walking in a quiet residential neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois when he began to cross a side street at the designated pedestrian crosswalk. When he was nearly across, a truck driver who was stopped at the intersection suddenly accelerated and struck the man with the front of his vehicle. The victim was hit in the right side of his body and thrown to the pavement, at which point he immediately complained of back, neck, and shoulder pain. He was then transported by ambulance to Swedish Covenant Hospital.

The driver pleaded guilty to the traffic tickets he received for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. There was good visibility at the time of the accident, as there was sufficient light available and the street was straight and flat.

The x-rays taken at the hospital showed some loss of disc height in the lumbar spine and straightening of the lordotic curve of the cervical spine. The victim was diagnosed with lumbar and cervical strain, instructed to temporarily take off work, prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain medication, and instructed to seek follow up care. Unfortunately, the victim’s condition worsened over the next couple days when his back pain began to radiate into his right leg and cause discomfort.

A week later, the man began therapy for his neck and back pain, which was radiating down his entire right leg. The pain was particularly bad when he was sitting or doing everyday activities such as putting on his shoes and socks. A course of therapy was determined by the doctor and the man was treated over the next several months. Despite these treatments, however, he did not experience any significant relief of his injuries and was forced to seek further medical attention.

An MRI revealed that he had suffered herniated/bulging disks which were pressing against nerve roots. Due to the nature and extent of this injury, he was referred to a pain specialist and ordered to continue therapy. A pain specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital performed an epidural steroid injection on July 21, 2009, which only relieved his symptoms for a short time. The low back pain radiating into his right leg soon flared up again and required a visit to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s emergency department where another epidural injection was performed.

The injection improved his condition for a short period of time, but his therapy ended and the pain flared up once again. The pain was diagnosed as chronic and episodic in nature, and he was ordered to undergo another course of physical therapy and begin use of a home electro-muscle stimulation unit. Epidural steroid injections were also administered on 3 separate occasions during February and March of 2010, which improved his condition.

As a result of his injuries, the victim was unable to engage in the leisurely and every day activities for a period of time at a level he was accustomed to.

A lawsuit was filed in the case so the victim would be able to receive the maximum compensation for his injuries. After commencing with the discovery phase of the lawsuit, both sides agreed to participate in non-binding mediation where the lawyers at Abels & Annes were able to negotiate a $95,000 settlement with the defendant’s insurance carrier.

If you are a pedestrian in Arizona that has been hurt as a result of a collision with an automobile, contact us online or call (866) 99-ABELS for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and there is no attorney's fee unless a recovery is made on your behalf.

Two different Arizona car accidents, one in Phoenix and the other in Tucson, have recently claimed the lives of two children, Reuters is reporting.

In Phoenix a two-year-old girl was killed after a pickup truck being driven by her father rolled over her while backing out of the driveway. The incident occurred at the family's home on Tuesday morning, May 31.

The girl had been playing with her brother in the front yard of their house, which is located in the area of Thunderbird Road and 35th Ave. around 10:30 AM. The father had been watching the kids at the time.

The mother then came home, and the father then mistakenly thought mom was watching the kids. The father then backed his vehicle down the driveway to go run errands, and in doing so struck his daughter, according to azfamily.com.

The child was rushed to Phoenix Children's Hospital where she passed away from injuries sustained in the accident.

The Phoenix Police Department handled the crash investigation, and no criminal charges are expected to be filed, police saying that this was a tragic accident.

In a second Arizona pedestrian accident that resulted in the death of a toddler, a 25-year-old mother allegedly struck her four-year-old son with a vehicle on May 30th in Tucson. The child was taken by ambulance to University Medical Center where he died a short time later.

Police are stating they believe the mother was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She has since been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and child abuse.

While our condolences go out to both families, tragic cases such as these serve as an important reminder for drivers to use extreme caution around homes with children.

Backing out of residential driveways can be especially hazardous. Even when a driver is being cautious, sometimes smaller children can't be seen through a rear view mirror.

When my own mother was a toddler, she sustained a badly fractured leg when a milk truck driver backed over her. After the incident, the driver was so disturbed by the accident that he refused to return to the house and was put on new route.

The addition of rear view cameras and sensors on many vehicles will hopefully reduce the number of these accidents. According to autoweek.com, the Department of Transportation has proposed a new mandate to require all new cars sold in the USA weighing under 10,000 pounds to have rear view cameras by September, 2014.

The NHTSA states that on average there are 292 deaths and 18,000 injuries per year from back-over collisions.

An Arizona pedestrian collision involving a mother and child is been caught on videotape and posted on the ABC news website (click on the ABC link to view accident). Luckily, no one was seriously injured.

The tape shows a mother pushing a child in a stroller within a marked crosswalk. As traffic starts to move the pedestrians are still crossing, and a large SUV hits and drags the mother and child. Somehow they only suffered a few scrapes, and when you watch the video it's hard to believe they were not seriously injured.

Initially investigating Phoenix police officers ticketed the SUV driver for failure to yield, but later reportedly withdrew the citation after reviewing the video,stating that the driver's vision was blocked by a recreational vehicle in the left turn lane.

When and where the Phoenix SUV vs. pedestrian accident occurred was not reported.

Arizona injury lawyers are taking note that the City of Phoenix recently released 2009 car crash statistics which showed a 13% drop from 2008, AZCentral is reporting. Further, the total number of accidents were 22,713, the lowest in 20 years. The rate of accidents per every 1000 people went from 17 down to 14.

Injuries from auto accidents: The statistics state that there was an 8.9% drop for the number of people injured in accidents, and 136 deaths, which is down from 143 in the year 2008.

Pedestrian accidents: Phoenix pedestrian accidents went from 589 in 2008 down to 525 in 2009. 36 pedestrians were hit and killed by vehicles in 2009, down from 41 2008. In 2009 pedestrian deaths accounted for 26.3% of all traffic fatalities.

Bicycle collisions: Phoenix bicycle accidents also saw a reduction 2009. There were 467 collisions, down from 478 and 2008. 423 bicycle riders were injured and nine were killed.

Statistics showed April had the greatest amount of accidents, while September was the most deadly. Friday was the worst day for accidents, and 12 PM to 3 PM was the worst time.

Alcohol only played a role in 6% of accidents, but was involved in 44% of crash related deaths, showing again how dangerous drinking and driving can be.

If you've been involved in an Arizona car crash , Phoenix bike accident or Mesa pedestrian collision, call the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for free consultation. Call 866-99-ABELS to speak directly to an attorney now.

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 resident has been struck and killed in a pedestrian accident that occurred in Green Bay, Wisconsin, according to azfamily.com. The victim, who was a resident of Avondale, Arizona was accidentally struck and killed by his girlfriend who was driving while intoxicated.

The deadly accident occurred last Friday around 11 PM. The victim had been unemployed for several months and was staying with his girlfriend Wisconsin.

The couple had been out drinking at a local bar before the accident when they reportedly got into an argument. The Arizona man decided to walk home and then his girlfriend got into her car to go find him. She then accidentally ran him over around three blocks from the tavern. She got out of her car to try to help when she realized that she had struck him. She tried performing CPR.

During the police investigation it was discovered that the woman had a blood-alcohol level of over twice the Wisconsin legal limit of 0.08. She now faces charges that include homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, which is a felony in Wisconsin.

It is not been reported if a Wisconsin or Arizona injury lawyer is involved in the case yet. Here, the attorney representing the family of the victim will look to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at fault driver. Further, the lawyer may also look into whether the local tavern served the driver too much alcohol before she got into her car and drove off.

While this accident happened Wisconsin, click here to read more about Arizona dramshop claims.

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" »

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.

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.

A Phoenix personal injury lawyer at Abels & Annes has settled an automobile vs. pedestrian accident lawsuit for $162,000. The accident took place in Chicago, Illinois back on January 24, 2008 on the North Side near Wrigley Field.

The plaintiff was crossing a street in a crosswalk with a green light when a driver ran a red light and struck him. After the accident, the at fault driver tried to claim that she had a green light. However, there was an independent witness at the scene of the accident that saw the collision and agreed with our client's version of events. The accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department.

After the accident, our client was taken by ambulance to an emergency room. At the ER, he had multiple complaints which included right wrist pain, shoulder pain,and he had a large cut on his forehead. The laceration was close with nine stitches and x-rays showed he had a right fractured wrist. He was discharged from the emergency room with instructions to follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon.

Our client followed up with a surgeon a few days after the accident. Due to his complaints, the doctor ordered an MRI of his left shoulder. The scan revealed a rotator cuff tear.

The physician recommended surgery to repair the shoulder. Surgery was performed weeks later Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago.

The lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County alleged the driver failed to stop for red light, was driving too fast for conditions on the road, and failed to stop for pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. The defendant had auto insurance with State Farm and the case settled shortly before the scheduled trial date.

If you have been hurt in a Phoenix pedestrian accident, call the Arizona accident attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call 602-819-5191 speak to an injury lawyer now.

A man has died in an Arizona pedestrian accident that occurred Tuesday night at the intersection of 7th Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix, azcentral.com has reported. The Phoenix Police Department has closed the intersection for an investigation.

Police are stating that the pedestrian had just gotten of the train at the intersection and was crossing the street. He was struck and killed by a southbound vehicle. It is being reported that the victim is not a local resident and may be from another country.

The police are still investigating the accident and do not yet know if drugs or alcohol played a role. It has not been reported if the pedestrian was in or near a crosswalk.

Both the accident intersection and the 7th Ave. rail station are still closed.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, in the year 2008 alone there were 1,524 pedestrian crashes in Arizona. That represents 1.27 percent of all accidents state wide. 124 pedestrians died in accidents that year (which is down from 157 deaths in 2007).

UPDATE: ABC News is now reporting that the vehicle involved in the accident was traveling at approximately 90 mph. The driver of the speeding car hit the pedestrian, then hit two other cars, and continued on to strike a building where the vehicle caught on fire.

The vehicle was traveling so fast that the pedestrian victim was severed in half. Drivers of the two other vehicles involved were injured and taken by ambulance to area hospitals.

The pedestrian has been identified as Ramzy Khalil.

Click here to view the story and accident photos posted by AZFamily.com.

A Phoenix car accident resulted in a woman being run over after climbing out of her vehicle to check for damage, ABC15 reported.

Accident victims who are injured while outside their vehicle is not uncommon. Circumstances of such accidents are motorists, pedestrians or bystanders who are injured while standing at the scene of an earlier accident and motorists who are injured while changing a flat tire or standing next to a disabled vehicle.

Police report the woman was struck on Wednesday while getting out of her vehicle to check for damage after an accident at 19th Avenue and Osborn Road. That accident occurred when one vehicle t-boned another and was struck by a third vehicle.

The woman was reportedly run down by a passing motorist. Several witnesses helped lift the vehicle off her and she was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that nearly 120,000 traffic accidents occurred in 2008, killing 842 motorists and injuring more than 37,000. The vast majority of accidents occurred in urban areas like Phoenix.

Urban crashes leave motorists at risk of a secondary accident as traffic continues to pass the scene while emergency personnel respond. Frequently, impatient or irritated motorists can act recklessly, which increases the risk of a second traffic accident and can put accident victims at increased risk.

A teenager was killed in a Phoenix pedestrian accident by a distracted driver who was tending to his children in the back seat, the Arizona Republic reported.

The driver reportedly veered off the road and struck them Saturday night as the two boys, ages 15 and 18, were walking on a sidewalk near Roosevelt Street and 32nd Avenue at about 8:30 p.m.

Police report that the driver of the 2006 Chevy Colorado was not impaired but was momentarily distracted by his children, who were riding in the back seat. The driver veered to the right and struck both boys on the sidewalk.

The 15-year-old sustained minor injuries. But the older boy had to be extracted from beneath the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The federal government's distracted driving website reports that more than 6,000 people are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving. While safety advocates focus primarily on the dangers of using a cell phone or text messaging while driving, other forms of distracted driving include:

-Talking to passengers or tending to children.
-Dealing with pets in the car.
-Eating, drinking or smoking.
-Dressing, grooming or applying makeup.
-Reading, including maps.
-Using in-car electronics, including stereos, Mp3 players and GPS devices.

Continue reading "Distracted driving reportedly to blame for Phoenix pedestrian accident that kills teen" »

A Phoenix pedestrian accident claimed the life of a young teenager Friday night, ABC15 reported.

The teen was killed while crossing Phoenix Street near 72nd Avenue and Indian School Road about 10:45 p.m. An officer was driving by the scene just before the accident happened and made a U-turn in response to the crash.

A witness reported that the officer had shined a spotlight on two people jaywalking just before the accident, possibly blinding the driver who struck them. A police spokesperson said the officer did not shine a light on the two victims until after the crash occurred. Police say the driver did not claim to be blinded and statements by both the driver and the surviving victim confirm the police version of events.

Police say the driver of the vehicle stopped and was cooperative with officers. Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected to be a factor in the crash. No information about the second victim's condition was made available.

Drivers in Arizona are required by law to use due care to not hit pedestrians in the roadway.

Click here to read the story as reported by AZ Family.

Drunk driving may have been responsible for a fatal Phoenix truck accident that killed a 28-year-old man over the Fourth of July weekend, the Arizona Republic reported.

The driver of the truck was killed when his Nissan Titan pickup slammed head-on into a tree, according to police. The man and a 14-year-old passenger were speeding westbound on Southern Avenue near 34th Place when the driver lost control shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday. The teenager was transported to the hospital, where he was listed in stable condition on Sunday.

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 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.

An Arizona pedestrian accident sent a Peoria man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries on Monday afternoon, the Republic reported.

AZ Family reported that the 30-year-old man died overnight after being struck by a truck while stopping at the side of the road to help a friend load a disabled bicycle into his car.

The victim stopped on the outside eastbound lane of Cactus Road to pick up a friend whose bicycle had a flat tire. A pickup truck driving eastbound rear-ended the vehicle, striking the man at about 3 p.m. The accident pinned the victim beneath the truck.

The victim's friend and the truck's driver were not injured. Cactus Road was closed for about three hours between 67th and 71st avenues. An investigation into the accident is ongoing and charges are possible.

A total of 124 people were killed in Arizona pedestrian accidents in 2008, compared to 157 killed in 2007, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. More than 1,300 pedestrian accidents were reported in urban areas, while just 140 were reported in rural areas.

In Peoria, a total of 2,462 traffic accidents were reported in 2008, killing 18 people and injuring 1,003.

Arizona traffic statistics for last year are due out in the coming weeks.

Un pedestre de Arizona vs. accidente de autobús escolar ha reclamado la vida de una mujer en Glendale el miércoles por la mañana, según el Arizona República. La víctima, una mujer de 39 años, estaba cruzando la calle en el área de la Avenida 47 y la Avenida Peoria.

La mujer iba caminando hacia el norte por una luz verde cuando el autobús escolar, que también iba hacia el norte, giró a la derecha y no se dio cuenta del pedestre en el cruce peatonal. Las Noticias de ABC informan que el pedestre estaba en un cruce peatonal cuando fue atropellada.

El Departamento de Policía en Glendale esta manejando la investigación del accidente. Ningunos niños fueron heridos. La víctima fue trasladada al Hospital Valley, donde murió poco tiempo después.

En el año 2008, 124 pedestres murieron 1,423 resultaron heridos en Arizona según el Departamento de Transporte de Arizona. Ochenta y nueve de los accidentes pedestres fatales ocurrieron en áreas urbanas.

Bajo la ley de Arizona, los conductores están obligados a ser cuidadosos para evitar chocar con un pedestre en la via. Aún más, los conductores tienen que ceder el paso a los pedestres en un cruce peatonal.

An Arizona pedestrian vs. school bus accident has taken the life of a woman in Glendale on Wednesday morning, according to the Arizona Republic. The victim, a 39 year old woman, was crossing the street in the area of 47th Avenue and Peoria Avenue.

The woman was walking northbound on a green light when the school bus, who was also northbound, turned right and failed to notice her. ABC News is reporting that the pedestrian was in a crosswalk when she was hit.

The Glendale Police Department is handling the crash investigation. No children were injured. The victim was rushed to Valley Hospital where she died a short time later.

In the year 2008 alone, 124 pedestrians were killed 1,423 pedestrians were injured in Arizona according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Eighty nine of the fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas.

Under Arizona law, drivers are required to "exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on any roadway". Further, drivers have to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

As the State of Arizona prepares to issue a comprehensive report on traffic accidents for last year, a look at the 2008 traffic report provides an in-depth look at traffic safety in The Grand Canyon State.

A total of 937 people were killed in 842 fatal Arizona traffic accidents in 2008. In all, 119,588 Arizona traffic accidents were reported, injuring more than 56,000, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Crash statistics for last year will be released in the coming weeks. Nationwide, more than 6 million crashes killed 41,059 people, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.

Urban accidents were responsible for the majority of the state's traffic crashes, with 81,566 accidents, compared to 23,113 in rural areas. However, more people were killed in rural accidents.

Of accident types:
-Arizona bicycle accidents accounted for 1,989 crashes.

-Pedestrian accidents in Arizona were responsible for 1,524 traffic crashes.

-Motorcycle accidents accounted for 3,531 traffic collisions in Arizona.

-24,161 single-vehicle crashes were reported.

-Multi-vehicle crashes were the primary type of traffic accidents, with 95,427 reported.

Drunk driving accidents accounted for about one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in 2008, with 294 of 842 deadly accidents blamed on impaired drivers.

Of fatal accidents:
-414 occurred in urban areas.

-523 occurred in rural areas.

-114 young drivers under the age of 24 were killed.

Other findings include:
-February was the peak month for crashes.

-More accidents occurred on Friday than any other day of the week.

-Early evening rush hour -- between 4 and 5 p.m.-- was the most dangerous time on the roads.

-Saturday was the deadliest day of the week.

-Rear-end collisions were the most common type of traffic accident in Arizona.

-The most common citation issued to drivers was "speed too fast for conditions."

In a bizarre Phoenix area pedestrian vs. car accident, a police officer in Mesa fatally hit a woman who was lying in the road on Thursday night, according to azcentral.com. The officer was heading east on Apache Trail in the area of 96th Street when he suddenly saw a pair of feet in front of him. He tried to stop in time, but could not avoid hitting her.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was trapped under the unmarked police car after the accident. She was rushed by helicopter to Maricopa County Medical Center, but did not survive and was pronounced dead on arrival.

The woman was approximately 50 years old. After the accident a man claiming to be her boyfriend arrived at the accident site and said she had been drinking.

The accident is still being investigated by the Mesa Police Department.

Believe it or not, this type of accident does occur once in a while in Arizona. According to ADOT, in 2008 alone, 5 people were killed and 3 others were injured while laying in the road.